Barbie Boats in Mallacoota: Prices, Licences and Booking

It's worth knowing which of the three you're booking, because the licence rules, the full-day prices and how you book differ.

Prices are for a half day (4 hours) and a full day (8 hours). For Buckland's BBQ pontoon boat, they're its half-day and full-day rates. Prices can change, so check when you book.

Mallacoota Barbie Boats is run by Grant "Gutsy" Shorland through Scallywags, and Gutsy runs Scallywags as well. Enquiries go through scallywagsmallacoota.com.au/barbieboats.

A barbie boat is $250 for a half day (4 hours) and $400 for a full day (8 hours). You can also hire one by the hour. You don't need a licence to drive a barbie boat, and the boats are stable and suit families and groups of all ages. They have to stay inside the inlet.

Hire comes with:

• life jackets
• a 15-minute safety briefing
• an inlet map
• fishing gear, on request

Cancellations need 24 hours' notice.

Buckland's Jetty Boat Hire has a BBQ pontoon boat for 8 people, with a BBQ and cooking utensils supplied. You don't need a licence for it. It's $250 for a half day and $400 for a full day. Prices can change, so ring to confirm when you book.

Buckland's supplies fuel, safety equipment and maps, and fishing rods are available on request. It's on Lakeside Drive and takes cash or EFTPOS. It's open seven days, daylight hours only, weather permitting. Phone 0428 580 660, which is also the number to ring if the shed is unattended, email bucklandsboathire@gmail.com, or see bucklandsjettyboathire.com.

Mallacoota Hireboats is family-run and has been going since 2012. Grant Cockburn hires out the Inlet Barbie pontoon alongside power boats, the fast boat Kermit, kayaks, SUPs, pedal boats and bikes.

The Inlet Barbie is $250 for a half day (4 hours) and $350 for a full day (8 hours). You need a boat licence for it.

Mallacoota Hireboats is at 10 Buckland Drive, with the jetty at M38 Coulls Inlet. It's open seven days, 7:30am to 6pm. Phone 0474 818 058.

It comes down to the licence first, then how long you want to be out.

• Nobody in your group has a boat licence: book a Mallacoota Barbie Boats barbie boat or Buckland's BBQ pontoon boat. You don't need a licence for either.
• You want the BBQ and utensils supplied: Buckland's BBQ pontoon boat comes with both.
• You have a licence and want a full day: the Inlet Barbie is $350 for 8 hours, against $400 for a full day on a barbie boat or Buckland's BBQ pontoon boat.
• A half day: all three are $250.
• Less than a half day: Mallacoota Barbie Boats' barbie boats can be hired by the hour. Ask about the price when you enquire.

Our Mallacoota boat hire guide compares the other boats for hire, and if you'd rather paddle, the Mallacoota kayaking guide has the options.

Book boat hire, charters and tours for Christmas and January as early as you can. For a barbie boat, send an enquiry through the Scallywags barbie boats page. For Buckland's BBQ pontoon boat, ring Buckland's Jetty Boat Hire on 0428 580 660. For the Inlet Barbie, contact Mallacoota Hireboats: phone 0474 818 058.

Scallywags Restaurant & Bar is a waterfront seafood restaurant on the inlet at 14 Allan Drive. It serves fresh locally caught fish and chips and cocktails, has live music, and takes bookings online. Phone 03 4110 2059. For everywhere else to eat, see our Mallacoota restaurant guide.