Electric Picnic Boat Hire in Canberra

The maximum capacity on each boat is 8 people. This limit includes children and is a legal requirement for our boats. Picking up additional guests is not permitted and may result in the loss of your security deposit. You could also be liable for a fine.

No, you don’t need a boat licence or any previous boating experience to drive a GoBoat. Our friendly crew will provide you with clear instructions and demonstrate how to drive the boat when you arrive.

You can reschedule your booking for any reason without penalty up to 24 hours before departure, so we encourage all guests to keep an eye on the forecast leading up to their booking.

If the weather is unsafe at the time of sailing, you will also be offered the opportunity to reschedule.

For extra peace of mind, we recommend adding our optional Cancellation Protection. This allows you to reschedule or cancel for a refund for any reason up to 4 hours before departure.

There is ample street parking nearby, and a large carpark at the Canberra Glassworks/Old Bus Depot.

Please allow extra time for parking at busy times like weekends, public holidays, and school holidays.

Yes, you can bring up to 2 standard drinks per person onboard. The nominated skipper must remain sober for the duration of your booking.

Absolutely! We love having fur-captains onboard. Dogs and other pets do not count towards the 8-person capacity limit.

All boats in our Canberra fleet now come fitted with a shade canopy for your comfort, so you don't need to do anything extra to request one.

Unfortunately, swimming and fishing are not permitted from our boats. Additional fees and penalties may apply including cleaning fees, cancellation of your booking, and forfeiture of your security deposit.

Yes, just like when hiring a car or checking in to a hotel, we will place a small hold (pre-authorisation) on your credit or debit card in case of any damage.

For credit cards, the hold is $1. For debit cards, the hold is $200. This is released from our side immediately upon the safe return of the boat, and the funds are usually accessible again within 3-5 business days. If a pending transaction still appears after this time, you should contact your bank for further assistance.

Unfortunately, due to payment provider limitations, some locations require a physical card for pre-authorisation. Please bring your chosen physical card with you on the dat to ensure a smooth and seamless check-in process.

Yes! You can pre-order food when making your booking online, given 24 hours’ notice. Drinks are also available from our kiosk.

Yes, public bathrooms are located opposite Jetty 6, with code "C2580".
 
We always recommend making a bathroom stop before you set off!

Yes, to ensure availability and that the site is open, please make a booking on our website.

While our team will accommodate walk-ups where possible, we don’t have standard operating hours and may not be on site if there are no bookings scheduled.

1 hour: Great for first-timers or those short on time. Enjoy a relaxed cruise, making it as far as the Captain Cook Fountain.
 
1.5 hours: Gives you time to cruise past the Captain Cook Fountain and National Gallery, with the option to dock briefly at Queen Elizabeth Terrace for a quick coffee or bathroom break (weather permitting). You can sail as far as Commonwealth Bridge.
 
2 hours: Our most popular option! Ideal for a full loop of the lake, taking in landmarks like the National Museum, Parliament House views, and Commonwealth Bridge, reaching as far as Springbank Island.
 
2.5 hours or more: Perfect if you’d like to stop and explore. You can visit Springbank Island (with toilets and BBQs) or dock at Yarralumla Yacht Club to enjoy fish and chips at Snapper on the Lake.

Check the wind: Anything under 25 km/h is ideal for boating on Lake Burley Griffin. Winds above 30 km/h can make conditions choppy and less enjoyable.
 
Check the rainfall: Don’t rely only on the rain icon,  if the forecast shows 0–2mm, it usually means you won’t see much (if any) rain.

GoBoat Canberra is located at 8 Trevillian Quay, Kingston ACT 2604. As you walk towards the water on the south side of Trevillian Quay, keep an eye out for the GoBoat banners. Our office is in front of jetties 2 and 3.