A long-running and well-known Sunshine Coast boat hire enterprise is about to expand its reach.
The 68-year-old Bill’s Boat Hire, which is for sale, is set to operate a long way down the Pumicestone Passage.
Co-owner Kerrie Chandler said customers would have more room to move.
“It will be a bigger area of operation for those wanting to do a fishing trip, explore Pelican Waters or simply enjoy nature,” she said.
Bill’s will essentially operate in two locations: its traditional home near Bulcock Beach and northern Golden Beach, and its new area from the Caloundra Power Boat Club to Lighthouse Reach, which stretches for about 5.5km.
Moorings are in place on the south side of Military Jetty, and it’s hoped that one or two boats will be anchored there and ready for hire from the school holidays.
A detailed map and chart will show customers out-of-bounds areas like rivers, shallow estuaries or inlets.
The business has national park and marine park permits and Maritime Safety Queensland approval.
Ms Chandler said the expansion was brought on by the region’s booming population.
“Small block sizes at (master-planned community) Aura have limited opportunities for new locals to own a boat,” she said.
“But with our hire-and-drive opportunity, there is no need to own and maintain a boat.
“We will do all the hard work. People can simply book a boat online, or call us, and arrive with their crew, driver’s licence, ice, bait, drinks and barbecue food, and we deliver a navigational, operational and anchorage briefing, and they are underway.
“No boat licence is needed.”
Most of the business’s new area of operation is wild, devoid of coastal settlements.
“Customers have the opportunity to travel further down the passage and immerse themselves in the quiet of nature, find their own place to anchor and have a fish and barbecue from the luxury of their hired boat,” Ms Chandler said.
“They can also explore Pelican Waters and the new marina.”
Bill’s two areas of operation are essentially separated by a dynamic section of the passage near the Bribie bar, which was caused by a tidal breakthrough through Bribie Island in early 2022.
When it occurred, there were fears for the business.
“We had to close for up to three months during the peak period,” she said.
“It was dangerous with all the fallen trees and logs in the water.”
But conditions settled in the northern end of the passage, which became a “beautiful, big, calm lagoon”, and Bill’s bounced back.
“One of the many positives of the breakthrough is that the (original) area of operation is so quiet now, with less current,” Ms Chandler said.
“We have continued to adjust navigation maps, showcasing the best places to anchor, cook the barbecue, go for a fish, chill out and watch the birdlife on the many sandflats.
“The soldier crabs, which have multiplied in numbers, get out and about on the low tide, and the high tide continues to offer a deep and clear waterway that is easy to navigate in any watercraft.”
Ms Chandler said its traditional area of operation offered “a unique experience” and “is much safer for first-timers when hiring a boat”.
“Often the only boats exploring and out and about are Bill’s boats, so it is a quiet and safe waterway,” she said.
“We will continue to offer boats, kayaks, and paddle boards from the same location that Bill’s Boat Hire has been at since 1956.
“Given there is no longer the strong currents present, it makes a perfect place for non-powered watercraft. You can gently paddle your way over to Bribie Island and find a spot to have your own private, quiet picnic.”
Bill’s is still for sale, after it was put on the market in mid-2022.
“We are waiting for the right buyer,” Ms Chandler said.
“Given it is a historical business, we see it as our duty to ensure the mantle gets passed to the right purchaser.
“We are passing on a landmark, a legacy, an iconic business that has had a footprint in this area for 68 years.
“It is the only boat hire business at the southern bookend of the Sunny Coast.
“There were up to seven boat hire business operating here in the early days, but Bills is the only boat hire business that has survived and thrived.
“As the business continues to adapt with the changing tides, new opportunities have arisen and we are keen to measure how popular this new area will be for the hire and drive market and the consideration that it may, into the future, expand into the new marina at Pelican Waters.”
Bill’s was established by Bill Aspland in 1956. Husband and wife Craig and Kerrie Chandler have been at the helm for the past eight years.
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