I thought I would post this on here, as I've just sailed down from the Gold Coast ,I have a work commitment locally in Newcastle so thought hey why not swing in here and book into the marina, so I called up ...no answer no big deal I left a polite message for them to return my call, no reply there, so I anchored up and trekked in to there floating marina , on arrival I could not find the office as it was tucked away up a flight of stairs at the end of a line of real estate sales offices and such like, so I had to ask directions from a nervous looking chap who darted out of the real estate office as I passed,
'when I arrived at the marinas office staffed by ,three ladies,I asked about the marina and if they had a spot for my 38ft yacht, it was then that one of the ladies acknowledged that I had left a message with them, and said it was veery busy as every body was coming to Newcastle marina to escape the cyclone up north,
'it was then that I was told the rate of $972 a month plus what ever charges I was billed for on top of that ,
'this does sound a tad expensive as I was paying for a 50ft berth at Newport marina around the Morton bay qld area for less than that live aboard with power and water showers all provided,
'I don't want to come across as a moaning Minnie,but if that marina which has its 180 berths fully booked is charging on average $1000 a month ,then I would say conservatively,after expenses it's montly net should easily be $145,000 ,thats$c1740,000a financial year clear profit!! that's not a bad turn around for a marina with a view of the side of a freighter!.i certainly would be returning customers calls for that turn around.

jedidan said..
I thought I would post this on here, as I've just sailed down from the Gold Coast ,I have a work commitment locally in Newcastle so thought hey why not swing in here and book into the marina, so I called up ...no answer no big deal I left a polite message for them to return my call, no reply there, so I anchored up and trekked in to there floating marina , on arrival I could not find the office as it was tucked away up a flight of stairs at the end of a line of real estate sales offices and such like, so I had to ask directions from a nervous looking chap who darted out of the real estate office as I passed,
'when I arrived at the marinas office staffed by ,three ladies,I asked about the marina and if they had a spot for my 38ft yacht, it was then that one of the ladies acknowledged that I had left a message with them, and said it was veery busy as every body was coming to Newcastle marina to escape the cyclone up north,
'it was then that I was told the rate of $972 a month plus what ever charges I was billed for on top of that ,
'this does sound a tad expensive as I was paying for a 50ft berth at Newport marina around the Morton bay qld area for less than that live aboard with power and water showers all provided,
'I don't want to come across as a moaning Minnie,but if that marina which has its 180 berths fully booked is charging on average $1000 a month ,then I would say conservatively,after expenses it's montly net should easily be $145,000 ,thats$c1740,000a financial year clear profit!! that's not a bad turn around for a marina with a view of the side of a freighter!.i certainly would be returning customers calls for that turn around.

a bit funny ya kow...it is always like that..shoddy looking places trying to scam you to pay more. A bit unethical I'd say to charge, especially if people are really escaping the cyclone. What about the free shelter policy?

You could try renting a mooring at Marmong Point which would be much cheaper, also you get to swing to the wind. The lake is much nicer than Newcastle - personally I don't understand why anyone puts their boat in the marina as Newcastle is not a great place to sail - but I have a cat and find it easy to cross the bar and shallow part of the Swansea channel.

+1for Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens is another excellent harbour with a short commute to Newcastle

Thats a lot higher than i was quoted for a 34 footer at Newcastle. In the newcastle area/hunter, soldiers point marina is the Monaco. I don't remember the price but I almost choked when the guy told me the price. On lake Mac, you can try marks point or Toronto yacht club. Both are cheaper than marmong point. But they all offer moorings, as does lake Mac yacht club.

As Kankama says, Newcastle harbour is not ideal for sailing. Too many big freighters to dodge. I'd go lake Macquarie if you want to sail while staying. Newcastle CDB is only a 20 to 30 minute drive from any marina on lake Mac.