Rivergate Superyacht Marina on the Block

Brisbane’s Rivergate Marina and Shipyard is on the block with shovel-ready expansion plans to capture the upside of the 2032 Olympic Games. 

The superyacht refit facility at Murrarie carries out 500 haul-outs a year, which makes it one of the busiest shipyards in the southern hemisphere, according to Rivergate director Tom Hill. 

Hill said the award-winning facility had been listed in the top three superyacht refit destinations in the world and its expansion could generate more superyacht visitation to the South Pacific region. 

“This has been a difficult decision for our family-owned business but we believe the time is right for a new owner to continue our work and oversee the next exciting phase of the Rivergate story,” Hill said. 

Rivergate’s facilities include 300-tonne and 75-tonne travel lifts, a 55m refit shed, hardstand, berthing for vessels up to 90m long, a 24-hour fuel wharf and more than 20 marine trades onsite. 

It also comprises a 105-berth marina close to the Moreton Bay region, an international airport, and is midway between Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef. 

The site also has development application approval for a 3000-tonne ship lift, additional hardstand space and in-water service berths for superyachts, commercial boats and defence vessels. 

“Australia is ideally placed to take more advantage of the buoyant global superyacht market, which has seen substantial pent-up demand to visit our region if there was more capability to service vessels over 50m,” Hill said. 

“Any future expansion of Rivergate would also be excellent timing for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Brisbane, with industry expectations that the event will attract around 200 superyachts.”

JLL’s Jacob Swan has launched an international expressions of interest campaign for the superyacht marina. 

The listing follows a slew of superyacht marinas proposed for south-east Queensland. 

Australia’s first dedicated superyacht marina and waterfront residences project, on the Spit at the Gold Coast, won approval this year. 

Private developer Gordon Corp won the tender from the Queensland government to acquire and develop the 9858sq m vacant site at 503 Sea World Drive under a 120-year lease agreement. 

The Mantaray Marina and Residences mixed-use project comprises a 67-berth marina, retail precinct, club lounge and 24 waterfront apartments. 

Meanwhile, Mulpha Group has expanded its offering at Sanctuary Cove with an additional 31 superyacht berths. 

The real estate investor has spent about $3.5 million on the Pier C development, which takes its superyacht berthing capabilities to 39, addressing the growing demand for permanent and transient berths in the Sunshine State.