Marina Berthing vs Swing Moorings
Marina berths buy convenience — step-aboard access, power, water and security — at roughly $400–$800 per metre per year in most Australian cities. Swing moorings cost a fraction of that but demand a tender, regular mooring servicing and often a long wait for a licence. For trailerable boats, dry stack storage often beats both.
Marina berths
You pay for convenience: step-aboard access, shore power, water, security and usually a hardstand relationship. Pricing is normally per metre per month, and multihulls pay a beam surcharge.
Swing moorings
Cheaper, but you need a tender, and the mooring itself needs periodic inspection and servicing. In most states the mooring licence is issued by the maritime authority and there can be a long waiting list for popular waterways.
Dry storage and racking
For trailerable and small planing boats, dry stack storage often beats both — no antifoul, no growth, and the boat is launched on request. Check the operator's launch notice period before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marina berth cost in Australia?
A 10-metre monohull berth typically runs $4,000–$8,000 per year outside the major capital-city harbours, and considerably more in Sydney Harbour. Multihulls usually pay 1.5–2 times the monohull rate.
How do I get a swing mooring licence?
Mooring licences are issued by the state maritime authority — Transport for NSW Maritime, Maritime Safety Queensland and so on. Popular waterways carry waiting lists of years; register your interest early and keep your details current.
Does a mooring need maintenance?
Yes — the chain, shackles and buoy should be inspected and serviced annually by a mooring contractor. Insurers commonly require proof of regular mooring servicing, and a failed mooring makes you liable for whatever your boat hits.
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