VHF Marine Weather Services

The marine transport and safety agencies of the State and Northern Territory governments are responsible for the dissemination of maritime safety information, including weather information, for small craft (under 300 tonnes) on VHF radio. 

For detailed explanation of arrangements, Australian maritime distress and safety services, and services that are to be provided by the State/Territory agencies in your area, the Bureau recommends the following links.

• Marine and Safety Tasmania
• Marine Safety Victoria
• Marine Group, Transport South Australia
• New South Wales Maritime Authority
• Northern Territory Department of Planning and Infrastructure
• Maritime Safety Queensland
• Western Australia Department of Planning and Infrastructure

Some State Authority Arrangements

Location	VHF broadcaster	VHF channel
Darwin, NT	NT Dep. of Transport and Infrastructure	67
Townsville, Qld	Maritime Safety Queensland	67
Mackay, Qld	Maritime Safety Queensland	67
Tin Can Bay, Qld	Maritime Safety Queensland	67
Mooloolaba, Qld	Maritime Safety Queensland	67
Whyte I., Qld	Maritime Safety Queensland	67
Southport, Qld	Maritime Safety Queensland	67
Newcastle, NSW	NSW Maritime Authority	67
Sydney, NSW	NSW Maritime Authority	67
Port Kembla , NSW	NSW Maritime Authority	67
Melbourne, Vic	Marine Safety Victoria	67
Perth, WA	WA Water Police	67
Rottnest I., WA	WA Water Police	67

Other Sources of VHF marine weather broadcasts

Bureau Met. Offices VHF marine broadcasts:-

Station	Working VHF Frequency1	Broadcast Times (UTC)2
Queensland
Townsville, Qld.	156.625/156.625MHz (ch72)	2215, 0215, 0715 UTC (0815, 1215, 1715 EST)
Home Hill, Qld. (controlled from Townsville)	157.025/161.625MHz (ch80)	2215, 0215, 0715 UTC (0815, 1215, 1715 EST)
Rockhampton, Qld.	157.050/161.650MHz (ch21)	2120, 0010, 0210, 0705 UTC (0720, 1010, 1210, 1705 EST)
Rockhampton, Qld.	157.125/161.725MHz (ch82)	2040, 0140, 0640 UTC (0640, 1140, 1640 EST)
Cairns, Qld.	157.075/161.675MHz (ch81)	1945, 2145, 2345, 0145, 0345, 0545, 0745 UTC (0545, 0745, 0945, 1145, 1345, 1545, 1745 EST)
Mackay, Qld. (Brampton Is)	157.050/161.650MHz (ch21)	2015, 0215, 0645 UTC (0615, 1215, 1645 EST)
Mackay, Qld. (Knight Is)	157.025/161.625MHz (ch80)	2015, 0215, 0645 UTC (0615, 1215, 1645 EST)
Western Australia
Carnarvon, WA	156.675/156.675MHz (ch73)	2205, 0405, 0805 UTC* (0605, 1205, 1605 WST)
Esperance, WA	156.625/156.625MHz (ch72)	2215, 0415, 0815 UTC* (0615, 1215, 1615 WST)
Geraldton, WA	156.675/156.675MHz (ch73)	2215, 0015, 0815 UTC* (0615, 0815, 1615 WST)
Broome, WA	156.625/156.625MHz (ch72)	2240, 0910 UTC* (0640, 1710 WST)

* 1 hour earlier during Australian Western Daylight Saving Time

Notes
1. Announcement is first made on 156.800/156.800MHz (ch16) before moving to the working frequency.
2. The broadcasts include local coastal waters forecasts, warnings and observations. Provision is also made for mariners to call in with questions or updates.
3. Emission code is 16K0F3E (FM)