Luxury Boat Hire Noosa 8 Person Boat – 6 Hours

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Your own pontoon boat on the Noosa River for 6 hours, for up to eight people, with a gas barbecue, a pizza oven and a flush toilet on board. No boat licence is needed: you get a briefing and a map, then cruise past Noosaville to the sandbanks near Noosa Heads and stop wherever you like.

Days

6 hours

Age

Driver 25+ with a car licence; children count as passengers

Group size

Private boat, up to eight people

Start / finish

Noosa Marina, Tewantin / Noosa Marina, Tewantin

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Self-drive pontoon boat with a 25hp outboard, no boat licence needed

Meals

No meals are listed as included; gas barbecue and pizza oven on board

Route

Map of Luxury Boat Hire Noosa 8 Person Boat – 6 Hours

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Included experiences

Noosa River — cruise more than 20 km of river and canals from Tewantin past Noosaville
Sandbanks near Noosa Heads — anchor to swim, fish or play beach cricket
On board — cook lunch on the gas barbecue or in the pizza oven
Marked spots — swimming and fishing spots shown on your hire map

Luxury Boat Hire Noosa 8 PERSON Boat - 6 HOURS

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Itinerary

Map

CHECK-IN AT NOOSA MARINA, TEWANTIN

Your time on the water starts at Noosa Marina in Tewantin, a river town that began in the 1870s as a timber settlement. Arrive about half an hour before your start time so the driver can fill in the hire form, then the crew walk your group of up to eight down to your pontoon. The briefing covers it all: how to steer and drop the anchor, where the life jackets are kept, and how the barbecue, pizza oven and toilet work. You also get a map of the hire area with the safe swimming spots and the good fishing spots marked, so nobody has to guess where to go.

ON THE NOOSA RIVER: DOWNSTREAM PAST NOOSAVILLE

Then the wheel is yours. The 25hp four-stroke outboard starts with the turn of a key and settles into an easy river pace. The Noosa River rises in the sand country of Cooloola to the north and runs through a chain of lakes before it reaches the sea, and from the marina you have more than 20 km of river and canals to cruise. Heading downstream you pass Noosaville, where Gympie Terrace runs right along the water's edge. Watch for pelicans in the shallows and ospreys hunting over the channel.

THE SANDBANKS NEAR NOOSA HEADS

Near the river mouth at Noosa Heads, the channel spreads over pale sandbanks, and this is where most groups drop anchor. On the headland above, Noosa National Park is home to wild koalas. Pick a bank, set the anchor and the next few hours are yours. Swim in the shallows, throw a line in, or set up stumps for beach cricket on the sand. Lunch goes on the gas barbecue or into the pizza oven, and with a flush toilet on board nobody has to head back early. Pre-made pizzas, an esky with ice, fishing gear and paddleboards can be ordered ahead for an extra cost.

BACK TO TEWANTIN

Keep half an eye on the clock. The boat is due back at the marina at the end of your six hours, so allow time for the cruise upriver and a quick tidy, leaving it the way you found it. The cafés at the marina are a few steps away if anyone wants a cold drink before the drive home.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Noosa Marina, 2 Parkyn Court, Tewantin. The public car park is free for the first three hours, or you can arrive on the Noosa Ferry. Arrive 30 minutes before your hire time; the Donnella Bridge has single-lane traffic lights, so allow about 10 extra minutes.
Departure time: Your choice of start time within the day's hire window (8am to 5pm from September to April, 9am to 4pm from May to August), confirmed when you book.
Finishes: Six hours after you leave, back at Noosa Marina.
Minimum age: The driver must be 25 or older with a current car licence and must not drink. Children of any age count as one of the eight people.
Suits: Families, friends and small celebrations. Dogs are welcome, up to two per boat. Beer and wine are fine in sensible amounts; spirits only as premixed cans or sealed bottles.
Please note: From September to April the 6 hours fit inside the 8am to 5pm hire window; from May to August, inside the 9am to 4pm window. You choose your start time. The Noosa Everglades are outside the hire area. Arriving more than 30 minutes late can mean losing the hire, and returning late or leaving the boat messy can cost part of the bond. If the operator judges the weather unsafe, they call that morning and offer a credit for another day.

What to bring

The driver's current car licence, a mobile phone and a credit card
Food and drinks for the day, or order pizzas ahead

What is included

Private hire of a pontoon boat for up to eight people, 6 hours
Safety briefing and a map of the hire area with swimming and fishing spots
Gas barbecue and pizza oven
Flush toilet, sink and 30 litres of drinking water
Life jackets in a range of sizes and a rubbish bin

Not included

$1,000 security bond, paid by card or cash on the day and refunded when the boat comes back on time and tidy
Food and drinks
Optional extras, ordered at least 72 hours ahead: captain's hats, esky and ice, bait, tackle and fishing rods, barbecue utensils, cooking oil and paper towel, disposable cutlery, pizzas, stand-up paddleboards
Skipper (optional extra, minimum 4 hours)

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

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.

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.

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.