The majority of people imagine themselves living in a house or apartment. However, others want to live their lives on a sailboat. Living on a boat has a lot of benefits, such as fresh ocean air and the ability to travel anywhere on the seas. While some people wish to live aboard a boat, it is crucial to know whether or not this is possible in their area. Australia is an excellent example of a country where some individuals would choose to live aboard a boat. The views are truly magnificent, with gorgeous mainland foreshores and mangroves juxtaposed against an infinite expanse of water.

The concept of living aboard a boat in Australia has a liberating quality to it.
It’s easy to see why some people might want to live on a boat full time in such a wonderful country. But this raises the question of whether living full-time on a boat is a feasible desire. So, in this article, I’m going to give you information about liveaboard life in Australia. If you’re interested, keep reading!

Where to Moor your Boat?

The most important consideration is where you intend to moor your sailboat. Note that the majority of marinas discourage long-term moorings. When they do, there are frequently additional fees to pay, as well as prohibitions on things like hanging laundry on the ship, loud parties, dumping sewerage, or any other type of garbage. Showers and laundry facilities are commonly available in marinas, but they frequently request a fee. And docking a boat in a suitable mid-range marina on a permanent basis is not cheap. Most now charge an additional fee for energy in addition to the mooring fee.

To moor in a marina, you must have at least third-party insurance. And, many are increasingly requesting that gas installations on boats and other vessels have to be approved. Note that Pillon mooring may be available in some locales. There are few amenities, and no electricity or running water. Mooring on a river or lake is usually less expensive than mooring in a marina. Then there are the mooring buoys. These are typically near yacht clubs and are owned by the vessel owner, who pays a charge as well as annual inspection and maintenance. The Australian Government is now placing a lot more limits on where these can be constructed. While mooring off a buoy is inexpensive, there will be no amenities such as electricity or running water. Moreover, you will have to use your dinghy for your shopping ashore.

In addition, it is feasible to just anchor anywhere, however leaving a sailboat unattended at anchor for extended periods of time is not a good idea. Anchors have a tendency to come loose, particularly in bad weather. Many state governments and councils also have a list of where anchoring is permitted. When anchoring, you’re looking for a position that will shelter you from the elements, and these unique spots are hard to come by.

If you plan on cruising throughout Australia or up and down the coast, you should be able to discover anchoring spots that are good for brief stops. But, you will need a seaworthy vessel with a high degree of self-sufficiency. A freshwater system or a watermaker is also a must to have onboard. Power generation options like a generator, solar, wind are also crucial. On a boat, power is always an issue since people want to use more laptops, electronics, kettles, toasters, and other appliances.

Living Aboard Legislation in Australia

Living aboard can be either expensive or cheap. It depends on your way of living and your needs. Being at anchor is free, but you’re always at the mercy of the weather. Meaning that if the wind shifts, you have to find a new safe haven. You should also be aware of any applicable government legislation regarding garbage management, time limits, restrictions, and distances from structures in your area. The laws in each state and territory are different.

Maritime Safety Queensland, a department of transport and main roads body, is in charge of creating marine zone rules and limits in Queensland. Keep in mind that the legislation is divided into council regions. Broadwater regulation on the Gold Coast, for example, prevents anyone from residing aboard a boat within 3 nautical miles of a single location for more than seven consecutive days in any 60-day period. It’s also a bit of an aptitude test. This is because if you yell at the maritime cops, they will certainly not forgive any of your little transgressions. They’re just doing their job out on the sea. Remember, these are the same men and women who could one day save you or your boat if something goes wrong.

Moorings on swings or buoys are the next cheapest choice. You have the option of renting a swing mooring from a yacht club for a weekly charge or applying to the government for your own. Again, depending on where you live in Australia, the amount of time you can spend living onboard on your swing mooring may be limited. There are about 4000 swing moorings in Queensland, and you can purchase a lease through Maritime Safety. Renewal of the lease is approximately $40 each year. The cost of installing a mooring block and tackle is roughly $3000, and the mooring holder is responsible for maintaining it. Swing mooring leases are in high demand, and you may find yourself on a lengthy waiting list. It’s also an illogical situation because you need to own a boat to rent a swing mooring from the government.

