Bon Voyage dinner for Jessica Watson

With just three weeks to go before Jessica Watson and her team sail her yacht to Sydney to prepare for her imminent departure around the world, the team is holding a bon voyage dinner on the Sunshine Coast.
Jessica, at 16 years old, is aiming to become the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world, departing from Sydney in September 2009.
Click here if you'd like to attend Jessica's dinner and wish her good luck.

Marina Oceanus at Marina Mirage on the Gold Coast

Located in the enviable position with the Pacific Ocean on one side and the calm Gold Coast Broadwater on the other, Marina Oceanus at Marina Mirage is a full service marina dedicated to providing the extra touches that matter. Ideal for Superyachts up to 60 metres, Marina Oceanus at Marina Mirage is adjacent to swanky Palazzo Versace Hotel, and just down the road from Seaworld.

Australian Marinas Guide is on Facebook

Join in the discussion about your favourite (or least favourite) marina on the Australian Marinas Guide Facebook page.

Artists afloat exhibition in Brisbane

Due to the popularity of the first Artists Afloat group exhibition on board Mojocreations Floating Gallery, stainless steel artist Jo Wooler has decided to have another!

Where: at the end of the Redcliffe Jetty, Brisbane
When: 6-8 June, 10am-3pm daily (free entry)
Why: come and visit this inspiring exhibition of local works on board Redcliffe's unique floating gallery in celebration of Queensland Day on 6 June.
(10% of all sales will be donated to the Redcliffe Environmental Forum Inc)

Click here to view the artists featured in 'Artists Afloat - On the Water'.

Sanctuary Cove Boat Show

Despite the dark clouds that hung around Sancutary Cove all weekend, organisers of the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show were delighted with both exhibitor and visitor turnout. For the first time in the show's 21 year history, day one was rescheduled as exhibitors struggled to get their boats and stands in order as an east coast low developed just off the Gold Coast.

The unexpected and sudden development of very strong winds and high rainfall today has delayed set up,' said Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show general manager Mark Jensen on Wednesday night, announcing the postponement.

'We want to ensure people really can enjoy this spectacular world class marine event and for this reason, we have rescheduled the start date to this Friday, May 22.'

The sun came out on Friday and it was business as usual as crowds flocked through the gates, with near record visitor numbers recorded. Major marine companies were well represented, though many seemed to have taken up smaller exhibitor spaces than in previous years. With the pall of financial gloom hanging over the country, it's no wonder. But, by all accounts, the show was a success and is still, for my money, one of the best shows in Australia.

World Oceans Day Monday 8 June 2009

World Oceans Day is an annual celebration of the ocean that we as boaties, enjoy and love. Without it we'd be high and dry!

Community events are happening both on the water and on the waterfront all over the globe as people gather to worship the oceans and its creatures. Magnetic Island in far north Queensland has embraced the event and has a great day of fun, festivities and education at glorious Picnic Bay which looks across Clevland Bay towards Townsville.

Start the day at Picnic Bay Mall with informative and interactive stalls. Local product fashion parade and music at Picnic Bay; Historical films and painted corals of days gone by at Picnic Bay History, Art & Craft museum; Rick Braly's Aquasearch Aquarium special viewings and clam research; Children's Art and Sand Garden competition at Alma Bay; Pleasure Divers reef clean-up dives, beach clean up & educational snorkel tours Alma Bay; Arcadia Lounge internet cafe showing marine films on big screens and interactive internet at cafe; Geoffrey Bay beach clean-up; Sculpture Garden Walk Barefoot Art, Food, Wine – Horseshoe Bay; Water testing with Creek Watch and Kids Science Club and much more.

Turtle Foundation DVD's to be shown; Al Gore's Australian recruits DVD to be shown at Picnic Bay Courtyard; Shrimp on the barbie at Picnic Bay. Lots of fabulous prizes including Sunferries family pass, o'nite and b'fast at Peppers blue on blue resort; Weekend for 2 Accor Magnetic; Children's great marine prizes, giveaways and guaranteed fun.

See you on Magnetic Island! Closest marina is Magnetic Island Marina

For more info on World Oceans Day events at Magnetic Island Contact Barbara J Gibbs bgibbs131056@hotmail.com. For events happening at other destinations visit the World Oceans Day website.

15yr old Jessica Watson unveils yacht for world voyage

Jessica Watson, the 15 year old sailor from Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, this week unveiled the yacht she intends to skipper around the world at Rivergate Marina Brisbane.

