ROYAL QUEENSLAND YACHT SQUADRON

About ROYAL QUEENSLAND YACHT SQUADRON

ROYAL QUEENSLAND  YACHT SQUADRON

Located on the waterfront of Brisbane’s eastern Bayside suburb Manly, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is home to one of this State’s oldest and most prestigious sailing and cruising clubs. Formed in 1885, the Squadron has a long history of supporting and encouraging sailing as a sport that continues today. Sailors at all levels – from beginners in Optimists or Sabots and juniors in a variety of dinghies through to our elite sailors competing with distinction in class championships at International and Olympic events – come to RQYS to enjoy sailing on Moreton Bay. The Squadron itself hosts regular Club Championship races for our Members, along with State, National and International regattas.

A warm welcome is guaranteed, and we look forward to seeing you and helping you belong to Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

Our history at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has taken many turns up the River and down the Bay…

The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron was ‘born’ in 1885 when a group of gentlemen interested in water sports formed the Brisbane Sailing Club. Sailing quickly became the prominent sport of the new entity and within a few years competition with the sailors of Sydney had commenced with the inaugural inter-colonial sailing race in 22 Footers.

By 1894, the restriction of ‘Brisbane’ was adjusted and the club took the title of Queensland Yacht Club. In that year also the Admiralty granted members permission to fly the Blue Ensign of Her Majesty’s Fleet. In 1902 His Majesty, King Edward VII bestowed the title ‘Royal’ on the club and, in 1961, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II approved a change of name to the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. The final step came in 1991, when the club was registered as an incorporated company and became the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Limited.

This expansion and upgrading of facilities has been mirrored in our sporting achievements, with Olympic gold medals, world and national championships, participation in America’s Cups and Admiral’s Cups with many fine performances in a number of blue water events.

Some families are now in the fourth generation of membership, while many can count three. Over 600 members claim greater than 21 years membership. Perhaps it is the energy of the young combined with the wisdom of their parents that has helped create an outstanding Squadron, the envy of many. That combination will ensure the Squadron progresses in the years ahead.

Start Your Sailing Journey Today!

The RQYS Sailing Academy provides an extensive array of nationally recognized courses in the realms of learning to sail and sailing-related activities, spanning dinghies, keelboats, powerboats, and windsurfers. As an accredited Australian Sailing Discover Sailing Centre, the Academy has been the springboard for numerous successful sailing journeys. Our experienced and professional staff, bolstered by dedicated and fully trained volunteers, consistently conduct on-water and shore-based courses throughout the year. Our instructors and coaches hold qualifications from Australian Sailing, placing equal emphasis on ensuring student safety and fostering an enjoyable learning experience, thus crafting an ideal environment for skill acquisition.

Brought together, by the love of water

Choosing the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron is choosing to belong to a diverse community brought together by the love of the water and boating, in all its forms. If you are drawn to the water, take pleasure in the wind or simply love messing around in boats, you belong at RQYS.

Family & Friends

As a member of RQYS you join a community that welcomes your friends, family, children and colleagues. The excellent facilities are provided to our extended community, encouraging people to enjoy spectacular Moreton Bay and beyond.

Develop Life-long Friendships

Yes, the sailing and cruising is spectacular, and the location is stunning, but that’s only part of it. Our members and our people make the Squadron a special place. Arguably the most compelling reason of all to join is because it presents the opportunity to belong to one of the world’s great yacht clubs and the chance to make many new friends and to enjoy their company in an open and welcoming environment.

Celebrate Your Dream Wedding in beautiful Moreton Bay

A stunning location to celebrate the start of your brand-new life together – that’s the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron! Located at Manly Boat Harbour and only a short drive from Brisbane’s CBD, RQYS offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, waterfront lawns overlooking the marina and panoramic views across Moreton Bay. Few Brisbane venues can offer the ambience of 140+ years of heritage distilled into 60 more recent years as the pivotal anchor of our harbourside location. And fewer still can boast the attention to detail and importance placed on special occasions that there is at RQYS, with dedicated staff, exceptional quality in food and excellence in service combining to make your wedding truly unforgettable.

We are immensely proud to introduce our function facilities, superb venues for both intimate and large-scale wedding receptions, and we welcome bookings from  Members and non-Members.

Social Occasions

When cruising sailors meet there is always the opportunity for a spontaneous and special social occasion, under a palm tree on a white sand beach with the waves lapping at your toes, on a boat enjoying a cocktail and nibbles with new and close friends ~ or wearing a black tie and board shorts for a celebration. These weekends are a great way to meet new people, have some fun and enjoy the company of other members.