How do I get a marina berth in Australia?

Short answer

Apply in writing to several marinas at once and expect a waiting list at any marina worth having. The process is almost always: an enquiry with your vessel dimensions, then an application form, then a waitlist, then an offer of a specific berth, then a berthing licence and a deposit. Popular marinas in Sydney, the Gold Coast and Port Phillip can run months or years deep on common berth sizes, so applying to one marina and waiting is the slowest possible route.

By Gabriel Machuret · Updated 2026-10-02

How to Get a Marina Berth in Australia: practical steps

Enquire with your exact dimensionsLength, beam, draft and displacement in the first email. Marinas triage by berth size, and vague enquiries get slow answers.
Apply to several marinas in the regionWaitlists are free or cheap to join. Being on four lists in one region costs little and changes your odds completely.
Ask where you sit and for what sizeA list for 12-metre berths moves at a different rate from one for 18-metre berths. Ask your position and the typical wait for your size specifically.
Ask about casual and seasonal berthsA casual or seasonal berth often gets you in the gate sooner, and berth-holders are usually offered permanent berths before the public list.
Read the berthing licence before payingThe deposit usually comes with the licence. Read what it says about liveaboard, subletting, insurance, power and notice periods.
Confirm the berth fits at low tideAsk for the berth number and check its depth and finger length, not the marina average.