Sail the Sunshine Coast with this Indigenous-owned eco-tour

There are many wonderful Sunshine Coast sailing tours to discover but a Saltwater Eco Tours cruise is unique. It offers an opportunity to connect with Queensland’s Indigenous culture and immerse yourself in the stories and traditions of the local Kabi Kabi people on a trip up the Mooloolah River.

What it is 

Saltwater Eco Tours combines owner Simon Thornalley’s seafaring skills with his Indigenous heritage to create a sailing tour like no other. After working as a Master Class Captain and commercial diver around the world, Thornalley returned to the place where he grew up, restored an historic 100 year old gaff-rigged wooden ketch, and began Saltwater Eco Tours.

“I wanted to create an experience that showcases the Indigenous culture of the local Kabi Kabi people and the beauty of the Sunshine Coast,” he says, as he expertly steers Spray of the Coral Coast towards the mouth of the river so everyone can watch the sunset.

Saltwater Eco Tours encapsulates Thornalley’s dream with sailing trips that combine the stories and legends of the Saltwater People with an engaging dash of larrikin humour from local Indigenous guide Kerry Neill.

What to expect 

After you’ve raised a glass of sparkling wine or soft drink to toast the afternoon, the ketch pulls away from the Penny Lane Jetty and begins sailing down the Mooloolah River. Sunlight dances on the water as Neill points out a sea eagle’s nest and explains the bird is the totem animal of his people. “I look up and see my brother flying in the sky and it reminds me of the people who came before me,” he says, then goes on to say that he looks for where the eagle is diving, as this is where the fish are. “Where the eagles go hunting is where I go fishing. I also catch fish at Woolworths sometimes.”

You’ll also discover why two boomerangs are used for hunting rather than one. “Kabi Kabi hunters want the kangaroo to be as close as possible to increase their chance of success,” says Neill as he holds up a small boomerang. “If a kangaroo smells a human, it will hop in the other opposite direction. We use a small boomerang to trick it into getting close.”

He explains how the small boomerang is rubbed under the hunter’s arm then thrown to trick the kangaroo into running towards him so a large boomerang can be thrown to kill it with one blow. “Hunting is never done for sport. If a hunter feels sad when he kills a kangaroo then he is a true hunter. We only ever take what we need.”

Thankfully, no one has to hunt down something to eat on this tour. There are COVID-safe individual grazing boxes filled with cheese, fruit, and other produce from the surrounding region and a licensed bar if you fancy a glass of something cold to quench your thirst. After an afternoon filled with stories and legends (and more than a few laughs), it’s time to sail back along the river with the sounds of a didgeridoo swelling around you.

Meet your guide 

You might be connecting with the world’s oldest living culture but a scenic trip along the Mooloolah River with local Kabi Kabi guide, Kerry Neill, is anything but serious.

Don’t expect fancy well-rehearsed commentary or a tired old tourist spiel on this coastal Indigenous tour. Neill’s enthusiasm for sharing his culture and the stories of the Kabi Kabi people is contagious and Dreamtime legends are delivered with heartfelt passion and knockabout charm. His experience in providing cultural training, storytelling and workshops in early learning centres and schools shines through.

Whether you’re seven or 77, you’ll be captivated by his lively stories and passion for increasing the understanding and connection between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

What you'll learn 

As the sun sinks towards the horizon and this tour draws to a close, you’ll have a deeper understanding of the rich spiritual connection Australia’s Indigenous communities have with the land and its surrounding waters. And that it’s something we all share, even though we may not all be Indigenous Australians.

Kerry Neill’s final words are particularly poignant and provide the perfect end to a superb tour. “We all have a connection to country. It’s like when you’re having a bad day at work or nothing is going right, as soon as you walk outside and see that grass and feel the wind, you feel better. You’re all connected to country and you’re all welcome here.”

Practicalities

Allow enough time to find a car park along bustling Parkyn Parade or at the Mooloolaba Wharf so you don’t have to rush to the departure point. Penny Lane Jetty isn’t signed but if you head to the rear of Spinnaker Quays you can’t miss it.

Even if you’re cruising in the height of summer, bring a jacket as it can get cool out on the water, especially when the sun starts going down. 

Spending some extra time in Mooloolaba? Make the most of it with our Mooloolaba guide.