Gold Coast Lunch Cruise: Buffet & Broadwater Views

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1/11
Duration2h
GroupUp to 80
LanguagesEN
Mobile ticketAccepted

Lunch floats past dolphins and superyachts on the Gold Coast Broadwater

You board in Surfers Paradise, eat a buffet lunch with king prawns and roast chicken while the boat cruises past Sea World, Marina Mirage and the Gold Coast Broadwater, listen to crew commentary from the open-air upper deck, and return to the same departure point two hours later. Wine and cocktails are available at the bar. No transport logistics, no separate entry fees, no timing yourself — the boat handles the schedule.

2h

Step-by-step itinerary

Gold Coast lunch and sightseeing cruise

  • Depart from Surfers Paradise
  • Cruise past Sea World marine park
  • Spot playful dolphins
  • See Gold Coast cultural precinct
  • Admire Marina Mirage waterfront
  • Enjoy views of waterfront parklands
  • Have buffet lunch on board
  • Return to Surfers Paradise

The Experience

The boat leaves Surfers Paradise at a set time, and within minutes you're on the water with a plate in one hand and a drink in the other. The Spirit of Elston is a proper vessel — air-conditioned lower deck if you want shade, but most people head straight up top where the open air and the views do the work. You'll pass Sea World on one side, and the crew points out where dolphins sometimes show up, though there's no guarantee. That's the honest part.

The buffet lunch is the centerpiece, and it's not small: king prawns, roast chicken carved fresh, ham off the bone, salads that actually taste like vegetables. You can pair it with wine, craft beer, or one of the cocktails from the bar — all optional, all separate from what you've already paid. The Gold Coast lunch cruise runs two hours total, which means you're eating while the boat moves past Marina Mirage with its superyachts lined up like a postcard, then past HOTA and the Imperial Hotel, then back along the waterfront parklands where locals walk their dogs on the grass. The skyline of Surfers Paradise sits behind it all, and the commentary from the crew is actual information, not filler.

You depart and return from the same spot in Surfers Paradise, so there's no scrambling to find transport afterward or timing yourself against a schedule that doesn't fit. The lower deck is fully air-conditioned if the sun gets too much, and the boat is wheelchair accessible. Infants can come in prams or strollers, and specialized infant seats are available if you need them. It's the kind of thing that works whether you're traveling solo, with a partner, or with kids old enough to sit still for two hours.

What’s included

  • Two-hour cruise on the Spirit of Elston departing from Surfers Paradise.
  • tropical buffet lunch with king prawns, roast chicken, ham and salads.
  • entertaining onboard commentary from the crew.
  • access to the open-air upper deck and air-conditioned lower deck.
  • fully stocked onboard bar with wine, craft beer and cocktails available for purchase.
  • views of Sea World, Marina Mirage, HOTA, the Imperial Hotel and the Gold Coast Broadwater.
Good to know
Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sea World Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this if you want lunch and sightseeing without arranging a separate restaurant reservation or transport — the two-hour window and fixed departure point from Surfers Paradise mean you can fit it into a morning or afternoon without reshuffling the rest of your day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

How long is the Gold Coast lunch cruise?

Two hours total, including departure, cruising and return to Surfers Paradise.

What's included in the buffet lunch?

King prawns, roast chicken, freshly baked ham, salads and fresh bread. Wine, beer and cocktails are available separately at the onboard bar.

Where does the boat depart from?

Surfers Paradise. You depart and return from the same location in the heart of the area.

Will we see dolphins?

The boat passes Sea World and the crew points out where dolphins sometimes appear, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is the cruise suitable for children?

Yes. Infants can travel in prams or strollers, and specialized infant seats are available. The boat is suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the Spirit of Elston is wheelchair accessible.

What if the weather is bad?

The lower deck is fully air-conditioned and enclosed, so you can move inside if needed.

Gold Coast Lunch Cruise: Buffet & Broadwater Views

2h · EN

from AU$ 89 per person

★★★★★★★★★★4.77292 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider
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