Whatever brings people together, the Broadwater does it better than a function room ever could.
Spirit of Elston
Private Boat Charter · Gold Coast
Private Sit-Down & Cocktail Events, On the Water
- Spirit of Elston is a 130-guest venue that happens to move.
- Below deck: enclosed with water views all sides, air-conditioned, set for a plated dinner or an awards presentation.
- Above: open air, daybeds and alfresco tables, best at the hour Surfers Paradise lights up with a champagne in hand.
- She sits low enough to pass beneath the bridges and into the calm Broadwater’s canals where other large boats can’t follow. However you’re celebrating, Spirit of Elston turns it into the event people still talk about long after the last drink.
What It's Best For
Corporate Events
Awards Nights
Conference Dinners
Milestone Birthdays
Christmas Parties
Functions & Event Hire
70 – 100 Seated Buffet
from $89pp
100 – 130 Cocktail Style
from $84pp
Platters – Morning/Afternoon Tea
from $58pp (50-100 pax)
Available for exclusive private hire from 7am til late, daily.
Two Decks, One Charter
A unique premium floating waterfront venue that delivers atmosphere, movement and skyline views.
The Dining Floor
Air-conditioned and fully enclosed, with its own bar, kitchen and three bathrooms. Floor-to-ceiling glass on both sides keeps the Broadwater in view. Where a sit-down dinner, an awards presentation or a conference breakfast belongs. Weather is never a factor. The floor plan flexes banquet-style, theatre-style or cocktail rounds, with AV ready and a dedicated bar team pouring all night.
Capacity: 70 Seated | 100 Cocktail
The Sundeck
Open-air, across daybeds, lounges, picnic benches and alfresco tables. Best at sunset, cocktail in hand, city lighting up around you. Room to spread out and mingle, with uninterrupted views over the Broadwater in every direction. By day it’s shaded corners and sea breeze; by night, string lights, skyline glow and an atmosphere no marquee can fake.
Capacity: Total 60 guests | 30 seated at tables, 30 seated at lounges/daybeds/benches
Together: Up to 100 guests seated · Up to 130 guests cocktail-style · 50 Minimum | Fully licensed. Wheelchair-accessible embarkation at both Main Beach and Surfers Paradise terminals.
Charter Packages & Pricing
Customise your event by changing the duration, catering and entertainment. Get an instant estimate with our Quote Builder.
Package
Duration
Includes
Per Person
Morning/Afternoon Tea Cruise
min. 50 guests
1.5 Hours
Tea/Coffee, Muffins/Pastries, Playlist
from $58pp
Breakfast Cruise
min. 50 guests
1.5 Hours
Continental Breakfast Buffet, Tea/Coffee, Playlist
from $74pp
Sunset Cruise
min. 50 guests
1-2 Hours
Grazing Platters
from $58pp
Sunset Canapés Cocktail Cruise
min. 100 guests
2 Hours
Canapés, Live Musician, Cash Bar
from $84pp
Buffet Lunch
min. 70 guests
1.5 Hours
Buffet Lunch, Live Musician, Cash Bar
from $109pp
Buffet Dinner
min. 70 guests
2.5 Hours
Buffet Dinner, Live Musician, Cash Bar
from $129pp
*The above are based on exclusive use of the vessel on an off-peak weekday.
Why Spirit of Elston?
Our kitchen, our chefs
Our own kitchen, our own team, not an external caterer. Fully customisable.
Weather is never a factor
The dining floor is fully enclosed and climate-controlled. In extreme weather, our Sea World Cruises Sunset Deck can be utilised (also available to hire separately).
Where few boats can follow
Low enough to pass beneath the bridges and into the Broadwater’s canal system.
Board where your guests are
Surfers Paradise or Main Beach, whichever suits your guests.
Accessible
Wheelchair-accessible embarkation at both terminals.*
*Accessible access to main deck. Note bathrooms on the vessel are not wheelchair accessible. Accessible bathrooms located at the Sea World Cruises Terminal prior to departure.
Food Packages
Cooked Onsite, By Our Chefs
Every menu is prepared at our terminal, not brought in by an outside caterer.
Gourmet Cheeseboard
$20pp
Morning or Afternoon Tea
$20pp
Continental Breakfast
$30pp
Canapés
$40pp
Buffet
$45pp
Fresh Seafood Buffet Dinner
$70pp
Drinks Packages
Fully Licensed Bar
Choose a package by the hour, run a bar tab, or let guests pay their own way at the cash bar.
The bar list features Pommery, Balter, Willie Smith’s, XXXX and Buderim, alongside made-to-order cocktails.
Entertainment & AV
Set the Tone Onboard
Connect your own playlist through the onboard system, or lift the room with a live guitarist or a DJ. Microphone, screen and AV on most vessels for speeches, presentations and product launches. Tell us what you need to run and we’ll have it ready.
