Destinations

Have you been spotting those jet skis being towed up and down the Smith St Motorway, GC Highway or the M1 and are curious to know where they ride?

Well, I got you covered with this guide, even if you’re not out there riding just yet.

Best Jet Ski Riding Spots Gold Coast

I love the Gold Coast! Heck – I lived there for 4 years right on The Spit with hundreds of jet skis going past every weekend.

And while I moved up to the Sunny Coast, you can’t stop me from coming back month after month to find some epic riding.

When I lived in Southport, I was always out there looking for the next best spot to go riding and exploring. You wouldn’t ever see me list a ski with low hours. I’m out there to have fun!

Needless to say that this pretty well qualifies me to help you discover some good local places.

Sometimes I like to say that the Gold Coast is the jet ski capital of the world.

With the sales volume that goes through JSW Powersports monthly, I’d probably be on the mark there.

Anyway, you’re here for some places to ride this weekend. Let’s begin!

1. Southport to Tippler’s

Drop your ski in at Broadwater Parklands or across the seaway at Muriel Henchman (next to Sea World) and head out for a ‘Tippler’s Run’ with the return trip taking about an hour. Perfect for a beginner who’s unsure where to ride on their first time.

There is plenty of space in front of the cafe to pull up and anchor, though on weekends it can get a bit busy. If you’re doing a weekend ride then I’d be at the ramp by 8am before the locals and Brisbanites make their way down.

2. Tangalooma Run

The Tangalooma Run is almost like a monthly pilgrimage for local jet ski riders. It’s a decent trip so the rec-lite skis sometimes don’t have the fuel range, but most skis can make it there and back on 1 tank. You can do Jumpinpin Bar between North and South Stradbroke Island while you’re here.

Pack the snorkelling gear because there are some epic sights under the water here and the sharks/stingers are seldom found. The place gets busy on weekends so be mindful, with some riders preferring to beach their jet skis instead of anchoring.

If you’re not into swimming then you previously could have parked at the Tangalooma Island Resort for a bite to eat, after securing a Casual Day Visitor Pass. Unfortunately, they don’t allow non-staying (casual) guests anymore. There is a reserved spot to park boats and jet skis which is away from the swimming area.

I’ve created a separate article on the popular ‘Tangalooma Run’ here which includes the best boat ramps to launch from to reduce your fuel burn so you can do the trip in less than one tank.

3. The Spit and Coral Sea

After going through The Spit (look out for the surfers crossing to South Straddie), you can take your jet ski north or south depending on the conditions.

What I’d aim for is the wind direction. You’d want to go into a headwind and return on a tailwind…assuming you’re going out in the morning to mid-afternoon.

There are plenty of unrestricted riding (read: no speed limits) and you might even spot a whale! If you are heading out there then take an EPIRB as you never know.

Often riders get together and do a group run. This means that you’ll feel a bit safer. If you’re up for some thrills then look out for the jet ski riders jumping waves at South Straddie.

4. Tweed River and Terranora Creek

Right – this means you’re going quite a distance south, but the Tweed River has some good riding potential without the crowds. Speeds aren’t that fast and it isn’t so run, but well worth if if you’re needing something different.

The Tweed River is actually rideable right up to Murwillumbah though the water levels do drop considerably so keep that throttle relaxed.

Terranora Creek is certainly worth the visit too. It is tidal dependent so aim for the higher tides here and look out for the canoes and fishing lines.

5. Nerang River

You can certainly take your jet ski through the Nerang River and check out many of the canal homes, but some knot restrictions apply. You also won’t be able to go all that far, but clearly some people live here and leave their skis parked on their pontoons.

Bring your phone or a GPS because there are a lot (and I mean a lot) of canals to explore here. You might even want to go upstream past Benowa and even up to Nerang if you’re keen on a high tide.

Don’t go swimming anywhere near here as there the bullshark population is pretty high in the Gold Coast canals, with even some deaths over the years. You’re pretty safe on a ski though and even some people take their stand up paddleboards through here without an issue.

6. Coomera River

You can ride in the Coomera River but the council recently put up some more speed limits (argh…) which means it isn’t as fun as it used to be, but still worth a visit.

Chances are that you’ll come across many multi-million dollar homes. Some of Australia’s rich and famous actually live throughout here.

Keep in mind that there is a lot of traffic around these parts so keep the speeds down and reasonable. I’m not fond of the dirty water conditions so much here despite the fact that it’s pretty flat.

7. Logan River

You can certainly take your jet ski riding in the Logan River, though like the Coomera, the dirtiness of the water always has me a bit concerned about big logs lurking beneath. That said – there is a local group of riders who go here often to get away from the ritzy crowds. That same crew sometimes does a night run through the Brisbane River on their jet skis.

There are a lot of great islands worth exploring at its outlet and you’ll get some solitude and away from the traffic from the main channel. Also some good spots to pull up for a break or even a bite to eat up at Redland Bay.

Places You Can’t Ride

Right – how about some of the spots where you can’t ride. You know – the government red tape has made them illegal.

