Australia, port by port · Queensland
Gold Coast (Southport)
Queensland's refit hub, with the Southport superyacht berth and the Coomera yards, but the Seaway entrance sets the practical size limit.
Last reviewed 29 October 2026
Entry status
Southport is an ABF port of entry and Gold Coast Broadwater is a DAFF first point of entry. Southport Yacht Club is the border station at Southport.
Pilotage and size limits
Compulsory from 50 m in the Southport pilotage area, with special conditions. MSQ sets the Gold Coast Seaway entrance at a 65 m maximum (1 m under-keel clearance), the South Channel 65 m and the North Channel/Coomera River route 60 m, with vessels over 35 m assessed individually. That sits awkwardly with the Southport Yacht Club superyacht berth (designed for 130 to 135 m vessels) and Gold Coast City Marina’s listed 75 m: confirm with the Gold Coast Harbour Master before planning a visit by a yacht over 60 m.
Berths and refit
Marina maxima as published: Southport Yacht Club superyacht berth; Marina Mirage 85 m; Gold Coast City Marina, Coomera 75 m; Sanctuary Cove 65 m; The Boat Works 65 m; Hope Harbour 50 m. Travel lifts to 300 t at Gold Coast City Marina and The Boat Works, with 70 sheds at the latter. Broadwater anchoring: 7 consecutive days in any 60.
Environment
Queensland sewage rules: no untreated discharge in smooth waters, marinas and canals; macerator mandatory. Speed 6 knots within 30 m of people, moored boats and jetties, and in harbours, marinas and canals.
Sources: MSQ vessel size restrictions · MSQ pilotage areas · GCWA anchoring
We book the Seaway assessment, the berth and the yard, and clear the yacht in at Southport or Brisbane. ASY handles clearance and berthing here. Talk to us or email us.
Other ports in the guideQueenslandBrisbane · Bundaberg · Gladstone · Mackay · Whitsundays (Airlie Beach) · Townsville · Cairns · Port Douglas · Thursday Island (Port Kennedy)New South WalesSydney · Newcastle · Coffs Harbour · Port Kembla · Eden · Lord Howe IslandVictoriaMelbourneTasmaniaHobart and TasmaniaSouth AustraliaAdelaide and South AustraliaWestern AustraliaBroome and the Kimberley · Fremantle and Perth · Exmouth and NingalooNorthern TerritoryDarwin
Condensed from Australian Superyacht Services’ Definitive Guide to bringing a foreign superyacht to Australia, researched against Commonwealth, state and port authority sources. Rules and fees change; where a point is unsettled we say so. General information, not legal advice. Reviewed 29 October 2026.