Choosing between a self-drive hire and a guided lake cruise depends on what kind of day you're after. Both are great options — here is how to decide.
Self-Drive Boat Hire — freedom and flexibility. When you hire a boat, you're in charge. You set the pace, choose where to anchor, and decide how long to stay anywhere. You can fish, swim, cook a BBQ lunch wherever you like and explore the quieter corners of Wallis Lake at your own rhythm. Great for families, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a relaxed, self-directed day. Our BBQ pontoons are particularly well-suited to a big group with a cooler full of food and nowhere specific to be.
Guided Lake Cruise — sit back and let us do the work. If you'd rather not navigate or spend your day making decisions, a guided cruise is perfect. The Discovery Lunch Cruise aboard MV FreeSpirit offers table service lunch and a licensed bar — a genuinely relaxing way to see local wildlife and landmarks.
Who chooses self-drive? Families with children, groups of friends, birthday and anniversary groups, people who want to swim and BBQ, anyone who likes a bit of independence.
Who chooses a cruise? Couples wanting something romantic, older visitors, people who don't want to navigate, anyone who wants to relax with a drink rather than cook.
New to boats? Start with a cruise. If you have never driven a boat before, the idea of being in charge can feel daunting. Our advice: do a Discovery Lunch Cruise aboard MV FreeSpirit first. It is a completely stress-free way to get acquainted with Wallis Lake — no driving, no navigating, no decisions. You sit back with a 2-course lunch and a licensed bar while the crew shows you the lake, the wildlife and the landmarks. By the time you are done, you will have a mental map of the lake and a much better sense of where you want to go on your own self-drive day. It is the best possible warm-up for first-timers.
Can I do both? Absolutely. Many visitors join a cruise on day one to get their bearings, then hire a BBQ boat on day two. Or hire a boat in the morning and join an afternoon cruise — or vice versa. Talk to our team and we can help you plan a great combination.
Ready to book?
Visit the relevant page to check availability and book your experience on Wallis Lake.