I’m not able to audit every single spot just yet (running this site has been a mission in itself) but here are some spots worth excluding from your list:

1. Hinze Dam. Jet skis aren’t welcome here nor are any boats apart from those paddlin’ or fishin’. It’s been like this for years.
2. Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creek. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure are banned for jet skis to enter Tallebudgera and Currumbin Creek’s. However, you’re welcome if you have a house here on one of the canals and simply park your ski here on your own private floating dock. 6-knot limit applies.

As for crossing into NSW, here’s where you can’t ride jet skis:

• Southern and western side of Ukerebagh Island
• Kerosene Inlet (across from Tweed Hospital)
• Cudgen Lake
• Wommin Lake (Fingal)
• Wommin Lagoon (Fingal)

Other Spots to Consider

While the Gold Coast has world-class riding areas for jet skis to let loose, you should hook up the trailer, throw a tent in the back and go exploring for a few days.

Somerset Dam, Lake Borumba and Moogerah Dam are great for jet skis though Lake Wivenhoe is certainly off-limits there. Heading up to the Sunny Coast is great or even down into Broadwater in NSW. I would avoid Noosa as the river itself is very restrictive to PWCs.

Final Thoughts

A safety note here is that jet ski riders have a bad name for themselves on the Gold Coast unfortunately due to a small minority simply not respecting the speed limits especially in some of the anchorages. Keep an eye on those signs!

Also, it costs just $77/year to join VMR Southport and it’s well worth it in my opinion, with these thoughts echoed by a lot of local riders. Their response range is pretty extensive from Point Danger in the south (on the NSW border) right up to Bribie Island, plus 30nm west which pretty much covers everywhere on this list.

Essentially, if your jet ski breaks down out there on the waterways then VMR will tow you back free of charge as a member. Remember that VMR = Volunteer Marine Rescue so the members give up their weekends unpaid for the safety of all waterway users, and the fees go towards their small fleet of boats which you’ll find at the outlet of Loders Creek.

Finally – have I missed anything here? I’m aiming to make this the best guide for Gold Coasters to get out there and explore responsibly. After all, we want to advocate for keeping these spots open to all.

Perth has some of the best jet ski hire shops in Australia, based on the incredibly sunny weather conditions and Mediterranean climate.

If cruising around on the calm waterways sounds like fun, then I’ve got you covered. I’ll show you some of the best people around the west.

This list contains the best Perth jet ski hire shops where you can take a PWC for a spin for less than $100, as written by a real Australian.

Let’s begin!

Perth Jet Ski Hire

There are some great places if you want to go on a jet ski tour in or near Perth. Some of them will let you take one for a cruise on your own, while others require you to be on a tour.

I would recommend these companies:

1. Jet Ski Tours Perth in Rockingham
2. Stag Watersports in Bouvard
3. Nautical Adventures (Hillarys)

None of these are in particular order.

At this stage, this is the main 3 businesses offering hiring services for PWC enthusiasts and beginners. Compare this to Queensland who has almost 20 different companies offering such tours.

Cost for hire

Unlike Queensland which has a lot of competition, there isn’t much competition between vendors in the West. For that reason, hiring a jet ski can be a bit expensive in Perth.

Let’s have a look at pricing averages:

Hire length	Self-Hire Pricing	Organized Tour Pricing	Discount
30 mins	$70	$95	Set price
60 mins	$130	$150	10%
90 mins	$220	$250	18%
120 mins	$305	$330	23%

The prices differ between each so it’s best to inquire with each company.

What is typical is that the distance for a short-hire is ridiculously short. As soon as you start to have fun, then the tour will be over.

You have to account for 30 minutes of induction time when hiring a jet ski or going on a tour in Perth. This is in addition to the time you’ll be riding for. During this time they will go over safety concepts and how the tour will operate, plus where you will go.

How to choose a tour operator

Tour operators do vary between their service offering. I wouldn’t necessarily just choose the cheapest operator out there, because the lower pricing could be hiding something.

You should really have a think about these factors:

1. Some will charge extra if a friend wants to join you on the back.
2. The jet skis that you’ll be riding are actually old and slow machines.
3. Tours can be rescheduled if the weather is bad (without a refund offered)
4. You might be stuck with some slow riders, so you can’t have that much fun.
5. Some operators take you to some epic spots, but other operators are boring runs.

So it’s really good to weigh up what your options are. The best way to do this is by jumping on the websites for each tour operator.

What to wear

If this is your first time hiring a jet ski anywhere in the world, then let me in on some tips. I’ve been riding jet skis for a while so I know what you’ll really need.

1. Take a towel because yes, you will always get wet on a jet ski tour.
2. Bring a hat since your head will be quite hot and dry for days after.
3. Pack your own sunscreen. Some hire shops provide it, but not guaranteed.
4. If you decide to bring your smartphone for photos, bring a waterproof sleeve.

With most places, you’ll be given a wetsuit or jet ski winter jacket to wear. Some people don’t realize that Perth can get real cold in the winter months. It is summer where it might be better to buy and bring your own long-sleeve rashie.

