Looking for the best marinas in Australia can be an enormous task for any boater. But it might interest you to know that there are well over 290 marinas in Australia. These luxurious docks tend to everything from the soaring number of international maxi yachts that come ashore to the modest fleets of local boats on display every year. The dandiest of marinas here are known to be found close to Great Barrier Reef- the UNESCO World Heritage-listed location, which is also one of the purest marine ecosystems in the world.

Off the coast of the country, for some, fishing is an activity that is highly recommended. There are residential and commercial marinas. Some of them are kept on sheltered rivers. These only have the capacity for smaller crafts, while the rest are luxurious and tremendous. This difference is a confirmation of Australia’s terrific size and the various environs and climes of the mooring and docking facilities in the country.

So, the next time you are just cruising the Australian coastline or planning an Australian sea adventure, which marina should you select to refresh and explore?

Port Lincoln Marina (Port Lincoln, South Australia)

Port Lincoln is iconic for not only being the home of Australia’s largest commercial fishing fleet but also being popular to have the highest number of millionaires per capita in Australia. You will find deluxe wineries and an unsmooth coastline nearby, and if you want a splendid seafood experience, this location is the best spot to visit.

The clean waters near the Eyre Peninsula are incredible for fishing a wide variety of scrumptious species like Yellowtail Kingfish, Bluefin Tuna, Snapper, and King George Whiting. Meanwhile, the Port Lincoln Hotel offers delicious local, fresh seafood like Hiramasa Kingfish Ceviche with passionfruit, fennel, and avocado puree. Finally, you might take a look at the waters of the Spencer Gulf, where all the tasty fishes come from. Around Port Lincoln, the best places to find whiting include Tumby Bay, Coffin Bay, and Arno Bay.

For Salmon, Miller’s Hole and Wanna Beach are perfect, but Fresh Fish Place is the best spot to find fish for dinner. It is a 5-minute drive from the marina.

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Coral Sea Marina Resort (Airlie Beach, Queensland)

This magnificent marina is one of Australia’s best equipped because of its closeness to the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Sea Marina can accommodate around 520 yachts in berths as massive as 80m. It received a multi-million dollar overhaul over the infrequency of global tourists in the thick of the pandemic. 

Coral Sea Marina resort’s closeness to the Great Barrier Reef means it is the ideal platform for a restful cruise to this UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. It clinched the 2017 Superyacht Industry Service Provider of the Year Award while also scoring an entry into the 2021 Hall of Fame for Marina of the Year after a 3-year winning streak that lasted until 2020. 

As a fun fact, 80% of all tourism in the region uses the Coral Sea Marina Resort as a Launchpad. It’s simply the ideal place to shelter when on dry land. The marina has perfect rooms, a modern spa marked by ocean views, and an indulgent location blessed with a beachside pool.

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Birks Harbour Marina (Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia)

Birks Harbour is a private and romantic spot that hosts the Boathouse Retreat. If you are looking to get away with a significant other in South Australia, here is the perfect place to visit. The calm of the morning chill and the pristine waters of the Murray River set the beauty of this part of the country. Birks Harbour does not have facilities for bigger yachts and big berths, but it is surely a suitable marina to stay in. 

Situated in the town of Goolwa (one of the earliest European settlements in South Australia), this marina is made of a petite jetty and a quaint comfy resort. The town is also the first place in the country to be recognized as a Cittaslow. This designation was made by an Italian organization that appreciates and encourages villages and towns with superb quality local cuisine and drink. They also recognize other things. 

Birks Harbour marina is the ideal place to check out the beguiling Murray River, its shifting sands, and shallow waters, which combine to make a tremendous day trip, birdwatching, picnicking, or fishing.

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Cullen Bay Marina (Darwin, Northern Territory)

This marina is accessible all day long and is the perfect place to keep your yacht when going for a tour of Darwin. Apart from the Cullen Bay marina, another attraction is the fantastic fishing in the area that keeps attracting scores of yacht owners, yacht enthusiasts, and many others. You can reach the marina through a lock system that opens daily from 6 in the morning to 11 at night. You will find 170 berths in the central area here, with a maximum length of 25m.

Every basic amenities are present at Cullen Bay Marina, including recycling/refuse disposal and laundry. You should try out the dining options here because they are excellent. Indian, Greek, seafood, pizza, modern Australian cuisine, and much more can be found here. 

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Constitution Dock (Hobart, Tasmania) 

When you find a marina that offers fresh chips and fish from the boat, don’t forget about them. Constitution Dock is one of those. Here berths are also available for a year, and it is also close to shops, restaurants, and the middle of Hobart. 

If you find yourself in Tasmania in a festive period, the city of Hobart and the Constitution Dock marina is bubbly with the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht racing competition. Close to here is the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, which possesses 210 berths measuring from 10-20m. It is also a perfect spot to spend the day exploring Hobart’s inland. 

Hillarys Boat Harbour (Perth, Western Australia)

Hillarys Boat is another great marina in Australia. It is 22 km north of Perth and offers 410 marine pens measuring from 10-35m, bars, restaurants, retail shops, shipwright, aquarium, and chandlery services. It is set on Perth’s northern coastline, where you will also find some of the country’s most pristine beaches and best surf. 

Situated on the large Indian Ocean, several of the boats and yachts moored in the marina are deployed for deep fishing, and a little farther from this is where you will find some of Australia’s best fishing. Fishermen often catch Pink Snapper, Dhufish, Samson fish, and many other species.

You are bound to find a marina beach with a swimming platform, playgrounds, BBQ areas, Harley Davidson tours, and terrific flights. Staying at the marina accommodation is an option while enjoying the buzz bars and restaurants offer on the broad boardwalk.

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Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina (Port Douglas, Queensland)

Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina is situated in the north of Queensland, just 21 nautical miles northwest of Cairns Harbour. This makes it close to the Great Barrier Reef. The marina is the ideal spot to moor your superyacht if you want to check out this amazing part of the country. There are berths for close to 135 watercrafts with monohull as well as multihull pens and 5o berths for yachts close to 50m in length.

The marina also features several waterfront restaurants that offer everything from seafood to tapas. On the wharf is a brewery where people can taste some of the locally brewed drinks. A supermarket is close by too, like all the amenities one would expect from a superyacht marina.  

Crystalbrook perches in a sheltered corner, safe from the damages waves can cause. If you are looking for something more, local establishments offer a lot of experiences to visitors, like a traditional Asian junk, a sunset sail on the Shaolin, and an exploration of the enamoring local art at the Oceanic and Australian Gallery.

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Best Marinas in Australia – Conclusion

The best marinas in Australia offer it all, from internet connections and laundry services to fine dining, club facilities, and community events. They are more than just a superyacht-parking lot. Marinas are a home-away-from-home destination that will be ranked high in the books of boaters and boating enthusiasts. More so, they are an excellent place to get to know other yacht owners and possibly find the right services to make your next charter impeccable. And when we consider all these along with the super scenic coastlines of Australia, no better combination exists involving luxury and adventure.