When we are frequent flyers to a region we like to find new ways to explore the area. On our recent travels to Cairns we decided to hit the waterways in a wheelchair accessible pontoon boat with barbecue. Could there be anything more Australian?
We had a fantastic time cruising, barbecuing and exploring. We’ve become big fans of barbecue boats when we travel. It’s a relaxing way of spending a half a day and popular with our whole family.
Cairns boat hire – wheelchair accessible bbq boat
Cairns and the surrounding areas offer a wonderful variety of wheelchair accessible activities but one of our favourites has to be lunching and cruising on a wheelchair accessible barbecue boat.
Cairns Boat Hire offers an eight man wheelchair accessible pontoon boat. Our hire included the boat, a barbecue, fishing rods, bait, an esky and substantial supplies for the four of us to feast on. We had burgers, sausages, salad, hamburger buns and water.
After a quick safety briefing and instructions on where we could take the barbecue boat we were off with Hubby at the wheel. No boat license is necessary to hire the barbecue boats.
I love the freedom of exploring on our own and dropping anchor wherever takes our fancy.
It wasn’t long before our hungry bellies demanded the barbecue be fired up and soon lunch was cooking. There was a running family joke that the crocodiles would smell the food and come out of hiding but unfortunately we didn’t spot a croc on our adventure.
We felt quite smug when we found a lovely calm area amongst the mangroves, out of the wind, and where no-one else was anchored to sit for our barbecue lunch. It was bliss, that was until the mosquitos decided we were their lunchtime feast. You’ve never seen an anchor pulled up and mozzie repellant applied so fast. We were out of there in no time, leaving the mozzies in our barbecue boat’s wake.
We didn’t give fishing a go so I can’t vouch for the fishing in the area but I can say this is a relaxing way to spend half a day.
When it was time to head back, Amelia took to the wheel taking us safely back to Marlin Marina in Cairns.
BBQ boat accessibility – Cairns Boat Hire
A wheelchair ramp makes access onto the accessible pontoon boat easy.
There was plenty of room for Braeden’s wheelchair and for him to remain in his wheelchair but he always prefers to sit on a seat. He relaxed on the bench seat watching the scenery go by.
As with all wharves, the steepness of the ramp depends on the tide. We found the ramp to Marlin Marina in Cairns provided good access compared to many we’ve experienced.
There is no toilet on the pontoon boat so go before you go or you’ll need to motor back for a pit stop.
I particularly love that Cairns Boat Hire lists their wheelchair accessible pontoon boat front and centre on the home page of their website.Â
We were hosted for our day out on the pontoon boat but as always our opinions are our own.
Want to know where to stay and what else to do in Cairns and the surrounding areas? Read our blog filled with ideas.
We have also hired a BBQ boat in Port Macquarie and you can read about that in this review.this review.
On the Gold Coast we also found a wheelchair accessible pontoon boat. Read about our adventure in this blog. this blog.Â
Looks like a lot of fun,
I have been wheelchair bound for 40Years. The shame about good outlets like this is that if it is not published and used enough it is scrapped Great boat and hope it is a total sucess
Yes! I really hope people support businesses that offer access so they do continue. Like you I have seen many not continue because of the lack of support.
Julie
It was a really fun day.
Julie