Australian Traveller’s first-ever Readers’ Choice Awards for 2011; results for Best Cruise or Yachting Experience in Australia. THE WINNER:

BAREBOATING IN THE WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS
Nudists will be disappointed to discover that “bareboating” simply means chartering a yacht and skippering it yourself – but we don’t suppose that will stop them. There are 74 islands in the Whitsundays to sail around; think how wonderful it would be to explore them at your own pace, on board a fully equipped vessel – you’re provided with everything from kitchen utensils and bedlinen to stinger suits. Readers who’ve hired their own yacht for a spin around Queensland’s glorious Whitsundays report that “it can be as adventurous as you want it to be”. Says one reader, “I keep going back and back – it’s safe, serene and truly glorious!”
The details To find out more about boating in the Whitsundays, go to www.whitsundayholidays.com.au/yacht-charters/

RUNNERS-UP:

2 P&O CRUISES
The country’s favourite cruise line, and the most affordable, offering a range of cruises around Australia. pocruises.com.au
3 HAMILTON ISLAND RACE WEEK
Colourful billowing sails scatter like hundreds and thousands across the beautiful seas of the Whitsundays. hamiltonislandraceweek.com.au
4 GORDON RIVER CRUISES
A guided tour departing Strahan provides a history of western Tasmania’s most infamous river, which has been home to convicts, piners and miners. gordonrivercruises.com.au
5 CAPTAIN COOK CRUISES
The older generations in particular love Captain Cook, from its historic paddleboat up the Murray to its Sydney Harbour dinner cruises. captaincook.com.au

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