The Gold Coast is entering one of the most concentrated periods of marine industry activity in its history, with two international industry conferences, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and close to $800 million in new superyacht marina infrastructure combining to place the city firmly in the global spotlight.
For a city that has spent decades building its marine credentials, the timing is significant. The Gold Coast is now home to more than 500 marine companies, supports more than 6,000 workers and generates more than $2 billion in annual economic output. But the activity unfolding across May is about more than scale. It is also a demonstration of confidence, collaboration and ambition.
Invest Gold Coast has been one of the major catalysts behind this momentum, working both publicly and behind the scenes to support industry engagement, attract investment and position the city as one of the leading marine, superyacht and advanced manufacturing destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tom Tate – Mayor of the City of the Gold Coast
That role was evident last Thursday, 14 May, when Invest Gold Coast brought together about 30 captains of global superyachts for a closed-door Superyacht Captains & Key Stakeholders Forum. Rather than a promotional exercise, the forum was designed as a working session, giving captains and industry stakeholders the opportunity to test the Gold Coast’s claim as the leading superyacht service and refit destination in the Southern Hemisphere.
The forum included representatives from state and local government, the Gold Coast Waterways Authority, industry associations, local marinas and key stakeholders. Importantly, it placed the views of captains at the centre of the discussion, seeking direct feedback on the city’s strengths, challenges, future opportunities and international positioning.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the value of the forum was hearing firsthand what they need and how we keep this industry growing.
“The Gold Coast has an exceptional marine industry story to tell, but the most important thing we can do is listen to the people who use our facilities and make real decisions about where vessels go,” he said.
“This validated our position as the Southern Hemisphere’s leading marine industry hub.
“The forum helped us understand where we can improve and will inform our future investment and infrastructure decisions.
“It’s pretty clear the Gold Coast is where the action is heading into Brisbane 2032 – and the opportunity is substantial.”
The activity comes during a transformative year for Gold Coast marine infrastructure. Mantaray Residences and Marina is progressing as a $300 million development delivering new state-of-the-art superyacht berthing, while the Main Beach Superyacht Marina is being delivered alongside the $480 million Ritz-Carlton project.
Together, the two projects represent close to $800 million in new superyacht marina infrastructure, adding to an existing network of 170 superyacht berths across 11 commercial marinas, including Australia’s largest floating mega-yacht berth at 160 metres.
The Gold Coast also has more than 250 hectares of marine manufacturing, refit and refurbishment facilities, and is home to a cluster of globally recognised luxury boat builders, advanced manufacturers and marine technology suppliers. Looking further ahead, the proposed Northern Marine Precinct represents the next stage in the city’s long-term marine infrastructure pipeline.
The coming days will keep that momentum front and centre. Earlier this week, the Australian Superyacht and Marine Export Conference and Australian Marine Industry Awards brought national and international industry leaders to the Gold Coast, with Invest Gold Coast supporting the event as a major partner.
From 21 to 24 May, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show will again showcase the scale and depth of the region’s marine industry, while Invest Gold Coast staff will be on the ground connecting industry participants with regional investment opportunities.
The month will then continue with Marinas26 from 24 to 27 May, where the Gold Coast will be showcased as a leading Asia-Pacific marina and superyacht destination. Mr Hutchinson will also present on marine innovators and start-ups, including a pitch showcase featuring emerging businesses and new ideas.
For the Gold Coast, the fortnight is more than a busy events calendar. It is a clear statement that the city’s marine industry has moved from regional strength to international relevance, supported by infrastructure, talent, investment and a coordinated push to turn opportunity into long-term growth.
For more information about Invest Gold Coast, visit their website HERE
