GC Intl Marine Expo - Boat show with so much more just six days away

by Gold Coast Marine Expo on 15 May 2015 The Gold Coast Marine Precinct at Coomera, Queensland, is a hive of activity this week in the countdown to ‘the boat show with so much more’ – this year being held for the first time in May.

Gold Coast International Marine Expo – a massive showcase of all things aquatic – will next Thursday through to Sunday feature everything from a vast array of luxury motor yachts and sailing catamarans to the largest trailer boat display this year in Queensland as well as every marine display you could possibly imagine.

Add to that family fun and live demonstrations every 15 minutes across a giant three km Club Marine display circuit and ‘Australia’s new paradigm of boat show’ is most certainly living up to its promise of delivering an action-packed four days of fantastic fun for everyone who loves the boating life.

Just six days out from Expo, organisers have firmed up a vast array of brand-new new and brokerage yachts, catamarans and boats for its massive on-water line-up that spans the three Expo marinas and includes a huge Super 60s showcase of multihulls never before seen in Australia.

Also announced this week is that the Maranoa will operate a new limited-place water ferry service from Marina Mirage in Southport each day hosted by Captain Jack Pirate Magician, that a terrific line-up of wooden boats from 16.5-40ft have just joined the colossal Expo fleet and that private helicopter charters and joy flights will also be available through Professional Helicopter Services.

This week’s Expo announcements also include of a new licensed floating boaties bar, a thrilling jet ski stunt show featuring backflips and barrel rolls performed by world champion riders, free sailing lessons for adults as well as kids and, for the first time in the world, that the guardian of the Great Barrier Reef – Reef Ranger – will be open for visitors to step aboard.

“There’s so much happening, it’s hard to know where to start explaining just how much there is to seen and do across our five key events sites covering an area of over 50 hectares at the Coomera event precinct,” said Expo Event and Marketing Manager Emma Milne.

“We will have hundreds of world-leading marine brands – everything from powerful engines to safety equipment and fun accessories … and everything else in between.

“You’ll certainly need more than one full day to see and enjoy everything on offer.

Adding to the Expo anticipation and excitement is the arrival of the rare replica 15th Century caravel Notorious in the Gold Coast Broadwater.

“Notorious really does look like a pirate ship and she is creating plenty of interest ahead of opening for visitors for the first time at a boat show, exclusively at Expo from next Thursday,” said Ms Milne.

“Also this week we have confirmed the Gold Coast’s two biggest trailer boat dealerships – Surf Coast Marine and Broadwater Boating Centre – will be conducting instant water-tests of new 2015 Quintrex and Stejcraft models, also exclusively at Expo.

“We also this week announced Dragon Boat racing, the Coomera Cup paddle ski race … and that’s all in addition to a pirate-themed high-diving show, presented by McDonald’s South East Queensland, a fun kids zone, fishing demonstrations and clinics, cooking demonstrations with Club Marine’s Gourmet chef Bart Beek, and a massive list of world and Australian yacht, boat and product premieres.”

Ms Milne said that perhaps the best way to describe Expo is that there will be something for everyone who loves the boating life, and something for every member of the family … all right in the heart of the biggest recreational shipyards and boat-building facilities in the southern hemisphere.

Expo this year changes tack in aligning its dates with the Riviera Festival of Boating and Blues on Broadbeach, creating a very compelling reason to visit the Gold Coast for four fantastic days in May.

The aim is to cement the Gold Coast’s position as the Number one recreational marine showcase destination in Australia, and comparable to anywhere in the world.

“This year is just year one of our new dates and we have already achieved so much by working together for the common good – imagine what we can achieve next year and for many years to come,” said Ms Milne.

“The Expo is fortunate to have the support of some of the biggest names and brands in our industry – it will really be a boat show for real boaties.”

Expo this week also boosted its massive Australia-wide multi-platform marketing campaign with promotions now running across television, radio, magazines, newspapers and billboards, complementing the event’s unprecedented online and direct marketing initiatives.

“We’ve pulled out all stops to make sure boating enthusiasts right across the world know that the Gold Coast is THE place to be in May,” said Ms Milne.

Expo tickets will be available at the gate but every ticket purchased online will have a chance of winning a Sirocco RIB package valued at $4200. For tickets, please visit website. Cost is $10 adults, $7 seniors and kids under 15 will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult.

Love boating? You’ll love the Gold Coast in May!