Let Roy and Maxine take you on a spectacular tour of Lake Mac aboard their 48ft luxury sailing yacht 'MR'
Trade your usual weekend plans for a front-row seat to one of the Hunter’s most underrated playgrounds.
Roy and Maxine Pinder of Sail Lake Macquarie have been chartering their 48ft luxury sailing yacht 'MR' since 2021, guiding locals, and tourists alike across all the hidden gems and bays of Lake Macquarie.
Sail Lake Macquarie owners: Roy and Maxine Pinder
The duo are no stranger to hosting – after owning and operating Williams Bakery in Lambton for 13 years, they felt it was time for a change.
So in 2018 Roy and Maxine packed everything up, flew to Spain, and bought their luxury 48ft sailing yacht.
After getting well acquainted with the waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas for more than 12 months, the boat made its way to its forever home of Lake Macquarie.
The calm and relatively sheltered waters of Lake Macquarie are ideal sailing conditions all year round, with Roy saying some of the best conditions can be experienced throughout the cooler months.
Plenty of crystal clear skies and sunsets are to be expected as well as a "pretty stable and dry winter" says Roy.
Running experiences and private charters seven days a week, every tour includes chef made antipasto style platters, and beverages refreshed throughout the journey.
Bottomless Brunch
Change up your typical Sunday brunch for a two-hour sailing escape. Enjoy bottomless bubbles and chef made grazing boards, all while enjoying the water with up to 12 guests. Cost: $125pp
Sunset Cruise
Enjoy golden hour with free flowing drinks, nibbles, and breathtaking views. Cost: $125pp
Private romantic cruise
Perfect for anniversaries, special occasions, or even proposals. Welcomed onboard with French Champagne, the sailing experience will be an intimate evening for just the two of you. Cost: $650 all inclusive for 2 people.
Private charter
Get up to 12 of your closest friends together and take to the water. Chefs grazing board and free flowing bubbles all included, while the crew sails through some of the most scenic spots. Cost: 2hr $1,200 | 3hr $1,500
Focusing on the underexplored southern tip of the lake, the vessel travels alongside national parks, leaving plenty of opportunity for wildlife spotting away from the busier northern marinas.
The yacht is uniquely spacious coming in at almost 5mtrs wide, so charters are never crowded, and are capped at 12 guests.
With a special emphasis on the sailing experience, sails are up 99% of the time, and those onboard often get the chance to go behind the helm for the full captain experience.
Enjoyed with good company, a drink in hand, and a team with decades of hospitality experience under their belt, you'd be hard pressed to find a better way to explore the Lake.
This article was produced by HUNTERhunter in partnership with Lake Macquarie Council. Thank you for supporting the partners who make HUNTERhunter possible.
