A travel guide to a unique holiday experience - a relaxing houseboat holiday.
A houseboat holiday is truly a holiday with a difference. It provides a real sense of adventure and the freedom to explore "what's just around the bend". You can relax and take it easy, cruising along the waterway, or tied up on a picturesque bank. There's an almost pioneering sense of adventure- in luxury conditions! Water birds abound... towering cliffs glow in the sunlight... early morning mists give promise to the day... dark star studded skies welcome the night.
Houseboats offer the perfect option for families or groups. For a large group, hire two or more boats and travel together. Houseboats are also perfect for honeymoons, or a special weekend away as a couple. How about a family reunion? A club getaway? Your Scout or Guide troop? The possibilities are endless.
In this guide we will talk about what houseboats are available for hire at various locations along the river, as well as answering some frequently asked questions about houseboat hire.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can hire a houseboat?
The primary hirer must have a current drivers licence, or boat license, and must be at least 18 years of age- some companies require hirer to be over 21. Also, a number of companies will charge extra bond for groups of all one gender.
What type of houseboats are there?
Most houseboats are pontoon boats, and accommodate from 2-12 people. The number of people on-board must not exceed the number of berths. Boats can be powered by outboard, or inboard diesel or petrol motors. A few are paddle wheelers, which add to the experience even more! Houseboats vary from quite basic to extreme luxury!
How much does it cost to hire a houseboat?
Houseboat prices depend on the size of the boat, where it is located and the facilities provided- a houseboat with lots of luxuries will usually cost more that one of the same berth in a more basic style. Prices might range from just under $1,000 for a small boat for a week up to nearly $5,000 per week.
The initial hire cost may seem fairly high, especially for the larger boats, but if you divide the cost between a group of people, it works out quite a reasonable holiday, per person. If you want to save money, mid week prices are cheaper, as are off season hires, while weekends, public holidays and school holidays cost more. Fuel costs also need to be taken into consideration. Plus you will be required to pay a bond, which is refundable, but any damages will be taken out of this.
What about fuel?
Houseboats will be filled with fuel before departure and your usage cost will be determined at the end of the trip, so keep in mind that fuel is an extra expense to the initial hire fee. The amount will vary depending on distance travelled, river conditions and they type of motor the boat is equipped with.
What if I damage the boat?
As all hire houseboats must be insured, you are usually only liable for the excess of the policy as long as regulations, terms and conditions are adhered to. Wilful or negligent damage is not covered and therefore the total amount of damage may be payable under those circumstances.
What facilities do houseboats offer?
Houseboat decor and furniture is usually quite attractive and of a high standard. Some boats may have a more functional appearance. It pays to check what is available, and look at pictures, rather than just choosing sight unseen. Houseboat company websites often offer a good place to have a look at what their boats are like. Many will also send out printed pamphlets.
Facilities which you can normally expect to be provided are beds- usually singles, doubles or bunks in cabins of 2-4 berths- kitchen facilities including crockery, utensils, cookware etc, toilet and bathroom facilities, and usually a barbecue and ice box. Quilts/blankets are usually also supplied, with linen available for hire. Tow along row boats/ motor boats can often also be hired. Things such as microwave, sound system, upper deck are often provided... sometimes even all king sized beds, en-suite bathrooms and a spa!
For a fee, many operators will stock the boat with food and drink to your specifications. Ice in the ice box can also be supplied.
All required safety gear, waterway maps, and 2 way radio devices are also supplied.
A practical instruction lesson is usually given before your departure, especially for first timers.
What are the houseboat hire seasons?
The season in which you hire the houseboat usually determines the rate you are charged, as more popular times of year are charged at a higher rate.
In general, the seasons are as follows (as of 2012):
Off Peak- 1 June to 31 August Normal- 30 January to 31 May and 1 September to 13 December Peak- 14 December to 28 January
HOUSE BOATS ON THE MURRAY RIVER
Houseboat Hire Locations (alphabetically)
Berri
Houseboat Adventure
10-12 berth boat 'Oasis' has 5 queen-size bedrooms with own sliding doors to deck. The rear lounge can be converted to another bedroom. It also has a top deck and 2 bathrooms.
Breathless houseboat is an 8-12 berth boat with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, one of which features a spa bath. It also has a spacious top deck, 2 TV/DVD's and ducted air con.
Bookings and enquiries:
Donna & Mark Styles Ph: (08) 8396 7444 Mob: 0417 832 237 Email: breathless@picknowl.com.au Boat located at Griffens Marina, Blanchetown
Kingston on Murray
Golden Leisure Houseboats
12 berth houseboat with 6 queen-size bedrooms, all with access to deck, and 2 bathrooms. Top deck and ducted air conditioning.
10-12 berth houseboat with 5 bedrooms and spacious upper deck. Also has microwave, dishwasher, 2 fridge/freezers, air con, gas heating and a large shaded and carpeted upper deck. Comes with a free dingy and canoe and a ski boat hitch.
