Still fitted with their blue and yellow interiors and iconic paint jobs, four retired CityCat ferries have sold at auction for a combined $184,250.

The first-generation boats were launched between 1996 and 1998, and named Kurilpa, Tugulawa, Mirbarpa, and Baneraba.

Seller Adrian Seiffert said interest largely came from businesses, but some individuals had inquired about converting the retired ferries for personal use and living.

The four separate auctions were run online, with the vessels kept on land at The Yard at Hemmant on the Brisbane River.

Baneraba – which had served for the fewest hours – attracted the highest price at $57,000. Kurilpa went for $54,000, Tugulawa fetched $40,750, and Mirbarpa $32,500.

The boats are made of aluminium and fibreglass, with each powered by two six-cylinder diesel engines producing 355 horsepower. The most-used vessel had done more than 30,000 hours of service.

They have a top speed of about 25 knots, or 46 kilometres per hour.

Capacity is limited to 149 passengers, and the listing boasted of “wheelchair and pram access [with] toilet facilities”.

Seiffert sold the boats through Marineauctions.com on behalf of RiverCity Ferries, which has the contract with Brisbane City Council to run its river ferry service.

The auction was highly competitive, running more than two hours overtime due to a high number of late bids.

Brisbane City Council previously confirmed the boats had been retired due to the introduction of the NextGen double-decker CityCats.

External branding was removed, but upholstery on chairs still carried the council logo when sold. Images showed the boats had substantial corrosion and damage in some areas.

The auctions ran from July 23 to 29, with more than 500 bids lodged. The starting offer for each boat was just $250.

In 2025, the famous Kookaburra Queen sold to a mystery buyer on the Gold Coast for $550,000. It later sank while docked, with the cause remaining a mystery.