Since July 10, entry to Queensland (by air, land and water) has been opened to all Australian states except Victoria, due to its recent increases in community transmission of COVID-19.

Even foreign charter vessels are permitted to enter Australia with a temporary Coastal Trading Licence, under the Special Recreational Vessels Act 2019.

With Australian states managing much better than previously thought, some keen boaters' eyes are once again looking out to sea.

When restrictions are eased further, Queensland looks best positioned to welcome boaters from NSW.

Queensland's coastline is immense and offers a great deal for the diver and nature-lover.

The Whitsundays are a superb cruising ground for visiting yachts.

With recent regulation changes opening the region and its three large yacht marinas to boats, it's always a popular destination for NSW boaters looking to make a getaway.

About 650 kilometres to the south of Cairns is the spectacular Whitsundays archipelago, which is all that remains of an ancient mountain range flooded by ocean as the last ice age receded.

The Whitsunday Islands are midway along the Queensland coastline, sheltered by the Great Barrier Reef and surrounded by the calm waters of the Coral Sea.

Of the 74 islands in the Whitsundays only eight are inhabited, the most famous being Hamilton Island, which has a marina for yachts up to 60 metres, as well as an airport with flights from all major Australian cities.

Nearby is the pristine silicone sands of Whitehaven Beach.

Close by, the port town of Airlie Beach is an ideal launching point for Whitsundays adventures.

It has two marinas - Port of Airlie and Abell Point Marina - which accommodates yachts up to 90 metres. Airlie Beach is one of many departure points for the Great Barrier Reef.

Arguably the planet's largest living structure, the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef is even visible from space and stretches over 2000 kilometres.

The reef protects the Whitsunday Coast and islands from ocean swells, providing the region with some of the safest, most protected cruising grounds in the world.

The best way to appreciate the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is from under the water.

Divers will experience the dazzling array of colours and life beneath the surface, from huge coral bommies to delicate spans of plate coral and the skeletal staghorn structures.

This coral is home to all kinds of sea creatures and vegetation, from small clams and starfish, urchins, clownfish and sea cucumbers, right up to the large sea turtles and manta rays, dolphins, reef sharks and whales.

The diversity of the reef is nothing short of staggering.

In welcome news, the federal government has allotted $28.6 million to address significant threats to the reef. In particular, coral-eating Crown of Thorns Starfish.

A $1.4 million jetty upgrade at Speers Point is now open to boaters to provide easier and safer access to Lake Macquarie.

The project, co-funded by Transport for NSW and Lake Macquarie City Council, involved replacing the aging jetty with a more usable one, which includes a lower level landing to improve access for a wide variety of vessels across all tides.

"Speers Point jetty is such an important community asset and I am delighted to see it open and being used once again by our boating community," Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser said.

MULPHA, organisers of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), has announced a temporary show for the Queensland industry, with the Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival scheduled to take place on November 13-15.

The Sanctuary Cove Boating Festival will replace this year's SCIBS 2020, after boat show was postponed.

This new show will focus on supporting the local marine industry, with South East Queensland brands among the first to be invited to display their latest boats and fishing equipment. The free, three-day event will be open to the public, with ticketing and access details to be released closer to the event date.