Twenty years of Rivergate, from blueprint to reality

We explore the journey of Rivergate transforming from a $150 million greenfield development on a former industrial riverfront site into Australia’s leading superyacht refit destination.

In 2004, Rivergate existed only as a vision.

Early renders depicted a waterfront precinct unlike anything Brisbane had seen before. Planned for a 15-hectare site on the Brisbane River at Murarrie, the development promised deep-water marina berths, dry storage facilities, a shipyard, marine businesses and waterfront amenities, all brought together in a single location. At the time, construction crews were still building roads across the site – Rivergate Place was non-existent at this point - and dredging works were underway, yet demand was already strong, with more than 70 marina berths allocated before construction had commenced.

An early render of Rivergate, 2004.

The project was officially launched in July 2004 with a sod-turning ceremony attended by Queensland State Development Minister Tony McGrady, who described the marine industry as a priority sector for the state. Rivergate's founders, Bob Hill and Judy Brinsmead, believed Brisbane had the potential to become a significant destination for the boating and marine industries, supported by Queensland's growing population, expanding boating market and strategic location at the gateway to some of the world's most sought-after cruising grounds.

An extract from one of Rivergate’s first newsletters.

By 2006, that vision was becoming reality.

The marina, hardstand and 75-tonne travel lift opened in January, followed by the refit complex in April. Later that year, Rivergate's 300-tonne travel lift became operational, significantly expanding the facility's capability and laying the foundations for its future in the superyacht sector.

One of the earliest signs of Rivergate's success came from the marina itself. The facility's first berth purchasers recognised the long-term potential of what was being built on the Brisbane River, with Rivergate promoted as Queensland's first fully integrated marina and shipyard destination. The project represented a $150 million investment in marine infrastructure and a new chapter for Brisbane's boating community.

As Rivergate's facilities expanded, so too did the calibre of vessels arriving at the precinct.

In 2008, the purpose-built 55-metre superyacht refit shed welcomed the 40-metre Australian superyacht Tango, while the 58-metre superyacht Twizzle soon followed, among the largest vessels to undertake work at the facility at the time. The projects demonstrated Rivergate's ability to support increasingly sophisticated refit and maintenance works and signalled its growing presence within the international superyacht industry.

That same year, the Sea Shepherd vessel Steve Irwin selected Rivergate as its Brisbane base while preparing for its next Antarctic campaign. The high-profile vessel brought additional attention to the facility and reinforced its capability to support large and specialised vessels.

Rivergate's growing capability was further demonstrated through the refit of the 42-metre superyacht Keri Lee, which featured in the 2008 film Fool's Gold. One of the vessel's most significant refits since its launch in Canada in 2004, the three-month project involved more than 60 contractors, more than 6,000 labour hours and 192 individual jobs. The works included extensive mechanical, electrical and interior upgrades, highlighting Rivergate's ability to coordinate large-scale, technically complex projects involving multiple specialist trades.

The project also demonstrated the collaborative model that would become a hallmark of Rivergate's success, bringing together contractors and marine businesses from across the precinct to deliver a comprehensive refit program within a strict timeframe.

The following years saw Rivergate steadily establish itself on the international superyacht circuit.

By 2011, vessels from Italy, Ireland, the Marshall Islands, the United States and Australia were arriving at Rivergate for maintenance, refit and provisioning works before cruising Queensland waters. In the first seven months of the year alone, the facility hosted 12 superyachts with a combined value exceeding $250 million. Reflecting on the growing momentum, Rivergate General Manager Andrew Cannon said Rivergate and Brisbane had "made it onto the map" within the global superyacht community.

Industry recognition soon followed.

In 2012, Rivergate was awarded Superyacht Industry of the Year – Service Provider at the Australian Superyacht Awards after hosting and undertaking works on more than 30 Australian and international superyachts over a 12-month period. The recognition reflected the growing reputation of the Brisbane facility and the specialist skills of the contractors and marine businesses operating within the precinct.

As international awareness of Rivergate increased, the marina also became an important gateway for vessels entering Australia.

In 2015, the marina report welcomed vessels from at least 10 different countries that had cleared customs through Rivergate within a six-month period. During one 30-day stretch, 35 vessels arrived for customs clearance, while occupancy continued to increase as word of mouth spread throughout the global cruising community.

By the time Rivergate celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016, the facility had welcomed more than 150 superyachts for refit periods, with many returning multiple times following recommendations from captains and owners. During its first decade, approximately nine million litres of fuel had been pumped to vessels onsite, while Rivergate had earned AIMEX-Superyacht Australia Service Provider of the Year honours in 2012, 2014 and 2016.

The evolution of the Rivergate logo over the years.

The ten-year anniversary was a chance to celebrate Rivergate's growing diversity of work. In 2016, the facility completed its largest vessel build to date for the Queensland Water Police, the purpose-built catamaran Damian Leeding, while continuing to expand berthing infrastructure to accommodate larger vessels and superyachts.

The years that followed brought further recognition. Rivergate continued to promote Australian marine capability internationally, while a trifecta of industry awards in 2020 and beyond reinforced its standing as one of the country's leading marine facilities.

Today, Rivergate supports hundreds of contractors across more than 20 specialist marine trades and has welcomed hundreds of superyachts from around the world. Rivergate has grown into a globally recognised marine precinct, helping position Brisbane and Queensland as a destination for world-class marine services.

Throughout 2026, we’ll be sharing milestone projects, memorable vessels, and the long-standing client relationships that have shaped Rivergate over the past 20 years. To follow the journey, connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.