Take the Party to the Harbour
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Two rivers carry most of the party cruising on the Sunshine Coast. The Mooloolah River runs out past the wharf area at Mooloolaba, while the Noosa River winds past Tewantin and Noosaville, and both give a calmer ride than the open sea.
Picking between them usually starts with where your guests are staying, then how many are coming.
Weigh these points side by side:
Planning a hens or bucks celebration? See hens party boats or bucks party boats. For a party that stays ashore, the venues page covers function rooms across the coast.
Private cruises run on the Mooloolah River, departing from the wharf area at Mooloolaba, and on the Noosa River, with departures around Tewantin and waterfront pick-ups on some smaller charters. Both rivers are sheltered rather than open ocean.
Mooloolah River boats take from 2 to 45 guests across three vessels, the multi-deck Noosa riverboat takes up to 65, and the smallest Noosa charters suit about a dozen.
It depends on the vessel. The Mooloolah River cruises offer BYO food and drinks options alongside a licensed bar, the large Noosa riverboat sells drinks on board but lets you bring food, and the small Noosa charters are BYO with ice supplied.
Usually, as both rivers are sheltered. Wind and tide can still add some movement, so a calm morning or early evening slot is a sensible choice for nervous guests.
Catering is available on the Mooloolah River cruises and on the small Noosa charters, and groups can bring their own food on the larger Noosa riverboat. Mention dietary needs when you enquire.
The mild, dry winter months make for settled daytime cruises. Summer is humid with afternoon storms, and school holidays are the busiest period on both rivers.
