Australia’s largest premium marina network is set to strengthen its Southeast Queensland footprint with the addition of two marinas to its portfolio. d’Albora is contracted to acquire Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM) and recently acquired Tin Can Bay Marina. Once the GCCM sale is complete, d’Albora will own 17 premier marina and boatyard destinations across QLD, NSW, and VIC.
“Our services and facilities are designed to support, enhance and complement the Aussie boating lifestyle,” says David Joyce, Head of Marketing at d’Albora. “Every boat owner is different, but our network gives you the facilities, service and opportunities to enjoy your boat the way you want.”
We asked Joyce to share further insights into the Australian boating lifestyle, and how d’Albora helps enhance those experiences for boat owners.
Aussie life on the water
A boating lifestyle trend that continues to stand out is the popularity of interstate cruising supported by better-equipped vessels and enhanced onboard connectivity. “Australian boat owners are using their boats more often and travelling for longer periods,” says Joyce. “There’s been a growing interest in casual berthing and seasonal cruising across our network in recent years. Boats have become bigger, more capable and more comfortable, and owners are using their vessels to their full potential and cruising for longer. With access to Wi‑Fi through systems like Starlink, people can stay connected and even run their businesses while they’re away. Interstate cruising is now more accessible, and boat owners are increasingly looking to make their vessels part of their broader travel experiences.”
East Coast calling
Another boating lifestyle pattern relates to cruising routes, with multi-destination journeys along Australia’s East Coast popular with cruising families, offshore fishing enthusiasts, and yachties heading north for the Queensland regatta season. As d’Albora’s network spans Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, their marinas are ideally placed to cater for journeys along the East Coast.
“We’re very destination‑driven,” says Joyce. “One of d’Albora’s greatest strengths comes from our network of 17 locations across the East Coast. From Port Phillip Bay to The Whitsundays, our network spans roughly 1,200 nm and represents the largest moving market of boat owners. Many boaties don’t travel the full length but instead choose segments between Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria as seasons and schedules allow.”
For boat owners who choose annual berthing with d’Albora, reciprocal berthing is a key member benefit. “Our reciprocal berthing program provides annual members with up to 30 nights of reciprocal berthing at any d’Albora marina each year, allowing them to explore different destinations in their own vessels without incurring additional costs,” explains Joyce. “Many of our annual members take advantage of this benefit during peak periods, as boaters travel north to follow the warm climate.”
Casual berthing is also available across the network for visiting boaters. “We offer flexible casual berthing solutions to suit individual needs and boating requirements,” says Joyce. “Many cruising customers need to make unplanned stops because of circumstances outside their control, such as bad weather or a need to access boatyard facilities. With our 24/7 Book a Berth portal, boaters can make booking requests in real time while travelling.”
Marinas as lifestyle destinations
Boat owners want more from a marina than just a safe place to moor (or dry store) their vessel. They’re looking for waterfront destinations where they genuinely enjoy spending time, in locations that enhance their boating lifestyle.
“Our marinas are lifestyle destinations for the boating community,” says Joyce. “When considering new marina locations, we look for destination sites that connect with how people use their boats. Across our network we offer the facilities boat owners need and want – wet berths, dry storage and boatyards – backed by 24/7 fuel and the right on‑site services. We also have over 300 tenants across our network, meaning owners have access to a range of services from shipwrights and mechanics to chandlery, retail and hospitality.”
Another lifestyle benefit of a marina network is the consistent service and standards it offers, giving visiting boat owners confidence when they arrive at a new marina. “Customer experience and service are our number one focus,” says Joyce. “Whenever you pull into a d’Albora marina you can expect consistently high standards of quality, professionalism and service. Each marina has its own character and local team who know local waters, supported by d’Albora’s member and guest services team who are available seven days a week and the digital convenience of the d’Albora app.”
Ultimately, it’s about giving boat owners the confidence, support and convenience they need to enjoy their boating lifestyle. “Boating is your recreation time,” says Joyce. “We want to support boat owners to relax, spend more time on their boats and experience the lifestyle they love.”
d’Albora in numbers
5000+ berths and dry storage capacity across the network.
17 premium marina and boatyard destinations across QLD, NSW and VIC.
11 full-service boatyard facilities across QLD, NSW and VIC.
24/7 online casual berth bookings via the Book a Berth platform.
7 days a week access to member and guest services team.
1 d’Albora app for launch and retrieval bookings, live fuel pricing, Book a Berth and more.
Visit dalbora.com.au