Gold Coast gives berth to a new ambition as world super yacht HQ
The Gold Coast has set its sights on becoming the new “superyacht capital,” opening Australia’s largest superyacht berth at Southport Yacht Club this week to snare a major share of the booming billion-dollar global trend.
The 68-metre Lady Christine superyacht, worth $82 million, that’s been in Queensland for a multi-million dollar facelift at the Gold Coast marine precinct. It’s understood to be being used by George Clooney and Julia Roberts for their latest blockbuster being filmed in Queensland. (Image: supplied)
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said the opening of the $9 million berth was the city’s “red-carpet moment for the largest superyachts in the world.”
Tate said the facility was designed to accommodate what was then the biggest superyacht in the world, which was the $45 million superyacht Senses owned by Google co-founder Larry Page.
“This facility is 180m long and when we designed it, I said what is the biggest superyacht there is? If the biggest superyacht can fit there, that means everybody’s welcome,” Tate said.
Senses has since been eclipsed in size and scale by the gargantuan $500 million, 127-metre superyacht called Y721 owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
Tate said the Gold Coast’s new superyacht berth, co-funded by the State Government which has also contributed funding for high-tech computer simulations to ensure the safety of large vessels on their way to the new superyacht facility, would be a drawcard to bring owners and sailors of the luxury craft to Queensland.
The Covid pandemic has proved a massive boon for the global superyacht industry, with latest Yacht Industry figures showing the global market was estimated to grow from US$7.4 billion in 2020 to US$10.8 billion by 2026.
As well as Queensland being a destination for the luxury craft, Australian buyers have joined those jumping into the multimillion-dollar trend by splashing out on luxury superyachts, often buying sight unseen.
The splurge has meant an increase in the number of superyachts being delivered to buyers in Queensland and along the east coast of up to four times higher than pre-Covid levels.
Jason Roberts, managing director of Brisbane-based Aurora Global Logistics, Australia’s leading international yacht transport and customs brokerage, said that in the past year there had been close to 40 superyachts brought into Australia, compared to around 10 superyachts in a “normal” year.
Roberts said the superyacht arrivals were also a boon for Queensland and Australian ports.
“Every yacht that comes in usually spends 10 per cent of its value every 12 months,” he said.
“So, if you’ve got a $30 million yacht, it’s spending $3 million per year in the local economy.”
