Southport Yacht Club Wedding Venue Guide

Overview

Southport Yacht Club is a premier waterfront wedding venue located at 1 MacArthur Parade, Main Beach, Queensland 4217, on the Gold Coast. The venue offers a picture-perfect setting surrounded by stunning superyachts and breathtaking waterfront views, with ceremonies and receptions hosted within a single location overlooking a private 300-berth marina on the Gold Coast Broadwater. The club has earned significant recognition, winning the 2024 Wedding Industry Awards and being voted Gold Coast's Best Waterfront Wedding Venue by Brides Choice awards for five consecutive years.

Key Features and Amenities

The venue provides a comprehensive all-in-one wedding experience with beautiful ceremony areas, unrivalled photoshoot locations, and elegant function spaces housed within one stunning waterfront location. Notable features include:

• World's first Waterscape Pontoon bar – a unique floating pontoon suitable for ceremonies and cocktail parties

• Private beach with amazing photographic opportunities overlooking the Super Yacht Marina

• Marina setting with 300-berth capacity, providing a tranquil backdrop with potential wildlife viewing (wild dolphins occasionally appear)

• Hinterland views visible during sunset photography

• In-house catering with award-winning culinary packages

• Open-air waterfront restaurant and bar at the Main Beach Clubhouse

Ceremony and Reception Spaces

Capacity and Layout

The venue accommodates weddings ranging from intimate gatherings of 30 guests to lavish celebrations of 200 banquet-style or 300 cocktail-style guests. Specific spaces include:

• Compass Room (Level One) – accommodates up to 300 guests for larger wedding receptions

• Western Deck – capacity for 120 standing guests and 100 seated guests

• Eastern Lawn – suitable for smaller ceremonies and receptions

Ceremony Options

The venue offers three ceremony locations for couples to choose from. Ceremonies can be held on the floating pontoon, with guests enjoying cocktails on the garden lawn or waterfront decking while the couple takes photographs.

Reception Experience

The elegant elevated reception space overlooks the twinkling lights and bobbing boats in the marina, creating an atmospheric setting as night falls. The venue provides a seamless flow from ceremony through to reception without requiring guests to relocate.

Catering Arrangements

Southport Yacht Club features in-house catering with an award-winning Chef who has created a diverse range of culinary packages to suit all tastes and budgets. The venue includes 9 hours of event time in its packages. Reception options range from cocktail-style formats with finger foods and fork dishes to formal banquet arrangements.

On-Site Accommodation

The search results do not provide specific information about on-site accommodation at Southport Yacht Club. However, the venue is located in Main Beach on the Gold Coast, which has nearby accommodation options available in the surrounding area.

Unique Characteristics

Several distinctive features set Southport Yacht Club apart:

• Floating pontoon ceremony venue – described as a "world first" Waterscape Pontoon

• Marina backdrop – the private 300-berth marina provides an exclusive, sophisticated setting

• Waterfront dining – the only open-air waterfront north-facing restaurant and bar in the area

• Multiple waterfront locations – the club operates across four waterfront locations on the Gold Coast

• Award recognition – Queensland Club of the Year (3 years running) and consistent recognition from Brides Choice awards

Practical Considerations

Pricing

Wedding costs vary depending on package selections:

• Ceremony fees – range from $600 to $1,500 (alternative source indicates $600 to $1,000)

• Reception packages – range from $109 to $179 per person (alternative source indicates $139 to $229 per person)

• Venue hire fee – from $400

Time Restrictions

• Event duration – 9 hours of event time included

• Music curfew – music must end by 12:00 AM (midnight)

• Minimum guest count – 40 guests for reception

Parking and Accessibility

The venue offers parking available on-site. However, detailed accessibility information is not provided in the available search results.

Contact and Booking

Couples can contact the venue at 07 5591 3500 to discuss wedding plans or request an obligation-free quote, with responses typically provided within 24 hours. The function team welcomes appointments to view the function rooms in person.

Additional Services

The venue's team is qualified in all aspects of event management and can assist in tailoring packages suitable to individual needs. The club also provides expert advice to help couples plan their perfect day.