According to Tourism NSW, around 45,000 people holiday on houseboats every year. And it’s easy to understand the attraction. A holiday on a houseboat offers everything in the one spot – a place to sleep, play, fish, swim and eat – so you can put your feet up, lie back and watch the scenery roll by.
Gail Glover, who hires on the Hawkesbury, says there are a wide range of people who love houseboats. “There are those who come to chill out and eat, and others who come to party.”
Houseboats are great for group and family holidays as most vessels sleep between four and 12 people, and the more people there are, the cheaper your holiday becomes.
“They’re inexpensive once you get a few people together,” says Di Macfarlane, who operates two hire companies on the Murray River. “[Also], because they are a unique way to holiday, you can use the houseboat as your base and do activities from it.”
NRMA Member, Michelle Anderson, took out a charter for the first time with friends and says she is hooked.
“It is very quiet on the river at night and there’s plenty of activity during the day,” says Michelle.
“We could swim from the boat to the small beaches along the Hawkesbury river. I would recommend hiring a houseboat to anyone and I can’t wait to do it again.”
Charters are available throughout the year, but do vary considerably in price depending on when you book. Prices range from $400 for a three-night hire during the quieter winter months, and can go as high as $4000 for seven nights in the busy holiday periods, plus fuel costs – which can range between $15 and $30 per motoring hour. There may also be outboard dingy hire and car parking fees onshore, so make sure you check if they are included in the price.
What you get for your money is, in many cases, nothing short of a floating hotel suite, with many houseboat operators now courting the luxury liner.
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Fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms with double beds, BBQs and, more often than not, a sundeck or outdoor area to laze on, are generally standard features, but higher end models even come with TVs, DVDs and rooftop spas.
All you have to provide are your groceries, fishing and swimming gear, and clothing – and in some cases you may have to bring your own linen, too.
Storage and hanging space is usually limited, so leave most of your wardrobe at home. So too black sole shoes as they tend to mark the boat’s white fibreglass.
No boating licence is needed; however, most companies require the main skipper to be at least 18 years of age, and they may also ask for a drivers licence. In some instances, there is a minimum age requirement of 21 or 25 years, so it is advisable to check before you book.
Fear not, though, if your sea legs are shaky. You’ll be shown how to drive the boat – most of which have simple forward and reverse gears – and you’ll receive maps, a rundown of navigation rules and a two-way radio in case you run into any trouble. While life jackets should come as standard with hire, it’s important to check with the hire company about whether they provide life jackets for babies and kids.
New South Wales is a haven for houseboat holidays. Here’s a sample of what’s on offer in our State.
On the New South Wales and Queensland border, lies the gateway to the beautiful, scenic Tweed River set among the backdrop of spectacular Mt Warning and subtropical cane fields.
You can catch your own dinner in the plentiful fishing spots, float past dolphins and pelicans, or drop in at one of the many clubs, restaurants, galleries and shops, which are located along the riverbank.
Details
Boyds Bay Houseboats is situated at the southern end of the Gold Coast, on the New South Wales and Queensland border, and hires out a number of boats, including The Island Dream (with six bedrooms and two bathrooms) and The Tweed Princess (with spa bath on the top deck).
For more details call (07) 5599 1436 or 1800 468 732 or visit www.goldcoasthouseboats.com.
Berger Houseboats, located at Tweed Marina, River Terrace, lets you choose from eight boats, and supplies a free dinghy so you can access the many shops, galleries, clubs, and so on, located along the riverbank. For more information call (07) 5524 3222 or visit www.bergerhouseboats.com.au.
Another hire company worth looking at is Tweed River Houseboats, Tweed Valley Way, Murwillumbah. Call 6672 3525 or visit www.tweedriverhouseboats.com.au.
Houseboats are a great way to explore the State’s largest coastal lake system on the New South Wales’ mid-north coast. The calm, crystal clear waters are dotted with dozens of islands and beaches to laze the day away on. The Great Lakes is also a playground for all manner of aquatic activities such as swimming, fishing and kayaking.
Details
Forster Luxury Houseboats at Boatshed Number One, Forster, hires spacious luxury boats. For more details call 6554 7733 or visit www.manningcbd.com.au/houseboats.html.
Getaway Luxury House Boats also hires luxury boats, with everything you need onboard, such as fully equipped kitchen, gas BBQ and DVD player. For more information call 1800 620 202 or visit www.getawayluxuryhouseboats.com.au/.
Explore along the South Coast’s premier waterway, home to a wide range of native wildlife, dramatic sandstone cliffs and private beaches. Cruise the 30km stretch, where you can fish, swim and boat, or set anchor for a bushwalk or meal at one of the many fine restaurants, clubs and venues along the river.
Details
Houseboats on Shoalhaven operates from a private property 12km from Nowra CBD. Choose from the six-berth Escape boat or the 12-berth Getaway boat. Call 4421 4164 or visit www.houseboatsonshoalhaven.com.au.
Further south, the Clyde River offers bass and bushwalking. There are 38km of navigable waterway, and more than a dozen National Parks and State forests to explore on foot, with Pidgeon House Mountain the highest peak for scenic views across the district.
Details
Clyde River Houseboats is located near the Batemans Bay Bridge, north of town. Its boats accommodate eight to 10 people comfortably. Call 4472 6369 or visit www.clyderiverhouseboats.com.au/.
Bay River Houseboats, based on the Clyde River, hires out fully equipped boats for eight to 10 people. For further details call 4472 5649 or visit www.bayriverhouseboats.com.au/.
Why not take a houseboat holiday on one of the largest river systems in the world? From its source in the Snowy Mountains, the Murray River flows 2530km west, then south to meet the Southern Ocean in South Australia. A trip down the Murray is a trip through time itself, with many heritage trails to be explored. Water sports are another key attraction of the area; catch a Murray cod or go water skiing. Every major town has houseboats for hire. You just have to decide whether you want to go upstream or down on your voyage.
Details
For links to several houseboat operators on the Murray visit www.murrayriver.com.au/houseboats/default.htm. First, pick the area of the Murray you’re interested in, then choose a houseboat. There are so many to choose from, you’ll certainly find one to suit your tastes and desires. Some have heated roof top spa pools, others upstairs entertainment areas, plus you’ll find many more affordable options.
Perfect for a little weekend escape from Sydney, retrace the passage of Governor Phillip who first explored the Hawkesbury in 1789. Now home to many communities that dot its banks, explore the islands or sup at one of the restaurants accessible only by water.
Details
Luxury Afloat, located on the Hawkesbury River in Brooklyn on the Old Pacific Highway, hires out a number of houseboats, which are said to be “the cleanest and best maintained available”. For more information call 9985 7344 or visit
www.luxuryafloat.org.
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