Overseas vessels, including "superyachts", will be able to dock and clear customs on the Gold Coast while a boarding station is trialled for 12 months.
The trial will operate during next year's Commonwealth Games and allows private vessels under 50m in length to clear customs at Southport without first having to dock at another Australian port - the closest being Brisbane, Bundaberg and Coffs Harbour.
The trial starts from July 1 and Federal Trade Minister Steven Ciobo is hopeful it will make the Gold Coast a more attractive destination for overseas travellers.
"This is yet another way we're growing our city's booming tourism industry by enticing more domestic and international tourists to the Gold Coast, including superyachts," Mr Ciobo said.
Superyacht Queensland chairman Cameron Bray says a single vessel arriving at the Gold Coast could generate $20,000 a day for the local economy.
Mr Bray says the Gold Coast shipbuilding industry could also benefit from the trial.
"Vessels could travel from the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, so generally they require some kind of maintenance by the time they get here," Mr Bray told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
"It's not just the shipyards who benefit from that, electricians, painters and even florists -- all trades will benefit."
At the trail's completion, the government will assess the future viability of a permanent boarding station.
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