Kookaburra Queen at Eagle Street Pier

Established in 1986

The Kookaburra River Queen Paddlewheelers are true icons of the Brisbane River, based on the Mississipi, and Murray River Paddlewheelers and celebrate Brisbane's greatest asset - our river.

The vessels were aptly named because the Kookaburra is a native Australian bird that is never seen to drink water - a prophecy that all boat owners would hope to emulate!

Confident that Brisbane was ready for "something nostalgic, old-fashioned and different" the Kookaburra River Queens were born. Millkraft Thompson Boatyards built Kookaburra River Queen I. She was the first wooden paddlewheeler built in Australia in the last century. Launched in 1986 and 1988 respectively, the Queens were crafted mainly from Queensland timbers, the 100 foot keels from ironbark, the sheathed hulls planked with oregon and spotted gum and the decks made from white beech.

After playing a major role in the popular World Expo 88, the vessels have become a part of Brisbane's riverscape for over 20 years.

www.kookaburrariverqueens.com

Archive Airings AA48 Passenger Transportation