Enjoy a Sunset and Christmas Lights Cruise aboard Crusader 1!
Every year, during the month of December only, the waterfront properties of Mooloolaba, Minyama, and Buddina create a wonderful Christmas lights spectacle,viewable only from the water.
Properties owners along the water’s edge compete for the prize of best presented display. Each year they clearly pull out all stops to have a shot at first prize! And the atmosphere it creates truly brings Christmas to the Sunshine Coast! 
You can enjoy this very special exhibition aboard Crusader 1, on Christmas Eve. Relax and wind down on this gentle and fun 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 on many of the waterfront properties and relax in a fun and comfortable atmosphere aboard one of the largest river cruise vessels on the Sunshine Coast.
With no more than 48 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 offers a very special and personal experience on the protected and always calm inland waters. With amazing views of the absolutely amazing efforts made by the property owners. We guarantee you will enjoy a delightful and fun experience. Ideal for families and young children too!
Food can be brought on a BYO basis, or better yet, have hot or cold, fresh seafood waiting for you as you board the boat! Drinks available from the bar. (Cost of pre-ordered Food is extra of course)
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!
Key Details:
Please 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 (date for this to be confirmed but expected to be the 21st December in 2020).
Discounted rates on this cruise are for Children under the age of 14.
COVID Safe Cruising – for detailed information on how we’ve adjusted our tour to be COVID Safe and for updated terms click here.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | The Bridge Seafood Restaurant Pontoon, 109 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba ( Sunshine Coast ), Queensland. Australia (see the location tab) | ||||
| DEPARTURE AND RETURN TIMES | Evening cruise: 6.30PM Departure with an 8PM return | ||||
| DEPARTURE NOTE | Please arrive 25 to 30 minutes prior for a prompt departure. Full payment required prior to departure to avoid delays. This cruise operates during the month of December only. | ||||
| WHAT TO WEAR & BRING | Anything goes although we recommend Comfortable clothing. No large Eskis please | ||||
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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For a detailed “itinerary” for this ride please click on the Itinerary tab.
Additional information
| Additional info | A Minimum of 12 passengers and a Maximum of 45 Passengers can be accommodated on this tour. No BYO surcharge per person is applicable on this tour. |
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Please note that no funds will be deducted until we have been able to also confirm the availability of the requested charter. This because 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Its a parade
Crusader 1 is a big vessel. Probably the biggest or 2nd biggest in the entire parade. Your will be seen by a lot of people! Enjoy yourself and give those on shore a wave!
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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!
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Food and drinks
You can purchase water and soft drinks aboard. Alcohol and food can be brought aboard on a BYO basis. So feel free to bring alcohol with you if you so desire. You will need to take any cans or bottles you bring along, back with you after departing. There are 2 toilets aboard Crusader 1 so enjoy!
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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.
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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
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