Discover Nautical
By Nature
Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, the tranquillity of the water and the magic of Mackay, QLD.
Welcome to Nautical By Nature Mackay! We are your gateway to unforgettable aquatic adventures.
Based in Mackay, nestled in the heart of the Queensland coast, Australia, our water adventures promise to take you on a journey of discovery, with options ranging from adrenaline rush jet boat rides with Purple Thunder to the ultimate relaxation cruises, including afternoon & sunset cruises, island day trips and private overnight charters.
Born from a passion for the ocean and a love for sharing the natural beauty of the Mackay region, our experiences are designed to connect guests with our spectacular waterways, wildlife and island landscapes while delivering exceptional service, safety and unforgettable memories.
Our commitment to safety, sustainability, and personalised service sets us apart.
Nautical By Nature’s ‘Green is our Gold’ Pledge
Nautical by Nature is proud to support Tourism Australia’s Green is Our Gold initiative and has signed the Green and Gold Promise. This industry-wide commitment brings tourism businesses together to help protect Australia’s natural environments, respect cultures and support local communities while sharing our country with visitors. Through this pledge we support the Green and Gold Principles, encouraging responsible travel behaviours such as respecting wildlife, preserving the places we visit and celebrating the communities that make each destination unique.
The People behind the scenes
Meet our team
Passionate about maritime adventures, our team are dedicated to providing exceptional boat tours, showcasing the wonders of our scenic locales.
Louise Plahn
Owner/Operator – Director
Before launching Nautical by Nature, Louise spent a decade with Queensland Fire and Rescue, where safety, calm decision-making and looking after people became second nature. Now combining that experience with a deep passion for the marine environment and wildlife, she’s the driving force behind guest experience, business operations and the constant stream of new ideas that keep Nautical by Nature evolving. Her deep love for the marine environment and its incredible wildlife fuels everything she does.
Adrian Plahn
Owner/Operator – Master 5/MED2
Before life on the water, Adrian spent 15 years with Queensland Fire and Rescue, building the calm confidence, strong safety mindset and quick decision-making skills that now make him such a natural skipper. A passionate fisherman and ocean lover, he thrives on sharing unforgettable adventures with guests, whether that’s island exploring, private charters or creating a few screams and a proper soaking aboard Purple Thunder. He has entirely too much fun skippering the jet boat!
Admiral Simon
Admiral Simon – Master 5/MED2
Affectionately known as Admiral Simon, he’s one of our experienced Endless Days skippers and a much-loved part of the Nautical by Nature crew. A longtime friend of the team, Simon brings a calm head, plenty of marine know-how and a sense of humour that guests quickly warm to. Having previously skippered one of Hervey Bay’s whale research vessels, his knowledge of marine life, particularly whales, adds an extra layer of insight to our whale season experiences. With a strong focus on safety, smooth cruising and memorable guest experiences, he’s exactly who you want at the helm.
Ashton
Junior Deck Legend
Ashton is our Junior Crew on Purple Thunder and Endless Days, and the first team member to join us beyond family. He keeps things running smoothly on the dock and on deck, helping guests gear up, delivering safety briefings and bringing plenty of good energy. Trained in our safety procedures, he’s working toward his Coxswain’s ticket with his sights set on captaining his own mega yacht. He also has an almost unnatural ability to pilot a drone and an eye for capturing a seriously great shot.
Our Values
At Nautical by Nature, we believe in creating real, meaningful experiences that connect people to the water, the community, and each other. We’re driven by a love of adventure, a commitment to inclusivity, and a deep respect for the environment we call home. From our down-to-earth hospitality to our high safety standards, everything we do is guided by authenticity, excellence, and a genuine passion for showcasing the best of the Mackay region — responsibly and with heart.
Accessibility
At Nautical by Nature, we believe unforgettable experiences on the water should be as inclusive and accessible as reasonably possible, while always prioritising safety, vessel design limitations and the nature of each individual experience.
Because our experiences take place in a marine environment, accessibility requirements can vary significantly depending on the guest, the chosen experience and current operating conditions. For this reason, we encourage guests with accessibility needs, medical considerations or support requirements to contact us before booking so we can discuss the most suitable option.
Vessel Access
Our current vessels are not wheelchair accessible, and independent wheelchair boarding is not possible due to vessel design and marina access constraints.
Boarding occurs via marina gangways and pontoons, which may become steeper during low tide conditions and can present additional challenges for some guests.
