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Yachts arriving by water or road Transport Information

There are several ways to transport your boat and support vessel to Hamilton Island. Please review Race Week specific information before arriving.

Transport

Yachts arriving by Road 

Keel Yachts Arriving by Road

If your yacht is being transported to Hamilton Island Race Week by truck, you can lift, step the keel, and step the mast either at Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach.
Lifting at Airlie Beach

  • Hawkes Boatyard in Airlie Beach offers a travel lift and can assist with preparation. They are located at Coral Sea Marina and can be contacted at:
  • Phone: 07 4946 6700
  • Website: hawkesboatyard.com
  • From Airlie Beach, it is approximately a 16-nautical-mile sail to Hamilton Island.

Direct Transport to Hamilton Island

  • Prior arrangements must be made to transport the truck from Shute Harbour via the Hamilton Island barge (see booking details below).
  • The Hamilton Island Boatyard offers a travel lift, jib crane and Franna crane - enquiries can be directed to:
  • Phone: 07 4946 8353
  • Email: marina@hamiltonisland.com.au
  • VHF: Channel 68
  • Marine trades available on the island include mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and shipwright services. Contractor details are available through the marina office or online: Hamilton Island Marina Services.

Fees apply for Hamilton Island Boatyard Services. Refer to the fee schedule below.

Trailable Yachts Arriving by Road

If you are towing your boat to Hamilton Island Race Week, you can launch at Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island.

  • To launch at Hamilton Island, arrangements must be made for the transport of the boat and trailer from Shute Harbour to Hamilton Island via barge.
  • Cars cannot stay on Hamilton Island and should be parked at the Shute Harbour Council Carpark.
  • Alternatively, there are boat ramps with trailer parking at Cannonvale (VMR Ramp), Coral Sea Marina, Port of Airlie and Shute Harbour.
  • Fees apply for Hamilton Island Boatyard Services. Refer to the fee schedule below.

Containerised Boats

For boats being transported in a container – please note the following:

  • Space in the Boatyard is limited, and containers cannot remain in the yard during Race Week.
  • The semi-trailer transporting the container must remain on the island for the duration of Race Week.
  • Once unpacked, containers and semi-trailers will be stored at the southern end of the island.
  • Transport operators must coordinate with the barge booking team to ensure appropriate hitch connections for the island trucks.
  • A representative must be on-site for unpacking and repacking containers.
  • Fees apply for Hamilton Island Boatyard Services. Refer to the fee schedule below.
Fess for Hamilton Island Boatyard Services:
Service Inclusions Price
Trailer Boats - Launch on Boat Ramp Launch with tractor $100
Trailer Boats - Retrieve on Boat Ramp Retrieve with tractor $100
Trailer Boats - Launch with Travel Lift Lift, step keel, launch, step mast $250
Trailer Boats – Retrieve with Travel Lift Unstep mast, lift, unstep keel, lower onto trailer $250
Containerised Boats – Launch Offload, unpack, lift, step keel, launch, step mast $500
Containerised Boats – Retrieve Unstep mast, lift, unstep keel, repack, reload $500
Mast Stepping Franna Crane, per hour $90
Keel Stepping Travel Lift, per hour $90
Additional Labour Services Per hour $80
Travel Lift – Lift and hold in Slings Per metre $62
Jib Crane Per hour $90


Service/Support Vehicles

A limited number of service/support vehicles or trailers can be accommodated on the island. Arrangements must be made for transport via barge.
  • Vans - a representative must be present to drive the vehicle on and off the barge.
  • Trailers will be towed by island vehicles and cars/utes must remain at Shute Harbour.
  • Vehicles will be parked at the southern break wall or the Boatyard (if space permits)
  • A parking fee of $20 per day applies for support vehicles/trailers. Vehicles must not be driven elsewhere on the island.

Barge Booking Details

All barge transport must be booked in advance due to high demand. Submit your booking request here: Barge Booking Request.

Barge and Transport FAQ

How do I know which barge my yacht/vehicle is scheduled on?
After submitting your barge booking form and paying the allocated fees, you will receive written confirmation of your barge booking with transfer times and a booking reference number. Ensure your boat name and vehicle/trailer registration number are on the form. Please list your vehicle/trailer registration correctly; if it does not match the paperwork then your boat/vehicle may not travel.
If you need to change your travel date and/or time please call Barge Bookings on 07 4948 9502. If you miss your allocated time slot, your yacht/vehicle will be placed on the next available barge, on a space available basis.

What times can I drop my boat to Shute Harbour?
The Shute Harbour Terminal operating hours are Monday to Friday 07:00h to 15:00h.  Please ensure you arrive within the operating hours. For terms and conditions regarding items being stored in the barge loading yard, please refer to our T&C’s contained in the barge booking request form.

Can passengers travel on the barge? 
Only an owner or crew member can travel with the yacht on the barge to assist with loading and unloading. Requests for barge travel can be made with Barge Bookings on phone 07 4948 9502 or email bargebookings@hamiltonisland.com.au. However, it is a requirement that an owner or crew member travel with any service/support vehicles to drive them on and off the barge.

What happens when my yacht/vehicle arrives on Hamilton Island?
The barge team will organise for your yacht to be taken directly to the marina where it will be held prior to launching. You will be required to drive any service/support vehicles off the barge and park them in the designated space for the duration of your stay.

How does my yacht/vehicle get loaded onto the barge to return to Shute Harbour?
Please organise with the Marina Office to have your yacht hoisted from the water and prepared ready for travel. The barge team will collect your yacht and trailer from the boatyard and load onto your allocated barge. If you are travelling as a passenger on the barge, it is your responsibility to be at the barge terminal on time.