Australia: A boating nation

Boating in Australia was largely a beneficiary of the pandemic, evidenced by increased boat sales, registration and license holders. Sustaining that momentum is now a key focus for state boating industry associations as they seek to retain the next generation of boating enthusiasts.

Australia’s relationship with the water runs deep. Surrounded by nearly 60,000 kilometres of coastline and covering 7.75 million square kilometres of land, the island continent has long fostered a culture defined by boating, marine recreation and life by the sea. With around 85 percent of Australians living within 50 kilometres of the coast, access to waterways is both a lifestyle preference and part of who we are as a nation.  

Australians excel at water-based sports such as surfing, sailing, rowing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. Recreational boating, in particular, remains one of the country’s most popular pastimes. According to the 2024 Australian National Boating Survey conducted by the Boating Industry Association, nearly one in five Australians participates in some form of recreational boating each year, while approximately 10 percent of the population holds a boat licence.

A strong and resilient marina industry

For over a decade, Australian marina industries have been enjoying strong business conditions, and this looks set to continue. 

The Marina Industries Association (MIA) conducts a biennial Health of the Australian Marina Industry Survey of the 300 professionally managed marinas in Australia. The survey, undertaken for nearly two decades by Michigan State University under the leadership of Dr Ed Mahoney, provides detailed insights into marina performance, economic contribution and industry trends. It is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive marina industry studies conducted globally.

The findings highlight the sector’s substantial economic impact. Australian marinas contribute approximately $2.24 billion AUD annually to the national economy and support around 21,000 jobs. As the critical interface between land and water, marinas also play a pivotal role in supporting Australia’s tourism industry, one of the country’s largest export sectors.

Marine tourism activities such as diving, whale-watching tours, reef excursions and yacht charters rely on high-quality marina infrastructure. Without modern berthing facilities, maintenance services and shore-side amenities, these operations would struggle to function efficiently.

Australian marinas perform well. The average marina operates at 86 percent occupancy, accommodates approximately 182 vessels and employs 14 staff. In addition to its own operations, marinas typically host nine small business tenants, from marine service providers to hospitality venues which create vibrant waterfront business communities.

On average, a marina generates annual revenue of $2.7 million while contributing an estimated $7.7 million to the broader economy.

Regional differences across the country

While the industry performs strongly nationwide, regional variations exist.

New South Wales has the largest number of marinas in the country, with 108 facilities spread across its extensive network of waterways including Sydney Harbour, Pittwater, the Georges River, the Hawkesbury River and Lake Macquarie. These marinas tend to be smaller, reflecting the fragmented nature of waterways and historical development patterns.

By contrast, Queensland has fewer marinas at around 64, but they are typically much larger. The average Queensland marina can accommodate around 318 vessels, more than double the capacity of those in New South Wales.

Occupancy levels also vary by region. Both Tasmania and New South Wales record some of the highest average occupancy rates at around 91 percent, reflecting relatively stable, locally based boating communities. Queensland’s marinas average around 82 percent occupancy, influenced by the state’s strong tourism market and more transient boating activity.

Results from the 2025 survey are expected to show further improvements in performance and will be presented at the Marinas26 international conference and trade show on the Gold Coast in May, with the full report to be released soon afterwards.

Drivers of strength

Aside from a strong boating culture, several factors underpin the resilience and growth of Australia’s marina industry.

The “land down-under” is geographically remote from geopolitical instability and “hotspots” in the northern hemisphere. This, combined with world class eco-tourism offerings, has made Australia attractive to international visitation in recent years, particularly for superyachts, charter vessels and other luxury vessels.

The superyacht sector has become a major growth driver for marinas. According to Superyacht Australia, the economic impact of superyacht visitation increased by 18 percent in 2024 compared with the previous year.

One key factor is the dramatic increase in vessel stay duration. Over the six years to 2024, the average length of stay for visiting superyachts increased from 41 days to 124 days. Legislative changes have made charter operations more attractive, while the high quality of Australian marine trades and favourable exchange rates have encouraged owners to undertake refit and maintenance work locally. Approximately 75 percent of visiting vessels now undertake major works during their stay.

Another trend shaping marina development is the steady increase in vessel size. Over the past two decades, recreational boats have grown not only longer but significantly wider. As a result, spare capacity tends to exist primarily in smaller berths under 12 metres.

Many marinas have been reconfiguring their berthing layouts to adapt and accommodate larger vessels. However, unless the overall marina footprint expands, this process typically results in fewer total berths.

In the densely populated areas on the east coast, marina development faces supply constraints. Limited freehold waterfront land, competing coastal land uses, public access requirements and complex environmental approval processes all restrict new marina construction. Planning approvals are often lengthy and expensive, making large-scale greenfield developments difficult in major metropolitan areas.  

As a result, development opportunities in cities are typically limited to the expansion or redevelopment of existing marinas.

Where it’s at

In metropolitan areas such as Sydney, expansion of existing facilities has become the primary mechanism for increasing vessel storage capacity. Similar redevelopment activity is occurring in Brisbane, where marina upgrades are expected in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

Greenfield opportunities, meanwhile, tend to be outside the capital cities or in regional areas. One of the most recent greenfield developments in NSW is Shellharbour Marina, just over 100km south of Sydney. More than 30 years in the making, the marina opened in 2023 as part of a large public-private partnership development centred on a 250-berth marina, dry stack facility and vessel maintenance precinct.

The wider waterfront includes boardwalks, beaches, promenades, hotels, retail spaces and residential housing, creating a vibrant coastal community. Developments like Shellharbour are increasingly viewed as valuable community assets that blend tourism, recreation and residential living.

On the west coast, Western Australia is seeing a mix of marina redevelopment and new projects outside Perth. The most prominent is Ocean Reef Marina, a major waterfront precinct combining retail, tourism, residential and recreational facilities alongside a new marina.

Queensland: Australia’s boating tourism capital

Queensland is the country’s boating hub and leads the way in greenfield marina precinct development and the large refit sector. The state hosts some of the country’s most significant marine tourism hubs, stretching from the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast north to destinations such as Airlie Beach and Cairns.

The Gold Coast has positioned itself as Australia’s luxury boating capital. At the northern end of the city, a series of high-end marina developments is transforming the area known as ‘The Spit’ into a major superyacht and marine tourism precinct.

Among the new projects is the proposed Mantaray Marina and Residences, which will feature 67 berths for vessels up to 60 metres, alongside 24 luxury waterfront residences, retail and dining spaces. At its centre will be the Mantaray Club - a two-storey floating restaurant and bar designed as a focal point of the development.

Next door, the Main Beach Superyacht Marina will offer 66 berths capable of accommodating superyachts up to 73 metres, complemented by a 157-room Ritz-Carlton hotel and a luxury retail and dining precinct.

Further north sits Marina Mirage, where the marina component is already complete. It provides superyacht berths for vessels up to 70 metres, a floating beach club featuring a bar, restaurant and swimming pool. The surrounding land-based precinct is currently under development and will include private residences, waterfront dining, luxury retail and a hotel operated by The Luxury Collection.

Showcasing Australian marinas

The study tour to be held on Wednesday 27 May following Marinas26 will visit each of the three luxury marina developments on The Spit.   

A second study tour will head to Airlie Beach in North Queensland to visit three more luxury marina developments including Hamilton Island Marina, Hayman Island and Coral Sea Marina - all internationally recognised marina precincts catering to the growing superyacht market.  

Looking ahead 

With strong boating participation, growing superyacht visitation and continued investment in waterfront precincts, Australia’s marina industry is well positioned for the future and Australia’s position as one of the world’s leading boating nations is set to strengthen even further.