A Wonderful Christmas Lights Cruise!
Come and discover the best way to get into the festive season and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere that Christmas light displays always create. Even better, it’s all without the driving around streets hoping for a glimpse (while the kids get restless in the back seat!). Taking in the lights while cruising aboard our large comfortable vessel ensures absolutely everyone has an awesome time!
From the moment you arrive you are looked after like VIP guests. Just sign in and take a seat in the outdoor areas here at Bridge seafoods, taking in the stunning views. A few minutes later we will have you boarding the boat and then we set off.
Enjoy a drink from the onboard bar and maybe even some food while you take in the sunset and then see the Christmas lights switch on all around us.
Both adults and children alike will marvel at the displays. And of course you can enjoy the comfort and still have the ability to move around the boat to get the best views.
Everyone at Sunshine Coast Afloat prides themself on being extremely dedicated and responsible to our guests. On all cruises, including these wildly popular cruises, we limit vessel capacity to to the best suited numbers to ensure that you have a safe, comfortable and memorable experience.
No doubt this is why we have, for the last 9 years won the top Tripadvisor awards each year!
These Christmas Lights Cruises are on most nights during December, but they do tend to fill up fast so please avoid missing out by booking early!
We hope to see you aboard!
COVID Safe Cruising – for detailed information on how we’ve adjusted our tour to be COVID Safe as well as for our fully updated terms click here.
Please note that other impacts such as phone and agent bookings, weather and other unforeseen things could impact on the availability at the same time as you are requesting the charter online. Our Terms and conditions are available on this webpage ( Click here to view them now ) and will also be emailed to you as part of the booking confirmation.
What to expect;
Every year, during the month of December only, a large number of the people living in the the waterfront properties of Mooloolaba, Minyama, and Buddina create a wonderful Christmas lights spectacle. And it is designed to be viewable only from the water.
All properties actually compete for the prize of best presented display. And to win the award, each year they clearly pull out all stops to have a shot at first prize! The atmosphere it creates truly brings Christmas to the Sunshine Coast!
You can enjoy this very special lights exhibition aboard Crusader 1. Come relax and wind down on this fun, gentle cruise, which takes you through the river and main canals of Mooloolaba, Minyama and Buddina. You will experience firsthand the wonderful Christmas Lights on offer by many of the waterfront properties, and fully relax in a fun and comfortable atmosphere aboard one of the largest river cruise vessels on the Sunshine Coast.
With no more than 40 passengers at any time, you will always enjoy total visibility of the lights. This trip last approximately 1 1/2 hours! and sets off just before sunset so that you can experience that wonderful vista of the sun setting over the Glasshouse Mountains before we head off to enjoy the lights spectacle.
This cruise really does offer a very special and personal experience on the protected, and always calm, inland waters. With perfect views of the absolutely amazing efforts made by the property owners, we guarantee you will enjoy a delightful and fun time. This cruise is also ideal for families with young children!
This year food can be brought on a BYO basis, and drinks available from our onboard fully licenced bar.
These cruises grow in popularity each year so please book early to avoid missing out! Come and join us for a wonderful evening of Christmas fun and cheer!
Once we have finished the tour, we will make our way back to our departure point. When we do arrive back at the dock it’s time to disembark and make your way back home (or to another party!?). Luckily our home dock is on the outskirts of Mooloolaba so if you are needing an Uber or taxi, it’s usually not a long wait for one!
Why we think you should join us;
Well frankly, we can think of no better way to enjoy taking in the Christmas lights anywhere than by being looked after, like royalty, on a large quality boat. And while you are taking in the sights and sounds of the festive season (It really does get you into the Christmas mood!) you are assured the best vantage point from which to get the complete visual experience.
This trip is also an ideal, cost effective option, for corporate outings, general partiers, and all other manner of Christmas celebrations! We do everything we can to assist you with every aspect of your cruise to ensure it is planned with the quality and fun you have in mind. All to ensure maximum enjoyment for all aboard. With awesome music playing, plenty of beer, wine and bubbles (even cocktails!) and of course softdrinks for the little ones or those driving afterward, it is hard to imagine this cruise would do anything other than perfectly suit your needs.
So avoid driving the streets trying to find christmas light displays and join us to take in the sights of the beautiful Mooloolaba Harbour during Christmas aboard our spacious vessel Crusader 1. We look forward to having you onboard and celebrating the festive season in style. The Sunshine Coast way! It’s simply the perfect way to celebrate all things Christmas!
What you absolutely need to know:
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Bridge Seafoods (restaurant), 209 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba ( Sunshine Coast ), Queensland. Australia (This is the service road along Brisbane Road) | ||||
| DEPARTURE/RETURN TIMES | The departure time is 6.30PM. Please arrive 20 minutes prior for a prompt departure.
Return time can vary slightly based on the boat traffic on the river. Usually about 8PM. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS OFFICIALLY A ONE & A HALF HOUR CRUISE |
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| SMOKING | Crusader 1 is a NON-SMOKING vessel.
