Marine news

Industry overview

Australia’s premier location for recreational boat building, maintenance and refits, the Gold Coast is home to nine luxury marinas, with capabilities for superyachts as well as the most advanced and highly respected marine industry cluster development in the southern hemisphere. The annual international boat show and marine export conference showcase local innovation, attracting international buyers and business.

The Gold Coast has one of Australia’s largest boating communities, with 40,000 watercrafts registered to utilise the city's unparalleled waterways. It is also home to internationally recognised marine brands from manufacturers of luxury superyachts including Riviera and Maritimo, to manufacturers of smaller recreational boats, marine equipment and accessories.

Gold Coast marinas

The Gold Coast has an extensive range of marinas clustered around the northern end of the city, stretching across the shores of the iconic Broadwater and connecting river and canal systems. Commercial marinas include: Couran Cove, Gold Coast City Marina, Hope Harbour, Horizon Shores, Marina Mirage, Sanctuary Cove, Southport Yacht Club, Sovereign Island, Runaway Bay Marina, and The Boat Works Coomera.

Gold Coast Marine Precinct

The Gold Coast Marine Precinct (GCMP) is the major marine industry industrial area within Gold Coast city dedicated to manufacture, servicing/repairs and refits of recreational boats. The Precinct is located on the Coomera River, approximately 15 kilometres from Surfers Paradise with direct water access to Moreton Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Marine manufacturing

The Gold Coast possesses strengths in high-value product manufacturing and is home to industry experts who have generations of knowledge specific to the Gold Coast sector. Marine equipment and accessory manufacturers are well recognised for their capability in a diverse range of hardware, accessories, lighting and dock flotation systems, with many Gold Coast products found within the build of yachts and marinas around the world.

Marine industry events

The Gold Coast is home to major marine events: The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS), Gold Coast International Marine Expo and Australian Superyacht and Marine Export Conference. These events are significant to the boating community and allow national and international visitors and residents the opportunity to engage with leading industry figures, offering a behind-the-scenes view of the marine industry.

Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

It is an event that has built a reputation as one of the most important and significant boat shows in the southern hemisphere, located in the world’s most picturesque setting. The Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) is one of the largest on the Asia Pacific calendar which sees up to 300 exhibitors on display each year and injects an estimated $148 million into the local Gold Coast economy annually. Along with global and Australian launches, SCIBS showcases the latest and greatest the world’s marine industry has to offer. In 2016 the show welcomed more than 40,000 visitors across four days.

Investment Attraction Program

The Investment Attraction Program is designed to assist businesses to invest or set up a business on the Gold Coast. The Program incorporates a suite of services to facilitate investment or business relocation or expansion to the Gold Coast.

Marine