The Denison Star is a magnificent 107 foot motor cruiser built of Huon Pine by Ray Kemp during 1967/68 in Woodbridge, Tasmania  - a small town south of Hobart, and was launched in late 1968. 

The vessel operates scheduled Dinner Cruises from Hamilton Island most evenings, and is also available for special events such as wedding receptions, conferences, parties, corporate events and much more.

The construction of the vessel is a story within itself.  The lovely Huon Pine timber was originally cut on the Denison River – a tributary of the Gordon River, on the west coast of Tasmania near the township of Strahan.  The pine was then floated 60 miles down the Denison and Gordon Rivers, 20 miles across the bay to a sawmill in the township of Strahan.  Once milled the pine was then transported by sea down the west coast of Tasmania, through the roaring 40’s to the township of Kettering (near Woodbridge).

The keel of the vessel is made from Blue Gum and measures 96 feet long and 17 inches wide.  Only one tree was used for the entire keel!  An amazing co-incidence is the keel was actually cut down in another Denison River just south of Hobart – not on the west coast.

From her launch date right up until the early 1980’s the Denison Star operated on the Gordon River, and at that time she was “the” cruise boat on the River.  In 1986 she was sold to interests in Queensland and actually operated from Yeppoon to Great Keppel Island.  By the late 80’s her condition had deteriorated quite considerably and in 1991 she was purchased and went back down to Tasmania.  Unbelievably she was bought by a man who had actually helped build the Denison Star in the 60’s as a young boy and his love for the vessel was as strong in 1991 as it was previously.  The boat was re-furbished and transformed into a luxurious private vessel.  Unfortunately due to reaching retirement age and the huge maintenance programme required to keep the boat in pristine condition, Denison was put up for sale in early 2001.

It was at this time her current owner was searching the country to find a vessel to fulfil his dream of offering a memorable cruise and dine experience to Whitsunday visitors.  With a few alterations, he could see the Denison Star meeting all the criteria of romance, ambience and beautiful lines.

The Denison Star is one of the most well known and travelled motor cruisers on the East Coast of Australia.  She has much history attached to her and she left Tasmania in March 2002 to arrive at her new home in the Whitsundays. 

Steeped in tradition the Denison Star has been luxuriously re-appointed and re-designed.  The dining area on the fully air-conditioned lower deck, and a large outside upper deck area under canopy, are perfect for drinks under the Whitsunday stars.  She combines traditional style cruising with modern day cuisine at unique Whitsunday locations.