It's been 30 years since Peter Venn introduced his green-and-gold hovercrafts to Brisbane but his memories of running Expo 88's most popular attraction are still fresh.

The four futuristic hovercrafts he built and operated especially for the event carried more than 138,000 people up and down the Brisbane River.

To celebrate Expo's 30th anniversary, Mr Venn took ABC Radio Brisbane's Craig Zonca for a joyride in one of the original hovercraft and reflected on its place in history.

"My life is punctuated by Expo: What happened before and what happened after," he laughed.

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Mr Venn and his crew burned through one tonne of fuel every day to keep up with the demand for their thrilling, two-minute joyrides.

When one hovercraft launched, another would be ready to drift back up unto the pontoon and reload with passengers.

Photographs from the time show hostesses in yellow blouses selling tickets from a temporary booth, and men in matching polo shirts and captain's hats grappling with a wobbly pontoon and steering around obstacles in the river.

"It was like pea soup out there, it was really difficult," Mr Venn said.

A ticket to ride the hovercraft cost $5. ( Supplied: Peter Venn )

"Our pontoon floated on the surface six metres out from the bank and it was subject to the waves."

The enormous popularity of the hovercraft was great for business but also put extra pressure on Mr Venn.

He said there was a constant queue of people waiting for the experience, day and night.

"Actually, I had some health issues because of the stress," he said.

"My doctor kept saying there's nothing I can do for you until Expo is over.

"I had a hat and I used to wear it really low so I couldn't see the queue."

People queued for hours to ride the hovercraft. ( Supplied: Peter Venn )

Hovercraft not officially allowed

The success of the hovercraft went down in Brisbane history as an incredible feat because Mr Venn never received an official tick of approval to be part of Expo 88.

"I never actually got a letter from the Expo people to say that I could do the ride," he said.

"It was something people had to pay for and they didn't have to pay for everything else.

"I just turned up on opening day and away we went."

Hovercraft pilots had to contend with obstacles in the water and a constantly bobbing pontoon.

He said organisers impressed with their popularity did not raise the issue with him until Expo had finished.

Prime minister Bob Hawke was among many high-profile guests attracted to the banks of the river to experience the hovercraft; even Expo 88 chairman Sir Lew Edwards was snapped shaking hands with Mr Venn on the pontoon.

A new passenger stepped onto a hovercraft every 50 seconds during Expo 88. ( Supplied: Peter Venn )

Ride rediscovered after decades

After Expo 88 ended, Mr Venn said his hovercraft "went like hotcakes".

They were advertised in a popular boating magazine and sold off one by one.

It took 20 years for Mr Venn to track one down and restore it to its former glory.

"When I got it it was coloured in a really horrible blue," he said.

"It took me two weeks to rub all the paint off.

"I exposed all the murals and colours and with a little bit of a touch up it looks brand new."