d’Albora Marinas is pleased to announce the successful settlement of its acquisition of Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM), effective 7 May 2026. This milestone marks a significant expansion of d’Albora’s national footprint and reinforces its commitment to delivering premium marina and marine service facilities across Australia.

Located in the heart of Queensland’s premier boating region, Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard is widely recognized as a leading full-service marina and shipyard refit destination. The acquisition aligns with d’Albora’s strategic vision to enhance its portfolio with world-class facilities that support both recreational and commercial marine customers and business partners.

“GCCM is a cornerstone of the Australian yachting refit market and one of the main reasons Australia competes favourably on the word stage. Having D’Albora, another landmark Australian marine company now in ownership, means that the excellent reputation will remain. D’Albora will gain increased international recognition through the hard work done and trust built up by the Gay Family over the last few decades” – David Good, CEO Superyacht Australia.

As part of this transition, Darrell Barnett has been appointed as General Manager of the facility. Mr Barnett is a highly respected and long-serving marina operator with extensive industry experience. He holds the internationally recognized Certified Marina Manager (CMM) designation and serves as a board member of the Marina Industries Association (MIA). His leadership and deep understanding of marina operations are expected to further strengthen the site’s reputation and performance.
Supporting Darrell onsite on the Shipyard side of the facility will be Paul Vernon, Paul has over 25 years of practical and managerial experience in the boat building, shipyard management, construction and engineering industries. Paul’s specialist skillset and invaluable experience will provide enhanced service delivery and operational optimisation across the site.

d’Albora continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to growth, development, and customer service across Southeast Queensland. This is highlighted by recent acquisitions in the region, including Tin Can Bay Marina and East Coast Marina, alongside ongoing enhancements at Pacific Point Marina & Boatyard, located just up the road from GCCM.

Pacific Point Marina & Boatyard is progressing an approved 14,000 m² commercial precinct designed specifically for marine trades and services. The development will cater to boat builders, dealers, chandlery, showrooms, and service providers, creating a purpose-built marine hub for industry professionals and business partners.

The project will significantly expand operational capacity through the construction of new buildings, sheds, an enlarged hardstand, a second dry stacker, and upgraded boatyard infrastructure. Discussions are already underway with prospective business partners, with strong interest being shown.

Long-term plans include increasing capacity to 880 wet berths and 600 dry storage spaces, along with further enhancements to vessel handling capabilities. Food and beverage offerings will continue to support a steady flow of customers and marine professionals year-round.

Importantly, this development is positioned as a complementary marine hub to GCCM, strengthening the broader marine services ecosystem in the region.

Julien Pouteau, Managing Director of d’Albora Marinas said: “This is an exciting step forward for d’Albora as we continue to grow our presence in key marine markets. Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard is an exceptional facility with a strong legacy, and we are thrilled to welcome it into our network. Our ongoing investment across Southeast Queensland underscores our commitment for growth and delivering an outstanding customer experience.”

Mr Barnett added: “I am delighted to take on this role and work with the talented team at Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard. The facility has an outstanding reputation, and I look forward to building on its success as part of the d’Albora network.”

d’Albora Marinas remains focused on investing in its people, infrastructure, customer experience, and business partners ensuring it continues to set the benchmark for marine excellence in Australia.