Departing from Brisbane in September 2009, Jessica aims to smash the world record to become the youngest person to sail solo nonstop and unassisted around the world. The current record is held by Melbourne sailor Jesse Martin, who was 18 when he completed his voyage in 1999. Jessica will turn 16 next week, intends to return home before her 17th birthday.

While some people have expressed disbelief at Jessica's ambitious campaign, they perhaps have not met Jessica and witnessed her in action. Sure she's only 15 and is physically a small person, but when speaking with Jessica it's hard not to believe in her. I for one was sceptical initially. That was until I met Jessica and realised firstly how serious she was in her ambition, but secondly how capable she was.

If anyone can achieve this remarkable record, it is Jessica. She has the full support of her family and a strong network backing her up. I wish Jessica fair winds and a safe journey and can't wait to see her sail home triumphant. She's a remarkable girl who should be applauded for her guts, as well as her ability to transform her dream into reality.

Go Jess!

Trinity Point Marina set for revision

THE $200 million Trinity Point Marina plan for Morisset Park on Lake Macquarie will be revised by developer Keith Johnson after a Lake Macquarie City Council report found the proposal was " not supported in its current form".

The report listed reasons including sea-level rise, threatened marine turtles, damage to lake ecology, shore erosion and a negative visual effect.

While agreeing to revise his plan in response to the concerns raised, Mr Johnson disputed much of the 29-page report, asserting that it failed to acknowledge the economic benefits and jobs the plan would provide.

Johnson Property Group’s vision for Trinity Point is to create a premier mixed use development, a successful, viable and vibrant place and a destination – one that forms part of an experience with and interaction with the areas great quality – the lake itself. With public access to be facilitated around and through the tourism site, its success as a ‘place’ is paramount.

Trinity Point will be a place where people want to visit for the day or longer, a land and water based destination, a place instantly recognised as part of the profile for tourism in and on Lake Macquarie. It will assist Lake Macquarie to compete in the tourism market. It will not be secluded or exclusive. Public access is encouraged for the site to be successful.

The site will be a place for residents of Trinity Point, surrounding suburbs of the Morisset Peninsula and of Lake Macquarie to take their visitors and meet with their friends – to eat out, have a coffee, sit in the village square and relax, ponder public art pieces and environmental and heritage interpretative signage, watch the boats, stroll the boardwalk, have a picnic or fish and chips on the marina green, appreciate the lake.

Landscaped pedestrian links will invite all through and around the site to enjoy the lakeside location. The western side of the lake will have a quality lakeside venue for boat owners as well as those who simply enjoy a waterfront space.

The marina will provide a place for interaction between the lake boating community and will meet increasing demands for boat storage. A helipad provides additional accessibility to the site increasing its attractiveness within the Tourism market.

Darwin mega marina on the drawing board

Developers Gwelo Developments plan to build a $1b waterfront precinct in Darwin, complete with residential housing, commercial centres as well as a 300 berth marina capable of accommodating super yachts. The proposed marina could be up to ten times the size of Darwins largest marina, Cullen Bay Marina.

The ambitious project would be built behind a 3000m long seawall between Fannie Bay and Nightcliff, on predominantly reclaimed land. The area to be redevloped is around 400 hectares and would be named Arafura Harbour. A series of lock systems would be utilised to cope with the big tides that prevail around Darwin harbour.

While the project is yet to receive final approval, developers anticipate construction beginning during the 2010 dry season, with the overall project scheduled for completion in stages over a number of years.

Naturally, members of the Darwin community are concerned about such a large precinct in their neighborhood. Stay tuned as more information on the development is released.

Central NSW Coast safe haven at Lake Macquarie

Boat owners heading north or south along the New South Wales coast need to plan their coastal passages carefully. With no barrier reef to protect the coastline, and few islands to hide behind, the majority of safe harbours are tucked in behind river mouths, often concealed behind a bar crossing.

One of the better safe harbours on the central coast is Lake Macquarie, north of Sydney and south of Port Stephens. The lake itself is an enormous expanse of water that tempts cruising boat owners to linger for a few days. Located on the northern shore, and seemingly hovering over the water is the welcoming marina of the Lake Macquarie Yacht Club. Visitors are well looked after in the clubrooms, while a berth can nearly always be found in the marina. Even if the marina is full, there's nearby permanent moorings that are usually available, with visitors able to access all the club facilities.

The Saltwater Grill is the perfect spot for a la carte or bistro dining any day of the week, with live entertainment on the deck on Sunday afternoons.

Why not schedule a stopover at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club on your next New South Wales passage?