Connecting Culture To Coast

Saltwater Eco Tours offers authentic, award-winning Mooloolaba cruises on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast, connecting visitors to the culture, history and natural beauty of our waterways. Locally owned and operated, we celebrate First Nations culture, share local stories, support Sunshine Coast musicians and honour our deep connection to Country through meaningful experiences that showcase the unique spirit of our region.

All our cruises take place aboard Spray of the Coral Coast, our beautifully restored, heritage-listed replica of Joshua Slocum’s historic Spray, built in 1908.

Discover our signature Cultural Bushtucker Cruise, featuring First Nations storytelling and native flavours, unwind on a Sunset Cruise with Live Music, complete with local musicians, delicious grazing foods and stunning Mooloolaba sunsets, or host your next celebration, special occasion or corporate event aboard one of our private charters.

Proudly rooted in local hospitality, sustainability and  authentic hospitality, Saltwater Eco Tours offers a different way to experience Mooloolaba - where heritage, culture and coast come together.


Saltwater Eco Tours acknowledges the Kabi Kabi people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters on which we live, work and cruise. We pay our deepest respects to Elders past and present, and recognise their enduring connection to Country, including the land, sea and waterways. We honour the knowledge, stories and traditions passed down through generations and are committed to sharing and respecting First Nations culture as we connect our guests to the rich cultural heritage of the Sunshine Coast.

Choose your Mooloolaba cruise

Discover Mooloolaba from the water with Saltwater Eco Tours, where every cruise offers a different way to experience the Sunshine Coast. From exploring the waterways and learning about local culture and Country to enjoying live music as the sun sets over the coast, there’s an experience for every occasion. Whether you’re looking for unique things to do in Mooloolaba, a memorable day out with family and friends or a special celebration on the water, we invite you to step aboard and experience our beautiful region from a different perspective.

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A cruise with a story

Built in 1908 to the plans of the original Spray, the yacht sailed solo around the world by Joshua Slocum, Spray of the Coral Coast is a remarkable piece of maritime history. She survived a storm in Melbourne in the 1940s and the devastating Bundaberg floods of 2013. Following an extensive restoration by Simon Thornalley, she was relaunched in Mooloolaba and recognised as a heritage vessel by the Australian National Maritime Museum in 2021. Today, her traditional timber decks, authentic rigging and beautifully restored character invite guests to step aboard and experience more than a century of seafaring stories on the Sunshine Coast.


Saltwater Eco Tours was founded by Simon Thornalley, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man born on the Sunshine Coast and raised aboard an ex-mission boat from Thursday Island by his parents, both seasoned sailors. Alongside his partner Jenna, Kabi Kabi Traditional Owner Aunty Bridgette Chilli and a close-knit local crew, Simon created an experience that brings culture and coast together.


Today, our Mooloolaba cruises and cultural boat tours celebrate the stories, flavours, music and living cultures of this special part of Queensland. From Indigenous-inspired native food and cultural storytelling to live music and sunset cruises on the water, every journey offers a meaningful connection to the people, history and natural environment of the Sunshine Coast.

More than a boat tour, Saltwater Eco Tours is an invitation to connect with Country, discover local heritage and experience Mooloolaba from a different perspective - while caring for the Sea Country we share.


SAIL BACK IN TIME

Welcome aboard the “Spray of the Coral Coast”, a 118 year old, classic 58ft gaff-rigged Huon-pine ketch with a fascinating history of its own 

