Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Catch a Crab & Oyster Farm, 11/17 Birds Bay Dr, West Tweed Heads NSW 2486; there is ample parking at the rear of Seagulls Club (11-17 Birds Bay Dr, Tweed Heads West NSW 2485).

What are the departure times?

Typical departures are 09:30 for morning cruises and 13:00 for afternoon cruises; arrival 30 minutes before departure is recommended.

A seafood meal upgrade is available as an optional extra—check booking details to add a fresh seafood platter after your cruise.

Yes—this is family friendly. Young children should be supervised on deck and wear life jackets when provided by crew.

What if I get seasick?

The Tweed River is generally calm but bring motion-sickness remedies if you’re prone; sitting mid-boat and watching the horizon helps.

Can the tour be canceled due to weather?

Yes—tours can be changed or canceled if river conditions or weather make operations unsafe; Hyundai Travel will notify booked guests if that occurs.

Tweed River Crab & Fishing Cruise — Hands-On Crab Hauls and Pelican Feeds

On the Tweed River just inland from the Gold Coast, Catch a Crab & Oyster Farm runs a hands-on crab-and-fishing cruise that puts you on deck where river meets sea. Boarding at Birds Bay Drive in Tweed Heads West, this 2–3 hour outing is equal parts field trip, seafood lesson, and lazy river cruise. Experienced local guides demonstrate traditional crab-pot techniques, and you’ll feel the thrill of hauling a heavy trap as live mud crabs clatter against the decking.

Begin at the listed meeting point—Catch a Crab & Oyster Farm, 11/17 Birds Bay Dr, West Tweed Heads NSW 2486 (ample parking at rear of Seagulls Club, 11-17 Birds Bay Dr, Tweed Heads West NSW 2485). Hyundai Travel handles bookings and check-in, while an on-water operator runs the experience. Morning departures typically leave at 09:30 and afternoons at 13:00; arrive 30 minutes early for best photo light and to complete boarding formalities.

The river here is an active estuary where sandbars, tidal flats and mangrove fingers shape the channel. That mix creates habitat for yabbies and schooling fish and draws pods of dolphins and resident pelicans; the tour’s supervised pelican feed offers close views of these birds as they glide inches from the boat. The geology is modest but revealing—a coastal plain carved by tidal flow and fed from the volcanic highlands behind Mt Warning—so expect low, wide horizons and long light across the mudflats at low tide.

What makes this boutique cruise special is its tactile access to seafood harvest: you will handle real traps, sort catch, and watch local crew grade crustaceans destined for nearby restaurants. Families find the combination of mild motion, short duration, and hands-on learning ideal; anglers appreciate the easy bait-and-wait fishing opportunities off the transom. An optional seafood upgrade lets you close the loop by tasting the river’s bounty after disembarking.

Practical notes: Queensland does not observe daylight saving—confirm local time when traveling from interstate. Wear closed-toe shoes, sun protection, and be prepared for wind off the river. The operation emphasizes safe, responsible handling of wildlife and suggests guests follow guides’ instructions during pelican interactions.

Whether you’re chasing a story to tell over dinner—or simply want a quiet morning watching river life fold against the horizon—this Tweed River crab-and-fishing cruise delivers an intimate, educational and unexpectedly delicious slice of coastal Australia. Book early for peak holiday periods and check the weather—tours can change if river conditions demand. Photography fans should bring a lens for action shots of traps and birds; families should bring a dry bag and motion-sickness remedies if sensitive. Staff will brief you on biosecurity and seafood handling, and local operators adhere to size and catch limits so the river stays productive.

Tweed River Crab & Fishing Cruise — Hands-On Crab Hauls and Pelican Feeds

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