Getting started with a PWC tour in Perth

I would recommend that you choose 1 out of the 3 recommendations here. Most importantly, go for a tour that’s more than 30 minutes. It just isn’t worth it to join a short tour.

If you haven’t ridden a jet ski before, then this is a great opportunity to get started in the sport. Likewise, if you now have your jet ski licence in Perth and want some riding experience before buying a jet ski, then going on a tour is a really good idea.

Bring a friend or go solo. Either way, you’ll have plenty of fun!

So you’ve just bought a jet ski and you’re looking for riding spots in and around Sydney that are legal. Let me show you the best places out there!

This guide of mine will share some popular publicly-known spots and local secret spots for the personal watercraft enthusiast. Each of these are less than 2 hours drive from the city, making it the perfect day-trip experience!

Let’s begin…

Best Places to Jet Ski in Sydney

We’re pretty well spoiled for choice here in Australia. Great waterways and epic weather. Sure, Queensland is slightly better for jet ski adventures, but Sydney still has a few great things going for it. No crocs for instance!

I’m going to share with you 9 great spots to ride your jet ski near Sydney that aren’t the obvious Pacific Ocean.

1. Hawkesbury River

Think no stingers and no sharks and you’ve got the Hawkesbury River. This place is very popular on weekends and during school holidays but there is often enough space to get around people.

The wind is minimal on the river most days so you’ll be able to get past 100km/h if you’re confident enough to do it. Just watch the blind bends as some people don’t understand the rules of the waterways.

2. Botany Bay

You can actually go riding in Botany Bay but be mindful that there is a lot of marine traffic here. Just like the Hawkesbury, this gets packed out on weekends.

It’s also a bit choppy too, so avoid the windy days. I find it hard to get past 70km/h due to the less than ideal conditions here.

3. Port Hacking

Another good spot is Port Hacking where is sort of on the way to Woolongong. There is a couple of spots you can launch but parking is limited at these boat ramps.

There isn’t much of an inland waterway before you hit the open ocean, so my 1st preference is always Botany. But given that most people don’t know about this spot, you’re less likely to come across other marine traffic apart from kayaks.

4. Central Coast

If you’re keen for it, then I would head up to the Central Coast. If you’re going on a weekend, leave Sydney very early and return late (like, after dinner time).

Broken Bay has many good spots and you only need to jump on to the local Central Coast PWC group to find them. I won’t share those local secrets out here. 🙂

5. Tuggerah Lake

Tuggerah Lake is a great spot to visit while you’re on the Central Coast. It has minimal marine traffic and is directly connected to the ocean. It’s pretty big too at roughly the size of Paramatta.

The only issue is the murky water which might be hiding bull sharks and submerged logs. But if you can handle that, then Tuggerah really gets my tick of approval as a place to ride a jet ski.

6. Newcastle

While just within 2 hours of Sydney, Newcastle has a few great spots that are reasonably good for jet ski riding. Not too many locals own PWCs so the waterways aren’t as packed as Sydney.

My recommendation is that you stretch past Newcastle city-centre and on to Karuah River near Port Stevens. You’ll find much more room than in the Hunter River.

7. Woolongong

Instead of going north for the weekend, try going south! Woolongong has Lake Illawarra which is the local favourite.

What I like about this lake is that it’s connected to the ocean. If you’re over the flat-water and want to do some wave-jumping action, then you can slip under the bridge and be on the open ocean in less than 5 minutes.

8. Sydney Waterways

Sydney itself has some great jet ski riding spots but unfortunately, none are near the city. If you do have a boat available then west of Beauty Point and west of Vaucluse where kite surfing is held are both great spots. Just watch out for the water ferries that frequent this area, plus other boats too.

Just a word on riding in Sydney Harbour itself. Jet Ski riding is banned from under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and anywhere east and west of this location, with heavy fines issued. Use the southern and northern heads. This is in the interests of public safety, especially as the swell and marine traffic is very intense.

9. Lake Macquarie

Not to be confused with Port Macquarie which is 4 hours north of Sydney, Lake Macquarie is reachable in less than 90 minutes. You can launch your jet ski near Morisset and have a sizable area in which to play.

The depth of this lake isn’t the best. In addition, the locals aren’t too happy with the jet ski riders creating so much noise, so there is talk of this riding spot being shut down soon.

Staying Safe

I’m a real advocate of being a responsible personal watercraft user. For that reason, you need to stay safe when riding your jet ski anywhere near Sydney. Remember – it’s not you, but the other person you need to watch out for.

Here are some quick tips:

1. Slow down around river bends. Don’t just assume it’s all clear.
2. The marine rules are often ignored by people. You’ve been warned!
3. People inherently just hate jet skis – you’ll learn that pretty quickly.
4. Always wear your life jacket as the NSW water police are everywhere
5. Weekends are super busy on the waterways, so weekdays are best
6. Take it easy at a new spot & ask the local Australian riders for advice
7. Remember the etiquette of boat ramp usage, since they can get busy

Above all else, have fun in our great country!