- Australia’s wealthiest own fleet of approximately 120 superyachts between them.
- Ian Malouf, Australia’s “superyacht king,” owns an impressive fleet, including the 240-foot Coral Ocean.
- These floating kingdoms are outfitted with extraordinary amenities, ranging from helipads to personal cinemas.
Superyachts epitomise the meaning of status and luxury. Just as billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Sergey Brin, and Mark Zuckerberg have been eager to acquire the most luxurious vessels, Australian billionaires have emerged as proud owners of some of the most impressive superyachts on the planet.
How Many Superyachts do Australians own?
Australia is home to about 120 superyachts, of which roughly half are charter vessels. Here are some of the most impressive yachts from the country’s billionaire elite.
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Coral Ocean: Ian Malouf’s Maritime Marvel
Ian Malouf, dubbed Australia’s ‘superyacht king’ and the entrepreneur behind Dial-a-Dump, has established himself as a true maritime connoisseur. His fleet encompasses an impressive collection of 11 yachts, with pride of place certainly going to the 240-foot Coral Ocean.
Purchased for approximately $50 million USD ($80 million AUD) and then refurbished with an additional investment of $50 million USD, the Coral Ocean represents a total commitment of approximately $100 million USD. This sanctuary on the water is truly a showpiece of its design in luxury, boasting an extraordinary array of amenities that make the sea voyages unsurpassed experiences in comfort and indulgence.
The yacht features a glass-bottom spa pool, a unique maritime design that allows guests to enjoy a view of the underwater world beneath their feet. A private treatment room complete with an infrared sauna will offer utter relaxation, while a teppanyaki grill and pizza oven present a culinary indulgence for food connoisseurs. An indoor-outdoor gym lets the more fitness-savvy travellers work out, and a dedicated on-board beauty therapist ensures guest comfort is taken to new heights with personalised treatments for the ultimate pampering experience.
Staffed by a crew of up to 28 professionals, the Coral Ocean has become more than just a yacht — it’s a floating entertainment venue that has hosted celebrities like rapper Drake, underlining its status in the world of maritime luxury. Malouf’s entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond mere ownership. Through the Ahoy Club – a superyacht chartering business managed by his daughter Ellie – he has turned his passion into a thriving commercial venture.
Clive Palmer’s Australia
Billionaire mining magnate and ex-politician Clive Palmer brings his larger-than-life persona to the high seas with Australia. This 184-foot masterpiece, with a price tag of $40 million USD ($63 million AUD), is a floating tribute to Palmer’s uncompromising approach to luxury.
Australia offers accommodation for 12 guests in six luxurious cabins, with a master suite exemplifying nautical elegance. From the renowned Italian shipyard Benetti and the drawing board of legendary Stefano Natucci, the vessel showcases the height of maritime craftsmanship. Originally launched as the Ulysses in 2012, the yacht was reborn as Australia when Palmer acquired it in 2021.
Her features are simply breath-taking: two expansive sun decks, sophisticated indoor and outdoor bars, a luxurious Jacuzzi, and a floating pool that seems to defy the laws of maritime engineering. Fitted with robust Caterpillar diesel engines, she has a top speed of 16 knots, while her comfortable cruising speed is 12 knots, having a range of more than 3,000 nautical miles without compromise.
Palmer’s maritime ambitions are by no means restricted to Australia: He dreams big time of building a $1.2 billion USD replica of the RMS Titanic, which seems wholly feasible with his immense resources and unshackled imagination.
Slipstream: Jack Cowin’s Floating Palace
Australian businessman and philanthropist Jack Cowin, best known for founding Hungry Jack’s fast-food chain in Australia, has carved out his maritime legacy with the magnificent Slipstream. Acquired in 2009 and built by the prestigious French shipyard company CMN, this $50 million USD vessel is synonymous with unparalleled taste in nautical luxury combined with design innovation.
The Slipstream can accommodate up to 14 guests and a crew of 15 in seven painstakingly designed guest cabins, including a master suite and a VIP stateroom. The exterior and interior, created by the London-based Winch Design, convey sophistication and personal expression.
The owner’s suite is a particular marvel, featuring a bold scarlet, black, and cream colour palette that creates an atmosphere of romantic intrigue. It includes a private office, an expansive walk-in wardrobe, and a raised observation lounge with direct access to the foredeck. Built of a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure, this yacht has a dramatic black and silver hull superstructure that won her top honours at the Showboats Design Awards 2010.
Spanning over 500 square meters of living areas and 200 square meters of outdoor decks, the Slipstream offers an outstanding maritime experience. The sun deck boasts a spa, sun pads, a bar equipped with BBQ, and an al-fresco dining area with a retractable awning. Powered by Caterpillar engines, she can reach a top speed of 16 knots and has an impressive range of 5,000 nautical miles.
Pangaea Ocean Explorer: John Andrew’s Premier Yacht
The Pangaea Ocean Explorer is a 191-foot vessel bought for $40 million USD, belonging to John Andrew, an Australian businessman and former CEO of Fortescue Metals Group. This yacht was built in 1999 in the United States by Halter and designed by Trinity Yachts, with interior design by Samantha Staats. Pangaea Ocean Explorer is a perfect blend of robust engineering and luxurious comfort.
Constructed with steel hull, and aluminium superstructure, the superyacht is designed to welcome up to 12 guests in six suites. A dedicated crew of 11 ensures that every guest has a relaxed and luxurious time on board. Twin diesel Caterpillar engines power her to cruise comfortably at 12 knots, a maximum of 14 knots, and an extraordinary range of up to 12,000 nautical miles.
Ilona: Frank Lowy’s Global Circumnavigator
Ilona is a 270-foot luxury yacht owned by Australian businessman Frank Lowy, a seasoned yachtsman who has sailed around the globe multiple times. Ilona was built in the Netherlands by Amels and delivered in 2003. Its exterior and interior were designed by Redman Whiteley Dixon (RWD), a company known for its stylish and practical yacht designs. The vessel is a perfect blend of luxury, performance, and advanced technology, making it one of the prominent superyachts in the modern maritime world.
Capable of accommodating up to 16 guests in eight cabins, including a spacious owner’s suite, Ilona guarantees comfort and luxury are never compromised. A crew of 28 members stands ready to provide high-quality service, anticipating and meeting every conceivable need of the guests.
Ilona can reach a top speed of 19.0 knots, with a maximum cruising range of 6,000 nautical miles, combining performance and comfort in perfect harmony.
The Ultimate Symbol of Wealth
As long-time Australian seafarer and superyacht captain Brendan O’Shannassy eloquently explains:
“Until space travel becomes a commercial reality, superyachts are the greatest display of wealth on the planet.”
Brendan O’Shannassy
O’Shannassy’s observation rings true. It seems Australian billionaires have realised that traditional symbols of wealth — expensive cars and sprawling mansions — pale in comparison to these maritime marvels. Because these floating palaces represent more than mere transportation; they are kinetic statements of power, innovation, and unbridled ambition.
So, until Elon Musk’s SpaceX transforms orbital leisure from a dream to reality, superyachts will remain the ultimate playground for the world’s elite — mobile sanctuaries where extraordinary wealth meets boundless imagination.
