Gold Coast International Marine Expo - The biggest ever Expo now open

by Emma Milne on 21 May 2015 The Gold Coast International Marine Expo has today confirmed that its colossal-sized showcase of all things aquatic at Coomera is the biggest Expo ever, with a record number of over 230 exhibitors across the massive event’s 3km display circuit.

“The proof is in the pudding,” said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate in officially opening ‘the boat show with so much more’.

“Just looking around and seeing how much is going on here across five event sites and over 50 hectares of the Gold Coast Marine Precinct – it shows that the Gold Coast really is top of the chain in the marine industry.”

Cr Tate – a vocal advocate for jobs and growth – said the Expo’s growing popularity with marine exhibitors and visitors reflects the enterprising spirit upon which the city has been built.

“Great things happen when people are prepared to carry the torch and adopt that ‘have-a-go’ attitude and the Expo is evidence that we’ve got the best of the best here on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“It really is no wonder that so many overseas and interstate people are coming to the Gold Coast – it’s a happening place with a full calendar of events.”

Expo chairman Patrick Gay AM thanked the vast array of Expo exhibitors for supporting the new paradigm of boat show, one designed to foster jobs and growth, and to provide everyone who loves the boating life with a compelling reason to visit the Gold Coast in May.

“The Expo’s position from the very outset was to create a truly international boating destination and the success of this year’s event is proof that we can do that,” he said.

Expo committee member Stephen Milne said the Expo’s unique location right in the heart of the biggest recreational shipyards and boat-builders in the country confirmed that, geographically, the Expo was the already biggest boat show in Australia – a boat show for REAL boaties.

“Continuing this positive direction of working together, there’s absolutely no doubt that we can create the biggest boating event in the southern hemisphere, and comparable with anywhere in the world,” he said.

Mr Milne said not-for-profit Expo was created in tough times by very passionate people, some of them competitors, who were determined to work together for the common good.

“And just look at what that foresight and cooperation has created – the Expo vision has inspired new boaties as much as it has experienced boaties, and we are very thankful that we have the support of hundreds of international and Australian exhibitors representing the world’s leading marine brands.

“Expo is now an unstoppable force – it really is amazing what can be achieved when everyone works together.”


But, wait: ‘the boat show with so much more’ has …. even more!

Boats to behold

Expo 2015 (21-24 May) also has more large and luxurious sailing and motor yachts, plus more boats of all shapes and sizes, on display and for sale than ever before.

In fact, the spectacular Super 60s showcase of luxurious 60ft multihulls is just one of many Expo exclusives – also among them are the biggest Australian boat show displays from some of the world’s leading luxury motor yacht marques, as well as a world-class range of brokerage boats.

Expo will also have the biggest line-up of trailer boats in Queensland this year, including the biggest-ever boat show display from the very popular Quintrex range, which is exclusive to Expo … and instant water tests of tinnies too.

Exciting family fun

Expo will also offer more family fun attractions and interactive demonstrations every 15 minutes throughout the Expo precinct – everything from adrenalin-pumping on-water demonstrations and the thrilling EX-HD high-divers presented by McDonald’s South East Queensland … to free sailing for kids and adults, a novel navigational marker challenge using an amphibious boat, … right through to working boatyard demonstrations, cooking and fishing demonstrations.

Expo visitors can also step aboard Notorious the rare replica 15th Century caravel at its first boat show appearance ever, as well as the 79ft guardian of the Great Barrier Reef, the patrol catamaran Reef Ranger that will be open to the public for the first time ever, also exclusively at Expo.

Australia’s new paradigm of boat show

And all that’s is in addition to exclusive factory tours of the biggest yacht and aluminium boat-builders in the southern hemisphere, including Riviera which was announced this week as the Australian Marine Industry’s Best Large Export Performer and, perhaps more significantly, the Australian Marine Industry Exporter of the Year.

“We’ve got a vast array of world and Australian product premieres … and many of them you won’t be able to see anywhere else but at Expo,” says Event & Marketing Manager Emma Milne.

“In fact there’s so much more to see and do at Expo, you will need more than a full day to experience and enjoy everything there is on offer.”

Expo’s unique X Factor

Visitors can come to Expo by car, boat, train or helicopter and, once here, can enjoy free cruising between the Expo marinas via licensed ferry Queenslander with free onboard entertainment.

There are 3 waterfront restaurant dining destinations, an international food court and even a new ‘Island Bar’ to celebrate your new purchase, or to simply relax and enjoy even more free live entertainment.

It’s SO easy to come to Expo

- Free Expo parking – in fact over 2300 spaces right at the Expo welcome gates at the Gold Coast Marine Precinct.

- Free regular Expo shuttle buses from Coomera Railway Station

- Free Expo anchorage with water transfers available for $2 donation to VMR. Contact VMR direct on radio channel VHF 82 or via mobile 0427 461 103 once anchored.

- EXCLUSIVE Expo transfers from Marina Mirage via Maranoa the pirate ship. Limited places available. Cost is $60 per person and includes your one-day Expo pass ($10). Bookings essential: 0409 133 008.

- EXCLUSIVE Expo helicopter transfers from Brisbane and Coolangatta airports. Phone Professional Helicopter Services on 0418 333 710.

- SPECIAL visitor set-down area for vehicles right at the Expo gates.



Coming from Brisbane?
o Take the M1 Exit 54 to Dreamworld and follow the Expo signs



Coming from the Gold Coast?
o Take the M1 Exit 57 to Dreamworld and follow the Expo signs


And when you’re here at Expo:
o Grab your official Expo program with giant fold-out map, Free for Expo visitors.



o Follow the Club Marine Orange Line to make sure you do not miss a thing across our giant 3km Expo display circuit featuring family fun entertainment and live demonstrations every 15 minutes


o Free water cruising between Expo’s 3 marinas via licensed ferry, with Free live onboard entertainment


o Free Expo shuttle buses along the entire length of Waterway Drive at Coomera, seamlessly linking our 5 key event sites.


Buy your tickets online and win!

Remember, if you buy your Expo tickets online you will have chance of winning a Sirocco alloy RIB package, with motor, valued at over $4200.

There are multiple-day Expo tickets available to ensure you experience and enjoy everything there is on offer.

You can purchase your Expo tickets at the Expo website

Fostering growth, jobs and tourism.
Thanks to all our Expo exhibitors, especially our partners Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard, Riviera, International Paint, Clipper Motor Yachts, Telwater, Stefan Boating World and The Boat Works. Expo’s opening day success is a great example of what can be achieved when we all work together for the common good.