Victoria's newest marina positions Geelong as boating capital

The official opening of a new world-class marina at the Balmoral Quay luxury development on the Geelong waterfront bolsters the city’s position as the boating lifestyle capital of Victoria.

The floating marina, designed by international marina giant Bellingham Marine, will feature 200 berths, with its first 30 already placing the top-end Corio Bay development alongside a series of coups for the idyllic north-facing Corio Bay. 

Coupled with the future Royal Geelong Yacht Club redevelopment, nearby Portarlington Safe Harbour project, cruise ship visits and the recent end of commercial net fishing – along with the Festival of Sails regatta - Geelong’s credentials as a major boating and leisure destination are building rapidly.

Balmoral Quay Marina Manager, and industry stalwart, Allan Cayzer said Geelong provides ideal boating conditions with Geelong’s first floating marina bringing a new level of boating comfort and convenience for boat owners.

“From the Ritz Carlton’s marina at the Marina del Ray’s Marina City Club in Los Angeles to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s marina in Rushcutters Bay Sydney, the Bellingham product is renowned.” said Allan.

“Like all things in today’s society recreational boats abound with new technology and our marina will meet the needs of the modern boater, as well as being aesthetically pleasing to those who visit, and in the case of Balmoral Quay who live, at the facility.”  

An important part of the marina design is the soft lighting aspect to enhance the experience of the marina for residents as an integral part of their lifestyle.  The marina will also feature state-of-the-art security technology and individual power and water to every berth.

The Boating Industry Association of Victoria has welcomed the Balmoral Quay marina as “a great thing” for a sector that has a million annual participants but insufficient facilities and infrastructure. 

“Boating is big business in Victoria with 400,000 marine licence holders, and 200,000 registered recreational vessels, 18,000 FTEs and $4.5 billion in economic activity a year,” says CEO Steve Walker.

“Boating, however, has facility and infrastructure shortcomings so a project such as this is a great thing for boating, for infrastructure, for Geelong, for Victoria.

“Lifestyle and boating related opportunities such as this complement what BIAV is striving for in the facility/access to water space. 

“We have a close working relationship with Geelong, which recognises boating as a key element in its tourism strategy, and believe the city has the potential to become the boating capital of Victoria.”

The $100 million Balmoral Quay development, on 2.7 hectares of waterside prime land,is the first residential to fully embrace the harbourside attributes of the under-utilised Corio Bay foreshore. 

With its private marina, luxury townhouses, waterfront apartments, new beaches, water’s edge promenade and staggering bay-city panoramas it is in the vanguard of a sophisticated new waterside lifestyle in Geelong.

Balmoral Quay is a Melbourne-based joint venture by BMA Property and high-profile backers including Chase Properties, Serafini Hay and Thai-based Supalai, represented in Australia by Gersh Investment Partners.

“Balmoral Quay is a remarkable project,” says selling agent McGrath Geelong’s director, Jim Cross.  “The combined lifestyle, access to CBD features and infrastructure of all kinds, and the beauty of the locale and development itself is a rarity.”

“The dollar price per square metre at Balmoral Quay is unbeatably competitive for a marina precinct within one hour of any capital city in Australia.” said Jim.

“Square metre rates at Geelong’s development average $9,000per square metre for genuine waterfront compared to marina, river or beach frontage residences at Docklands and Port Melbourne averaging over $15,000 per square metre.”  

“This is about the emergence of Victoria’s second city as a mature, world-class city and nothing says that better than a top-class boutique marina in a sleek waterside residential precinct.” 

For Geelong, the addition of the Balmoral Quay marina -- and its marina living – is a healthy addition to its investment, tourism and market confidence imperatives.  It is a vital and exciting shift in the nature of the bay side city and elegant re-imagining of its inner-city living.

Berths are available for independent sale withpens ranging from 10 to 25 metres and with depths up to five metres.  Stage 1 and Stage 2 luxury townhouses and waterfront apartments are sold out and Stage 3 will be released publically in May. The first stage of construction is all but complete, with residents moving in over coming months. 

For an appointment contact Jim Cross of McGraths Geelong on 0408 305 615. Visit online at balmoralquay.com.au.  

Photo: Hon Richard Marles MP, investor Catherine Serafini, Marina Manager Allan Cayzer and BIAV CEO Steve Walker