Company Profile

Imagine waking to a glorious sunrise, sipping coffee while checking the day’s forecast on the ‘net, then

spending the day cruising the harbour and showing off the locals (dolphins and whales) to a great

bunch of guests … no wonder we love our jobs… and have done for the last 34 years…

Moonshadow Cruises office is located in Nelson

Bay, Port Stephens on the lower north coast of

NSW. Only 2.5 hours drive north of Sydney and

just 25mins from Newcastle airport.

Port Stephens harbour has been rightly called the

“dolphin capital of Australia” as approximately 160 bottlenose dolphins call these waters home all

year round. From May to November we are honoured to witness the magnificent migrating Humpback

whales as they pass close by our coastline heading north to warmer waters during winter and back

past us on their way back to Antarctica as the weather warms up. It was these magnificent creatures,

as well as the spectactular scenery of the area, which inspired us to create Moonshadow Cruises and

our family owned and operated business began dolphin watch cruises in 1981, sailing an 18-metre

yacht with the capacity to carry up to 50 passengers. Demand for our cruises steadily grew and today

Moonshadow Cruises operate six scheduled cruises plus private charters on five vessels- the largest

and most luxurious vessels in Port Stephens and Newcastle Harbour. We carry over 120,000

passengers annually and employ 15 full time, 1 permanent part time and 30 casual staff.

Some guests also suggest that we “must have the whales

on contract!” Sailing is in our blood and through our tour

operating business we are able to pass on our passion for

the ocean to thousands of local and international guests

and showcase the beauty and uniqueness of our fabulous

coastline… and do it in absolute comfort and style!

Scope and components of our operations.

Moonshadow Cruises is an owner operated business specialising in whale and dolphin watching

cruises as well as lunch, dinner, Newcastle harbour tours and private charter cruises. We operate five

vessels out of Port Stephens and Newcastle with cruises to suit groups from 2 to 300. Moonshadow

Cruises have the largest and best appointed vessels in the region ensuring a comfortable and

memorable cruising experience.

CRUISES:

Dolphin Watch Cruise – Moonshadow cruises operate a 1.5 hour dolphin watch cruise at 10:30am

and 1:30pm every single day. During peak season and school holidays we put on an additional

dolphin watch at 3:30pm to meet demand. This cruise offers a 99% success rate in dolphin sightings.

Passengers are given the opportunity to get acquainted with our local residents, the Bottlenose

dolphins, whilst taking in the gorgeous scenery of Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands. We serve

complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits on board or for those who would like something more

substantial, we offer a delicious buffet lunch as an optional extra with this cruise every single day.

Whale Watch Cruise - We operate 3-hour whale watch cruises at 10:00am and 1:30pm daily from

mid-May to mid-November. Moonshadow Explorer is a catamaran originally designed to operate in

the Southern Ocean waters of the Great Australian Bight. At 30 meters (100 feet) in length she is well

at home in the local coastal waters of Port Stephens, providing passengers with a very comfortable

and safe journey. She has full walk around decks for viewing and large air conditioned indoor areas.

Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are served on board and passengers are entertained by

informative Captain’s commentary with a warming hot soup on the return journey. Passengers will

also get to meet the resident dolphins on this cruise (two cruises for the price of one!).

Twilight Dinner Cruise - Taking waterfront views to the next level, Moonshadow’s Twilight Dinner

Cruise offers the perfect evening for any occasion. This is a 2.5 hour cruise that operates every

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer months and Saturday evenings only

during winter. Passengers on the dinner cruise can enjoy fabulous live entertainment whilst indulging

in an extensive buffet dinner featuring Hunter beef, chicken, fresh local seafood and desserts all

prepared fresh on board by our talented chefs.

Broughton Island National Park Cruise – For anyone looking for a full day of cruising, snorkelling,

swimming, exploring and eating, you can’t go past the Broughton Island Cruise. This cruise operates

Sundays from September to April with additional cruises on Tuesdays & Thursdays during NSW

School Holidays and is a 6.5 hour cruise. The cruise includes a buffet lunch plus morning and

afternoon tea. Passengers can explore ashore on an island discovery walk, secluded coves and

beaches. They can also snorkel, swim, feed the fish or just relax on the beach. Boom net rides and

bonus dolphin watch are also enjoyed on the trip home.

