Used kayaks in Australia typically sell for A$230 to A$1,150 (about $160 to $810). Kayaks sell on type and hull condition, and the practical question every buyer has is whether they can actually transport it — so give the length and weight.
What kayaks are worth in Australia
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | A$1,150 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | A$977 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | A$747 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | A$517 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | A$287 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Complete with seat, hatches and bungs
- Paddle, spraydeck and buoyancy aid included
What pulls it down
- Cracks or previous repairs to the hull
- Missing hatch covers and drain bungs
Selling a kayak in Australia
Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
Australia’s second-hand market is strongly local and strongly seasonal, with most activity concentrated in the eastern capitals and buyers who expect to collect.
Australia Post covers everywhere, but distance pricing is real and interstate parcels cost meaningfully more than local ones.
Seasons are inverted relative to the UK and North America: warm-weather items move from September, and winter gear from around May.
Working out what yours is worth
- Run your hand over the whole hull feeling for repairs
- Confirm all hatches, bungs and the seat are present
Getting it ready
- Check the hull for deep gouges, repairs or soft spots, and test any hatches and bungs for seal.
- Confirm which accessories are included: paddle, seat, buoyancy aid, spray deck.
Photograph
- The kayak side on, full length, on the ground
- The cockpit or seating area
- All accessories included, plus any gouge or crack
Put in the description
- Type and whether single or tandem
- Length in feet and weight in kilograms
- Hull condition including gouges, repairs and soft spots
Type, length and contents: “Sit-On-Top Kayak, 10ft, with Paddle and Seat”. Length in feet is the primary filter because it determines transport. Say whether it is a single or tandem, and whether an inflatable comes with its pump.
April through August, peaking early summer. A kayak listed in autumn sells slowly and cheaply.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the A$1,150 a buyer pays is the A$1,150 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in Australia
Australia is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of Australia with their own page for kayaks.
- Selling a kayak in Sydney
- Selling a kayak in Melbourne
- Selling a kayak in Brisbane
- Selling a kayak in Perth
- Selling a kayak in Adelaide
- Selling a kayak in Gold Coast
- Selling a kayak in Canberra
Common questions
Where can I sell a kayak in Australia?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Bank transfer via PayID is instant and is what most private buyers will offer. Cash on collection remains common for larger items.
How heavy is it?
Give the weight. Buyers are working out whether they can lift it onto a roof alone, and it is the practical constraint.
Does storage affect a kayak’s value?
Considerably. A kayak stored flat on one side for years warps permanently, which affects how it handles.
Should I include the paddle?
Bundling paddle, spraydeck and buoyancy aid makes a listing much more attractive to a beginner buyer, who needs all of it anyway.
More: how to sell a kayak, what kayaks are worth, or Sports & Outdoors across Australia.