Where safe and practical, our team is always happy to provide boarding assistance and additional support.
Our Experience Supporting Guests
We have proudly supported guests with a wide range of accessibility and support needs across our experiences, including:
- autism spectrum conditions
- vision impairments
- hearing impairments
- limited mobility
- sensory sensitivities
- anxiety-related participation concerns
- guests requiring additional communication or boarding support
Support may include:
- calm, patient boarding procedures
- clear and friendly communication
- sensory-aware support
- guided boarding assistance
- detailed verbal safety briefings
- written or visual communication where needed
- flexible seating arrangements
- additional time for boarding and disembarkation
- one-to-one support where practical
- tailored assistance based on individual needs
Every guest’s circumstances are different, and we approach each enquiry with an open mind rather than making assumptions about what someone can or cannot do.
Individual Assessment
Some experiences involve physical movement, marine conditions, emergency response considerations or safety requirements that may affect suitability depending on the individual.
Rather than applying blanket exclusions wherever possible, we assess each situation individually by considering:
- the guest’s specific needs
- the chosen experience
- current operating conditions
- vessel access requirements
- emergency response considerations
- the ability to participate safely
Where reasonable adjustments can be made safely, we will always do our best to accommodate them.
If an experience is not considered safe or appropriate, we will communicate this honestly and respectfully, and explore alternative options where possible.
Our Approach
We believe accessibility is about far more than physical mobility.
Our team is committed to treating every guest with respect, honesty and a genuine willingness to help wherever we safely can.
The most important thing for us is creating a safe, enjoyable and memorable experience, not making assumptions based on labels or diagnoses.
Marine safety and emergency response requirements will always remain the overriding consideration.
Need to Chat?
If you’re unsure whether one of our experiences is suitable, please get in touch before booking.
We’d much rather have a conversation upfront and help you choose the right experience than have anyone arrive feeling uncertain or disappointed.
You can contact us by email (click here) or phone on 0409 032 411.
Committed to sustainable tourism practices
Renewable Energy:
Solar panels generate renewable energy for onboard systems, reducing the need for generator usage. The starboard engine has a specialised alternator fitted which produces 70W, topping up the large bank of house batteries while the engine is running.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products:
We use as many environmentally friendly cleaning products as possible to minimise the impact of cleaning on the marine ecosystem.
Reduction of Plastic Usage:
We’ve eliminated the use of single-use plastics on board, such as disposable cutlery and straws. Where possible we use reusable or biodegradable alternatives for all other plastics.
Efficient Hull Design:
Endless Days hull design is optimised for fuel efficiency and reduced drag. Regular anti-fouling coatings and hull scrubs help reduce the growth of marine organisms on the hull, improving fuel efficiency.
Energy-Efficient Engines:
Our engines are fuel-efficient and eco-friendly, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Regular Engine Maintenance:
Proper maintenance of engines and equipment ensures optimal performance and reduces emissions. Regularly servicing engines can also extend their lifespan, reducing the resource extraction, emissions, waste generation and energy required to manufacture replacement engines.
Waste Management:
Endless Days has implemented a comprehensive waste management system that includes recycling and responsible disposal of waste. We encourage passengers and crew to participate in waste reduction efforts.
Slower Cruising Speeds:
Operating the vessel at slightly lower, more fuel-efficient speeds, significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions.
Wildlife Protection:
We abide by strict guidelines for wildlife viewing, ensuring that passengers and crew maintain a respectful distance from marine life and adhere to wildlife protection regulations.
Preserving Our Pristine Marine Environment:
The Endless Days crew participate in coastal clean up activities during charters and private visits to our gorgeous islands, collecting washed up rubbish from the beaches to ensure nothing but footprints are left behind when we leave.
Local Sourcing:
We locally source as much of our food and supplies as possible to reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and support local economies as much as possible.
Educational Initiatives:
Our crew are passionate about the local marine environment and wildlife. We foster a sense of stewardship and responsibility for the environment and educate our guests on marine environment preservation practices.
Cruising with a conscience
At Nautical by Nature, we believe in protecting the incredible environment we’re lucky enough to operate in. From reducing our reliance on generators to choosing eco-friendly products and planning fuel-efficient routes, sustainability is embedded in everything we do. We’re committed to continuously improving our environmental practices as we grow. Read our full Emissions Reduction Plan and our Environmental Management Plan to learn more about the steps we’re taking to minimise our impact.