Australia is one of the best places in the world to be on the water – we’ve got endless sunshine, beautiful beaches and a world-famous harbour to boot. So it makes sense that we’re also home to one of the most exciting boating events in the southern hemisphere.
Every year, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) drops anchor on the Gold Coast to celebrate everything to do with being on, in and around the water. It’s a four-day immersive event that showcases the best new boating tech and equipment, as well as putting on exclusive waterside experiences.
SCIBS is a big deal in boating. Last year’s event drew more than 40,000 visitors and featured more than 760 boats, 2,500 marine products and 330 exhibitors, all of whom came together to celebrate the fabulous lifestyle that goes along with boating. Whether you’re into superyacht luxury, messing around under the hood, or are just dreaming of getting on the water, there’s something there for everyone. No wonder it’s known as the “greatest show afloat”.
SCIBS returns this year for its 36th annual event from 22-25 May, and tickets are on sale now, with entry starting at $32.85 a day.
But it’s not just the exhibitors (and the chance to rub shoulders with like-minded boat lovers) you have to look forward to. The best way to experience SCIBS is by soaking up the atmosphere at the Lagoon Beach Club, the show’s on-site hospitality hub. It’s a superyacht-inspired escape where you can sip Veuve Clicquot on ice, nibble on an all-day luxury grazing menu and enjoy live entertainment, all with the shimmering lagoon pool at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort as your backdrop. Think premium free-flowing beverages, vibey DJ sets and the ultimate beach club setting.
Sound like your kind of fun? In partnership with the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, we’re giving readers the chance to do SCIBS in style with free Lagoon Beach Club access on Sunday 25 May. For your chance to win one of five double passes, all you have to do is tell us what you think is the ultimate seafood and beverage pairing – because nothing goes with being on the water like some freshly plated prawns, oysters or octopus.
It could be a spicy margarita and some fresh ceviche. Kingfish carpaccio and a crisp lime soda. The classic combo of bubbly and king prawns (with some fresh lemon juice squeezed on top and some mayo to dip in, of course). Or something else entirely. We just want to hear what fabulous food and drink you’d be serving up on a superyacht, given the chance – whatever that is.
Simply tell us below what you think is the greatest seafood and sip combo to win access to the Lagoon Beach Club, and your way into a fabulous waterside day out. Entries close Sunday 13 April 2025, so be quick.
Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show event details
When: May 22-25, 2025.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast, Queensland.
Time: 9am-5pm daily (Lagoon Beach Club open 10am-5pm daily).
Tickets: On sale now.
Prize details
Two entry passes to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and exclusive day entry to the Lagoon Beach Club (18-plus venue).
When: Sunday May 25, 2025.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, Gold Coast, Queensland.
What time: The Lagoon Beach Club is open 10am-5pm.
Dress code: Smart casual/cocktail attire at the Lagoon Beach Club.
Enter now
What’s your favourite sip and seafood duo? Tell us in 50 words or less.
Entries judged as the most creative, humorous or inspiring will win the prize.
Terms and conditions
Entering the Competition
1. The Mulpha Events – Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show competition (the “Competition”) is open to Australian residents aged 18 and over (“You”) subject to paragraph 2 below.
2. Employees or agencies or their family members of GNM Australia Limited (“GNM”, “We”) its group or parent companies, or anyone else connected with the Competition may not enter the Competition.
3. By entering the Competition, You are accepting these terms and conditions.
4. To enter the Competition, You must answer the designated question. Only one code can be redeemed per customer. The entries judged as the most creative, humorous or inspiring will win the prize.
5. Designated question: What’s your favourite sip and seafood duo? Tell us in 50 words or less.
6. If You have any questions about how to enter or in connection with the Competition, please e-mail us at studio.aus@theguardian.com with “Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Competition” in the subject line.
7. You are responsible for the cost (if any) of sending your Competition entry to us.
8. Only one entry is permitted per person.
9. Start date: AEST Monday 31 March 2025.
The closing date and time of the competition is 11:59 PM AEST on Sunday 13 April 2025. Entries received after that date and time will not be considered. GNM reserves the right in its absolute discretion to extend the closing date where the entries are not of sufficient quality.
10. You own the copyright to your Competition entry as its author.
11. By submitting an entry to the Competition, You give GNM:
a. Permission for your entry to be published on www.theguardian.com/au and grant GNM and its group companies a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to republish your Competition entry in electronic format and hard copy for purposes connected with the Competition; and
b.The right to use your name and town or city of residence for the sole purpose of identifying You as the author of your entry and/or as a winner of the Competition.
12. Your entry must be your own work, must not be copied, must not contain any third-party materials and/or content that You do not have permission to use and must not otherwise be obscene, defamatory or in breach of any applicable legislation or regulations. If We have reason to believe your entry is not your own work or otherwise breaches this paragraph 12, then We may not consider it.
13. Your responses are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will keep the names of individuals anonymous if you wish and won’t use any of your experiences without getting your permission beforehand. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of this Guardian Australia competition.
14. We will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For more information please read our privacy policy.
Draw and notification of winner
15. The winner(s) will be chosen based on their skill in answering the designated question. Only one entry is permitted per person.
16. The decision of who the winners are will be made on Monday 14 April 2025 at 12:00pm. The decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
The Prizes
17. Five winners will each win double passes to the Lagoon Beach Club VIP on Sunday 25th May 2025. Each ticket includes entry to the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on the nominated day and exclusive entry to the Lagoon Beach Club. Each ticket is valued at $421.70 each for a total prize pool of $4,217.
18. Winners will be notified by GNM by email by 4:00pm AEDT on 14 April 2025. If a winner does not respond to GNM within 24 hours of being notified by GNM, then the winner’s prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to award the prize to the next best entry (and that winner will have to respond to the email from GNM within 24 hours or else they will also forfeit their prize).
If a winner rejects their prize, then the winner’s prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner.
19. The prize will be sent to the winner and distributed by Mulpha Events.
20. The prizes are not transferrable by You and are not redeemable for cash or any other prize. You must pay all other costs associated with the prize (e.g. flights, accommodation and other expenses) and not specifically included in the prize.
21. We retain the right to substitute the prize with another prize of similar value in the event that the original prize offered is not available.
Some other rules
22. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed.
23. We take no responsibility for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason. Proof of delivery of the entry is not proof of receipt.
24. No purchase is necessary. Entry is free.
25. The winners may be required for promotional activity.
26. The Promoter of the Competition is GNM Australia Limited [ABN 50 161 165 242] whose address is Level 3,19 Foster St Surry Hills NSW 2010. Any complaints regarding the Competition should be sent to this address.
27. Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall exclude the liability of GNM for death, personal injury, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation as a result of its negligence.
28. GNM accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by You as a result of entering the Competition or accepting any prize. GNM further disclaims liability for any injury or damage to You or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in or downloading any materials in connection with the Competition.
29. GNM reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, this Competition with or without prior notice due to reasons outside its control (including, without limitation, in the case of anticipated, suspected or actual fraud). The decision of GNM in all matters under its control is final and binding.
30. GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control. Such circumstances shall include, but not be limited to, weather conditions, fire, flood, hurricane, strike, industrial dispute, war, hostilities, political unrest, riots, civil commotion, inevitable accidents, supervening legislation or any other circumstances amounting to force majeure.
31. The Competition will be governed by the Australian laws applicable in the State(s) and/or Territory(ies) in which it is conducted.
