Bareboat Hire - Aliara

Aliara — Leopard 42 sailing catamaran | Self-drive (bareboat) hire on the Great Sandy Strait

Aliara is a 42-foot Leopard sailing catamaran built for space: four double cabins, two forward singles for the kids, four bathrooms, a proper galley and hot showers. She comfortably sleeps up to 10, which makes her ideal for a couple of families, a few couples after room to spread out, three generations travelling together, or a group of friends.

This is a bareboat charter — the boat is yours to skipper, at your own pace, with no licence and no skipper required. Set your own course through K'gari's remote western coastline: Wathumba Creek, Moon Point, Kingfisher Bay and dozens of quiet anchorages in between, all in the calm, sheltered waters of the Great Sandy Strait. No long open-water crossings, no crowds.

Most of our guests have never skippered a boat before. Before you leave the marina we send pre-departure videos, give you a full in-person briefing, and taxi you out — and we're a phone call away for the whole trip. The Leopard 42 is renowned for being stable, forgiving and easy to handle, whether it's your first charter or your tenth.

Winter (July–October) is whale season on the Fraser Coast — humpbacks migrate through these waters and often surface right beside boats at anchor. It's the bonus that makes a winter charter unforgettable.

Give our team a call on 0488 413 210 or email info@fraserislandboatcharters.com.au if you'd like help planning charter dates and details.

Good to know

• Sleeps up to 10: 4 double cabins + 2 forward singles, 4 bathrooms
  
• Whole-vessel hire from a total of $1,040–$1,650 per night depending on season and trip length. Select your dates below for live pricing. 3 night minimum.
• No licence, no skipper needed: most guests are first-timers
• Whole-vessel hire: the price covers the entire boat, split it across your group (from roughly $130 per person, per night at full capacity)
• Only extra cost: fuel & gas at $15 per engine, per running hour (2 engines), paid at the end of your trip - no other hidden fees
• Included: pre-departure briefing videos, full in-person briefing, marina taxi-out, and phone support throughout your charter
• Minimum hire: 3 nights
• Departs: Hervey Bay, QLD (≈3.5–4 hrs drive from Brisbane; direct flights from Sydney & Melbourne

Click here for more details on Aliara

Frequently Asked questions

Do I need a boat licence or sailing experience?
No licence is required, and no skipper. Some boating experience is helpful but not essential - most of our guests are first-timers. We provide pre-departure videos and a thorough in-person briefing covering the vessel, navigation and the waterways, and we taxi you out of the marina before handing over. You're also only a phone call away from our team at any point during your charter.

How much does it cost beyond the hire fee?
The hire fee covers the entire vessel. The only additional required cost is fuel and gas, charged at $15 per engine per running hour (across two engines) and paid at the end of your trip. There are no other hidden fees.

How do I pay, and when?
A 20% deposit confirms your booking and locks in your dates. The balance is due 90 days before your departure date. You can book online in real time. Alternatively you call us on 0488 413 210 or email info@fraserislandboatcharters.com.au and we'll do it for you.

Is there a security deposit / bond?
Yes. Aliara carries a security bond of $2,500. Rather than charging this amount upfront, we securely hold your credit card details for the duration of your charter. The bond is only drawn on if damage occurs while you're on the vessel — if the boat is returned in good order, nothing is charged and your details are cleared. You'll be asked to agree to the bond amount when you book.

What about insurance?
Aliara is covered by vessel insurance. Your security bond covers the excess of $2500. We recommend guests also consider charter travel insurance to cover cancellations, bonds and more. You can read the full details here.

What's your cancellation policy?
Full terms are here: https://fraserislandboatcharters.com.au/cancellation-policy/ 

What happens after I book?

Your dates are locked in with your deposit, and you'll hear from us within 24 hours to welcome you and walk you through what to expect. We send pre-briefing videos ahead of time, your skipper calls 24 hours before departure to confirm details, and on the day we run a full in-person briefing and taxi you out. Then the Great Sandy Strait is yours. See the full step-by-step on our booking page.

Take a look at our full fleet of vessels available for bareboat yacht hire.