Get Onboard the Definitive Guide to the Asia-Pacific

Tourism and superyacht industry heavyweights welcome the fourth edition of the Asia Pacific’s definitive superyacht guide, The Great Southern Route 4, bringing the highlights of our spectacular cruising grounds to your fingertips. The much-anticipated fourth edition of the guide will be released in October 2018.

The premier source of inspiration and information on the Asia Pacific Region for superyacht Captains, owners and crew worldwide, Ocean Media’s GSR4 is set to be the largest and most comprehensive edition yet and has garnered support and sponsorship from the superyacht industry, skippers and Australian tourism authorities.

This essential handbook is presented as a series of stepping-stone destinations en route to the South Pacific from Europe or the US. Both far-reaching and reliable, the information available in GSR4 is thoroughly researched, providing key contacts with superyacht experience in destinations spanning two thirds of the globe.

Content is up-to-date with first-hand, Captain-to-Captain advice on exactly what to expect when cruising to some of the most remote and pristine destinations on Earth, together with reliable charts and weather advice.

New to GSR4 will be detailed guides on charter regulations and environmental updates, two areas of significant change that are vital for owners and Captains.

Also covered in this trusted compendium is a calendar of major events in the region; security and safety; refit and servicing; transportation of vessels to the region; and top tips from Captains and agents for must-see destinations and exclusive experiences for owners.

Tourism Australia has signed on as the first of four foundation sponsors for the publication. Karen Fitzgerald, Global Manager – Experiences, said: “Tourism Australia is delighted to be the inaugural Foundation Partner for the latest edition of the Great Southern Route.”

“The Superyacht sector is a relatively untapped segment of the tourist market for Australia, and certainly an area that has the potential to give us a competitive advantage against many of our competitor destinations.”

“We have some of the most spectacular coastal and aquatic attractions in the world and approximately 70 percent of all international visitors report enjoying coastal experiences as part of their trip.

Coupled with the high-end offerings that are available onshore, these experiences resonate very strongly with the international superyacht client. This collaboration with GSR4 presents a great opportunity for us all to work together to attract more high-value travellers to Australia.”

Managing Director of Ocean Media, Hillary Buckman, welcomed Tourism Australia on board and praised its enthusiasm for GSR4: “We are very excited to welcome Tourism Australia as our first Foundation Partner for what will be the best and most definitive ‘go to’ edition of the Great Southern Route. This new-look version will feature a host of new information and will be completely overhauled from GSR3 – which proved such a hit with the industry.

“To complement the guide, we are also introducing an interactive website which can be used by Captains for the use of fellow Captains, keeping them up to date on any changes and advice.”

The Australian Superyacht Industry is embracing GSR4. Former AIMEX CEO MaryAnne Edwards said: “Superyacht Australia has been a supporter of the Great Southern Routesince its inception.

“A consolidated and coordinated guide to attracting superyachts to cruise down under is seen by Captains and owners as essential when making their plans to come to the South Pacific. Captains want to understand all the government rules and regulations and owners want to understand the key experiences they can enjoy when in Australia.

“It is exciting for Superyacht Australia that Tourism Australia has also embraced this publication and in the new edition we will showcase the best of what Australia has to offer by including the Tourism Australia signature experience program.

“Australia is regarded as an evolving superyacht destination with tremendous potential for future growth. It boasts some of the most pristine and safest waters in the world, combined with the adventure-cruising attractions of Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef and The Kimberley.

"A recent economic study by the AEC Group estimated the Australian Superyacht Industry could be worth AU$2.2 billion by 2021, creating more than 8,000 jobs – a segment tourism bodies and governments should be keen to tap into.”

The final word belongs to Captain Brendan O’Shannassy, MY Vava II, who penned the foreword to the previous edition, urging owners to submit to the allure of the Pacific by setting off to explore.

“GSR exists to remind you why you bought a yacht in the first place. Wasn’t it to take your experiences beyond what could gain by other means? Wasn’t it to engage with the marine environment in a way that just staying in a coastal resort does not allow? Wasn’t it to wake up somewhere totally new and just stand in awe at the wonder around you?”

Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia 

And for Captains, he assures them: “Each page will awaken and embolden your passion; that same passion that brought you to yachting in the first instance, the passion that somehow has been eroded through multiple seasons crabbing your way around well-trodden anchorages. Like your yacht owner you too began this career dreaming of the ‘far away’ cruise where you would learn of worlds far beyond your own experiences.”

GSR4 is quite simply the authoritative and essential handbook to our region and its plethora of mesmerising attractions – both natural wonders and onshore delights – to satisfy every appetite.

The Great Southern Route guides have opened up a new world of cruising opportunities in the southern hemisphere. GSR was first launched in 2007, and since then the publication has been instrumental for thousands of superyachts and industry-related businesses in the Mediterranean, US, Caribbean, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and the Pacific.

Cruising in Antarctica 

The second edition, updated for 2010-2011, considerably expanded the concept of the first with the inclusion of twice as many ‘Captains Log’ contributions of first-hand cruising advice, plus the addition of 95 ‘stepping stone’ destinations. The third edition for 2012-2014 expanded coverage to 100 ports and destinations.

Such a global voyage is not only for large yachts with ocean-crossing capabilities. Various yacht carriers serve the Pacific from America and the Indian Ocean from Europe, meaning even the more remote cruising destinations are within reach of smaller motor and sailing yachts.

GSR4 will be released at the Monaco Yacht Show in October 2018, available in a high-quality print format for yacht Captains and owners, as well as online for ease of access on your devices.

To advertise in the pages of GSR4 and have your brand or business in the hands of the ultimate end-user whose decisions determine itinerary, refit, maintenance, entertainment, mooring and more, contact Ocean Media’s Managing Director, Hillary Buckman on hbuckman@oceanmedia.com.au  or +61 (2) 9002 3340.

Preview the guide here: greatsouthernroute.realviewdigital.com

Photo credits: All images courtesy of Ocean Media.