CASTAWAY HOUSEBOATS - RIVER MURRAY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
An impressive double storey 8-12 berth boat with 5 queen size bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Also features upstairs and downstairs lounge complete with entertainment systems, gas heating, air con, microwave, dishwasher, 2 fridge/freezers and a ski boat hitch.
Luxury 8-12 berth with zip apart queen beds and 2 bathrooms. Other features include 2 rear lounges (which can convert to bedrooms), heated jacuzzi, home theatre set-up, air con, gas heating, ice maker in fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, solar panels and free kayak.
8-12 berth houseboat with 4 bedrooms- 2 with en-suite bathrooms- plus sofa beds. This boat features a dual helm system, from both lower and upper decks. It also boasts a 12 person heated spa and reverse cycle air con.
8-12 berth boat containing 4 queen beds, which can be singles, plus 2 rear lounges- with TV's- which have fold out sofa beds. The boat also has 2 bathrooms, laundry facilities, heated spa, piped music, TV/entertainment system in front lounge, dishwasher, microwave and ducted air con.
Fantasy houseboat is 8-12 berth with 4 queen-size bedrooms plus a convertible rear lounge and a sofa bed in the main lounge. It has 2 full bathrooms, plus a 3rd toilet, laundry facilities, dishwasher, 2 TV's and entertainment system, air con and an upper deck with spa, which also has a helm.
2-6 berth houseboat with 2 bedrooms containing queen-size beds- one is zip apart- and sofa beds in front and rear lounges. Dishwasher, microwave, air con, gas heating, 2 TV's and entertainment unit, 2 canoes and a spa on the shaded sun-deck.
An 8-10 berth boat with 4 bedrooms, a convertible rear lounge/bedroom and 3 bathrooms. The bedrooms have direct access to the deck. It also has dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, TV's/entertainment, air con and gas heating.
10-12 berth boat with 5 bedrooms and a convertible rear lounge/bedroom. This boat features upstairs steering helm on top deck, dishwasher, washing machine, 12 person heated spa, TV/DVD/CD players and ducted cooling.
A 2-6 berth boat with 2 bedrooms containing zip apart queen beds and 2 bathrooms which operate en-suite to each bedroom, but one is shared if the sofa bed is used. Upper deck with canopy, ducted air con, dishwasher, washing machine, TV and sound system.
Moon Shadow has 5 zip apart queen bedrooms and a sofa bed in rear lounge, 2 bathrooms, 8 person heated spa, ducted air con, dishwasher, 2 fridges, washing machine, TV's/entertainment and a diesel generator. Moon Dance has a sofa bed and 5 zip apart queen bedrooms, each with en-suite bathrooms and a 6th toilet on deck. It also has TV, dishwasher, washing machine and second steering helm on top deck.
Mystique is a 12 berth houseboat with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It has 2 fridges, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine and a covered upper sun-deck. It also has both solar power and a quiet generator.
Nankuri is a 2-5 berth boat which is easily handled by 2 people. Complete with spa, it is an ideal for honeymoons or romantic getaways. Located at Kia Marina, Mannum.
A 2-8 berth boat with 3 bedrooms containing zip apart beds, and a sofa bed in lounge. Also features 2 bathrooms, one of which is en-suite, home theatre, dishwasher, washing machine, air con and covered top deck with sun-lounges. It also has solar power and 2 canoes.
Takeme 2 is a 6-10 berth houseboat, with 3 bedrooms containing split apart beds and their own TV/DVD/CD players. It also has 2 sofa beds in the rear lounge and 2 bathrooms. Other features include TV/entertainment in rear lounge, dishwasher, washing machine and reverse cycle air con. Kayak and paddle boat hire available.
Beautiful 2 storey 12 berth houseboat containing 6 bedrooms, 2 of which are located on the upper level, and 3 bathrooms. It also has a spa on the upper level, reverse cycle air con, dishwasher, washing machine.
A fleet of 10-12 berth luxury houseboats, with various layouts. Tours, dinners, on-board chef and full provisioning services available. Some of the features may include en-suite bathrooms, upper level bedrooms, spa, dishwasher, washing machine, and reverse cycle air con. Jet ski, dinghy and canoe hire also available.
Small fleet of exquisite 8-12 berth houseboats. Luxury in every room, with quality fittings and attention to detail. Each bedroom has its own LCD TV and video, and some have en-suite bathrooms. Also include features such as spa, some have upper deck driving helm, dishwasher, washing machine, heating and cooling.
Fox Tale Houseboats are moored at Foxtale Marina, Morgan, and has a fleet of houseboats with various berths and layouts, up to 12 berth. They feature such things as zip apart beds, reverse cycle ducted air con, covered top decks, dishwasher, washing machine.
