When to visit

Queensland provides year-round cruising conditions, making it an ideal destination for superyacht visitors looking for an endless supply of beautiful weather and an unparalleled experience.

When to visit

Queensland also offers extensive marine infrastructure that rivals any world wide standards. Home to several world-class marinas strategically located along the Queensland coast, superyachts have the opportunity to berth at 26 marinas.

Additionally, most of your cruise can be enjoyed in swell free conditions due to mostly sheltered waterways in the south and the Great Barrier Reef cutting off the ocean swell from Gladstone north. Throw in a mild winter climate and it is easy to see why Queensland is such a favoured cruising destination during the southern hemisphere’s winter months.

Storm season
A large area of the South Pacific can be affected by cyclones between December and April. However, as Queensland is located on the fringe of the South Pacific the region experiences considerably less storm activity. Although conditions are favourable most of the year, there are a sufficient number of safe anchorages available throughout Queensland for superyachts to anchor safely at anytime of the year.

Marine weather for Queensland Ports
When planning a trip to Queensland it is advisable to visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website which provides the latest satellite photos, tide predictions weather maps, marine forecasts and storm warnings.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s Regional Forecasting Centres in Brisbane, Perth, Darwin and Melbourne also provide routine high seas forecasts which are issued twice daily for the areas beyond the coastal waters surrounding Australia. Warnings to shipping on the high seas are issued whenever gale, storm or hurricane-force winds are expected. The initial warning attempts to provide a 12 to 24-hour lead-time and warnings are renewed every 6 hours.

 Marine weather and National Tidal conditions are available in addition to Weather Charts.

 Useful contacts within the Bureau of Meteorology can give additional information.

Marine stinger season
When swimming at Queensland beaches, visitors must be aware of the seasonal presence of marine stingers. Most of Queensland’s northern beaches are prone to marine stingers during the summer months. However, most popular beaches in areas prone to marine stingers have stinger-resistant enclosures so beachgoers can enjoy swimming throughout the year. It is important to swim inside the enclosures as they are the only safe swimming zone on the beach.