The Biggest-Ever Gold Coast International Marine Expo

April 13, 2016

THE biggest-ever Gold Coast International Marine Expo will this year take the Australian boat show experience to inspiring new levels, with almost 50 berths so far booked for instant sea trials and a fun-filled family program across four fantastic days.

The on-water tests of current-model boats and engines will involve world-leading international and Australian brands including Mercury, Bluefin, Baysport, Yamaha, Quintrex, Streaker, Suzuki, Stejcraft, Evolution, Revival, Vortex, Misty Harbour Pontoon Boats, Caravelle, Extreme and Evinrude to name just a few.

“Expo – from 19-22 May 2016 – will be an incredible experience for real boating enthusiasts regardless of whether they’re looking for their next boat, their first boat or their second or third boat,” said Event & Marketing Manager Emma Brown. “This year we are taking the on-water experience to a whole new level – the sea trials involve a diverse range of boats of all styles and sizes and provide a great opportunity for our visitors to try before they buy.

“You can even win the ultimate boating package worth over $40,000 with everything you need to get out on the water having fun simply by buying your Expo tickets online at www.gcmarineexpo.com.au.” On the water, Expo will feature a large range of luxurious motor yachts, sailing vessels, multihulls, water sports boats, boats built for fishing, and boats built for family fun – with brands also including Riviera, Clipper, Nordhavn, Belize, Marlow, Voyager Catamarans, Hudson Bay, Pacific Motor Yachts, Sunsail and Leopard already confirmed.

On the land, the range of trailer boats spans brands as diverse as Karnic, Nautique, Anglapro, Tige, Matrix, BRIG, Stessco, Seajay, Savage, Bayliner, Crestliner, Fibrafort, Haines Signature, Haines Hunter, Reflex, FX, Highfield, Shoreline, Chaparral, Clark Alloy, Aquamaster, Mallards, Powercat Marine, Savage, Scout, Godfrey Pontoon Boats, Yamaha Waverunners, Mercruiser, Tournament, Jackaroo, McLay, Oceania and Formosa.

“Expo will also showcase a huge line-up of new-model Stacer fishing boats – just this week they released seven new models across the Sea Ranger, Cross Fire, Nomad and Ocean Ranger ranges, with updates to even more models in the Assault Pro and Runabout ranges,” said Mrs Brown.

“You can even tour the giant Telwater factory where Stacer, Quintrex and Savage boats are built, or take the Riviera Express tour of the largest luxury yacht manufacturing facility in the Southern Hemisphere.” The growing Expo staged right in the heart of Australia’s Boating Industry Capital – the Gold Coast Marine Precinct at Coomera – is so much more than a massive marine showcase featuring over 500 yachts and boats both on the land and on the water across two marina sites.

“With everything from jet skis to kayaks, engines and accessories to fishing equipment, and everything else in between, the Expo is the ultimate event for those who enjoy spending as much time as they can in the great outdoors,” said Mrs Brown.

“The Expo in 2016 will feature over 230 exhibits and there is a growing number of major marine businesses and brands that have scheduled their World and Australian Premieres exclusively for the biggest Expo ever in 2016. “We will also have a wide selection of brokerage yachts on display from some of the industry’s most-respected professionals and also the very latest in navigation and technology, spanning fish-finders, depth-sounders, night-vision cameras, underwater lighting, chart-plotters, gyroscopic stabilisers, anchoring systems and water-makers.

Among the major marine brands that will be represented are Raymarine, Garmin, Volvo Penta, Cummins, CAT, MTU, GME, Lowrance, and Doosan, Kohler, Minn Kota, Onan, Blue Water, Seakeeper, Naiad Dynamics, Muir, HES, International Paint, Humminbird, Sea-Doo, Lumitec, Geneico, Sunbrella, SeAirLand, Headhunter, Webasto, iMarine, Pioneer, Snugger, AL-KO and Honda.

“As you can see by the line-up of exhibitors, Expo 2016 will simply be an amazing experience for real boating and outdoors enthusiasts – you will definitely need a multi-day pass to see everything that there is on offer,” said Mrs Brown. In addition to an incredibly diverse, hands-on marine showcase, fun family attractions as well as practical interactive and educational demonstrations will be staged every 15 minutes across the giant 3km Expo display circuit.

The action-packed Expo program includes fishing workshops, seminars exploring life beneath the water at the Yamaha Super Tank as well as vast displays of offshore and estuary angling equipment and tackle, as well as free sailing lessons for kids and for adults. There will even be a special display from fishing fanatics/fashionistas and global sensations, The Mad Hueys, who will attend their hometown Expo to sign autographs and for photographic opportunities with fans; as well as spectacular stunt shows on land and on the water … and even in the air with breath-taking displays by the Royal Australian Air Force’s elite formation aerobatic display team, the Roulettes over the weekend.

Expo chairman Brett Thurley said it was part of the Expo charter to inspire more people to enjoy the rich and rewarding boating lifestyle and, at the same time, foster jobs, growth and opportunities in the broader Australian marine industry. “People love coming here to the Australia’s boating capital and they love being a part of Expo – they are inspired by the fact Expo has both big boats and small boats and a vast array of equipment and accessory displays … all with free parking at the welcome gate,” he said.

“Expo is the best place to buy a boat or boating equipment, with hundreds of exhibitors in the one location keen for your business.
“Having been named Best Exhibition at the 2015 Australian Event Awards, Expo is now recognised as a major event on the national events calendar.”