Private Charter - Port Stephens and Newcastle - weddings, parties, anything and everything! The

scope is endless… Couples can take the stress out of planning their big day by choosing a Reception

Package where we can make any dream water wedding a reality. Wedding receptions are tailored to

suit client’s needs and can cater for up to 250 guests. Moonshadow Cruises also offers two Team

Building programs which are fully facilitated and tailored to the client’s specific needs.

Newcastle Harbour Lunch Cruise - Enjoy a delicious meal as you cruise around Newcastle

Harbour on the Newcastle Lunch Cruise, past the foreshore and headlands. Departing the second

Sunday of each month at 1pm till 4pm. Your meal will be served aboard Moonshadow IV with

restaurant style seating on two decks and alfresco seating on the top deck! Cruise past the foreshore

and headlands, see the huge cargo ships, Stockton, the marina and the developments along

Honeysuckle. Enjoy a buffet lunch prepared fresh on board by our Chefs and sit back with a drink

from one of our two bars.

Newcastle Harbour City Sights and Sounds- cruise the impressive coal loading facilities and take

in a different perspective as you view the exciting transformation of the Newcastle harbour foreshore.

Take in the incredible sight of a 300m bulk carrier navigating the harbour with the help of tug boats.

This is a 1.5 hour cruise of the largest coal export harbour in the world. Cruise departs 10:30am

Wednesday and Sunday and 1:30pm on Saturday all year round. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sights

and sounds.

Newcastle Dinner Cruise - Enjoy a night of great food and great entertainment! Take in the harbour

sights and city lights while you cruise Newcastle Harbour. Appetisers on arrival, followed by a gala

buffet featuring fresh local seafood, Hunter meats, vegetables, salads ... and tempting desserts. Two

bars on board and entertainment included. This fabulous evening will be spent aboard Moonshadow

IV with two decks of indoor restaurant style seating, open air top deck and bow area, dance floor and

two bars on board. 2.5 hour cruise departing weekly at 7:15pm on Saturday nights

Whether a guest chooses to be awed by a breeching gentle giant or entertained by a pod of frolicking

dolphins or taking in the history of Newcastle Harbour, they are sure to leave us having experienced

the best that Port Stephens and Newcastle have to offer.

Our Team – Aren’t they a vibrant bunch! The efficient operation of our business is dependent on

our employees. We fluctuate from 30 to 65 staff members throughout the year. We are dependent on

our employees to source and convert potential customers into passengers, to handle enquiries and

reservations, to ensure our vessels are immaculately maintained, to meet, greet and ensure our

passengers enjoy their Moonshadow Cruises experience, and of course encourage repeat business.

Our team is our anchor and engine room!

Vessels

Moonshadow V is a 26m, tri storey catamaran with three viewing

decks, licensed for 300pax with seating for 200pax. Facilities include

underwater video cameras, boom net and waterslide. This vessel is

based in Port Stephens for scheduled cruises and private charters with

the capacity to suit the group market.

Moonshadow IV is a 22m, tri storey catamaran with three viewing

decks, licensed for 250pax with seating for 132pax and has a boom net.

This vessel is based in Newcastle Harbour for scheduled cruises and

private charters with the capacity to suit the group market.

Moonshadow III is a 19.5m motor vessel with two viewing decks. It is

great for 100pax with seating for 50pax. This vessel is based in Port

Stephens and is used for our Broughton Island cruises and casual

functions for smaller groups. This vessel is great for seniors and

education groups, private charters & team building.

Moonshadow Explorer is a Supercat, is a 30 metre alloy catamaran

which is licensed for 260pax with seating for 116pax. The vessel has a

main and wheelhouse deck, both have full walk around side decks. It is

air-conditioned and heated, fully licensed with a well stocked bar and has

a dance floor P.A. system and boom net. Purpose built to operate in the

Southern Ocean waters of the Great Australian Bight she is well at

home in the local coastal waters of Port Stephens. This vessel is used for scheduled cruises and

private charters with the capacity to suit the group market.

Moonshadow Odyssey is a 15m luxury catamaran. It is great for

intimate groups of a maximum 49pax. This vessel is based in Newcastle

Harbour and is used for conference groups and private functions for

smaller groups.