Go exploring: ACT via boat

The feeling of launching your boat and getting out on the water when nobody else is around is something that just can’t be explained to those who haven’t yet experienced it. If that’s something that sounds pretty bloody magical to you, it may just be the ideal time for you to take your boat out  due to all the travel restrictions in place around the country.

Here’s a list of boating spots you’re sure to love, or at the very least should provide you with some inspiration to hitch your boat trailer up and drive to your favourite place for a well-deserved break from your busy schedule.

Note: a few of these boating trips are located just over the NSW border, so remember to check travel restrictions before departure.

Day trips ahoy

Yarralumla Bay

A short drive from the Canberra CBD, Yarralumla Bay is a gorgeous little spot to take the boat if you’re only able to spare a day. Plenty of water activities to do both on and off the boat such as fishing, swimming and even windsurfing if you’re up to it. There’s an easily-accessible boat ramp for you, plus a wharf and a few piers scattered along the shoreline.

Googong Dam (NSW)

Ditch the petrol-engine boat (they’re not allowed in the Googong Dam, unfortunately) and spend a nice, chilled day out on your sailing boat, kayak, canoe or electric-motor boat. Considering it’s only half an hour’s drive from Canberra, you’ll be able to spend quite a few hours out on the water fishing for Murray Cod, Rainbow Trout, Silver Perch and Golden Perch while simultaneously enjoying the lovely surrounding views. There are boat ramps available to use at the Foreshore.

Wonderful weekends

Lake Ginninderra

Take a load off on the waters of Lake Ginninderra, a man-made lake built in the 1970s on Canberra’s Ginninderra Creek that boasts a long list of things to see and do. Take a relaxing cruise and explore the surrounding waters and jump in for a refreshing swim when it gets warm. You’ll also find a playground, beach (complete with sand), barbecues and some toilets to use after you’ve recovered your boat for the day.

There are a couple of boat ramps to launch from - at the northeast is the Diddams Close Boat Ramp and on the west shore, the Macdermott Place Boat Ramp (our suggestion).

Molonglo River

The Molonglo River spans across both the ACT and NSW (launch at Molonglo River Boat Ramp in Fyshwick, ACT) and offers great water skiing opportunities for those so inclined. Interestingly, due to its lack of fish and other activities it’s the perfect place to take your boat out, cut the engine and just… disconnect from reality for a while. You may find the silence deafening!

There are lots of places to spend the night in the area ranging from nice and cheap through to pretty darn pricey, but make sure you give them a call before you book to confirm they can accommodate your boat and trailer, too.

Week-away holidays

Lake Burrinjuck (NSW)

A mere 116 kilometres northwest of Canberra, Yass Valley’s Lake Burrinjuck is a rather gargantuan man-made body of water where you can spend your days out on the lake fishing, water skiing or just relaxing on your boat.

Launch your boat from the Good Hope Boat Ramp which can be found roughly 20 k’s from Yass, and spend your nights at either the Burrinjuck Waters Caravan Park or Lake Burrinjuck Leisure Resort (both are really well-priced, have loads of facilities and are ideally located).

Ulladulla (NSW)

In addition to being a pretty fun place to say out loud (heh, made you say it didn’t we?), the coastal town of Ulladulla has a heck of a lot to fill a full week’s stay - and then some. It’s only a couple of hundred kilometres east of Canberra - an easy drive along Princes and Kings Highways - and is overflowing with beauty. Picture-perfect beaches pave the way offshore to some really outstanding dive spots as well as awesome fishing.

Head to the Wharf Boat Ramp to launch for the most direct route out to sea. Spend your nights camping in one of the holiday parks (Holiday Haven Ulladulla is nice and close to the boat ramp and other amenities).

Secure fast and easy finance for your new boat today

You don’t need to jump through a million hoops to get boat finance. Speak with Stratton Finance to simplify the process of finding and securing finance so you can focus on the more important things, like searching for your new boat on boatsales!

Our knowledge and experience in the finance industry allows us to know exactly where to look and which lenders to talk to depending on our customers’ circumstances and financing needs. Additionally, the twenty-plus years we’ve been in this business has enabled us to build up a massive network of lenders ready and raring to be tapped into. So get a boating finance quote today and if you like what you see (we know you will), submit an online application which takes less than 5 minutes.

For any questions you might have, pick up the phone and call our team on 1300 787 288 or message us online.