Jet Ski Safaris NSW 1 Hour Jet Ski Safari

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Ride your own jet ski up the Hawkesbury River from Brooklyn, following a guide under the rail and freeway bridges and past sandstone cliffs and islands to the wreck of HMAS Parramatta. No licence or experience needed, and a second rider can come along on the same ski at no extra cost.

Days

1 hour on the water (about 2 hours in all)

Age

Drivers 16+, or 12 to 15 with an adult on board

Group size

Guided group, your own jet ski

Start / finish

Hawkesbury River Marina, Brooklyn / HMAS Parramatta wreck / Brooklyn

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Self-drive jet ski, following a guide

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Jet Ski Safaris NSW 1 Hour Jet Ski Safari

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Included experiences

Hawkesbury River Marina — safety briefing and practice ride
Hawkesbury River bridges — ride under the rail and freeway bridges
HMAS Parramatta — stop at the wreck and hear the river's history
Hawkesbury River — islands, sandstone cliffs and mangroves

Jet Ski Safaris NSW 1 Hour Jet Ski Safari

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

CHECK-IN AND PRACTICE AT BROOKLYN

Your ride starts at Hawkesbury River Marina in Brooklyn, right beside Hawkesbury River station, so you can arrive by train from Sydney. Check in 45 minutes ahead. The crew run a safety briefing, fit your life jacket, then send you round a marked learning track until the ski feels natural. Brooklyn grew up with the railway, and the town still sits where the line from Sydney crosses the river on its way north. No licence or experience is needed, and a second rider can sit on the back at no extra cost, though only one person drives on this ride.

UP THE HAWKESBURY: UNDER THE BRIDGES

Then you fall in behind the lead guide and head north-west up the Hawkesbury River, which the Darug people call Deerubbin. Within minutes you pass beneath the Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge. The first bridge here opened in 1889 to join Sydney's railway to the north, and its old sandstone piers still stand beside the 1946 replacement. Next comes the freeway bridge carrying the M1 between Sydney and the Central Coast. Beyond them the river opens out between islands, mangrove banks and cliffs of Hawkesbury sandstone, laid down as river sand more than 200 million years ago. You set your own pace, as long as you follow the guide's line.

THE WRECK OF HMAS PARRAMATTA

About 15 km upriver the group stops at what remains of HMAS Parramatta. She was launched in Scotland in 1910, one of the first warships of the new Royal Australian Navy, and served through the First World War before her stripped hull ended its days on the Hawkesbury. Your guide tells her story and a little of the river's history while you sit on the water beside her rusting frame. There are photo stops along the way, so it pays to take your time.

THE RIDE HOME TO THE MARINA

From the wreck you turn and ride the same 15 km or so back down the river, with a better feel for the ski now and the bridges growing on the horizon. You come in under them again and back to the marina at Brooklyn, about an hour after you set out. Allow around two hours in all with check-in, the briefing and the practice ride, and bring a change of dry clothes, as there is storage at the marina.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Hawkesbury River Marina, 9 Dangar Road, Brooklyn, next to Hawkesbury River station on the Central Coast line from Sydney Central. Free four-hour street parking nearby.
Departure time: Several rides a day; your time is confirmed when you book. Arrive 45 minutes early; late arrivals can lose their spot.
Duration: One hour on the water; allow about two hours with the briefing and practice ride.
Minimum age: Drivers 16 and over (under 18 with a parent's consent). Riders 12 to 15 can drive only with an adult on the back. Passengers must be at least 1.25 m tall; about 7 and over is recommended.
Fitness: No experience needed. Not recommended for pregnant women or anyone with back, neck or joint injuries. The tour can't cater for people with access needs.
Please note: Two people per ski, combined weight up to 200 kg; only one person drives on this one-hour safari. Rides are cancelled only if conditions are unsafe, with a reschedule or refund.

What to bring

Shorts and a T-shirt, singlet or rash vest (you ride barefoot)
Sunglasses
A change of dry clothes — there's storage at the marina

What is included

One hour guided jet ski safari on your own ski
Safety briefing and practice ride
Life jacket and sunscreen
Second rider on the same ski at no extra cost

Not included

Sunglasses (required; cheap pairs sold at the office)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

The jet ski safari was fantastic and the hour flew by. Manav gave very good instruction, and so did the rest of the team.

nabin thapa Verified· Travelled 1st February 2026

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(5/5)

We did the one-hour safari on a beautiful summer day, our first time, and it was lots of fun. Arrive 45 minutes early for the safety video and briefing and allow time to park. Riders line up behind the leader by pace, there's a halfway stop for photos and swapping riders, and the support crew were great.

Rob VanElven Verified· Travelled 30th December 2025

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(5/5)

I booked a one-hour tour as a surprise birthday present for my partner and it was the best day out. After the introductory course, Cassie and Brooke led us up the Hawkesbury River, stopping at scenic spots and letting us go full throttle with some fast turns. Safe but thrilling.

Berenice Chatten Verified· Travelled 18th November 2025

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