Seasonal weekend rafting trips

Friend and family groups, corporate team days, school and youth groups, and tourists looking for an outdoor activity.

A price per person for each trip, with extra income from group bookings, private charters and add-ons like a barbecue lunch or photos.

• Strong river and paddling experience
• Leading groups and keeping people calm
• Safety and rescue skills
• Organising bookings and logistics

• Public liability insurance that specifically covers adventure activities, as many standard policies exclude them
• Commercial operator permits for national parks, state forests or waterways, which differ by state and territory, so check with the land manager
• Work health and safety duties, plus guide and safety standards for the industry, so check your state regulator and industry body
• Waivers and risk briefings, and a working with children check if you take school groups
• River levels and weather can cancel trips, so expect income to be seasonal and uneven
• Towing a trailer, or carrying passengers in a vehicle, may need extra insurance or a different licence, so check with your state road authority

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $45,000, depending on how many rafts and how much safety gear you buy, and your trailer needs. Get quotes for your own setup before committing.

Check that your public liability insurance covers adventure activities, as many policies exclude them. Also check commercial operator permits with the land manager, work health and safety duties, waivers, working with children checks for school groups, and trailer or passenger rules.

Estimates put monthly revenue at typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on trip numbers and group sizes. River levels and weather can cancel trips, so income is seasonal and uneven. It typically takes at least 12 hours a week.