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Saltwater Eco Tours Blog

Travel Writers meet on the coast

November 15, 2026
Travel writers meet on the coast - Noosa Today 06/11/2026 Aunty Bridgette from Saltwater Eco Cruises welcomes ASTW delegates on board. (Supplied) Australia’s peak travel media body, the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) is holding its Annual Convention and Gala Awards on the Sunshine Coast from Thursday 5 – Saturday 7 November, with over 100 delegates and industry executives coming to the region for the event in Mooloolaba. Media delegates are also taking part in seven familiarisation tours designed to showcase the diversity of the region’s tourism attractions. Comprising some 300 members, the Australian Society of Travel Writers has been the peak travel writing body in the country for almost 40 years. Members include writers, photographers, editors, broadcasters, filmmakers, social media and online specialists, and industry representatives who cover the world’s most interesting travel destinations and experiences. This is the second occasion the ASTW has held its convention on the Sunshine Coast, having previously staged their event during the Sunshine Coast 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017. The Sunshine Coast joins an illustrious group of destinations that have won the right to host the ASTW Convention. Previous destinations include Bangkok, Shanghai, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Auckland, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and the Hunter Valley. Mooloolaba is the focus of the Convention and Gala Awards, with Discover Mooloolaba hosting the Welcome Event at the new Dune by Pavilion rooftop venue. The Convention is being held at the new Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, and the Gala Awards will be held at The Wharf Events Centre. Travel media will be able to see firsthand the significant investment that has been made in new accommodation and Mooloolaba’s foreshore redevelopment project. Media familiarisation tours will showcase Mooloolaba’s reputation as one of Australia’s most attractive destinations for water activities, premium seafood and dining, and relaxation, with tour itineraries covering the Mooloolaba waterways, the Hinterland, Glass House Mountains and Noosa. Visit Sunshine Coast CEO, Matt Stoeckel, said the timing of the ASTW Convention was a key factor in the Sunshine Coast pitching for the premium event. “The opening of the first major international hotel on the Sunshine Coast in over 40 years – with a pipeline of new developments to come – along with significant infrastructure projects and our involvement in the 2032 Olympic Games provide a perfect set of ingredients to interest and inspire the visiting travel media,” said Mr Stoeckel. “While many of the journalists are already familiar with the Sunshine Coast, hosting the Convention offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate how far the region has evolved and the diversity and quality of our attractions. “It’s been great to see Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce, Sunshine Coast Council and tourism operators across the region come together to deliver what will be a truly memorable event.” President of the Australian Society of Travel Writers, Chris Ashton, commented: “We’re thrilled to be bringing the ASTW Convention and Awards for Excellence back to the Sunshine Coast. So much has changed on the Coast since our last convention here in 2017: the destination has grown in confidence, capacity, and the quality of its experiences. “Mooloolaba, where we’ll be based, is undergoing a major regeneration of its own, making it the perfect place to see that change first-hand. Our members are in for a wonderful few days, and we’re grateful to Visit Sunshine Coast for their warm welcome and support in making this event possible.”  https://noosatoday.com.au/news/06-11-2026/travel-writers-meet-on-the-coast/
Planning a private boat charter on the Sunshine Coast.

Planning a Private Boat Charter on the Sunshine Coast: How Your Celebration Comes Together

October 2, 2026
Planning a private boat charter on the Sunshine Coast? How a celebration aboard Spray of the Coral Coast comes together, from menu to musician to cost.
Things to do in Mooloolaba, from the locals who work its waterways: the beach, the best of The Wharf

Things to Do in Mooloolaba: A Local Crew’s Guide

October 2, 2026
Things to do in Mooloolaba, from the locals who work its waterways: the beach, the best of The Wharf, sunset cruises, the Spit, and where to eat and swim.
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which Mooloolaba cruise should we pick?

    We have an experience for everyone! Our Cultural Bushtucker Cruise is perfect for families, visitors to the Sunshine Coast, food lovers and eco-travellers wanting to learn more about First Nations culture, traditional food sources, native ingredients and sustainable connections to Country. For a relaxed afternoon or a lively evening on the water, our Sunset Cruise with Live Music is ideal for date nights, girls’ outings, catching up with friends or simply unwinding while enjoying local musicians, delicious grazing platters and Mooloolaba’s beautiful sunsets. Our private charters are perfect for birthdays, corporate events, special celebrations and weddings, offering a unique way to bring people together on the water. If you love adventure and getting closer to nature, our Guided Canoe Tours offer an accessible, hands-on way to explore the Sunshine Coast’s waterways. Whatever the occasion, we’ll help you find your perfect Saltwater experience.


  • Are the cruises suitable for kids and older guests?

    Yes. The cruises are relaxed and welcoming for all ages, and the calm waterways of the Mooloolah River mean gentle cruising rather than open-sea sailing. Infants aged 0 to 2 cruise free on the Sunset Cruise. If anyone in your group has mobility considerations, get in touch before booking and we’ll talk you through the best option.


  • What happens if the weather turns bad?

    The sheltered waters of the Mooloolah River mean most conditions are comfortably cruisable. If weather makes a departure unsafe or unpleasant, we’ll be in touch to reschedule or resolve your booking in line with our booking terms.


  • Can we book the whole boat for a celebration?

    Absolutely! You can book *Spray of the Coral Coast* exclusively for your next celebration, wedding, corporate event or special occasion. Our private charters can be tailored to suit your group, with options for catering, drinks, live music and cultural storytelling. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a memorable event on the water, we’ll work with you to create an experience that suits your occasion. Get in touch with our team to discuss your plans, preferred cruise duration and requirements.


  • Where do the Mooloolaba cruises depart from?

    The Wharf Mooloolaba, 123 Parkyn Parade, in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. Head to the marina entrance behind Spero restaurant and follow the jetty to the blue tower. Spray of the Coral Coast is the one with the timber masts. There’s plenty of parking at The Wharf, mostly 4-hour limits, so allow extra time on weekends, and there’s a bus stop directly outside if you’d rather arrive the greener way.


Come aboard and experience Mooloolaba the Saltwater way. 

Book your Mooloolaba Cruise, or call Saltwater Eco Tours on 0447 085 521