Runaway Bay Marina: Dry Storage, Wet Berths & Boatyard

1. Runaway Bay has been operating since 1979. How has the marina changed over the years to become what it is today?

Runaway Bay Marina has been part of the Gold Coast boating community since 1979, so there is a lot of history here. Over the years, the marina has evolved from a traditional boating facility into a much more complete marine hub. The current owners purchased the property in 1998, after the business had spent several years in receivership, and since then there has been significant investment in rebuilding the wet berths, dry stack and additional storage facilities.

Today, the marina combines wet berthing, dry storage, a working shipyard, boat sales, marine services, fuel, restaurants and other businesses, all in one location. While the facilities have changed considerably over the years, the focus has remained the same: making boating easier and helping people spend more time on the water.

2. You were the first marina in the Southern Hemisphere to introduce dry stack storage. How did that come about, and how does it work for an owner today?

Dry stack storage was one of Runaway Bay Marina's original innovations and remains a big part of what makes the marina different. The idea was simple: make boating more convenient by taking away the need to tow, launch and retrieve a boat every time you want to use it.

Today, an owner can leave their boat securely stored on land and simply book a launch through the marina app when they want to go boating. Our team launches the boat and has it ready for the owner, with the service available seven days a week. With as little as 30 minutes' notice, depending on the day's bookings, the boat can be ready to go.

When they return, we retrieve the boat and can place it in the wash-down area, where the owner can rinse the boat and flush the engine before it is returned to storage.

The result is a much simpler boating experience — owners can leave the towing, launching and retrieving to our team and spend more of their time actually enjoying their boat.

3. Who calls Runaway Bay home? Paint us a picture of the boats and people on the docks.

There is a real mix of boats here, which is part of the character of Runaway Bay. We have everything from smaller recreational boats and trailer boats through to larger cruisers, motor yachts and vessels up to 30 metres in our wet berths. Our dry storage also caters for boats up to around 9.75 metres.

The people are just as varied. We have serious fishing enthusiasts, families who spend weekends on the Broadwater, cruisers heading further afield, boat owners who use their vessels regularly and people who simply love having their boat close to the water.

There is a strong community feel, and because our team are boaters themselves, there is usually someone around who understands what you're trying to achieve or can point you in the right direction.

4. Talk us through arriving by water for the first time. Coming in off the Broadwater, depths, and who does a skipper call?

One of the biggest advantages of Runaway Bay is its location. We are right on the Broadwater and approximately two nautical miles from the Seaway, so you don't have a long river run before you're properly out on the water.

For a first arrival, we'd always recommend contacting the marina office before coming in so our team can confirm the berth and assist with arrival arrangements.

We also recommend using your navigation devices and following the relevant maps and charts, as parts of the Broadwater can be quite shallow at low tide. Pay close attention to the green and red navigation markers along the way. If you're coming from the Seaway, keep the green markers to starboard and the red markers to port.

5. You have 195 wet berths. What sizes can you take, and what does a berth include?

Our wet berths accommodate vessels from approximately 8 metres through to 30 metres, subject to the vessel's overall dimensions, draft and suitability for the individual berth.

A berth provides a secure base for your boat in our protected marina, with security cameras and security guards during the night. It also has easy access to the Broadwater and the Seaway. Owners can take advantage of the wider facilities and services available throughout the marina, including the shipyard, marine trades, fuel facilities and onsite dining.

Overnight stays on your boat are also permitted, making the marina a convenient place to escape for a night or a weekend without having to travel far.

6. How does availability work for casual visitors, permanent berths and dry storage? Is there a waitlist for any of them?

Availability depends on the size of the vessel, the type of storage required and the time of year. We offer different options across wet berthing, dry storage and boat and trailer storage, and we assess each vessel individually to make sure the available space is suitable.

For permanent berthing or dry storage, owners are welcome to contact the marina with their vessel details and preferred dates, and our team can advise what options are currently available.

Due to high demand, we recommend contacting us a week before arrival so we can check availability for wet berths. For dry storage, we also need to make sure the boat is a suitable fit for our cradles, so we carry out a physical check before starting a new agreement.

7. What services and trades can owners find on site or nearby?

One of the real advantages of Runaway Bay is having so many marine services in one location. Several of our on-site tenants offer boat repair, servicing and maintenance, including mechanical servicing, marine electrical work, antifouling, detailing, covers and general repairs and maintenance. This makes it easy for owners to organise work on their boat without having to take it somewhere else.

We also have a Marine Travelift capable of hauling vessels up to 60 feet and 35 tons, along with forklift facilities. Owners can use our on-site marine businesses or, subject to marina requirements, bring in their own appropriately insured contractor.

There is also fuel, ice, bait and tackle onsite, as well as boat sales and a range of non-marine businesses. With so many services available in one location, owners can often organise several jobs while keeping their boat at the marina.

8. Your team has been with you for a long time, some for 17 years. What does that mean for the people who berth with you?

For us, experience matters. Having team members who have been here for many years means there is a huge amount of practical knowledge around the marina. Our staff know the facility, they know boats and, importantly, they get to know the people who use the marina.

We are proud to say that our staff have been here for so long because they love what they do and enjoy the people they interact with every day.

That continuity gives customers confidence that they are speaking to people who understand the marina and its operations. It also means we can build genuine relationships with boat owners rather than simply treating each visit as a transaction.

9. What's walking distance? Dining, provisioning, and how easy is it to get to and from Brisbane?

There are plenty of amenities within walking distance of the marina, so you don't need to go far for the essentials. There are cafés, restaurants and takeaway options, as well as a laundromat and a range of health and wellness services, including Pilates, massages and beauty services.

For a day on the water, BBQ pontoon boat hire is also available directly from the marina.

The marina is also easily accessible by road, with plenty of parking, and Brisbane residents can head south on the M1 and take Exit 61. For boat owners, the location is particularly convenient because you are already on the Broadwater rather than having to navigate a long river trip before reaching open water.

10. From Runaway Bay, where are owners heading out to cruise? Give us a few favourite runs.

The Broadwater gives owners plenty of options, whether you're looking for a quick afternoon on the water or a longer day trip.

South Stradbroke Island is right across from the marina and is an easy destination for a picnic, swim or relaxed day on the boat.

Tipplers and Wave Break Island are two favourite spots for spending the day, where you can meet other boaties, relax and enjoy being on the water.

Owners also head throughout the Broadwater for fishing, cruising and exploring the various anchorages and waterways around the Gold Coast.

For those wanting to head further offshore, the Seaway is only around two nautical miles away, giving access to offshore cruising and fishing without a long trip from the marina. Owners can also head out for whale watching and enjoy the beautiful Gold Coast scenery from the ocean, with views of the beaches, buildings and mountains.

11. Anything on the horizon for the next 12 months that boaties should know about?

We're always looking at ways to improve the marina and make things easier for boat owners. Our new jet ski pontoons have just arrived, and we're also planning some renovations to the dry storage area to improve the experience for our customers.

We're also refurbishing the forklift used for our dry stack operations, so there are a few improvements happening behind the scenes as well.

12. Anything we didn't ask that you'd want a boat owner to know?

For us, it comes down to location, convenience and people. Runaway Bay gives boat owners the ability to keep their boat close to the water, with the Broadwater on the doorstep and the Seaway only a short distance away.

But it's more than just a place to park a boat. With storage, berthing, a working shipyard, marine trades, boat sales, fuel, dining and an experienced team all in one location, we try to make boat ownership as straightforward as possible.

Ultimately, we want people to spend less time worrying about their boat and more time actually enjoying it.