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There's a moment on every jet ski tour when the throttle opens up and the coastline turns into a blur. That's the bit people bring up again months later. RedBalloon jet ski tours cover some of Australia's best stretches of water, from the turquoise bays of the Whitsundays to the quiet reaches of the Hawkesbury River, the open waterways of the Gold Coast and the marine parks around Perth. Most run with no licence and no experience required, just a life jacket, a safety briefing and a guide who knows where the wildlife hangs out. Give it as a gift and it'll outlast whatever candle they were about to get instead. Whichever coastline suits, there's a jet ski tour built for it below, along with jet ski hire further down the page for anyone who'd rather set their own pace.
A jet ski tour is a fast way to see a coastline you'd otherwise only get from a car window. Every tour pairs a jet ski with a guide who leads the route, points out where the wildlife tends to show up and keeps things running safely from the first briefing to the last turn back to shore. No two coastlines ride the same, so here's where to find one near you, from a 30 minute taster to a half day further out on the water.
The Gold Coast is where a lot of first timers try jet skiing, and it's easy to see why. Wide open waterways, warm weather most of the year and a good spread of tour lengths to choose from.
The Surfers Paradise jet ski tour runs for two hours out past the rivers and canals into the Broadwater, with a small group riding alongside an instructor and dolphins, turtles and stingrays a regular sight. No licence or prior experience is needed.
For something longer, the Stradbroke Island jet ski safari takes you and a passenger through narrow, high tide mangrove channels on your own jet ski, covering around 80 kilometres round trip up toward North Stradbroke.
Airlie Beach tours don't get much better than this one on the water. The Whitsunday two island jet ski safari rides through Daydream and South Molle Islands over two hours, with plenty of stops for photos and, depending on the season, a decent shot at spotting humpback whales or sea turtles.
Western Australia's coastline rewards a slower, wildlife focused ride. The Rockingham wildlife jet ski tour heads into the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park on a Yamaha VX, with dolphins, sea lions, penguins and pelicans all calling the area home.
The Brisbane River jet ski tour is a 70 minute guided ride past the Story Bridge, South Bank and the rest of the city's waterfront, a different way to see a city most people only ever look at from the footpath.
Up in Tropical North Queensland, the Cairns guided jetski tour takes you and a plus one along the coastline for an hour, weaving into hidden coves and riding alongside the edge of the Great Barrier Reef with a guide keeping an eye out for marine life in the Coral Sea.
The Noosa jet ski tour takes you down the Noosa River and out across the Noosa Bar, jumping waves before cruising past Noosa Beach and the national park. Drive it yourself after a quick lesson, and bring a passenger along at no extra cost.
The Darwin Harbour jet ski tour leaves from the Darwin waterfront for an hour on the water, cruising past Mindil Beach Casino with the option to open the throttle right up or take it slow, whichever suits.
Some people don't want a guide calling the shots. If that's your person, jet ski hire on the Gold Coast puts them on the largest jet ski circuit on the coast for 30 minutes, after a safety briefing and a practice run. Riders need to be 16 or older, with parental consent required for 16 and 17 year olds.
Licence rules depend on the state and the jet ski being used. Most RedBalloon tours use jet skis that don't require a licence, since guests ride alongside a guide rather than solo. Always check the specific product listing before booking, especially if you're travelling from interstate. The 30 minute jet ski guided ride on the Gold Coast is a good example of a no licence, no experience option.
It depends on the model, the engine size and the conditions on the day. Tour operators generally keep speeds sensible for guided rides, though some sections open up for a proper burst of speed. The Gold Coast guided jet ski tour up the Nerang River is a good mix of cruising and open water sections.
Yes, as long as you follow the safety briefing and stick to what your guide tells you. Every tour includes a briefing before you set off, along with a life jacket and, on most tours, the option to ride with a passenger instead of solo.
Casual clothes you don't mind getting wet, plus swimwear underneath. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a towel. Some operators supply wetsuits or riding gear depending on the location and time of year, so check the inclusions on your specific tour.
Anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on the location. Shorter tours suit a first taste of the water, while longer ones like the Epic Sunshine Coast jet ski tour, which runs for 3.5 hours through the Pumicestone Passage, give you more time to explore and a stop along the way.
A tour means a guide leads the way and points out what's worth seeing, which suits first timers or anyone after a specific route. Hire means you set your own pace within a set area, better suited to confident riders who'd rather explore solo. The Cairns guided jetski tour is a solid entry point if you're not sure which one suits you yet.
Jet skiing isn't the only way to get out on the water. For a different kind of speed, jet boating delivers spins, power slides and wave jumps without needing to drive, with options like the Sydney Harbour jet boat ride taking you out past the Opera House and through the Heads.
Want to combine two thrills in one day? The Gold Coast parasail and jet ski combo starts 400 feet above Broadbeach on a tandem parasail, then drops you onto a jet ski for a guided ride along the Broadwater.
Prefer something quieter? Kayaking and canoeing covers everything from calm river paddles to guided coastal tours, while scuba diving and snorkelling gets you under the surface to see what the jet skis ride straight over. Browse the full range of water sports to compare.