Location: Carnarvon, Western Australia
Duration: 15th – 19th May 2024
Cost: $214.00 for berth; $12.41 for electricity; $111.41 for water*.
*Whilst we have paid the marina bill in full, we have lodged a complaint with the WA Department of Transport (marina owner) regarding the water charge. There is no way we used 11.79 Kilolitres of water in the short time we were there. The 15th and 19th weren’t even full days. Unfortunately, we did not take a reading when we arrived, nor did we request staff to conduct an arrival reading which we will now do going forward. We have yet to receive a response from DoT.
We approached the marina via the main channel, which is well marked physically as well as on C-Maps and Navionics. We booked a 13 metre catamaran berth which turned out to be only 8.5 metres wide. As we are 7.7 metres wide, it was a very tight squeeze reversing in, with only 400 millimetres on either side. This was compounded by a pylon at the front of the assigned berth, separating one berth from the adjacent berth. Plus we had a stiff cross wind blowing us onto the berth. A big thank you to the crew of Breezy for assisting us with docking.
The marina is part of a fishing harbour and home to a mining company tug and pilot boat.
Staffing: DoT staff are onsite during business hours.
Security: There are no dedicated onsite security staff. Access to the marina is via a solitary gate which is activated by an access card. (Cards can be collected from a prearranged locked box on the gate. We were provided with the code on confirmation of our booking).
Parking: There is no designated marina parking area in place; and what parking is available is unsecured.
Amenities: A corrugated steel amenity block is available for all harbour users. The block has two unisex toilets and one unisex combined shower-toilet room for use by both able-bodied persons and persons with a disability. There is a 100mm (approximately) gap at the bottom of the block, which is open to the elements. Facilities were basic and utilitarian. There is no onsite laundry.
Pump out: Not available.
Wifi: Free wifi is not available at this marina.
Noise: Between the engine noise from fishing boats at all times of the day and night, and regular party music and yahoo-ing it was not a tranquil environment .
Hard stand, oil and waste disposal and haul out facilities are available at this marina.
Shops/Chandlery: We had no need to access a chandlery, but there were none close by. We suggest checking with DoT staff for options. A café round the corner from the marina carpark services businesses nearby, operating Monday – Friday, it opens early and closes early. A small shopping centre, with Woolworths, BWS, café and tobacconist, is located in the town centre. You will need some form of transport to get there, bike, hire car or taxi are your best bets. We caught a taxi to and from, fare was between $16.00 – $25.00. The Carnarvon Yacht Club is located approximately 2 – 3 kms from the marina. The Club offers meals every Friday night, but you will need to book as it is quite popular.
Overall we rated this marina 3/10.
*Prices correct at time of publication