Spend a full day aboard The Sandy, a wheelchair-accessible luxury pontoon out of Brooklyn, New South Wales. Fish, BBQ, swim and cruise sheltered coves with up to ten friends.
Spend a full day aboard The Sandy, a wheelchair-accessible luxury pontoon out of Brooklyn, New South Wales. Fish, BBQ, swim and cruise sheltered coves with up to ten friends.
Book with Drifters Boat Hire
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Drifters Boat Hire · Brooklyn, New South Wales
Board the Sandy for a full-day pontoon hire and spend a sunlit day on the water out of Brooklyn, New South Wales. The Sandy is a luxury pontoon equipped with a sunroof, BBQ, stereo, wheelchair access and sun lounges — an easy platform for families, anglers and small groups seeking a relaxed day afloat.
Brooklyn sits where estuary channels meet sandstone cliffs and mangrove fringes; this stretch of water is known for sheltered bays, deep tidal runs and quiet coves ideal for anchoring and swimming. From the deck you’ll notice sandstone outcrops, paperbark trees along the shore and frequent sightings of dusky dolphins and crested terns. The Sandy’s fishfinder and onboard fishing gear make dropping a line straightforward, while the BBQ and stereo turn a fishing trip into a social day on the water.
The boat’s wheelchair access and open layout set it apart in this area — it’s rare to find accessible pontoon charters that still feel like a private cruising platform. The shallow draft of a pontoon is forgiving in the river’s calm bays, which means easy boarding and stable fishing and lounging. For photographers, the low profile and broad deck allow uninterrupted sightlines along river bends and cliff faces at golden hour.
Expect to plan your day around tides and wind: sheltered coves are best on breezy afternoons and shallow sandbars reveal themselves at low tide. Use Brooklyn as your base — it offers fuel, a public jetty and a handful of cafes to provision before you go. There’s local history here too: the river has long been a corridor for Indigenous communities and later a busy route for early settlers and ferries.
Why book The Sandy? It’s a flexible, accessible platform that works for generations — grandparents, grandchildren and friends — whether your aim is to fish, swim, picnic or simply cruise and spot wildlife. Operators provide safety briefings and basic gear so you can focus on the water. The onboard BBQ turns a midday catch into a cooked lunch without returning to shore.
This experience suits small groups up to ten who value comfort, accessibility and the convenience of a fully equipped boat. If you want a relaxed, all-day escape from Sydney’s bustle with plenty of shorelines to explore and reliable amenities aboard, The Sandy is a practical, low-stress way to own your day on the water.
Plan to bring sunscreen, refillable water, and any special food; the operator supplies lifejackets and basic safety equipment but not specialist dive gear. Popular runs include a slow cruise past nearby river islands and a sheltered lunch stop behind a sandstone point; check weather forecasts and book early on weekends when locals regularly reserve full-day hires.
The hire allows up to 10 people for a full-day charter; confirm exact capacity when booking.
Yes — the boat has wheelchair access and an open deck layout, but notify the operator in advance to arrange boarding assistance.
A licensed skipper is typically provided or required depending on the booking; check the operator’s requirements at booking.
Yes — The Sandy includes a fishfinder and basic fishing gear so you can drop a line during your trip.
Yes — there’s a BBQ aboard for preparing meals; bring supplies and follow operator guidance on safe use.
Cancellation terms vary by operator and season; review the booking page or contact the provider directly via the referral link for specifics.
Drifters Boat Hire is a Brooklyn, New South Wales-based boat hire company specializing in self-drive pontoon rentals on the Hawkesbury River. The fleet includes four distinct pontoon boats — Grayling, Johno, Taimen and Bluey — designed for groups ranging from seven to twelve people. Each vessel is equipped for day trips with features such as gas BBQs, iceboxes, seating lounges and fishing gear; selected boats include full-size toilets and wheelchair access where noted. Safety and convenience are central to Drifters Boat Hire's service. Life jackets and first aid equipment are provided on board, and boats are designed for guests without prior boating experience. The Bluey Luxury Self Drive Pontoon explicitly requires no boating experience, making it accessible for new boaters. Passenger capacities and amenities vary by boat: Grayling (up to 7), Taimen (up to 8), Johno and Bluey (up to 12). Bookings are suited for family outings, fishing trips and small group celebrations on the Hawkesbury River. The fleet's mix of covered and open deck space offers sun lounges and shaded areas to suit different preferences. With clear descriptions of each trip and onboard equipment, customers can select a boat that matches their needs. Drifters Boat Hire operates from Brooklyn, NSW, providing straightforward self-drive pontoon hire options for day trips on the region's waterways. Boat specifications: Grayling: 6.9‑meter pontoon with half‑covered roof; Taimen: 7.2‑meter pontoon with sun lounge; Johno: 28‑square‑metre pontoon with Bluetooth stereo and wheelchair access; Bluey: brand‑new luxury pontoon accommodating 12 guests. Life jackets and first aid equipment are supplied.
Book with Drifters Boat Hire