PWC Operating Areas

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Exclusion Zone

PWC “Exclusion Zone” means the waters of Port Jackson, and includes the waters of all tidal bays, rivers and their tributaries connected or leading to Sydney Harbour bounded by high-water mark and lying to the west of a line commencing at the southernmost point of North Head and running to the northernmost point of South Head.

PWC are not permitted to be driven in the Exclusion Zone at any time, unless exempt. Penalties apply.

PWC Restriction Zones

PWC “Restriction Zone” means the waters (including any tributaries) of Avoca Lake, Botany Bay, Brisbane Water, Broken Bay, Bulbararing Lagoon, Cockrone Lagoon, Cooks River, Dee Why Lagoon, Georges River, Hawkesbury River, Manly Reservoir, Manly Lagoon, Narrabeen Lakes, Nepean River, Port Hacking, Prospect Reservoir, Terrigal Lagoon, Wamberal Lagoon and Woronora River ( but does not include any open waters).

PWC are not permitted to be used for 'irregular driving' within 200 metres of a river bank or shore when operating in the Restriction Zones. Penalties apply.

Examples of 'irregular driving' are:

This means that PWC are required to be operated generally in a straight line within 200 metres of the shoreline.

“No Go PWC” Areas

Below is a list of areas in which PWC use is prohibited. PWC are not permitted to be driven in these areas at any time, unless exempt. Check relevant boating maps for details. Penalties apply.

NORTH COAST

PWC's are not permitted upstream of Lake Lismore on the Wilson's River.
Marine Parks at Byron which also includes Brunswick Heads South to Lennox Point.

Tweed Heads Area (map)
No power boating in these areas which includes PWCs:
(electric powered vessels are permitted)

Coffs Harbour Area (map)

South West Rocks Area (map)

Trial Bay(Gaol area):No power boating including PWCs includes an area extending from the Arakoon Camping area foreshore bordered by 3 yellow buoys indicating NO PWC or powerered vessels. (see attached map)

Manning Region

Knappinghat Creek

HUNTER/INLAND

Upper Williams River (map)

HAWKESBURY / BROKEN BAY

Nil (map)

SYDNEY

Botany Bay and Port Hacking have the following PWC prohibited zones:

Yarra Bay, Frenchmans Bay, Congwong and Little Congwong beachs (Botany Bay) (map)

Darook Park (Port Hacking) (map)

SOUTH COAST

Maritime is conducting personal watercraft ‘no go’ zone trials in the Eurobodalla area. The prohibited zones in place are:

Durras area – South Durras prohibited zone and Durras Lake speed restricted area allowing access to the boat ramp;

Broulee Bay – Prohibited zone areas to include Broulee Beach, Tomakin Beach, Tomakin Cove with PWC restricted to a narrow speed restricted channel allowing access to the boat ramp at Mossy Point on the Tomaga River;

Tuross Lake – a prohibited zone, with PWC restricted to a narrow channel between the boat ramp at Tuross Head and the open ocean with an 8-knot speed restriction; and

Batemans Bay – PWC excluded from Cullendulla Creek.

MURRAY / INLAND

Lake Mulwala - between the road and railway bridges. (map)