Standard Audio, Mic & PA
Included
AV Onboard
Included
Live Musician
$750
Also possible: cinema screenings for product and campaign launches, plus photographers and videographers on request.
Locations
Where To Board
Sea World Cruise Terminal | Main Beach
Sea World, Seaworld Drive
Main Beach, 4217
Board from the Sea World Cruises Terminal on Seaworld Drive, Main Beach. Ample free parking, with a deck and kiosk for pre-event drinks.
Appel Park Pontoon | Surfers Paradise
10 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Surfers Paradise departures run from Appel Park Pontoon, in the heart of Surfers Paradise.
Private Charter Calculator
Find out a pricing estimate, and submit an enquiry to secure your charter.
Choose Your Venue
Select the vessel for your private charter event.
Spirit of Elston
A purpose-built dining vessel with a climate-controlled floor below and an open-air sundeck above, low enough to slip beneath the bridges into the Broadwater's canals where the bigger boats can't follow.
Spirit of Migaloo II
A 160-guest vessel with three viewing levels and a fully licensed bar, built for open water and named after the Gold Coast's most famous visitor. Book for a cocktail evening year round, or exclusively yours to cruise up past South Stradbroke Island and Sanctuary Cove in the warmer months of November to May.
Spirit of Mulgumpin
A 160-guest charter vessel working both the Brisbane River and the Gold Coast seaway, built for evening cruising in the city or a full day's exclusive run to Moreton Island or Stradbroke Island.
Hopo I & II
Up to 50 guests per ferry. Book one, or run both side by side for a group of 100. The deck is covered for year round use, with seating for 50. There are no bathrooms onboard, however there are at each available stop. Ideal for shorter events, or for pre-dinner drinks onroute to the final destination.
Kaiala
Our smaller, more intimate vessel — two levels of Broadwater views, a licensed bar and a kiosk aboard. In the warmer months she'll run your group up to Tipplers or Sanctuary Cove; come winter, she's made for sunset drinks on the Broadwater.
Sunset Deck
Almost thirteen metres of west-facing waterfront at Main Beach — the best vantage point on the Broadwater for a sunset, and our only venue on dry land. Your exclusively with a Dinner Cruise charter, or reserve an area for your guests when your boat comes back to moor. Minimum spends apply for exclusive use.
Arro Jet + Sunset Deck Combo
The team day that doesn't need a function room. Half an hour of thrills out on the water, then burgers and beers (or nuggets + chips) at your reserved table on the deck. Up to 50 across two boats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our friendly crew is here to help
How many guests can Spirit of Elston hold?
Up to 100 guests seated or 130 cocktail-style across two decks. The enclosed dining floor seats 70. The open-air sundeck seats 30 at tables plus 30 across lounges, daybeds and benches.
Minimum guest requirements vary by event type:
- Grazing, morning tea, or afternoon tea: 50 guests minimum, Max 100
- Breakfast, canapés, or buffet dinner: 70 guests minimum, Max 100
- Cocktail style set up with high tables inside: 100 guests minimum, Max 130
Is there a minimum number of guests for a private charter?
Minimum guest requirements vary by catering style:
- Seated events (buffet dinner, breakfast): 70 guests minimum
- Cocktail-style events (canapés, grazing): 100 guests minimum
- Tea events (morning or afternoon tea): 50 guests minimum
Smaller groups may be available for off-peak weekday bookings on request. Contact us to discuss options for your date.
What if we have fewer than the minimum required guests?
Groups with fewer than the minimum can join a scheduled lunch cruise from $89pp or dinner cruise from $129pp, seated together as a group with no minimum spend. This is a great option for smaller celebrations while still enjoying exclusive seating. Smaller groups may be available for off-peak weekday bookings on request. Contact us to discuss options for your date.
How much does it cost to charter Spirit of Elston?
The charter fee is charged per hour and covers the vessel, skipper, fuel, service staff, insurance, furniture and cleaning.
Food, beverages and entertainment are added on top based on your menu and event style. Most private events land between $6,000 and $15,000 in total, depending on guest count, duration, and catering selection.
Use our Quote Builder to get an instant estimate for your specific event.
What's included in the charter fee?
Exclusive use of both decks, skipper and crew, fuel, service staff, insurance, existing furniture, cleaning, onboard sound system, microphone and AV.
How long does a charter run?
One to four hours. Typically 1.5 hours for sunset drinks, 2 hours for lunch, 2.5 hours for dinner.
Where do charters depart from?
Sea World Cruises Terminal on Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, with free onsite parking, or Appel Park Pontoon at 10A Ferry Avenue, Surfers Paradise. Dinner charters must depart from Main Beach.
What happens if the weather turns?
