Developments continue to elevate the Gold Coast as a yachting destination
It has been a dynamic year on the Gold Coast as a number of developments, both public and private, have elevated the seaside city to a preferred yachting destination. It is a trend set to continue well into the future.
Gold Coast Port of Clearance
Just over 12 months ago, the Australian Border Force authority announced they would trial a Port of Clearance on the Gold Coast at the Southport Yacht Club. It was a move welcomed by the yachting community as it offered a quick and easy solution for those approaching the Australian coastline from the South Pacific. The Port of Clearance berth is less than 2 nautical miles from the open Coral Sea and easily accessed through the Southport Seaway.
Superyachts visiting the Gold Coast
The trial was a success and the Port of Clearance is now permanent feature and since then many international yachts have taken the opportunity to clear into Australia through the Gold Coast. Most of these yachts then cruised 10 nautical miles up river to Gold Coast City Marina and Shipyard (GCCM).
“We have hosted a number of notable and large international yachts over the last 12 months including Dragonfly, Pangaea, Pursuit, Little Blue and Playpen. Some for a dockside stay and some for more major work on the shipyard. The Port of Clearance has only added to the appeal of the Gold Coast for crew. The next step is the dredging program which will support more yachts accessing marine infrastructure on the Gold Coast,” explained General Manager of Business Development and Operations, Kevin Altera.
Deepening the channel
GCCM is located on the Coomera River and, as part of their industry development activities, have worked with the local and state government authorities to implement a dredging program which will maintain a deep water channel from the open sea to the marina and shipyard. When the program is complete in June 2019 there will be a consistent 3.5 metre LAT depth giving more superyachts access to the 17.5 hectare facility; Australia’s most awarded marina and shipyard.
Future yacht building on the Gold Coast
2019 is the 20th anniversary of the opening of GCCM and the next two decades look to be even more exciting and ground-breaking than the first. At the 2018 Australian Superyacht Rendezvous, GCCM announced a strategic partnership with young Australian yacht designer, Misha Merzliakov, on the GCX40 Project. Misha has styled a 40-metre aluminium superyacht influenced by the Australian marine environment and designed to be built onsite at GCCM.
“The GCX40 project is exciting as it will bring big boat building back to the Australian east coast. It can be built and launched at our current facility however, we have announced plans for our second stage complete with 1000 tonne lift. We have a long term trajectory to be the best in superyacht maintenance and refit as well as building. As such, we are amassing the infrastructure and team to deliver in spades,” stated GCCM’s CEO, Trenton Gay.
Yet what is driving these investments and developments? The Gold Coast is located roughly midway between Australia’s two other yachting magnets, Cairns and Sydney, and 800 nautical miles from New Caledonia making it a logical port. Aside from the marine service infrastructure, its natural assets are very attractive to cruising yachts. The city is lined by 57 kilometres of golden beaches on one side and world heritage listed rainforest on the other. Many crew use the Gold Coast for the yacht’s and their own rest and respite; not to mention a killer surf break or two.
