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Speed limits

In boating areas maximum speed limits apply. There are penalties and on-the-spot fines for exceeding a speed limit. For safety reasons, it may be necessary to stay well below these limits depending on the conditions.

Before boating in unfamiliar areas, find out if there are any special speed restrictions. Contact a Maritime Safety Queensland regional office, local authorities or marine parks and obey speed restriction signs.

The following restrictions apply throughout Queensland whether signs are present or not.

A speed limit of six knots:

  • within 30 metres (m) of
    • boats anchored, moored to the shore or aground
    • a jetty, wharf, pontoon or boat ramp
  • within 30 m of people in the water
  • within 60 m of people in the water when operating a personal watercraft
  • in boat harbours and marinas.

Even at slow speeds your boat will create a wash. Look behind at your wash and be aware of the impact this can have on other boats, people in the water or the shore. Travelling at the speed shown on a speed restriction sign does not guarantee you are not creating excessive wash.

When navigating near, in or through a mooring area drive slowly and keep wash to a minimum and keep a lookout for people in the water, small dinghies and trailing ropes.

Check the gazetted speed limits in Queensland (PDF, 79 KB).

Gold Coast waterways 

2010 changes

These maps show changes to speed limits effective 17 December 2010:

2008 changes

These maps show changes to speed limits effective 1 July 2008:

Noosa River waterways 

A review of the Noosa River system speed limits was conducted in 2006.

Maps of the Noosa River waterways indicating speed limits

Recreational Boat Operators Code of Practice Noosa River (PDF, 226 KB)

Last updated: 17 January 2012