Explore: Brisbane
General Info
The entrance to the Brisbane River is along the west coast of Moreton Bay, towards the southern end. The commercial port is obvious near the river mouth; the city of Brisbane lies about 17 miles upstream. The river bar is deep and may be crossed in any weather conditions or tidal state.
Location: 27°28’25″S 153°1’56″E
Nearby coverage includes: Scarborough, Manly and Gold Coast
A useful guide for cruisers to Brisbane can be found on s/v Ceilydh’s blog – dated October 2013.
Clearance
For full details of Clearance into Australia, see the Noonsite Australia Formalities page.
As of July 1, 2017, Southport is now also a foreign vessel entry port. This may be easier for some yachts compared with coming up the river to Rivergate.
The yacht clearance boarding station is at the Rivergate Marina. This is located just before the first bridge in the Brisbane River. Their website (http://rivergate.com.au) has detailed information about clearing customs.
It is 30nm from the NE channel to Rivergate Marina, 6 miles further if you come through the NW channel. Current in the river is strong at Rivergate Marina; you may want to arrive at slack water particularly if short handed.
Yachts must notify Customs a minimum of 96 hours in advance of arrival. This can be done by sending an email to [email protected]; sending a fax to +61 2 6275 6331; phoning Australian Customs National Communications Centre on telephone number +61 3 9244 8973. Clearance is done by Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine.
At Rivergate Marina, yachts must proceed directly to the Customs & Quarantine Berth (indicated by yellow signs) and the marina will organize for all the officials to come to your boat.
Note that this marina is located 10 miles from the city centre, just east of the M1 River Bridge (see view of Rivergate marina below). It is remote with very few facilities close-by.
If you arrive on a weekend, you may have to get cleared in by quarantine which charges a weekend or after hours fee (approx. double the normal fee). Alternatively, Customs may just lock the gate and leave you there until Monday morning when Quarantine will clear you in (saving you the after-hours fee). This is not guaranteed, however.
The Customs office does not permit anchoring at Mud Island.
Last updated: March 2015.
Docking
The city of Brisbane provides a unique opportunity for visiting yachts to anchor or moor in the heart of a major urban centre. The Brisbane River is navigable by deep-draft vessels the 12 miles upriver to the city. Low bridge clearances there restrict further upstream excursions by masted yachts. Note that the river can run at 3kn at times.
Anchorages
There are anchorages along the eastern shore of the river opposite Eagle Street Pier, just upstream of the Gateway Bridge on the right-hand side of the river, or along the western shore south of the pile moorings at the Botanic Gardens. All anchorages and marinas are affected by ferry wakes throughout the day; however commercial traffic ceases overnight.
It is also possible to anchor on the south bank near Colmslie Reserve, just past the Gateway Bridge. This anchorage is popular with liveaboards and the area has recently been revamped with fresh water taps, public toilets, and a dinghy wharf. There is also a swimming pool within walking distance where hot showers can be had for $2.00 and supermarkets are about 2km away. Take care leaving your dinghy for extended periods here as security can be a problem.
Marinas
This is a very popular port and finding a berth can be quite a challenge. It is advisable to plan ahead if possible. Dockside is a reasonable place to stay if you want to be downtown.
An alternative is to use a marina further from the city, such as those at Manly (to the south) or Scarborough or Bribie Island to the north.
Whilst Rivergate Marina is the official clearance station, many cruising boats move on after clearing into a marina/anchorage closer to the city and facilities.
Security Note – In the past, there have been dinghy thefts reported by boats at the Garden Point Moorings adjacent to downtown Brisbane. Be sure to secure your dinghy and engine at all times.
Last updated: March 2018.
Brisbane Ship Lifts & Boatyard
Horizon Shores Marina – Brisbane
