Birkenhead Point Marina – Best Marina on Sydney Harbour

Birkenhead Point Marina team and MIA representatives © MIA

Birkenhead Point Marina has been recognised as the best marina facility on Sydney Harbour, and one of the finest in the world when for the second time, it was re-accredited by the Marina Industries Association (MIA) as a 5 Gold Anchor Platinum Marina.

As the largest privately owned floating marina on Sydney Harbour, it comprises over 200 full-service marina berths, world-class amenities, personally serviced dockside refuelling, a five-star club lounge with high-end integrated kitchen amenities. Tenants & guests also have access to laundry facilities, luxury ensuite bathrooms and can safely store all their boating equipment in clean, dry, secure storage spaces on-site. Its location facilitates convenient access to high end shopping, quality restaurants and bars and magnificent surrounding parklands.

The international accreditation of 5 Gold Anchor Platinum is the highest accolade that the industry awards globally and is reserved for marinas which offer their customers a comprehensive unique marina experience, by providing tailored personalised service and an outstanding array of high-quality facilities and amenities. Birkenhead Point Marina is one of only three Platinum marinas in Australia and remains part of an exclusive club of less than a dozen marinas across the globe which have been recognised with this award.

Gold Anchor requires a rigorous assessment of a marina's services, procedures, and facilities every three years. The appraisal is conducted by an independent auditor who is required to assess the performance of 86 criteria across all areas of the business including service, facilities and infrastructure and includes a customer survey. To achieve Platinum status, the audit score must exceed 95%.

The Platinum status comes with a significant responsibility as a leading global marina to ensure that a high level of performance is maintained and there is an on-going commitment to continual improvement. Birkenhead Point Marina provides a regional and global benchmark that other marinas will seek to emulate.

On hand to present this rare and special award was the MIA President Andrew Chapman, Vice President John Spragg and Director Stefan Borzecki. In making the presentation to industry stalwart and marina manager, Phil McGowen CMM, Chapman commented, "Earlier this year, I was honoured to present to Phil McGowen, one of the industry's most respected marina managers, and Birkenhead Point Marina the 2021 Marina of the Year Award. This Platinum 5 Gold Anchor reaccreditation is further demonstration of Birkenhead Point Marina's unrivalled, long-term commitment to service, exemplary business practices, environmental responsibility and industry excellence."

On receiving the award, Phil responded, "We started on this journey back in 2013 when we submitted the plans to take the marina from a good marina on Sydney Harbour to the best marina on Sydney Harbour. When we received the 5 Gold Anchor Platinum accreditation back in 2018 it was an honour to be recognized for the vision, planning, hard work and team effort required to reach the top accreditation level. To receive it again in 2021 is a testament to the dedicated team who have worked tirelessly to maintain and constantly look at ways to improve the marina facility for our tenants and guests."

(l-r) Andrew Chapman (MIA President), John Spragg (MIA Vice-President), Phil McGowen (Marina Manager) and Stefan Borzecki (MIA Director) - photo © MIA