POP-EYE MOTOR LAUNCHES

A visit to Adelaide is not complete without a cruise on Pop-eye. It’s a delightful tour, along 6 kilometres of the tranquil meandering Torrens River. You see a view of the City’s landscape from a different perspective and can enjoy the river’s prolific birdlife.

The famous Pop-eye Motor Launch frequently leaves Elder Park landing for the 40 minute cruise to the weir and upstream to the Adelaide Zoo, where it stops before returning to Elder Park. It’s a great short cut to Adelaide Zoo and the Botanical Gardens.

Pop-eye is Available for Charters – River Cruises for up to 2 hours are ideal for group bookings and get-togethers with family or friends. Bring your own food and drinks. Turn your breakfast, lunch or evening into a special occasion. And a lovely way to start your evening at the riverside restaurants is to arrive via Pop-eye – BYO nibbles and pre-dinner drinks if required.

Pop-eye Launches are a South Australian institution. The original boat was built on the banks of the Torrens in the 1930s, around the time the first Adelaide Pageant paraded through the City.  After a decade of holidaymakers enjoying cruising the Torrens, a new Pop-eye fleet was built at Searle’s Boatyard in Port Adelaide. Since then, visitors and generations of children have loved Pop-eye. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were delighted with a Torrens cruise on Pop-eye during their 1956 visit.

Pop-eye Launches have won numerous tourism awards over the years and were honoured with being recognised for the State Bank Heritage Icons List for South Australia.

CAPTAIN JOLLY’S PADDLE BOATS – It’s a fun way to enjoy the River in the heart of Adelaide for the family and the young at heart. Boats are fast and easy to paddle.

Paddleboats can be hired from Captain Jolly’s, under the King William Street bridge on weekends, public and school holidays from 10am, weather permitting.

Charter bookings for Pop-eye:
phone (08) 8223 5863
or phone/fax 8295 4747