A modern 8 berth boat with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Also features heated spa on canopied upper deck, TV and sound system, dishwasher, washing machine, gourmet BBQ and reverse cycle air con.
Murray Meanderer is an 8 berth boat, with 4 large queen bedrooms 2 of which have zip apart beds)(, each with their own en-suite bathroom. The boat also has upper sun-deck with canopy, dishwasher, washing machine and air con.
10 berth houseboat with 4 bedrooms- 3 double and one with bunks. Also features air con and gas heating, ski boat and jet ski hitches, TV/DVD/CD and a canopied upper deck.
10-12 berth boat with 5 bedrooms containing queen zip apart beds. It also has 2 bathrooms and a separate toilet, dishwasher, washing machine, air con, top deck with canopy and rear swim deck.
DAYDREAMER HOUSEBOATS - MURRAY BRIDGE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Daydreamer is a beautiful 12 berth houseboat with 6 bedrooms, some zip apart, and 2 bathrooms. It boasts a 10 person spa, TV/entertainment, dishwasher, washing machine, reverse cycle air con and top deck with canopy.
DAYDREAMER HOUSEBOATS
They also have Tiana May, an affordable 8-10 berth boat.
Moored at Long Island Marina, Fifth Dimension is a 10 berth houseboat with 4 bedrooms, some of which zip apart to 2 single beds. The rear lounge also converts to a bedroom. It also has 2 bathrooms, spa, dishwasher, washing machine, air con and covered top deck.
Just Perfect is a 12 berth boat with 6 large bedrooms, 4 of which can be split into single beds. The boat also features 2 bathrooms, reverse cycle air con, TV/entertainment, 6 person jacuzzi on large covered upper deck, dishwasher and washing machine.
An 8 berth boat with 4 bedrooms, some with zip apart beds. Also has a canopied upper deck with spa, 2 bathrooms, air con and heating, microwave, dishwasher, twin fridges and washing machine.
A fleet of boats ranging from 4-12 berths, with varying features and layouts. Depending on which boat you choose, features may include en-suite bathrooms, zip apart beds to singles, spa, canopied upper deck, air con, heating, dishwasher, washing machine and TV/entertainment.
10-12 berth houseboat with 5 bedrooms with zip apart beds, and en-suite bathrooms. Shaded top deck with spa and second helm. Also features 2 fridges, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, air con, TV/DVD/CD.
Beautiful 12 berth boat with 6 separate bedrooms, each with zip apart queen beds. Also has 2 bathrooms, one containing a spa bath, 6 person jacuzzi on covered top deck, air con, gas heating, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, TV/DVD/CD. and an iPod dock.
A fleet of 5-12 berth houseboats, some with zip apart beds. Pets are welcome, with prior arrangement. Boats also have features such as spa, covered top decks, air con, heating, TV/entertainment, dishwasher, washing machine, full bathrooms, including some en-suites and some with extra toilet.
8-12 berth houseboats moored at Lock 5 Marina, Paringa. The boats have queen-size beds, some zip apart to singles, 2 bathrooms and some have additional extra toilets. They also have features such as dishwasher, washing machine, dryer (one boat), air con, heating, TV/entertainment and top deck with canopy.
This company offers both a hire houseboat 'Moving Waters' and a moored accommodation houseboat 'Murray Dream'. Moving Waters is a 10 berth boat with 3 zip apart queen beds and 2 sets of bunks, with 2 bathrooms. It also has 10 solar panels with backup generator, 2 TV's/DVD/CD, dishwasher, washing machine, cooling and heating and a large undercover top deck.
Lazi River houseboats include a luxury 2 storey, AAA rated 8-12 berth boat, with 4 large zip queen bedrooms with block-out blinds. There are 3 full bathrooms and 2 extra toilets, one of those on the upper level. It also has a spa, large TV and X-Box, reverse cycle air con, dishwasher and washing machine.
Liba Liba were the first houseboat company on the Murray and boast a large number of unique paddle wheeler houseboats. They range from 2 berths to 12 berths. Pets are considered on these boats.
Magnum-Swan Houseboats boast an assortment of houseboats from 6-12 berth. They have features such as zip apart beds, some en-suite bathrooms, TV's, sound systems, dishwashers, washing machines, ducted air con, heating, spa... and even exercise bikes in one case. Canoes and dinghies are available on request.
Several houseboats, from 6-12 berths, with features such as zip apart beds, dishwasher, washing machine, TV's/entertainment, ducted air con, heating. Some boats have solar lighting or hot water.
GREEN AND GOLD HOUSEBOATS - WAIKERIE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
An assortment of boats, including a magnificent 2 storey boat with huge panoramic windows. Features may include dishwasher, washing machine, canopied upper deck and TV/entertainment.
The information above is correct (as far as we know) as at February 2014. Please be aware changes may occur, so contact the relevant houseboat operator for up-to-date information.
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