Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef and Superyacht Australia welcomed 185 guests to Sailfish Quay, Cairns Marlin Marina, for the annual Dockside Celebration on Friday 9 October 2026.
Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef (SYGGBR) and Superyacht Australia welcomed the superyacht industry to Sailfish Quay, Cairns Marlin Marina for the annual Dockside Celebration on Friday 9 October 2026.
Bringing together 185 guests, including 60 superyacht crew members, alongside industry partners and marine businesses from across Australia, the evening was curated with a Tropical Queensland theme to celebrate the region as a world-class destination for visiting superyachts. The celebration was also attended by Mayor of Cairns, Cr Amy Eden, highlighting the importance of the superyacht industry to the local economy.
A tropical feast dockside
Guests were treated to a relaxed tropical feast, with pizza fresh from the oven and paella served dockside, while a Japanese food truck sponsored by Century Cranes proved a crowd favourite. Pacific Provisions hosted an oyster tasting, and Sweep Superyachts kept the bar flowing throughout the night.
A traditional Aboriginal dance performance was a highlight of the evening, while a fantastic live band kept guests dancing dockside beneath the glow of the marina. The Carter Marine Agencies photo booth was a hit with guests, adding plenty of fun and memories to the night.
Strong connections between marine hubs
Sarah Toxward, Director of Carter Marine Agencies, commented on the event; “It was fantastic to see Cairns buzzing with the superyacht industry for the Dockside Party. We were especially proud to have four vessels we support in town for the event, two of which we first connected with earlier this year in Tahiti. It was a lovely full-circle moment to welcome them to Cairns and see their crews enjoying everything we have to offer here in FNQ. Carter Marine was very proud to sponsor the event and be part of bringing the industry together.”
She continued; “Events like this are such a great opportunity for captains, crew and the wider marine industry to connect. It was also fantastic to have representatives from Hamilton Island Marina, Southport Yacht Club, The Yard Brisbane and Rivergate Marina join us in Cairns. Many of the vessels visiting Australia will call at multiple ports during their time here, so having strong relationships and collaboration between our marine hubs is incredibly valuable. It was wonderful to see such a strong turnout and a great atmosphere on the night, and to showcase the welcoming and connected superyacht community we have here in Cairns.”
Echoing this sentiment, Bianca Wilson, General Manager of Century Cranes, said; “Century Cranes has been a proud supporter of the superyacht industry in Cairns for many years, and it is fantastic to see how far the industry here has come. The Dockside Celebration is an important event on the calendar, bringing together visiting captains and crew with the local businesses who support them while they are in port. Those connections are what keep vessels returning to Cairns, and we were thrilled to be part of such a great night.”
It was a lovely full-circle moment to welcome them to Cairns and see their crews enjoying everything we have to offer here in FNQ.
Sarah Toxward, Director, Carter Marine Agencies
Welcoming crew to Cairns
The evening also marked the announcement of Danielle Carey as the new Manager of the Superyacht Group Great Barrier Reef, with guests extending a warm welcome as she steps into the role.
David Good, Chief Executive Officer of Superyacht Australia, commented; “The Dockside Celebration is a chance to welcome visiting captains and crew to Cairns and show them everything this region has to offer. Many of these crew have travelled the world, yet the traditional Aboriginal dance performance gave them something they cannot experience anywhere else: a genuine connection with the world’s oldest living culture. Experiences like this set Australia apart as a superyacht destination, and they are what encourage vessels to stay longer and keep coming back.”
Thank you to our partners and hosts
SYGGBR and Superyacht Australia extend a heartfelt thank you to our generous event partners and sponsors, Carter Marine Agencies, Century Cranes, Control Point Group, Melanesian Luxury Yachts, Pacific Provisions and Sweep Superyachts, for helping make this year’s Dockside Celebration one to remember. A special thank you also goes to Cairns Marlin Marina, Ports North, for hosting the event on Sailfish Quay.
The Dockside Celebration continues to showcase Cairns as a leading destination for superyachts, crew and the wider marine industry.
See every photo from the night in the Dockside 2026 Photo Gallery on our website.
