Gold Coast City Marina to host big superyacht knees up after Games

THE Gold Coast has always been a hotspot for the mega-wealthy. But here’s why you can expect to see plenty more superyachts and floating palaces coming out way soon.

AUSTRALIA’s second glitzy Superyacht Rendezvous has been booked on the Gold Coast to capitalise on a flotilla of floating palaces for the Commonwealth Games.

The first Australian Superyacht Rendezvous, held at Gold Coast City Marina in May, will be repeated at the Coomera site on April 20 and 21, next year, a week after the Games ends.

COAST HOSTS FIRST SUPERYACHT MEETING

Marina CEO Trenton Gay, the rendezvous organiser, revealed the dates yesterday and said it would profile the city as a superyacht hotspot.

Australia's first ever Superyacht Rendezvous weekend attracted an impressive line up of $150m worth of superyachts to Gold Coast City Marina.

The first had 15 superyachts worth $150 million with more expected in 2018.

The marina so far has nine superyacht bookings for the duration of the Games with captains indicating they will stay on for the rendezvous while Southport Yacht Club has six confirmed superyacht Games bookings.

SUPERYACHT FESTIVAL GAINS BACKING

This year’s Superyachts rendezvous was a big success.

Both venues expect more in the Games lead-up.

“Our 2018 dates coincide with conclusion of the Games, which is anticipated to have a $2 billion economic and tourism impact. The Superyacht Rendezvous will further boost that,” Mr Gay said.

“The Gold Coast has Australia’s largest concentration of marine trades so it makes sense we continue to see this staged here to boost the vitality of our industry.”

Some of the big vessels which visited ups this year. Photo by Richard Gosling