Cost of Living in a Marina in Australia

While marinas are the most expensive they offer numerous benefits. These are convenient access, security, a safe shelter for your boat, power and water on demand, and a pleasant social atmosphere. The cost of a marina varies greatly based on the attractiveness of the area. For instance, on Queensland’s east coast, expect to pay around $25 per night in Gladstone Marina, $39 at Mackay Marina, and $85 in the Whitsundays.

If you pay for a full year’s fees in advance, the cost of a marina berth drops considerably. The cost of a boat slip depends on its size and type. And, a price list is available at the marina office or by emailing your local marina. A recent printout of fees at Meridien Marina, Abel Point, in the Whitsundays revealed that the daily rate for a 39ft monohull is $70, the weekly rate is $340, and the quarterly rate is $3150. A 39ft monohull costs $43 per night, $241 per week, and $2082.60 each quarter at Mooloolaba Marina. Keep in mind that there will be additional expenses if you live on a liveaboard. These include maintenance, insurance, sewage, gas, extra amenities, and your own personal expenses.

On the good side, living on the water eliminates council rates. Nevertheless, you must pay for boat registration and your insurance premiums are significant. You will also have to show proof of insurance if you moor at a marina. The majority of sailors spend between $1000 and $2000 per year on boat insurance. A survey report from a competent marine surveyor is also essential when purchasing a boat. Not only will it provide you peace of mind, but most insurance companies will refuse to insure your boat unless you provide a complete out-of-water record. There are several qualified surveyors in Australia, and most marina offices can send you in the correct direction.

Limitations for Liveaboards in Australia

You probably already know this, but the official line is that you can only live onboard for around 24 days a year in New South Wales. On the other hand, there are great spots in Queensland and some extremely nice places in Tasmania that allow liveaboards. Some sailors state that they frequently surpass the New South Wales “time limit”, however, they never had any issues with the authorities. But, in order to have your peace of mind, you would have to cruise and do not stay in one place for months at a time. Note that in NSW, there are relatively low time constraints if you want to live aboard in a marina. Marina owners will not tell you that they allow full-time liveaboards, but some do.

The Northern Territory is really relaxed, and there are great marinas and spots in Darwin. It’s also much easier to liveaboard in Queensland. For starters, it’s legal. Even yet, some marinas prohibit it, and others impose an additional liveaboard cost. Others may levy a fee for the use of electricity. Particularly if you have air conditioning. As long as you keep going, you should be fine, but there are specific regions where they will harass you mercilessly, and such areas are canal suburb areas near cities. Some areas, including Mooloolaba, appear to have local bylaws forbidding persons from living aboard at anchor or imposing short time limits, often 72 hours. Strangely, several derelict-looking vessels have been anchored in Mooloolaba for years, dragging all over the anchorage. This appears to be acceptable because no one is on them.

Bear in mind that not all places are suitable for liveaboards in Australia. This is because people would buy boats instead of houses if the government allowed living on boats near big cities. Moreover, the waterways would be clogged with habitation. Furthermore, the waterways would be full of garbage. The only places in Australia where you can live on a boat are distant areas where land costs are low enough that you can buy a house on land more affordably and conveniently. For example, nobody is going to let you live on a boat in the middle of Sydney Harbour. Alternatively, everyone would.

Marinas in Australia

• Hamilton Island Marina, Queensland
• Superyacht Marina, Port Douglas, Queensland
• Hope Harbor Marina, Queensland
• Hervey Bay Marina, Queensland
• East Coast Marina, Brisbane, Queensland
• Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Brisbane, Queensland
• Mackay Marina, North Queensland
• Breakwater Marina, Townsville, Queensland
• Cairns Marlin Marina, Queensland
• Scarborough Marina, Queensland
• Noosa Marina, Queensland
• Yarra’s Edge Marina, Melbourne, Victoria
• Mornington Yacht Club, Victoria
• Westernport Marina, Victoria
• Sandringham Yacht Club, Victoria
• Wyndham Harbour, Melbourne
• Melbourne Harbor Marina
• Cullen Bay Marina, Darwin, Northern Territory
• Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf, Sydney, New South Wales
• Soldiers Point Marina, New South Wales
• Wollongong Harbour Marina, New South Wales
• Port Bouvard Marina, Wannanup
• City of Mandurah Ocean Marina, Wannanup
• Pier 21 Marina, North Fremantle
• Royal Perth Yacht Club Fremantle Annexe
• Mandurah Ocean Marina
• Hillarys Boat Harbour Marina
• Stanley Boat Harbour, Tasmania
• Prince of Wales Bay Marina, Tasmania
• Margate Marina, Tasmania
• Oyster Cove Marina, Tasmania
• Port Huon Marina, Tasmania

