Portjet

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The New South Wales coastal town of Port Macquarie has just welcomed its latest attraction and we sent Jules Lund there to check it out.

Portjet Wild Thing is a jet-boat thrill ride, hitting speeds of 90km/h along the Hastings River or out to sea.

It was custom-designed by its owner, Andrew Burt, who has spent most of his life working on the water. After years of more sedate cruising he wanted something to get the adrenaline going, and this is it.

The deep V in the bow enables the vessel to do 360-degree spins, power slides and fish tails in the ocean, and its flat back is just right for the river. Its Cummings engines have 355 horsepower between them and is the fastest, strongest and most thrilling vessel of its kind. It takes 23 passengers for river tours and 12 for the ocean experience.

They run whale watching tours and on long weekends and during school holidays thrill rides run every hour.

Location

Port Macquarie on the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

Cost

Portjet Wild Thing 40-minute thrill rides cost $45 for adults and $35 for children. They leave from Town Wharf at 11am and 1pm and hourly onwards with numbers permitting. The 45-minute ultimate offshore experience leaves at 8.30am and 9.30am every day (weather permitting) and costs $65 for adults and $45 for children. Ninety-minute whale watching trips start at 8am in season. Safety and wet weather gear are provided.

Virgin Blue has flights to Port Macquarie.

One-way fares from:

Sydney $105
Canberra $169
Brisbane, Hobart, Melbourne $179
Adelaide $199
Darwin $249
Perth $309

There are limited seats which may not be available at peak times or on all flights. Fares quoted are one-way booked on the Internet. An extra $15 will be charged for phone bookings. A credit card surcharge of an additional $2 per person per one-way flight is applicable. Fares are correct at June 25, 2009, and are subject to change.

Prices correct at June 25, 2009.