The new Gold Coast Boat & Outdoor Adventure Show will be staged on 8-10 July, two weeks earlier than originally announced.

The date change has been made to accommodate major exhibitors intending to take part in interstate boat shows around the same time.

The show will target owners and buyers of boats under 10m, who represent more than 97% of the 187,000 craft registered in Queensland.

“From tinnies to luxury cruisers, ski boats to pontoon boats, kayaks to jetskis – if it’s under 10m and it floats it’s going to be on show at the Gold Coast Boat and Outdoor Adventure Show,” said organiser Mark Harvey of Showtime Events.

“To date we have 55 different brands represented and this will continue to rise as we get closer to opening.”

Dry-land displays of hundreds of new boats will be complemented by the latest in marine electronics and accessories, fishing tackle, holiday opportunities and camping equipment.

Major entertainment attractions will include the Supertank Fishing Show, Australian Casting Championships and the Fishing Experience Stage, offering free advice to show visitors from some of the country’s leading boat and fishing experts. These presenters will include two of Australia’s best-known fishing media personalities, Andrew ‘ET’ Ettingshausen and Gary Howard.

Ettingshausen, star of Escape with ET on Channel Nine and Foxtel since retiring from rugby league, will appear on the Fishing Experience stage on Sunday 10 July. Visitors will have a chance to meet Ettingshausen in person as he presents a series of talks based on his popular TV show.

Master of Ceremonies on the Fishing Experience stage throughout the three-day show will be Gary Howard, a presenter on Channel Seven’s weekly outdoor lifestyle show Creek to Coast. Gary has also had an extensive career writing for fishing magazines and filing fishing and boating reports for various radio programs.

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre provides state-of-the-art facilities for patrons and exhibitors, including free covered parking for 1400 vehicles. Entry is $14 for adults, $11 for concessions, $5 for children under 16 and $33 for families (two adults and two children). Opening hours are 10am to 8pm Friday and Saturday, and 10am to 5pm Sunday. For more info visit www.boatandfishing.com.au (live from May 6). - GCBOAS