Superyachts inundate Southport, Gold Coast marina for Commonwealth Games

THE Gold Coast can expect more than two dozen superyachts for the duration of the Commonwealth Games — But there’s just one problem.

CITY leaders expect a high-yielding tourism boost from a flotilla of big-spending superyacht visitors for the Commonwealth Games — with Southport Yacht Club berths now full.

More than two dozen floating palaces have confirmed berth bookings on the Gold Coast for the two-week duration of the Games next year.

The Southport Yacht Club now has 10 superyachts booked, with each longer than 100 feet and has no more room left.

Southport Yacht Club General Manager Brett James (right) and Waterfront Manager Mark Riddell talking about the superyacht inundation for Commonwealth Games. Photo: Steve Holland

Club general manager Brett James said several were coming from Sydney with others from overseas.

“If we get any more we don’t know where we are going to put them,” he said.

“We will then have to talk to Gold Coast Waterways Authority and see if they can assist us somehow. But it’s a good problem to have definitely.”

Gold Coast City Marina also has 12 superyachts confirmed — ranging from 105 to 180 footers — during the Games and expects more than 20 to stay on for the city’s second glitzy Superyacht Rendezvous a weekend later.

Australia’s first Superyacht Rendezvous held on the Gold Coast in May, 2017.

With the average superyacht foreign visitor estimated to pump $15,000-25,000 per day into the local economy in days before and after a cruise, it has city leaders buoyant about ongoing efforts to raise the city profile as a superyacht destination.

Gold Coast Tourism recently kicked in funding support for a Southport Yacht Club delegation to spread the superyacht message to major international boat shows — including the recent Fort Laudedale International Boat Show in Florida.

Gold Coast City Marina CEO Trenton Gay has been instrumental in promoting south-east Queensland as a superyacht destination. Photo by Richard Gosling

The club is likely to find a friendly ear at the Waterways Authority if it needs more temporary berthing space for big boats during the Games — Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter is on the authority board.

Mr Winter said it was great the city was attracting more and more big-spending superyacht visits.

“But more important than that is the impact it has on the Gold Coast brand which is now diversified to include a sophisticated traveller looking for the best in the world.

“The Gold Coast brand must evolve beyond its traditional mainstays of the beach and families — which will always be one of our most important drivers and part of our DNA.

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

“But if we are to remain competitive in the future, the Broadwater provides some of the best potential for Gold Coast tourism for 50 years.”

The City Marina’s Superyacht Rendezvous — held for the first time earlier this year — aims to promote southeast Queensland as a cruising destination, charter spot and the Gold Coast as a refit and repair hub.

City Marina CEO Trenton Gay said having just attended some of the world’s biggest boat shows in Europe and the US, interest in cruising the South Pacific was at an “all-time high”.

“The region’s safety factor is high on people’s list — in fact the area was referred to as the Safe Pacific on many occasions.

“Recent weather events in the Caribbean and the overcrowding in the Med are forcing vessels to consider alternative cruising destinations.”

“The global fleet are just starting to realise there are viable options for world-class repair and refit in the region.”