November 2014 – Brisbane

I arrived in November 2014.  It is 30 nm from the northeast channel to Rivergate, 6 miles further if you come through the northwest channel which is used by all shipping.  Current in the river is strong at Rivergate Marina; you may want to arrive at slack water particularly if short handed.  You definitely do not want to be punching tide which can be three knots.

The marina will organize for all of the officials to come to your boat if you are clearing in.  I found the public officials very helpful and easy to deal with, as were all of the marina staff.

Rivergate is 2 miles from the railway station and four miles from the nearest shop.  The small café on site closes in the early afternoon and does not open at all on weekends.  In short, there is nothing at Rivergate. If staff are available they will run you to the station or shopping centre, but not back again.  For example, a  taxi to or from the shopping centre is about AU$15.

Whilst there is a huge haul out yard with lots of contractors on site, everyone found it very difficult to get them to do work.  A small number were helpful and on time, others nothing short of useless.  Yard manager Ben Buob was helpful but often helpless as one contractor after another failed to show.  But the yard is good if you are doing your own work with showers and loos nearby and a TV room with aircon.

Many boats just come here to clear and then move somewhere else such as Scarborough / Redcliffe to the north or Manly to the south.

Anthony Swanston

SV Wild Fox

July 8th, 2014 – Cairns

We arrived 27th June, 2014 in Cairns from Fiji and Vanuatu. We heard a lot of stories how difficult it is for a private yacht to enter Australian waters and how strictly all the laws are to get in here as a foreign yacht

We are traveling now for nearly 3 years starting in Turkey. Our yacht is a Beneteau ocean is 54 feet registered in Germany. I am a German citizen, my husband is an Icelandic citizen.

We considered first to skip Australia, because all the “information“ how difficult and expensive it is to come here.  Anyhow, we are joining here a rally to Indonesia and want to tell others what we experienced here in Cairns.

We had a very friendly and nice welcome arriving in Marlin Marina. Customs had been waiting for us already when we docked at our pontoon. The officers had been very friendly and the paperwork was done quickly. All questions had been easy to reply and after our, also good experience in New Zealand, we thought it is even easier to check in Australia.

Next was the visit of the officers of agriculture. Lots of paperwork, some photos of the woodwork in the yacht and of course paying the fee, which was before 1. July 350 AUD, they changed now after this day to 380 AUD.

We had been asked if we mind having a drug dog on board, which came immediately after and this was done without any fees and no problems.

So despite all other information, we really can recommend stopping here in Australia, and another thing. Cairns is a wonderful place to stay.

Elizabeth and Onni Johannsson

S.Y. ELONNISA

November 1st, 2013 – Bundaberg

Returning to Australia after a 9 1/2 year circumnavigation we were not looking forward to the alleged complications and expense clearing into Australia (Bundaberg). Nothing could have been further from the truth; we were attended to by very courteous and friendly officials, all done on board in about 1/2 hour and the total cost $330. Needing groceries the marina then called the manager at the supermarket in nearby Burnett Heads who picked us up in his van, took us to his shop and after finished shopping took us back to the boat via the local liquor store to pick up some beer, how is that for Aussie hospitality! Can thoroughly recommend Bundaberg as a port of entry.

gunnarandeva

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