McLarens Landing Tall Ship Cruise

We had just enjoyed a lovely morning whale watching cruise and now waited on board, at around 11.30am, for the whale watching only passengers to disembark. Some new passengers then boarded for the fast cat ride up to McLarens Landing at the northern end of South Stradbroke Island. These new passengers had the choice to book lunch with their boat trip or no lunch, if they preferred.

Prices (as at October 2012)

Times of Operation:

Daily: Full Day Island Adventure with Lunch (Sailing Ship)
Departs: 9am. Returns: 4pm. Approx. 6 hours.

Fast Cat Island Adventure with or without lunch
Departs: 11.30am. Returns: 4.15pm. Approx. 4.5 hours.

Address:

Tall Ship Cruise Terminal
Shop 5, Mariners Cove Marina,
60 Seaworld Drive Main Beach
Queensland, 4217 Australia

Mariners Cove Marina Map:

View Larger Map

McLarens Landing Aerial View:

View Larger Map

Parking:

Free parking available at Mariners Cove and Marina Mirage – some undercover parking available

You can choose from the Full Day Island Adventure with Lunch, which lasts around 6 hours and involves travelling on the relaxing square-rigger Tall Ship. The trip up to McLarens Landing on the tall ship takes around 90 minutes and the same at the end of the day for the return trip.

Or if you are looking for something a little faster, then why not catch the fast catamaran on the Fast Cat Island Adventure? You can book with or without lunch, with lunch costing an additional $30 per person. This faster trip lasts around 4.5 hours and departs later than the tall ship cruise.

At around 11.45am the catamaran departed Mariner’s Cove, Main Beach and we enjoyed a lovely 30-minute cruise through the Broadwater and up to McLarens Landing.

Lunch at McLarens Landing, South Stradbroke

Shortly after we arrived at McLarens Landing we were able to find a table and then queue up for our yummy BBQ Aussie lunch. Each of us had already pre-ordered which type of meat we preferred. Mum and I ordered steak, our son ordered chicken and Greg ordered fish, which was dory. We handed in our meal tickets and were each given a plate with our selected meat on as well as a bbq sausage and some potatoes. We then walked to the second table and grabbed some salads to add to our BBQ meat.

We each purchased a can of soft drink from the bar, right next door for $3 and sat down to enjoy our yummy lunch. There was also live entertainment with music and singing from a small stage in the centre of the courtyard. It was a lovely atmosphere, with the Broadwater on one side of us, native wallabies wandering around, lovely Island trees hanging overhead and relaxing singing that serenaded us as we enjoyed our delicious meal.

Feeding the Wallabies

After lunch we were able to join in the wallaby feeding, with some carrots and celery. It was fun watching the wallabies holding the vegetables in their small paws and chewing.

We took some photos of the local pirate statues and had a short walk around McLarens Landing, before boarding the Tall ship at around 2.30pm for our return voyage to Mariner’s Cove on the Spit.

Tall Ship Voyage Home & Feeding Sea Eagles

It was exciting sailing on the square-rigger tall ship. Shortly after setting sail we went up the front of the ship and each had a turn feeding the local native sea eagles and kites. It was fun watching these powerful birds swoop down as we threw raw meat up for them to skilfully catch in their talons.

Relaxing Scenic Cruise Along Broadwater

After we finished feeding the eagles and kites we sat back and relaxed over afternoon tea, with a hot cuppa and some yummy Arnott’s biscuits. It was really peaceful sailing along, watching the jet skis and speedboats zoom past us.

We arrived back at the Marina just after 4pm after having an absolutely wonderful day! Whales in the morning, a delicious Aussie BBQ lunch on Sth Stradbroke and a relaxing sailing trip home on a real sail boat.

We recommend this as a fun outing for locals and visitors to the Gold Coast alike. We took some great photos and created some wonderful memories for the future.

Next time we will share our trip to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary with you as they celebrate 100 Years since the birth of their Founder, Alex Griffiths.

Until then, Remember to Enjoy Life, Smile at a Stranger and Make a Difference in the World!

Leanne Annett <><