General News
18 June, 2026
Cracks are showing at marina
PORT Douglas Marina is certainly one of the gems of Douglas Shire and Far North Queensland.
Originally home to much loved steam trains that now exist in a static capacity, the venue still plays host to weekly markets, cafes, bars and is the starting point for many daily trips to the inlet, Coral Reef, Low Isles and beyond.
The marina is also the welcoming point for regular passengers and crew from passing cruise ships.
On the surface, this beauty spot, enjoyed by locals and visitors, is a jewel in the crown for the Shire, but beneath this, as some have pointed out for some time now, the cracks are more than beginning to show.
While in the past any maintenance may well have seemed more like just a cosmetic issue, larger concerns may now be more justified, suggesting repairs now go way beyond just a lick of paint to freshen things up.
The bigger picture and concerns of regular marina users is that the longer these issues are left, the larger the problem will become, more worryingly, though, is the question will there be a point when the damage is beyond repair?
The Port Douglas Marina, officially known as the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, is owned by Ghassan Aboud, a Syrian billionaire and founder of the Dubai-based Ghassan Aboud Group.
The prominent 10ha asset includes 135 berths, a fuel wharf and 23 retail tenancies. While it went on the market for an expression of interest sale campaign, the property remains under the umbrella of the Crystalbrook Collection.
For a number of years now there have been rumours that the property may be sold, giving the marina a chance for a new start and regenerated enthusiasm, but these hopes have generally seemed to be washed away with the tide.
Some may even say, if repairs aren’t caried out in the near future, the marina itself may, one day, be washed away in its entirety.
While these thoughts may be somewhat over the top, it doesn’t take long to note the fact that the marina does have a noticeable level of deterioration and it’s not going to fix itself.
Some like to give council a tough time over this, and although they may have some say in the overall look, in reality the marina is a privately-owned establishment, not a council-run organisation.
Beyond the cosmetic elements and general upkeep issues, there are the potential safety issues involved.
In a world where health and safety are big topics in public areas, surely there may be a cause for concern.
Alongside the safety aspects, there is simply the fact that locals, businesses, tour operators and others that rely on tourism dollars want visitors to have the best experience possible in Port Douglas, so that they return home with the intention of coming back and also spreading positive feedback to friends and family in their home town.
I thought I would take a wonder myself and look a little deeper than just the flaky paint, rust and tired exterior.
While I think there is certainly life in the old dog for now, there is no doubt that some important decisions need to be made much sooner than later.
Regardless of the above, I’m off to enjoy this amazing marina, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
