Australia, port by port · Queensland
Thursday Island (Port Kennedy)
The northern gateway between the Coral Sea and the Gulf, with its own pilotage rules and community protocols.
Last reviewed 29 October 2026
Entry status
Port Kennedy (Thursday/Horn Island) is on both the ABF and DAFF lists. All vessels from overseas need biosecurity clearance and pratique before landfall; the Torres Strait Treaty’s free movement does not cover yachts. A vessel of 7 m or more travelling from the Torres Strait biosecurity zones to anywhere else in Australia gives a pre-arrival report as if arriving from overseas.
Pilotage
Under the Port Kennedy Port Procedures (May 2025) pilotage is compulsory for foreign-flag ships over 35 m crossing Hovell Bar and for all ships of 50 m or more. Superyachts of 100 to 145 m using the inner anchorage keep the pilot aboard for the visit; 50 to 100 m yachts may release the pilot ashore once anchored by agreement with the Regional Harbour Master, with propulsion kept ready in both cases. Exempt masters call Port Control 30 minutes before entering. Torres Strait and the Great North East Channel are Commonwealth compulsory pilotage areas for vessels of 70 m or more.
Community
Local community permission is the courtesy standard for anchoring and landing everywhere: inhabited islands via the community, uninhabited via admin@gbk.org.au. Treaty Liaison Office, Thursday Island: 07 4069 1495.
Sources: DFAT Torres Strait Treaty · AMSA coastal pilotage
We plan Torres Strait transits, pilots and community permissions for yachts moving between the Reef, the Gulf and Darwin. ASY handles clearance and berthing here. Talk to us or email us.
Other ports in the guideQueenslandGold Coast (Southport) · Brisbane · Bundaberg · Gladstone · Mackay · Whitsundays (Airlie Beach) · Townsville · Cairns · Port DouglasNew South WalesSydney · Newcastle · Coffs Harbour · Port Kembla · Eden · Lord Howe IslandVictoriaMelbourneTasmaniaHobart and TasmaniaSouth AustraliaAdelaide and South AustraliaWestern AustraliaBroome and the Kimberley · Fremantle and Perth · Exmouth and NingalooNorthern TerritoryDarwin
Condensed from Australian Superyacht Services’ Definitive Guide to bringing a foreign superyacht to Australia, researched against Commonwealth, state and port authority sources. Rules and fees change; where a point is unsettled we say so. General information, not legal advice. Reviewed 29 October 2026.