What's the Cheapest Mooring in Sydney? (3 Surprising Places)

Written by Desiree Vilar in Cost of Sailing

Sydney is known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world, with a high cost of living. For this reason, many boat owners are looking for ways to save money on mooring fees. Fortunately, there are a few surprising places where you can find affordable moorings in Sydney.

The Drummoyne Sailing Club offers one of the cheapest mooring options in Sydney, starting at $20 AUD per night. The Balmain Sailing Club also offers affordable options, starting at $25 AUD per night. The Middle Harbour Yacht Club is another great option, offering moorings for only $30 AUD per night.

If you're looking to really save money, public moorings are usually the cheapest option in Sydney with rates for short-term stays ranging from $30 to $50 per day. Let's look at more tips on how you can save more money as a boat owner in this city.

Summary

  • Mooring fees in Sydney can be affected by location, with costs ranging from $400 to $4,000 per month.
  • A small boat (less than 20 feet) may cost around $200 to $400 per month to moor, while a larger boat (over 40 feet) may cost $800 to $1,500 per month.
  • Private moorings offer more security and privacy for your boat, resulting in higher prices of $2,000 to $4,000 per year.
  • For discounted rates, you can check with local marinas and consider shared moorings to split the cost with other boat owners.

Three Surprising And Affordable Mooring Spots In Sydney

Below is a table comparing the prices and amenities of the three cheapest mooring locations in Sydney:

Cheap mooring spot Starting price for mooring fees (in AUD) Amenities included
Drummoyne Sailing Club Starting at $20 per night Restaurant, bar, showers
Balmain Sailing Club Starting at $25 per night Restaurants, cafes, shops, showers, toilets, BBQ area
Middle Harbour Yacht Club Starting at $30 per night Restaurant, bar, showers, toilets

Cheap moorings at Drummoyne Sailing Club

Drummoyne Sailing Club is one of the cheapest mooring options in Sydney, with fees starting at just $20 per night. The club offers a range of amenities, including a restaurant, bar, and showers.

The Drummoyne Sailing Club is located in the suburb of Drummoyne, which is situated in the inner-west region of Sydney, Australia. The mooring is located in a protected bay, making it a great option for those looking for a safe and secure place to dock their boat.

The Balmain Sailing Club also offers affordable moorings

The Balmain Sailing Club is another affordable mooring option within Sydney, with fees starting at just $25 per night. The mooring facilities at the club are quite good, with a range of options available to suit different types of boats and sailing needs.

The club has a number of swing moorings available for members to use, which are located in a sheltered bay just off the club's marina. These moorings are suitable for boats up to around 40ft in length and offer a convenient and cost-effective way to keep your boat in the water.

In addition to the swing moorings, the club also has a number of marina berths available for rent. These berths are suitable for larger boats or those that require more permanent mooring.

The mooring is also close to a range of amenities, including restaurants, cafes, and shops. The club offers a range of facilities, including showers, toilets, and a BBQ area.

The Middle Harbour Yacht Club also provides cheap mooring options

Middle Harbour Yacht Club is located in the beautiful Middle Harbour area of Sydney, Australia. The club offers mooring fees starting at just $30 per night and has a range of facilities, including a restaurant, bar, showers, and toilets.

The moorings at Middle Harbour Yacht Club are located in a sheltered bay, providing a safe and secure place to moor your boat. The club offers a range of mooring options, including swing moorings, pile moorings, and marina berths.

Swing moorings are the most common type of mooring at Middle Harbour Yacht Club. These moorings consist of a large anchor that is secured to the seabed and a buoy that floats on the surface of the water. Boats are then tied to the buoy using a mooring line.

Pile moorings are another option at Middle Harbour Yacht Club. These moorings consist of a wooden pile that is driven into the seabed and a mooring line that is attached to the pile. Boats are then tied to the mooring line.

This club also offers marina berths for larger boats. These berths are located in a protected marina and offer a range of facilities including power and water.

