Abel Point adds 60 new berths

by Jeni Bone on 7 Jul 2008 Responding to unprecedented demand for mooring space in the region, Meridien Marinas is releasing 60 new berths for sale at Airlie Beach’s Abel Point Marina.

The berths range from 12m to 30ms and start from $125,000.

Chief Executive Officer Warwick Bible said that this is a unique and exclusive offering of berths at Abel Point.

'One in 13 Queenslanders over the age of 18 owns a boat and the number of vessels between 10 and 25 metres grew by 6% in the year to December 2007. The total number of registered boats in Queensland is now almost 220, 000,' he said.

Given these statistics, it is no surprise that marina berths are highly, sought-after investments.

'Depending on the boaties’ needs we have a range of berths sizes from 12m to 30m which caters for a majority of clients including the growing superyacht market.'

The internationally-renowned Abel Point Marina at Airlie Beach covers more than 27 hectares and has 500 wet berths including a dedicated arm for super yachts and 32 retail and commercial tenancies.

Meridien is currently undertaking a masterplanning process which is exploring further expansion of the land based component.

Abel Point is part of Meridien’s growing portfolio of marinas with the company undertaking a $500 million expansion of Horizon Shores on the Gold Coast. It has also acquired Marina Mirage at Port Douglas and is also developing the $500 million Port of Airlie.

According to Bible, as well as a practical investment, marina berths have proved to be a blue chip investment in the past few years.

'The prices of 12m berths at our Meridien Marinas Horizon Shores near the Gold Coast have risen 45% in the past six years,' he said.

Property Research Analyst Alison Timchur from Colliers International said marina berths remain the new clever investment.

'There are still not enough marina berths to satisfy the demand that continues to grow.'

Meridien Marinas Abel Point is a major marina hub for the entire Whitsunday region. Bible believes the 60 new berths in the marina will be taken up quickly.

'The beauty of the Whitsundays is its magic waterways and islands and Abel Point Marina gives visitors access to both,' he said.

More at www.abelpointmarina.com.au