Australia InDepth: A Superyacht Hub
The first episode of the Australia InDepth Series, ‘A Superyacht Hub’, has launched on Superyachts.com and focuses on the advanced marine infrastructure in Australia which is able to cater to the demands of large visiting vessels.
Watch Episode 1 'A Refit Capital' of Australia InDepth Series 2.
With new charter opportunities providing an added incentive for superyachts to visit the diverse cruising region of Australia, it is imperative that these yachts have access to world-class facilities. Episode 1 ‘focuses on the refit and maintenance capability of shipyards in Australia. Across the country, award-winning shipyards have attracted superyachts from far and wide to benefit from their advanced infrastructure and expert services.
Having the shipyard infrastructure and the skills means that vessels don’t have to go back to the Northern Hemisphere to get the work done,” explains David Good, CEO of Superyacht Australia. “We’re basically the refit and maintenance hub for Asia-Pacific.” In Perth, the Australian Marine Complex is home to the country’s renowned new-build shipyards, Silver Yachts and Echo Yachts. These shipyards also offer refit and maintenance services, a particular drawcard for superyachts cruising in South East Asia and the Indian Ocean.
“Being a custom superyacht builder expands what we can offer in terms of refit and maintenance work,” says Chris Blackwell, International Sales, and Marketing Manager of Echo Yachts. “Anything is really possible as far as structural modifications, conversions, engineering work, repowering, fitout tasks, right the way through to full vessel resprays, it’s all on offer.”
On the East Coast, the popular cruising destinations of Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef have close access to a number of well-established and internationally celebrated refit shipyards. The Gold Coast Marine Complex gives the choice of two state-of-the-art shipyards and marinas in GCCM and The Boat Works. A favourite destination for Captains and crews, the Gold Coast is a flourishing service hub for superyachts transiting between the Australia’s northern and southern cruising regions.
An hour north of the Gold Coast, Brisbane’s Rivergate Marina and Shipyard has been voted one of the top three refit and maintenance facilities in the world. Recognised for its attentive project management team, Rivergate has earned plenty of plaudits from visiting Captains. “Rivergate is right up there with the best in the world that I’ve experienced, and that’s why I’m here repetitively,” says Cy Wastell, Captain of 48m M/Y No Comment. “I feel that they treat the visiting yachts as an enduring investment rather than just a source of income, so that leads them to invest more into the quality of work, and it keeps us coming back.”
In Far North Queensland, Cairns is an idyllic homeport and first point of entry for superyachts. A base to explore the Great Barrier Reef, there is also key infrastructure found here in the shape of the Cairns Marlin Marina and Austal shipyard.
Australia’s world-class shipyard infrastructure makes the country more accessible for superyachts. With these service facilities in place, superyachts are able to stay in the region for longer periods and make the most of the country’s sublime cruising grounds. The Australia InDepth series ‘A Superyacht Hub’ is being released on Superyachts.com concurrently with the first series ‘An Infinite Charter Destination’, which was launched earlier this month. The latter provides a holistic look at the diverse cruising experiences throughout Australia, while the former provides insight into superyacht-capable facilities and services offered Down Under
By George Bains/ Superyacht.com