Abell Point Marina

1904: The first settler and land owner of the area now known as Airlie Beach was Thomas Abell. The Abell family played a pivotal role in developing the region into a thriving tourism precinct.
1938: As tourism and trade expanded on the mainland and islands, a jetty was established by the Main Roads near the VMR as a transit point for vessels.
1961: After a number of cyclones and pressures growing for a better and more protected tourist terminal, Shute Harbour & Lloyd Roberts jetty were completed
1988: APM consortium (three partners) started the development of the marina – north break wall, dongas, one jetty. In 1989 it went into receivership.
1990: Robinson family took over from the receiver’s operating until 2006, further developing the north and south marina infrastructure, including shore side buildings in the north and construction of break walls.
2006: Robinson family sold to Meridien Marinas. Meridien developed the buildings in the South Marina and landscape of precinct.
2011: Meridien went into receivership in late 2011.
2013: Abell Point Marina was purchased by Paul Darrouzet in April from the receivers, immediately restoring the correct spelling of the name to recognise the original settlers.

Since 1904, the Abell family name has been incorrectly spelt in the Airlie Beach region, a historical mistake for the past 110 years...

On 12th April, 1869 Thomas Abell and his four children, aged 16, 15, 13, and 10 from Herefordshire in England, boarded the Black Ball Line sailing ship ‘Young Australia’ in London, for the voyage to Australia.
From abellpointmarina.com.au/about-us/history/