As such no smoking is permitted whilst aboard. |
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| WHAT TO WEAR & BRING | Comfortable clothing, and a party mood! And don’t forget your CAMERA! No Large Eskis please. Just large large enough to bring your food in please. | ||||
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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Key Details to note:
This tour operates during the month of December only! Some dates in December are not available.
This cruise DOES NOT cover the Christmas Eve Cruise, the 8.30PM Fireworks New Years Eve Cruise, The Midnight Fireworks New Years Eve Cruise, nor the Mooloolaba Boat Parade Evening.
Discounted rates shown for this cruise are for Children UNDER the age of 14.
NO BYO of DRINKS is permitted on these cruises (food is ok).
COVID Safe Cruising – for detailed information on how we’ve adjusted our tour to be COVID Safe and for updated terms click here.
ITINERARY
1
Departure details
Please arrive 20 to 25 minutes PRIOR to your noted departure time. We would hate for the tour to depart on time should you be late and we have not heard from you! Depending on the departure time you may need to ensure you have enough time to find a car park.
2
Arrival of the boat
Once Crusader has safely moored, the crew will collect you from the entrance to the pontoon from which we depart.
Please do not wait on the pontoon itself as the crew will be mooring the vessel on its arrival and we safety is paramount for all. We can take a picture of your group with the boat for a memento should you like it.
Please do not wait on the pontoon itself as the crew will be mooring the vessel on its arrival and we safety is paramount for all. We can take a picture of your group with the boat for a memento should you like it.
3
Registering
Although we are not heading out to sea and just staying in the River and canals, each and every person coming aboard must sign in on the vessel’s passenger register, and be marked off the manifest by our crew. To this end the crew will provide the passenger log for you to complete. Our passenger log also doubles as the indemnity waiver. Have a balance to pay for the day? This is where and when you do that part too.
4
Safety First
As required by maritime legislation, the skipper will have to do a safety briefing before we depart. Much like on a plane any time you fly, we do need your attention for the couple of minutes it takes. We all hope and expect the information we are providing never to be needed, but its always best to be forewarned and prepared.
5
Get Get Comfortable
There is a lot a room and various areas to sit or stand. Find the spot you think is best and get ready to enjoy your cruise. There are not that many people aboard that you can’t move about during the cruise if your first selection isn’t as perfect as you hoped!
6
Pushing off
You will already be seated, and the doors will still be open for this cruise. The crew will “throw” the mooring lines and head off towards the first lights. The Mooloolah river is restricted to a top speed of 6 knots, and the canal to just 4 knots, both which allows you to take in the beautiful waterfront properties and amazing light displays. Departure times are set so that we are pushing off as the sun sets. This to give you the full impact of the lights which of course look best after the sun has set.
7
Its a parade
Crusader 1 is a big vessel. Often the biggest or 2nd biggest out during the evening. Your will be seen by a lot of people! Enjoy yourself and give those on shore a wave!
8
The lights
These Christmas Light are only on during the month of December. The lights tend to be switched on on December 1st, and switched off straight after New Years Eve. And these is only 1 parade!
9
Food and drinks
As we are fully licensed you can purchase a wide range of drinks aboard. Food can be brought aboard on a BYO basis. So feel free to bring what you desire. (There are 2 toilets aboard Crusader 1) It’s time to sit back and enjoy yourself!
10
Return
All good things must come to an end. We try to keep the return trip as short as possible to give us as much time viewing the lights as possible.
11
Back home
Once we have securely moored the vessel back at the departure pontoon you can leave the vessel when you like. Please take care when you disembark the vessel and ask for assistance if you feel you may require it! thats what there crew is there to do.
The “BRIDGE SEAFOOD ” Pontoon (located at the rear of the restaurant),
209 Brisbane Road Mooloolaba Qld.
For a GPS use “Bridge Seafoods” or “209 Brisbane Road Mooloolaba Qld”. In iPhone Maps “Bridge Seafoods” is far more accurate.
Please DO NOT park your car here on the service Road, but rather in the FREE public car-park next to the BP service station across the road.
The location is the corner of Incana Court and Brisbane Road. This parking is free and unlimited in time, and only a 2 minute stroll (100m) from the departure point.
Once parked please wait near the top of the ramp until instructed by the skipper that it is safe to come down the ramp and board the vessel.
Tour Reviews
We were lucky enough to do the Christmas lights tour on the Sunshine Coast Afloat jet boat. It was fantastic. 5 adults, 5 kids, ages 8 to 12 (that’s the kids by the way) and everybody loved it – ‘This was the best night ever!’
Jerry was the perfect driver, amusing both young and old with his enthusiasm for the Mooloolaba lights, people, and architecture. Definitely recommend this experience.
I booked myself and a group of friends for the Xmas light tour last night and congrats to the wonderful crew who made the process easy and provided a fun joyful night had by all. Thanks Paddy for your patience in making this happen. Recommend to all.
Feedback: Ice buckets lined up along middle of table
Great way to see the Christmas lights – As posted on Tripadvisor January 2020
We had a family outing to see Christmas lights on the canals. Everything was as expected. Great welcome, great team and a great evening. The kids loved it!
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