The dining floor is fully enclosed and climate-controlled, so rain doesn’t affect the event. In extreme weather the Sea World Cruises Sunset Deck can be used instead. If we have to cancel for safety, you can reschedule or take a full refund.
Is the vessel wheelchair accessible?
Embarkation is wheelchair accessible at both terminals and the main deck is accessible. Bathrooms onboard are not wheelchair accessible; accessible bathrooms are available at the Sea World Cruises Terminal before departure.
Can we bring our own food or drinks?
All catering and beverages are prepared by our own chefs and bar team. Celebration cakes are welcome. Full BYO is permitted with a straight boat hire only charter. Reach out to our bookings team for availability.
Can we have a DJ, live music or speeches?
Yes. Connect your own playlist through the onboard system at no charge, or add a live guitarist ($750) or your preferred choice of DJ. Microphone, PA and presentation screen are included.
Can we decorate the vessel?
Two people can board 45 minutes before departure to set up. Candles, sparklers, confetti, glitter, party poppers and adhesive products aren’t permitted.
How do we secure a date?
A 50% deposit and signed terms confirm the booking. Final guest numbers, catering and the balance are due 14 days before departure. Cancellations more than 14 days out are penalty-free, excluding 50% of the deposit.
Do prices include GST?
Yes, all prices are in Australian dollars and include GST. Quotes are valid for seven days.
Can we hold a wedding on board?
Yes. Congratulations! Weddings are subject to a 20% surcharge on the total charter value to reflect the specialised nature of wedding events, including elevated customer expectations, extended planning and coordination, dedicated crew attention to detail, and heightened liability requirements.
Sea World Cruises provides venue hire and catering only. A dedicated event planner for styling, décor, and coordination is your responsibility, or can be arranged through our network. Additional staffing fees apply if required to execute your day.
Please reach out to our team for availability and to discuss your wedding vision.
Can you customise a package? What are the options?
Absolutely. Spirit of Elston charters are fully customisable. You control the duration, catering style, guest count, and add-ons to match your budget and vision.
Core customisation options:
- Duration: 1.5 hours up to full-day charter
- Catering style: Seated buffet, cocktail-style canapés, grazing platters, breakfast, tea service, or speak with our team to create a bespoke menu for your event.
- Guest count: 50 to 130 guests depending on service style
- Beverage: Cash bar, bar tabs, prosecco on arrival, full hourly beverage packages, or full spirits and cocktail packages
- Entertainment: Live musician, your preferred playlist, or suggest your preferred provider
Popular custom combinations:
- Sunset cruise with grazing and prosecco on arrival
- Team breakfast and networking on the Broadwater
- Lunchtime buffet celebration
- Dinner cruise with dancing and full bar
Start with our Quote Builder for an instant estimate, or contact our events team to design a bespoke package. Full details available in the event kit.
What's the best boat for a corporate Christmas party on the Gold Coast?
Spirit of Elston is the perfect vessel for corporate Christmas celebrations. With capacity for up to 130 guests, flexible catering options from casual grazing to full buffet, and split indoor/outdoor decks, it works for everything from intimate team lunches to large festive receptions.
Why it works for corporate events:
- Two distinct spaces: Enclosed dining floor (70 seated) + open-air sundeck (60 lounging/standing) lets events flow from formal dinner to casual drinks and networking
- Built-in entertainment value: The Broadwater setting and sunset views make photos memorable—great for social media and team morale
- Flexible formats: Seated lunch, standing canapes with high bar tables, or a mix. No formal setup required
- All-in package: Vessel, staff, furniture, and catering in one quote—no coordination headaches
November–December pricing starts at $74pp (grazing platters with a 1.5hr afternoon cruise) and scales up based on date and catering. The Sunset Deck is available from $61pp for canapés from 6pm weekdays.
Book early. December fills fast. Get a quote for your team size and date.
Can we host a birthday or milestone celebration yacht charter?
Yes. Spirit of Elston is a stunning venue for birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone celebrations, whether it’s an intimate 50-person dinner or a full 130-person party.
What makes it special for celebrations:
- Scenic backdrop: Sunset over the Broadwater + water views create Instagram-worthy moments and natural party ambiance
- Flexible layouts: Mix formal dinner with casual deck mingling, or go full cocktail-style reception The two-deck setup lets the party flow
- No separate venue hire: Everything’s on the boat. No double booking or coordination between venues
- Catering tailored to your vibe: From elegant buffet dinner ($129pp) to casual grazing ($64pp) to breakfast with sparkling wine, you choose the mood
Is there parking?
Yes, ample free parking at the Sea World Cruises Terminal, Main Beach. Paid parking for the Surfers Paradise departure point is available at the Bruce Bishop carpark, or under Circle on Cavill, or stroll from the tram stop.
Six Vessels, One Waterfront Venue
The Gold Coast’s biggest private event space. Find the one that fits your group.