Factors Affecting Mooring Prices In Sydney

Here are some of the most common factors that can impact the price of mooring in Sydney:

The location of the mooring can impact the pricing

The table below shows how mooring costs can vary depending on which location in Sydney you opt to moor your boat:

Location Estimated mooring price in AUD (per month)
East Harbour $1,000 - $4,000
Middle Harbour $500 - $2,000
North Harbour $400 - $1,500
Sydney Harbour $800 - $3,000

Mooring in high-rate areas in Sydney, such as the East Harbour, can cost you $1,000 to $4,000 per month, depending on the boat size. On the other hand, a public mooring is the most affordable option for mooring a boat in Sydney, especially for short-term stays, with rates only ranging from $30 to $50 per day.

If you're guessing if you can moor or anchor your boat just anywhere, read this article first.

The size of your boat can affect the cost of mooring in Sydney

The table below shows the estimated prices of mooring different boat sizes in Sydney:

Boat size (in feet) Estimated annual mooring cost in AUD
33-36 feet Less than $2,000
39-43 feet $2,500 - $3,500
46-49 feet $4,000 - $6,000
52-56 feet $6,500 - $8,500
59-62 feet $9,000 - $12,000
66-69 feet $12,500 - $16,500

Generally, the larger the boat, the more expensive the mooring will be. For example, a private mooring east of the Harbour Bridge costs less than $2,000 a year for a 10-11 meter boat. However, if you have a larger boat, you can expect to pay more.

The type of mooring you choose can also affect the cost

Below is a table showing the different types of mooring available in Sydney and the estimated pricing for each one:

Type of mooring Estimated price (AUD)
Public mooring $30 to $50 per day
Private mooring $2,000 to $4,000 per year
Swing mooring $1,000 to $2,500 per year
Anchorage Free to $20 per day
Marina berth $4,000 to $10,000 per year

A private mooring will generally be more expensive than a public mooring. However, private moorings offer more security and privacy for your boat.

Public moorings are more affordable and suitable for short-term stays, while private moorings and marina berths are ideal for boaters who want a more permanent and secure spot to moor their boat. Swing moorings and anchorage areas are also popular options for boaters in Sydney.

The cost of a 12-month marina berth if you dock your boat in the Royal Yacht Club in Sydney costs around $2,000 to $10,000.

Additional fees associated with mooring in Sydney

The table below shows the estimated pricing for add-on services when mooring in Sydney:

Additional costs Estimated price range in AUD
Mooring license/registration $50-200 per year
Marina berth fees $50-200 per night
Electricity usage $0.50-2.00 per kilowatt-hour
Water usage $0.10-0.50 per liter
Pump-out services $20-50 per service

One common fee that you may need to pay in addition to the mooring fee is a mooring license or registration fee. This fee is typically required by the local government or harbor authority, and it gives you permission to use a specific mooring location. The cost of this fee can vary depending on the length of your boat and how long you plan to use the mooring.

If you choose to moor your boat in a marina, there may be additional fees for services such as electricity and water. If you need to plug in your boat to charge its batteries, you may need to pay an additional fee for electricity usage.

If you need a more detailed breakdown of the costs of mooring a boat in Sydney, this article will fit your needs.

Tips For Finding The Cheapest Mooring In Sydney

Here are some tips to help you find the cheapest mooring in Sydney:

Tip#1. Look for public moorings

Public moorings are usually the cheapest option with rates for short-term stays ranging from $30 to $50 per day. This is much cheaper than mooring at high-rate areas like the East Harbour, which can cost you $1,000 to $4,000 per month depending on the boat size.

You can find public moorings at various locations around Sydney Harbour, including Rushcutters Bay, Mosman Bay, and Greenwich.

Tip#2. Check with local marinas

Some marinas offer discounted rates for long-term mooring, which can save you a lot of money in the long run. You can also ask if they have any vacant moorings that they need to fill, as they may be willing to offer you a discount to fill the space.

Tip#3. Consider shared moorings

With shared moorings, you split the cost of the mooring with other boat owners, which can be a great way to save money. You can find shared moorings advertised on boating forums and classified websites.


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