Who does what, from quayside to runway
The Federation operates no aircraft and no vessel, and it is neither an airline nor a shipping company. For a yacht, a seaplane, a helicopter or a jet, it acts as an intermediary: it finds the operator, checks it, passes on its proposal and coordinates the timings. As its terms and conditions put it, the Federation is answerable for the care taken in selecting and checking the operator.
- The chosen operator
- Carries out the flight or the day at sea: the operator acts under its own responsibility.
- The chosen member operator
- Carries out each journey on the ground, before and after, at the agreed place.
- The Federation
- Prepares, checks and coordinates: one point of contact for you.
- The operator’s terms
- Postponement, diversion, cancellation: set out with the proposal, before you pay for the flight or the day at sea.
On Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour reveals itself from the water: the Opera House, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007, the Harbour Bridge, the bays as far as Rose Bay. The boarding quay, the length of the outing and the programme are agreed with the operator; the boat depends on what is available on your dates, and the proposal specifies the vessel and its crew. Your chauffeur drops you at the quay and collects you there on your return.
On 26 December, the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race transforms the harbour: an exclusion zone surrounds the start line, and spectator boats follow rules set for the day by the New South Wales Government. An outing on that day is planned well ahead, with the operator.
If the weather or the sea calls for a change of plan, the operator decides. Its postponement terms are set out with the proposal, before you confirm the outing.
Seaplane and helicopter
At Rose Bay, on the harbour, seaplanes offer scenic flights, private charters and transfers to waterfront restaurants north of the city. A helicopter can also link Sydney or Melbourne with destinations further afield. The departure and landing sites, the route and the time are set by the operator, in line with the rules of each site and of air traffic control.
On landing, your chauffeur meets you at the place agreed with the operator, which is written into your confirmation voucher.
Private jet: Sydney, Bankstown, Essendon Fields
At Sydney Airport, a curfew set by federal law restricts take-offs and landings between 11pm and 6am. In the Sydney basin, Bankstown Airport is a general aviation hub that handles charter flights; Western Sydney International Airport, announced as curfew-free, welcomes passengers from 25 October 2026. In Melbourne, Essendon Fields Airport, about 10 km (roughly 6 miles) from the city centre, handles corporate aircraft. The airport, the slot and the aircraft are decided with the operator, according to your request and what it has available.
The pick-up point on the ground is arranged with the operator or the handling agent receiving you; whether a car can come close to the aircraft is checked case by case (see Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport).
Preparing your request
To open a file, please tell us:
- your dates, and how flexible they are;
- the number of passengers, the age of any children, and your luggage;
- for a flight, the departure and arrival cities or airports; for a day at sea, the stretch of water you have in mind and how many hours;
- the journeys needed on the ground, before and after.
Opening a yacht, seaplane, helicopter or private jet file involves a study fee, paid before any work begins; the amount is shown on the file-opening quote. You then receive, subject to availability, a proposal, followed by a personal quote with our terms and conditions. Nothing is held until your payment has actually been received. To begin, get in touch.