Scenic Boat Trips (Platypus and Bird watching)

Immerse Yourself in Nature with our Platypus Watching Trips

Embark on an enchanting journey through the serene waters of the Goulburn River, nestled between the towns of Alexandra, Eildon, and Thornton. Our Scenic Boat Trips, featuring platypus and bird watching, promise an experience that transcends the ordinary.

A Leisurely Escape from Melbourne

Located less than a two-hour drive from Melbourne, our drift boats offer a 2 to 2.5-hour sojourn on the majestic Goulburn River. Let your worries melt away as you embrace the tranquillity of this stunning river system, abundant with native wildlife and breathtaking vistas.

A Close Encounter with the Elusive Platypus

Relish the unique opportunity to observe the platypus, one of Australia’s most secretive creatures, in their natural habitat. Our experienced guides are adept at positioning you within 5-10 metres of these fascinating creatures, close enough for naked-eye viewing. This stretch of the Goulburn River, between Eildon and Alexandra, is a reliable location for platypus sighting. With an impressive 90% sighting success rate over the past 25 years, you stand a great chance of spotting between 3 to 10 platypuses during your trip.

An Avian Paradise

Our trips are an absolute treat for bird enthusiasts and photographers. The silence of our boats enables us to sneak up on various bird species, while their stability makes for hassle-free binocular viewing. Regular sightings include Wedge-Tailed Eagles, Swans, Rainbow Bee Eaters, and Kingfishers. We also often encounter terrestrial animals like Wombats, Kangaroos, Koalas, and Echidnas.

Your Adventure Vessel

Our drift boats, each capable of carrying three guests plus a guide, are perfect for navigating the vast Goulburn River. These handcrafted fibreglass vessels are safe, stable, and silent. Each boat is helmed by a seasoned river guide with over 25 years of experience, who will not only ensure your safety but also highlight points of interest and wildlife sightings.

An All-inclusive Experience

No matter your age or fitness level, our drifts are designed for everyone. We provide cold drinking water for all participants and offer pickup and drop-off services from all local accommodation venues. Each boat is equipped with top-of-the-range Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42 binoculars for your viewing pleasure.

Departure Points	Timings	Price	Contact Details
Alexandra, Thornton, and Eildon	Available daily. Optimal viewing: 6am-11am and the last two hours of daylight	$450 per boat (up to 3 guests)	03 5773 2513 or 0418 995 611

Your safety is our utmost priority. Since 1994, Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing has been conducting daily river tours without a single safety incident.

To book your unforgettable scenic boat trip or to learn more, please contact us between 8am and 10pm, seven days a week. We look forward to serving you.

Best regards,
The GVFFC Team.

A pair of top of the range Swarovski EL 8.5 x 42 binoculars are on board each of our boats for your viewing pleasure.

Platypus Watching Trips

Discover. Connect. Respect.

GV FLY FISHING ENDORSED BRANDS

Goulburn Valley Fly Fishing Centre

4.9

Peter Thackray

01:32 10 Nov 18

Drift boating down the Goulburn is a great experience. I will do it again and I suggest you do it also.

Malcolm French

11:11 08 Nov 18

I have been fly fishing for trout in the south Island of New Zealand for a few years now with the GVFFC boys. These are true professionals and totally committed to ensure that all anglers get the most out of the weeks fishing trip. All l have to do is get to queenstown. All transport, accommodation, food, guiding and flies are provided. I am booked for a week in 2019 and cannot wait. If you are looking for a great weeks fly fishing pristine new zealand rivers and stalking large trout these are the blokes to contact. Mal F

andrew mcdonald

06:09 08 Nov 18

The GVFFC team work tirelessly to give you an awesome fishing experience. They are super-expert and great guys too! Can’t wait for the next driftboat trip....

Tim Hutchins

12:07 07 Nov 18

Absolutely great experience doing the one day learn to fly fish course. Anthony taught us to cast in the morning, salvaged lunch when I messed things up, and got us both to catch fish on dry flies on our first time fly fishing. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to learn to fly fish. The instructor knew the river like the back of his hand, had access to all the properties and seemed to know the fish on a first name basis. Thanks for the great day on the river. I hope to come back and learn more after Christmas. PS- Seeing platypus in the wild was a real bonus 👍

notsofatmike1

09:10 12 Sep 18

Been a regular client with Ant and the crew for years now. There really isn't much they don't know about fly fishing. They go out of their way above and beyond every time to make sure each drift is rewarding and unique. Hopefully I will be regular for years to come. Thanks.

Stewart Pritchard

23:40 28 Mar 18

Great service and hard working team to get good results for there client's

ben king

23:19 28 Feb 18

drift fishing on the G with antony is one of the finest fishing experiences i've had. antony will not only put you onto fish but improve your fish craft and insect knowledge in one session. you will be a better fisherman/woman after this tranquil, informative and exhilerating experience. antony and his team care deeply about the river and are not looking to exploit it's fishing - rather to preserve it. i wish i could say the same about all guiding operations. thanks again antony - looking forward to the next one.

Derek Thurgood

12:21 26 Feb 18

Spent an evening in a drift boat on the Goulburn. My first time drifting.....absolutely fantastic, a great way to see the river😀 Great company (thanks Anthony!) and 2 nice fish to hand.

Glenn Craig

22:01 12 Jan 18

Great advice and flies for the local area. Drift boats fantastic.

Timothy Nash

00:13 07 Nov 17

The guys at GVFFC are simply the best when it comes to fly fishing and guiding the Goulburn, Rubicon, Steavenson and other rivers in the area - nobody else comes close. I was lucky enough to have a day of guiding on the Goulburn recently, and their knowledge of the river is nothing short of incredible. I consider myself a fairly experienced fly fisher, but the level of advice and expertise they were able to offer was really eye opening. Everything from reading the water, to new tactics, to local knowledge of trout behaviour and which flies work best in which conditions - it's amazing just how much they can improve your fishing. To top it all off, they're great guys with a real passion for sustainable fishing. Do yourself a favour and book an experience with them - you won't regret it.

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A Leisurely Escape from Melbourne

A Close Encounter with the Elusive Platypus

An Avian Paradise

Your Adventure Vessel

An All-inclusive Experience

Platypus Watching Trips

Platypus Watching Trips

Platypus Watching Trips

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