Hook, line and sinker: Precious real estate in the Whitsundays at Shute Harbour Marina Resort

Best-selling author and avid boatie Michael Port once said you can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a boat. He considers boating his happy place and it seems he’s not alone.

According to results from a Boating Industry Association survey, there were more than 920,000 registered boats across the country in the year to June 2021, and one in 10 Aussies had a boat licence – that’s more than 2.5 million.

Perhaps it will be no surprise to hear Queenslanders have the lion’s share with almost one million licences. After all, the sunshine state has more than 6000 kilometres of coastline to explore.

However, in recent years, boat owners exploring the Whitsundays have faced a challenge: a shortage of marina berths.

Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsundays, has two marinas, Coral Sea and Port of Airlie, and vacancies are rare. So, the recent announcement that a third marina has been given the green light after a prolonged approval process is welcome news.

Shute Harbour Marina Resort will transform Shute Harbour – a port facility a 10-kilometre drive south-east from Airlie Beach via Conway National Park – with the addition of a world-class, 395-berth marina.

The berths, to be sold on a 99-year lease, will range from 10 to 45 metres with prices ranging between $165,000 and $1 million.

“This will potentially be the last marina in the Whitsundays region,” says project sales agent Rob Taylor from Taylors Property Specialists. “To get those approvals took 20 years – it’s not as if they just hand them out.

“The area is growing, boats are becoming more popular, they’re getting bigger and the lifestyle market is evolving fairly rapidly, so there’s absolutely a need for a third marina.”

With a variety of berth sizes, the marina can handle single and double-hulled yachts and cruisers. If you want your boat in your own backyard, there’s the opportunity to buy one of 58 waterfront allotments.

The developers have just launched stage one, comprising up to 24 freehold waterfront allotments, each with its own marina berth. Ten lots sold in the first month on the market and there are holding deposits on a further five.

“We’ve had in excess of 450 inquiries,” Taylor says. “We understand that some people are just curious, but the quality and number of inquiries have certainly exceeded our expectations. We’re definitely on track with our sales plan.”

Buyers can design their own two or three-storey terrace home, with building expected to kick off in 2025 following the construction of the marina.

“There are building covenants in place but they’re designed to allow flexibility of design,” Taylor says. “The last thing the developers want to see is similar-looking properties along the waterfront. They do want to see some character so you’re welcome to bring your own builder and architect. In three years’ time, you should be able to sit on the back of your boat and enjoy a wine or a champagne or just look out at the beautiful Conway Ranges.”

Shute Harbour Marina Resort will also be home to eight plaza terraces and 100 managed apartments, to be released at a later stage.

“You can choose from a two-bedder to an impressive four-bedroom apartment with its own home theatre, so it’s quite special,” Taylor says. “They can be owner-occupied, you can lock up and leave, or you can put your apartment into a holiday letting agreement.”

The final stages of the development will see the addition of a hotel with over 100 rooms plus function and meeting rooms, a pool, bars and restaurants, and Pier 61, a retail hub that will include a restaurant, bar, cafe, supermarket and bottle shop, fashion retailers and boat brokers.

“We’ve already got expressions of interest on 70 per cent of the retail vacancies so it’s been very well received,” Taylor says.

The precinct will be linked by public boardwalks with lookout spaces and seating, and the developer has plans to establish new public parks and a community cyclone shelter on site.

The exclusivity of the offering has attracted interest from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and from locals, Taylor among them.

“I made a decision this week to buy one of the waterfront allotments,” he told Prestige.

“What they’re offering is a very unique product, and more affordable compared to what’s offered down south.

“I made a decision this week to buy one of the waterfront allotments,” he told Prestige“From what I’ve seen of where the world is headed, marina resorts are in demand and I’m a big believer in backing what you sell.”

Shute Harbour Marina Resort

Shute Harbour Road, Shute Harbour

Developer: Consortium

Number of dwellings: 58 waterfront allotments; 8 plaza terraces; 100 managed apartments

Number of marina berths: 395

Stage one release: Up to 24 waterfront allotments, each with a marina berth

Stage one land size: 440 square metres

Stage one berth size: 25-30 metres

Prices for waterfront allotments with marina berth: From $1.75 million

Prices for marina berths: $165,000-$1 million

Completion: 2025 (stage one)

Agent: Taylors Property Specialists, 0428 466 124

Open for inspection: By private appointment