This article was also published in issue 153 of Marina World magazine. Click here to read the online version.
A new development in southern Queensland is looking to expand the area’s luxury boating infrastructure by adding superyacht berths, premium low-rise apartments and world-class services.
On the Australian Gold Coast, in the province of Queensland, sits a stretch of land known as “The Spit”. It is the northernmost beach on the Gold Coast mainland and is famous for its sand-pumping jetty, beautiful beaches and waterfront leisure.
Set to open in mid-2026, the Mantaray Marina and Residences project combines a 67-berth superyacht marina with 24 luxury residences, hospitality venues and a waterfront promenade, forming the first development under the region’s broader Spit Master Plan.
The Spit Master Plan was published by the Queensland Government in 2019 and commits the government to contribute $60 million AUD to the plan’s implementation. The goal of the multi-year plan is to create a community of infrastructure projects through new development opportunities, including Mantaray Marina and Residences.
“The master plan articulates a shared vision for the long-term future of The Spit and supports our commitment to improving the area as a community asset for future generations,” the Queensland Government commented in a press release. The implementation of the master plan has created a strong pipeline of jobs and investment, while ensuring the protection and enhancement of public open spaces.
While the plan secures the future of 138 hectares of The Spit’s ample green space, it’s being balanced with the release of redevelopment site opportunities to create a vibrant village centre with shops, restaurants and business facilities. The Spit’s planning regulations ensure that all new developments will be limited to a maximum height of three stories and 15 metres so they integrate with the landscape and respect The Spit’s much-loved nature.
A marina at the centre of a broader precinct
Located on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and the Broadwater, Mantaray Marina sits within a protected waterfront setting that provides ideal year-round boating conditions and easy access to open ocean cruising. Luke McCaul, who is running the expression-of-interest programme for Mantaray, notes how “the Gold Coast is probably one of the fastest growing economies in Australia at the moment”, making it a great place for new developments.
The site where Mantaray has been constructed offers immediate passage through the Gold Coast Seaway while remaining close to the region’s extensive marine services cluster, including the major refit and maintenance facilities in nearby Coomera. Whilst the marina forms the centrepiece of the build, the wider development is designed to integrate marine and land-based uses. A landscaped retail plaza and waterfront promenade will connect restaurants, cafés and retail outlets with the marina basin, creating a public interface with the water.
The residential component has been deliberately limited in scale, with just 24 apartments across the site. The Mantaray team notes how this boutique approach supports the broader concept of an integrated waterfront environment where marina users, residents and visitors share common amenities without the density typical of large coastal developments.
Expanding superyacht berth capacity
The new marina will provide a total of 67 berths, of which 20 are already reserved, and are able to accommodate vessels from 10 to 60 metres. Of these, around 20 are designed specifically for superyachts between 25 and 60 metres, reflecting the growing presence of larger vessels cruising the Australian east coast.
Australia’s largest pontoon builder, Marine Structures, which was formed by the merger of Superior Jetties with The Jetty Specialist, both designed and constructed Mantaray Marina.
For the Gold Coast, additional berth capacity is significant. Marina space has historically been limited, particularly for larger yachts seeking high-quality facilities and secure long-term berthing. The new facility aims to address that gap while offering both short-term and annual berthing options to attract a mix of resident and visiting vessels.
Beyond capacity, the marina has been designed to deliver infrastructure typically associated with established international superyacht destinations. Berths are equipped with high-capacity shore power, fresh water supply and in-berth pump-out facilities, while 24-hour security, controlled access points and CCTV systems provide operational oversight.
A dedicated dock-hand service will support vessel arrivals and departures, while additional facilities include secure storage areas, on-site parking and a Captain’s Lounge equipped with business facilities.
Central to the marina experience will be the Mantaray Club, a two-storey floating lounge positioned at the entrance to the marina. Designed as both a social hub and service centre for berth holders, the club will include dining and bar facilities on the lower level and a flexible lounge space for events and private gatherings on the upper deck.
A hospitality-led approach to marina management
Developers emphasise that the project is intended to go beyond traditional marina infrastructure by incorporating a hospitality-driven service model. This includes a full concierge programme supporting both owners and crew, covering services such as provisioning, vessel detailing, itinerary planning and transport arrangements.
The concierge service will also coordinate partnerships with local hotels, leisure venues and tourism operators to provide crew recreation and guest experiences across the Gold Coast region. The Mantaray team highlights that this approach draws inspiration from established Mediterranean marina destinations where integrated lifestyle services are considered part of the overall berth offering.
Mantaray Marina is widely regarded as the first major project to emerge under the Gold Coast’s long-term vision for The Spit. Other nearby marina and hospitality sites are also undergoing redevelopment, suggesting a broader transformation of the Broadwater precinct over the coming decade.
The project could help establish the Gold Coast as a more prominent superyacht hub in the Asia-Pacific region. With direct access to cruising grounds such as the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as established marine refit infrastructure, the region is becoming a cruising destination and service base for international yachts.
For the marina sector, the development represents a significant investment in new berth capacity combined with a hospitality-driven operating model. As the facility prepares to open later this year, it may also offer an early indication of how Australia’s waterfront developments are evolving to meet the expectations of a global superyacht market.
