A BBQ Boat Afternoon on the Darling River

There’s something about Wentworth that just slows the world down in the best possible way. The pace eases off, the river takes the lead, and before you know it you’re breathing deeper and smiling for no particular reason.

That’s exactly how our little afternoon adventure started — with our small crew jumping aboard a BBQ boat we hired from Wanderers Crossing River Retreat in Wentworth. No fuss, no stress, no boat licence required… just an easy float, good company, and the kind of river views Sunraysia quietly does better than anywhere else.

Setting off from Wentworth on the Darling

Tony and Ana from Wanderers Crossing made the whole thing ridiculously simple. The boat was ready, the gear was sorted, and they walked us through everything so we felt confident before we even untied. They provide the lot — BBQ and esky included — so it’s very much a “show up and enjoy” type of outing.

And the boat itself? Honestly… it’s the perfect little floating hangout. Plenty of room to spread out, a Bluetooth stereo to set the vibe, and all the safety equipment already on board. The kind of set-up that makes you want to do this more often.

Cruising upstream to Pomona

We pointed the bow upstream and started gliding along the Darling, with that gentle river rhythm that makes conversation easy and everything feel a bit lighter. The water was calm, the banks were doing their thing — birdlife, big river gums, the occasional “how good is this?” from someone onboard — and the whole trip had that proper holiday feel… even though we were only out for an afternoon.

When we reached Pomona, we found a spot to pull up and do what BBQ boats were made for: stop and cook up a feed right on the river.

There’s something pretty special about having a BBQ with a river view that never changes, but somehow looks different every minute. Plates out, sizzling BBQ, a cold drink in hand, and not a timetable in sight — it doesn’t get much better than that.

A surprise river moment: the old paddleboat Avoca

One of the standout moments on the cruise was spotting the old paddleboat Avoca resting on the bank, waiting on repairs.

If you’re anything like me, these kinds of sights always hit a little deeper — a reminder of the river’s working history and the stories that have floated up and down these waters long before our little BBQ boat existed. Seeing her sitting quietly there felt like stumbling across a piece of living heritage… not in a museum, but right where she belongs.

Heading back… and timing it perfectly

After lunch, we pointed back toward Wentworth — and the timing couldn’t have been better.

As we made our way back, the afternoon light started turning golden, and by the time we reached the lock and weir on the Murray River, we were treated to that magic golden-hour sunset that Sunraysia does so well. The sky warmed up, the river mirrored it, and the whole scene felt like one of those moments you wish you could bottle.

You know the ones — where everyone goes a little quiet, phones come out for a few snaps, and you just sit there thinking, how lucky are we to have this on our doorstep?

BBQ boat hire details (the easy part)

If you’ve been thinking, “Yep, I need to do this,” here’s the best part:

• BBQ boat hire is available all year round
• No boat licence is required
• Tony and Ana from Wanderers Crossing River Retreat (Wentworth) provide everything you need, including:
  
• BBQ
• Esky
• Bluetooth stereo
• All safety equipment

It’s a brilliant option for a laid-back afternoon, a small celebration, visitors in town, or just an excuse to do something different without travelling far.

Our verdict?

A BBQ boat on the Darling River is one of those simple experiences that ends up feeling really special — a mix of relaxation, scenery, a bit of local history (hello, Avoca), and that unbeatable Wentworth river atmosphere.

If you’re chasing an easy-going adventure with a big “Sunraysia vibe”, put this one on the list.