Sanctuary Cove Boat Show Promotes Easy Transport Options

Visitors to the 23^rd Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show will have an additional easy transport option this year when the event opens on Thursday, May 19.

The 2011 Show has attracted more than 380 exhibitors with the two large pavilions and hardstand space fully booked.

“This year we have introduced a new transport Park ‘n’ Ride option to make it even easier and more convenient to visit the Show,” said Sanctuary Cove General Manager Marketing and Events Sue Thomson.

This year, there are two Park ‘n’ Ride options for visitors driving to the Gold Coast Show. As in past years, visitors coming south of Sanctuary Cove can take Exit 66 from the M1 Motorway to Parklands in the Gold Coast and then take the upgraded luxury coach transfers to and from the Show.

Visitors coming north of Sanctuary Cove can now take Exit 54 from the M1 Motorway to the Foxwell Road Exit and then travel to the Riviera factory car park via Shipper Drive and Waterway Drive. A regular half-hour ferry will operate across to the Boat Show precinct. The Park ‘n’ Ride parking and transfers are included within the ticket price.

Other transport options include helicopter transfers, water ferries and taxis and a complementary shuttle transfer for train ticket holders from Helensvale station (transport options here additional to Show ticket).

“This year’s Show promises to showcase the very best in the marine industry,” said Ms Thomson.

“We are delighted to welcome exhibitors from Asia, North America and the Pacific region and we are expecting some VIP delegations from countries such as China.”

The four-day Show, staged by Sanctuary Cove in Queensland, runs from Thursday, May 19 to Sunday, May 22 from 9am to 5pm daily.

Visitors can view displays in the largest temporary event structure erected in Australia for an annual event – the 5000sqm MarineBusiness-World.com pavilion. A separate Superyacht Australia pavilion offers a range of services and suppliers to this sector of the market.

There are more than 160 boats on water plus hundreds more boats, watercraft and marine products through the waterfront Marine Village.

Some of the newly-announced products at the Show include the Australian release of a Cabo 40 Flybridge ZEUS; the world release of the Argus E35; the Australian launch of Lightwave Yachts’ 45 GT, a trim tab version of the Lightwave 45 Grande Sailing Catamaran; the world release of the Simrad touch-screen NSS Sport; while Ocean Solutions showcases the new Comfort Seat Lounge from W. I. C in the Netherlands.

This year’s Marine Queensland boating and fishing seminar program is expected to draw interest. Entry is included within the Boat Show ticket price.

Marine Queensland CEO Don Jones will present three topics: “Grey Imports, What is Being Done to Protect Australian Industry”; “Grey Imports, the Pitfalls of Importing Your Own Boat”; and “Marine Parks: Closures and Exclusion Zones”. All these sessions will be delivered within the Village Theatre.

The fishing seminar program includes Paul O’Leary who will talk about “Extreme Kayak Fishing”; Dave Downie discussing “Big Taylor from Surf Beaches” and Rob and Leeann Payne addressing “Wild Caught Barra – Kakadu to the Pilbara” and “Planning that Round Australia Fishing Trip”.

As in past years, an International Business Lounge will operate to assist international buyers and businesses to network and make valuable contacts with Australian companies. This facility is provided through a partnership between the Queensland Government’s Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), Austrade, the Gold Coast City Council (Business GC), the Australian International Marine Export Group (AIMEX), Superyacht Australia, Superior Jetties and Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Online ticket prices are $A22 one day adult; $A19 one day concession; $A40 two-day adult and $A75 four-day adult. Children 14 years and under have free entry.   VIP packages are available online. These offer a slight discount from gate prices of $A25 adult one day; $A20 one day concession; $A45 two day adult and $A80 four day adult.