March 2018

Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef Familiarisation Tour 2018

Delegates from London, Hong Kong, Tahiti and Florida will get the VIP treatment during the Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef (SYGGBR) familiarisation tour which will showcase the best the Far North has to offer during May.

The annual event promotes the region to the superyacht industry and will include tailor-made luxury tours from Lizard Island down to the Whitsunday Islands.

“We have a spectacular line-up of events and tours for our visitors this year,” SYGGBR Chairman Carrie Carter said. “And we are now inviting industry leaders to join us to promote the Great Barrier Reef region to international super yachts, their owners and their guests.”

The four delegates - Sophia Wilson, Travel Editor with Boat International, London; Susan Harris, Charter Management / Director Worldwide Boat, Florida; Coriandre Bredin, Superyacht Agent with Seal Superyachts in Tahiti; and Carmen Stratton, Director with Camper & Nicholson Charter, Hong Kong – will be based in Cairns for four days before heading south, for tours of Hamilton Island and the Whitsundays.

“It’s an exciting itinerary which we have really been able build on this year with support from Cairns Regional Council, Tourism Australia and Superyacht Australia,” Ms Carter said. “We have also been able to broaden our reach to include events with Abell Point Marina and Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, two of our new SYGGBR corporate members.

The overseas visitors, who will arrive in Cairns on May 15, will stay in luxury accommodation near the stunning Cairns Marlin Marina which looks out to the Great Barrier Reef and is surrounded by World Heritage-listed rainforest.

From Wednesday they will take part in a Superyacht Forum and a tour of the world-class Great Barrier Reef International Maritime College, before being whisked off by helicopter to Port Douglas with a flyover tour of Mossman Gorge. A tour and lunch at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina will be followed by Cocktails and Coffee at a local resort.

The day finishes up with a Cocktail Party hosted by the Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning at the waterfront venue Salt House, which will draw together prominent Cairns dignitaries, SYGGBR members and special guests Tourism Australia Brand Manager Courtney Barry, Manager of the Signature Experiences program, Karen Fitzgerald and MaryAnne Edwards of Superyacht Australia.

Thursday will be an amazing experience for delegates flown to Lizard Island for a day of snorkelling and diving the outer, most scenic Ribbon Reefs.

Back on land, Friday will include a trip with Skyrail to Barron Falls Estate Rainforest Journey. A farewell cocktail party will finish off the Cairns leg of the journey on board a luxury super yacht with VIP guests.

“Our region is truly a premier destination for superyachts the world over,” Ms Carter said. “We have everything they need: perfect location, perfect weather, perfectly safe and a perfect home port to explore down under.

“Here you can dock right next to a vibrant tropical city, have quick access to an international airport, take advantage of world-class shipyards, and just nestle in to spectacular natural surroundings.”

But the famil doesn’t end in Cairns. Delegates will then be flown to the stunning Whitsundays to experience the best the destination has to offer visiting superyachts.

The experience will include scenic heli-flight over the iconic Heart Reef, lunch overlooking the Whitsunday islands at Hamilton Island gold club, a tour of luxury qualia resort then a unique on-water stay and dine experience courtesy of hosts Abell Point Marina.

The following day they will take in the stunning Whitehaven Beach and cruise the Whitsunday islands before being flown to Brisbane for the ASMEX Conference.

Luke McCaul, general manager Abell Point Marina explains “the diversity of the cruising grounds, marina facilities and superyacht support services available to visiting vessels in the Great Barrier region is world-class. To showcase our region to the international superyacht industry strengthens the Great Barrier Reef destination focus and highlights the cruising potential of this region for visiting superyachts.”

“None of this can be put together without solid backing and team work from our sponsors, such as Cairns Regional Council, Cairns Marlin Marina, Abell Point Marina, Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Spirit Luxury Cruises, Lizard Island, Tourism Australia, Superyacht Australia, Great Barrier Reef Int. Marine College, Barron Falls Estate and Skyrail.” Ms Carter said.

“Our combined efforts both here and around Australia continue to grow a strong national superyacht market, with economic impact forecasts seeing a potential contribution of $1.12 billion to GDP by 2021, for a total contribution of $3.34 billion.”