Luxury Private Cruising in Australia and New Zealand

Sydney Harbour or Auckland Harbour, Whitsundays, Bay of Islands, the Kimberley or Marlborough Sounds; the island nations of Australia and New Zealand offer some of the world’s best cruising grounds – and luxury private cruising options to match!

Here we have put together a collection of #FiveOfTheFinest luxury private cruising options in our neck of the woods to

Cruise without the crowds

Mischief, an A-lister superyacht on Sydney Harbour or MV Flying Fish, a luxury private cruiser with heli pad to explore the wonderful Whitsundays; the super sleek and super speedy Rua Moana to cruise around the Hauraki Gulf; Ata Rangi – exceptionally equipped and luxuriously appointed for any adventure in the beautiful Bay of Islands or the graceful Pacific Jemm superyacht to explore the secluded coves of Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown – these full-crewed luxury private cruising vessels offer the perfect way to get away from it all and find your own quiet corner of the country to enjoy.

Private Luxury Cruising in Australia and New Zealand

Mischief – Sydney, Australia

Framed by the iconic white sails of the Sydney Opera House and the coathanger-like Harbour Bridge there are few harbours that can compare with Sydney, and what better way to cruise the city’s sparkling harbour, beaches and coves, than aboard an A-lister luxury superyacht.

Sleek and sophisticated, Mischief provides luxury accommodation for up to 12 indulged guests (in 6 spacious cabins, with additional accommodation for your crew) and is perfect for sublime social distancing as you cruise Sydney Harbour, the Whitsundays, Australia’s Kimberley or beyond.

Spoilt for choice with multiple lounging and dining areas, sundecks and salons, this most spectacular of superyachts is equally well set up for entertaining or a fun-filled family holiday afloat. More like a floating private resort than a humble ‘home away from home’, there’s a hot tub on the deck, an overwater climbing wall, a giant inflatable slide and a flotilla of floating toys. Having hosted an impressive collection of notable names, this new-to-Australia luxury vessel is Australia’s largest private luxury superyacht available for charter, and is a sure-fire way to vacation like a VIP in Australia!

 

Rua Moana – Auckland, New Zealand

Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf offer some of the most spectacular accessible cruising grounds in the world. Set sail from the Auckland city centre to call in at beautiful bays and beaches or visit spectacularly located golf courses, wineries and restaurants; stay on a little longer to explore the Mercury Islands, Great Barrier or the blissful Bay of Islands.

In the lead up to the next America’s Cup (6-21 March 2021), the host city, Auckland, ‘City of Sails’, has welcomed a new super-sleek, ultraluxe cruiser. Built to the highest standards, Rua Moana (launched June 2020) provides nearly 27m (88ft) of privilege, privacy and pure indulgence; from the heated spa on the foredeck to the submersible beach platform at the stern. Those who cruise with her enjoy effortless luxury, en-suite accommodation for up to eight guests, an impressive collection of floating toys and chef-prepared meals as they drink in the magnificent scenery of New Zealand’s spectacular cruising grounds. This is sublime seclusion at its finest!

Moored in Viaduct Harbour, in Auckland’s vibrant CBD waterfront, Rua Moana is an idyllic base from which to explore the city and beyond. (Of course if you prefer to sleep on dry-land, check out Auckland’s new luxury accommodation only moments from the waterfront)

 

MY Flying Fish – Great Barrier Reef, Australia

32m of floating luxury, with living, lounging and accommodation spread out over three decks, MY Flying Fish can accommodate up to eight guests in four air-conditioned ensuite stateroom cabins (the master also with its own spa bath!). With Versace furnishings and premium fittings throughout, MY Flying Fish is also fully-equipped for fun with kayaks and snorkelling gear, dive compressors and tanks as well as fishing gear for both amateurs and enthusiasts.

Berthed in Port Douglas, Flying Fish is available for tailored charters of the Far North Great Barrier Reef and personalised itineraries exploring the emerald waters and tropical islands of Queensland’s Whitsundays. Wake up to have Whitehaven Beach all to yourself before the day trippers arrive, visit private sand cays, snorkel secluded coral gardens on the Great Barrier Reef or enjoy some of Australia’s best fishing). MY Flying Fish can be accessed directly in the selected cruising locations with the vessel’s own heli-pad.

 

Ata Rangi – Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Big sister to the Landing Residence’s Iti Rangi, the 82ft Ata Rangi is flawlessly finished for luxury day and overnight cruising, and exceptionally equipped for luxury private fishing charters.

Accommodating up to eight fishing enthusiasts for day charters and up to six indulged guests (in three en-suite and air-conditioned cabins) for multi-day cruising, Ata Rangi can be chartered for action-packed adventures around the Hauraki Gulf (Auckland and Bay of Islands) or extended trips exploring the Barrier Islands and the Coromandel, fishing on the Northland Coast or cruising to the Poor Knights Islands, the Cavalli Islands and the remote Three Kings Islands.

With the full range of Shimano tackle and reels, custom rods, sophisticated state-of-the-art electronics, hydraulic outriggers and live bait tanks, Ata Rangi offers an unrivalled private luxury fishing charter experience.

The fully-crewed luxury cruiser also comes with paddleboards and surf-boards, wakeboards and snorkelling gear to leave no adventure unturned.

 

Pacific Jemm by Eichardts – Queenstown, New Zealand

80 kilometres long, Lake Wakatipu offers an incredible diversity of landscapes to explore; secluded coves, towering snow-capped mountains, uninhabited islands, deserted beaches, private country estates and the vibrant ‘adventure capital’ of Queenstown.

The epitome of elegance and sophistication afloat, the perfect combination of old world charm and contemporary luxury, Pacific Jemm is designed to indulge and equipped to entertain (with fishing rods, and paddleboards, a Mini-Jemm tender and so much more). This luxury 80ft superyacht offers overnight accommodation for up eight (6 adults and 2 children) in four luxury cabins and is available for long lunches afloat, sunset cocktails, degustation dinners, day and overnight charters out of Queenstown.

These vessels are of course just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to luxury private cruising options in Australia and New Zealand; just let us know your requirements and where you would like to cruise and we can find you a vessel to match and tailor itineraries to exceed all expectations. (Professional crew? private chefs? personal trainers, fishing guides and dive masters? no problem, we have these covered too).

For those who prefer a little more company: small group luxury cruising

Alternatively, if you would prefer a guided small group expedition style cruise to explore some of the most remote and pristine cruising grounds from the far flung reaches of the Kimberley to New Zealand’s fabulous Fiordland; we can highly recommend:

Multi-day cruises of Australia’s Kimberley Coast in a custom-built vessel to provide privileged access to otherwise almost inaccessible corners of the planet: Horizontal Falls, Montgomery Reef, the Bradshaws and King Cascade Falls,

Escorted small group journeys to cruise New Zealand’s spectacular sounds and fiords with our very own Patrick Bourke and Explorations escorted small group journeys,

Active adventures combining hiking and sailing to uncover some of  Tasmania’s most pristine nature and wonderful wildlife experiences, island hopping from Maria Island to Schouten Island aboard a classic luxury ketch

Or liveaboard dive cruises on the Great Barrier Reef and in the idyllic islands of the South Pacific.

 

Contact your Southern Crossings Travel Designers for further information and inspiration or to start planning your personalised luxury travel arrangements incorporating luxury private cruising options in Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji and in the Islands of the South Pacific.