Cairns, a superyacht magnet

Superyacht Group – Great Barrier Reef (SYGGBR) said a recent visit to the annual Monaco Yacht Show has confirmed Cairns, in Far North Queensland, is developing a reputation throughout the world as a world-class destination with a world-class marina and a comprehensive range of refit and repair facilities and services.

SYGGB manager, Narelle Phipps said: “The region was well represented at Monaco and meetings with captains, crew and owners highlighted that Cairns remains a popular destination for superyacht cruising.

“The excellent marina facilities, the reputation for quality refit workmanship coupled with the attraction of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage Rainforest is very appealing. We have a lot to be proud of,” she said.

According to SYGGB, a concierge service for superyachts, said these vessels are now a key market for Cairns, currently injecting more than $30 million into the local economy annually and continuing to grow.

Far North Queensland Ports Corporation (FNQPC) acting CEO, Chris Boland said: “Superyachts continue to be an important emerging market for the region and it is expected that there will be significant growth in this sector in the future.

“FNQPC is a major supporter of the industry in Cairns and will continue to work closely with SYGGBR to effectively market Cairns Marlin Marina and the Cairns destination to the world superyacht market,” he said.

Phipps told Trade-a-Boat that since the anti-cyclone breakwall was completed
at Trinity Inlet in 2001, and the extra berthing that came with it, superyacht visits to Cairns have grown from six in that year to 60 annually.

“Cairns has an international airport and that appeals to superyacht owners. Their crews can have their yacht here for them when they fly in,” she said.

Photo: Athena is a clipper-bowed, three-masted, gaff-rigged schooner built by Royal Huisman Shipyard in 2004 for internet entrepreneur James H. Clark. With a length of 289ft, Athena was relegated to the outside of the breakwall arm to accommodate her impressive proportions in her 2007 visit to Cairns.