Endless Days Private Charters owners Adrian, Louise Plahn set to launch jet boat tours on Cheeky Bee

They’ve already mastered relaxed sunset tours of the Pioneer River, and are now changing gears to add a new attraction guaranteed to get adrenaline pumping.

Adrian and Louise Plahn, the husband and wife team behind the Pioneer River sunset cruise are gearing up to launch their next venture, a Pioneer River jet boat tour. Photo: Fergus Gregg

The husband and wife team behind a Pioneer River sunset tour and boat charter business are bringing a jet boat to a Mackay riverfront.

Endless Days Private Charters— soon to be called Nautical by Nature — business owners Adrian and Louise Plahn launched their Pioneer River tours quietly in October, 2024 after spending three years getting their double decker charter boat to “where we wanted it”.

“It’s been a bit of a social media storm, but it’s good and really good with the support from the community,” Mr Plahn said.

They run their Pioneer River tours on their boat which can also be chartered for catered, overnight trips to the Mackay Islands. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Running their tours from the Pioneer River Pontoon near Bluewater Quay, the boat travels up to the Forgan Bridge and to the mouth of the river, with one tour running at sunset and the other at night so guests can enjoy the city lights.

Inspired by the work of council to activate the riverfront and wanting to take tourists on the water at low tide, the Cheeky Bee jet boat is the latest venture from the Plahns to show off the Pioneer River.

The Cheeky Bee will roar up the Pioneer at 40 knots taking thrill seekers for spins and sudden stops that are guaranteed to leave them soaked. Photo: Endless Days Private Charters

“When we do our cruises we anchor up the river … we’re sitting there one afternoon and gone ‘this would be perfect for a jet boat’,” Mr Plahn said.

“It’s perfect for the river … something different for locals and tourists to attract people to the river with both boats.”

The Cheeky Bee cruises at around 80kms/hr and runs in only three inches of water, allowing the Plahn’s to bring their guests past the Forgan Bridge, running at both high tide and low tide due.

“It’s got its own beauty at low tide,” Adrian said.

“There’s a lot of sandbars that we can come in proximity, navigate them with no issues as long as we’ve got that three inches of water.”

Adrian and Louise Plahn, the husband and wife team behind the Pioneer River sunset cruise are gearing up to launch their jet boat tours over the next few weeks. Photo: Fergus Gregg

The boat was brought down from Airlie Beach and, according to a previous skipper, it is the wettest jet boat in Australia and Adrian promises high speeds, 360 spins and sudden stops will leave passengers drenched.

“It’s a bit of a rush when you’re that low to the water and there’s a sandbar kust there as you look over the side,” Ms Plahn said.

Ms Plahn said they were choreographing the experience to music to create “the best possible experience” while Adrian trains and practices on the jet boat.

“Hopefully within the next two weeks we’ll be operational out of the river, ” Mr Planh said.

For adults a ride on the Cheeky Bee jet boat will set you back $89, while children’s tickets will cost $79, however kids must be at least six years old and 120cm tall to ride.

Powered by a Volvo engine, the boat will maneuver sandbars and the shallow waters of the Pioneer River at low tide to give passengers an adrenaline filled ride. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mr Plahn said council and other Mackay businesses provided a lot of support to Endless Days Private Charters, soon to go by Nautical by Nature.

The two are currently running their charter and tour business as a duo, but said once they’ve got everything where they want it and have established the jet boat tours, they’ll start to look at bringing on employees.

Scawfell Island - Wildcat Mackay Escape Destination - Mackay Photo - Mark Fitz

While Endless Days Private Charters expand, another Mackay tourism operator has unfortunately folded pointing to a lack of demand from the public.

Wildcat Mackay started running day tours to the Mackay Islands in 2021 and now, more than three years later are folding due to “a significant decline in interest”.

The company thanked their guests, staff and Mackay Isaac Tourism for their support in a post made to Facebook.

“Unfortunately, we have made the very difficult decision to cease operating our Wildcat Tour in Mackay,” they wrote.

“After operating in the region for more than three years, this decision was not made lightly … we had to reassess the tour’s ongoing viability and future.”

Originally published as Endless Days Private Charters owners Adrian, Louise Plahn set to launch jet boat tours on Cheeky Bee