Jet Ski Safaris NSW 2.5-Hour Jet Ski Safari

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Drive your own jet ski for two and a half hours up the Hawkesbury River from Brooklyn, past sandstone cliffs and islands to the wreck of HMAS Parramatta and on to Spencer. No licence or experience is needed, and two people can share a ski and swap the driving.

Days

2.5 hours on the water, plus briefing

Age

Drivers 16+ (12–15 with an adult); passengers 1.25 m+

Group size

Guided, up to 2 riders per ski

Start / finish

Brooklyn / Hawkesbury River / Brooklyn

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Your own jet ski, guided

Meals

No meals are listed as included

Route

Map of Jet Ski Safaris NSW 2.5 Hour Jet Ski Safari

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Included experiences

Practice track — learn to handle the jet ski before the river
Hawkesbury River bridges — ride under the rail and freeway bridges
HMAS Parramatta — stop at the wreck
Spencer — break upriver and swap drivers
Lower Hawkesbury — sandstone cliffs, islands, mangroves and hairpin bends

Jet Ski Safaris NSW 2.5 Hour let 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. No licence or experience is needed, and two people can share a ski at no extra cost. Guides ride with the group at a high ratio to riders, so first-timers and confident riders can each go at a pace that suits them.

UNDER THE TWIN BRIDGES AND UPRIVER

You settle onto your ski beneath the twin bridges, then follow the guides north-west up the Hawkesbury River, Deerubbin to the Darug people. The Hawkesbury River Railway Bridge first opened in 1889 to join Sydney's railway to the north, and its old sandstone piers still stand beside the 1946 replacement. Beside it, the freeway bridge carries the M1 between Sydney and the Central Coast. Upriver the water runs between islands, mangrove stretches and cliffs of Hawkesbury sandstone, laid down as river sand more than 200 million years ago. Keep an eye out for sea eagles over the water.

THE WRECK OF HMAS PARRAMATTA

The first big stop is the wreck 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 some of the river's history as you sit beside the rusting frame. Then it's on upriver, round the big hairpin bends, where the hills close in and the river feels a long way from Sydney.

SPENCER, A DRIVER SWAP AND THE RIDE HOME

At Spencer, a small riverside village where Mangrove Creek meets the Hawkesbury, the group takes a break. If you are sharing a ski, this is where you swap, with a short practice run for the new driver before the long ride back down the river. You come home past the islands and cliffs and in under the bridges to the marina at Brooklyn. Allow about three and a half hours in all with check-in, the briefing, the practice ride and the stops.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Hawkesbury River Marina, 9 Dangar Road, Brooklyn, next to Hawkesbury River station on the Central Coast train line from Sydney. Free 4-hour street parking around the marina, with extra parking up the hill in peak season.
Departure time: Arrive 45 minutes before your booked time for the safety briefing and practice ride. Late arrivals can lose their place.
Duration: 2.5 hours on the water; allow 45 to 60 minutes more for the briefing, practice ride and stops.
Minimum age: Drivers 16 and over can ride their own ski; 12 to 15 year olds can drive with an adult on the back. Passengers must be at least 1.25 m tall, and around 7 or older is recommended.
Fitness: Up to two people per ski, with a combined weight of no more than 200 kg. Not advised if you are pregnant or have a back, neck or joint injury.

What to bring

Sunglasses (you must wear them on the ski)
Shorts, a t-shirt, singlet or rash vest
A towel and dry clothes for afterwards

What is included

2.5 hours on the water on your own jet ski
Guides on jet skis for the whole ride
Safety briefing and practice ride on the learning track
Life jacket and sunscreen
A second rider on your ski at no extra cost
Lockers for dry clothes, shoes and bags

Not included

Sunglasses if you don't bring a pair (cheap pairs are 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 1 review

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)

Great fun with fantastic guides, and the 2.5-hour safari is well worth doing. My daughter started as a terrified passenger and by the end was flying round at top speed with me hanging on behind, and the guides really encouraged her to face her fears.

Adam Parker Verified· Travelled 15th January 2026

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