Weather Considerations

The climate of Australia varies widely across its eight states and territories; most of the country has four seasons, with a wet and dry season in the tropical north. Seasons in Australia run counter to those in the northern hemisphere. Summer is from December to February, autumn is from March to May, winter is from June to August, and spring is from September to November. Always keep in mind the weather and rainfall forecast for Australia’s capital cities, so as to be able to plan ahead and wisely choose a liveaboard marina.

Most significantly, once you purchase a liveaboard boat, you will become more aware of different weather patterns and how to be prepared for them. Storm monitoring concerns should not deter you from owning a boat. Thousands of Australian homeowners are buying properties among the gum trees despite the fact that there are arguably more bushfire disasters in Australia than marine tragedies.

In other words, bad weather might strike at any time. While cyclone warnings have been issued in North Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, storms have also hit NSW, South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Marinas are rated to handle these situations, so docking in one gives you peace of mind. If you’re at anchor, you may need to find a safer haven depending on your location. Despite the difficulties, many sailors say that they would never go back to being landlubbers when their backyard is the ocean and the world is their oyster.

Information about Living on a Boat in Australia

For some, living aboard a boat may seem like a far-fetched fantasy, but it is achievable. In some parts of Australia, living on a boat is permissible. The rules are more stringent in other regions. Brisbane and the surrounding areas are notorious for having more stringent laws and negative attitudes toward individuals who desire to live on the water. These locales have been reported to demand exorbitant prices. However, the atmosphere toward boat residents becomes a little more relaxed as you travel north of Brisbane.

Even while the environment improves as you travel north of Brisbane, living on a boat can be expensive This is due to the fact that the sites where people wish to dock their boats are also docking areas. These fees may be determined by the size of the boat as well as the area’s overall charges. It’s not as simple as putting your boat in the water and leaving it there. Only a few regions, such as marinas, allow boaters to live on the water. Houseboats on river areas, rather than the open ocean, have become a more popular choice for Australians. This can be a more cost-effective way to live on a boat.

These solutions may still entail owning a small piece of property adjacent to the river,. But, for those who have decided that life on the sea is for them, it is well worth the change. Marinas are popular gathering places for boats all over the world to moor for a fee. However, note that marinas aren’t always used by people on a long-term basis. Marinas, on the other hand, make it possible to live on a boat. For instance, the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is one of the most well-known in Australia. While it is true that you must be a member of the squadron to reside on your yacht in the marina (which is located in Manly, QLD), their costs are not as high as some others.

The cost of renting a berth for mooring a vessel varies greatly depending on the size. In addition, there are expenses associated with marina rentals and residing on the property at this location. These expenses include liveaboard fees of around $64 per vessel per week and $192 per vessel per month for its members. The liveaboard costs are only applicable to those who live aboard within the marina. They do not include the cost of renting a berth. It’s also a good idea to ask the marina about these fees ahead of time, as well as whether or not there’s a waiting list.

The Bottom Line

Living permanently on a boat in Australia is totally doable. But, keep in mind that it necessitates a completely different way of life. Because storage and facilities are limited, minimalism is the best option. It is not possible to just walk down to the store; you must plan beforehand. Then there’s the boat’s ongoing maintenance. It’s never-ending, and you’ll have to have some basic DIY skills or it’ll cost a fortune to get someone to come out and fix it. Also, consider the cost of sail replacement, rigging, engine repairs, and basic maintenance such as painting, repairing fittings, and hauling outs.

Finally, cruising around Australia’s coastline is a fantastic way to experience the country if done properly and with sufficient preparation and planning. You get to see locations that you wouldn’t be able to see from the ground or the air. You can stop for a few days and enjoy a location, then find a suitable marina to live in and later on change location if you want to. Lastly, note that there’s a vibrant and active cruising community in most marinas in Australia. Even though some Australian states don’t allow liveaboards there are still many opportunities for liveaboards in various marinas around the country.

I hope that you have all the necessary information you needed about liveaboard life in Australia. I wish you the best and get ready to explore and live in this amazing country!