As the saying goes ‘It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey’, and that could not be truer when it comes to a houseboat holiday. One of the greatest feelings is packing a bag and heading off for a relaxing break, and when that vacation is on a houseboat, getting about is half the fun.
I have always daydreamed of living on the water. Recently, I was lucky enough to experience just what that would be like. My family and I spent a fabulous long weekend aboard the Marie Claire, one of Boyd’s Bay’s Houseboats. Our backyard was the tranquil Tweed River. The Gold Coast offers some of the largest, safest and calmest cruising waters in the world and exploring them from the comfort of a houseboat can make for an unforgettable adventure.
Our home away from home was a comfortable eight-berth vessel complete with a fully equipped kitchen, full-size fridge/freezer, gas oven and cooker, large bathroom with separate toilet, and three bedrooms all occupying the main deck. On the top deck, we enjoyed relaxing on the sun lounges, cooking on the BBQ, and dining with 360-degree views. With flybridge controls, driving the boat from the top deck makes it a great sightseeing experience. There is also a stereo for tunes with speakers to the top deck, and a TV and a DVD player should the weather turn bad.
On arrival at Tweed Marina, owners and operators of Boyd’s Bay Houseboats, Peter and Michelle Day were there to greet us and show us our boat. “We provide all the essentials such as linen, towels and kitchen equipment as well as safety items such as a first aid kit, fire extinguishers and life jackets. You also have the option to hire kayaks and paddleboards and buy last minute supplies like ice and bait from our office before boarding.” A fishing licence is included as part of the letting.
Michelle gave me a thorough run-through of the features and navigation tools including detailed maps to guide our journey. Once we had our belongings on board, we bid her farewell as Peter guided the Marie Claire away from the dock. Surprisingly for its size, a houseboat does not require a licenced captain. However, the skipper must be at least 18 years of age for Queensland waters, and 21 for New South Wales.
I was a little intimidated by her size at first, but with the hands-on instructions from Peter as we were escorted from the marina to the drop point, I was soon confident to be left in charge.
As a family-owned and operated business, Michelle and Peter offer personal, friendly service with help a phone call away at anytime. Peter showed us the anchoring technique that was simple to follow, and then left us to explore the scenic Tweed River.
First on our agenda was a swim in the beautiful water we were anchored in off
Greenbank Island. The kids had fun jumping off the front of the boat, floating to the back and using the ladder to climb back on. After lunch we took the tender to nearby Ukerebagh Island. This nature reserve boasts crystal clear water and white sandy beaches, a great place for swimming and snorkelling. We tried our luck pumping yabbies and discovered giant hermit crabs and some strange sea worms. With such distractions we did not notice how late it was and returned to our launch just in time for dinner.
Day two had us off to discover more of the Tweed. As a regular boater on the popular and busy Broadwater, I was impressed with the peacefulness this part of the coast offers. With clear maps, well-marked buoys and almost no traffic, manoeuvring and navigating down the river was a breeze. We made the hour-and-a-half journey to Chinderah, and then on to Dodd’s Island. There are plenty of protected spots to anchor regardless of which way the wind is coming from, so we tucked into a little sheltered nook off Dodd’s Island to try our hand at catching dinner. With a couple of decent flathead landed, we prepped them at the fish-cleaning sink and had a delicious fresh seafood dinner on the top deck while watching the sunset. It does not get much better than that.
Sunday morning we headed for Stott’s Island. This nature reserve of lowland subtropical rainforest covers an area of approximately 160 hectares. The rainforest is home to the endangered Mitchell’s rainforest snail, as well as over 47 bird species including the whistling kite and the white-breasted sea-eagle. Access on the island is prohibited. However, you can venture around the island in your dinghy, kayak or stand-up paddle board. Stott’s Island is another great place to wet a line or try a spot of mud crabbing. We enjoyed our lunch on the upper deck of the houseboat while listening to the birds of the rainforest.
The afternoon saw us heading back to Chinderah to anchor up and head by dinghy to the Chinderah Tavern. We were just in time for the ‘crab races’, a weekly event where patrons bid for a local-caught muddie, and then hope to watch him race across the line. A win scores them a pub voucher and the tasty specimen for dinner, or alternatively, they can choose to let their victor live another day. After watching the fun and enjoying a cold drink, we motored back to the boat. One last shot at fishing had us pull in a few more flathead before we had an early dinner and settled in for the night.
Monday morning was a leisurely putt back to Terranora Inlet, our meeting point. The serenity of the river was even more evident on our early morning journey and we were rewarded with a pod of dolphins for company along the way. We reached our pick-up point in time for one last swim before Peter arrived to pilot us back to the marina.
I would highly recommend a holiday afloat even if you do not have boating experience. Houseboats are fun, easy to manoeuvre and can allow you to access hard to reach places. A noisy hotel room is no match for the peace and quiet on the water. It sure makes a pleasant change waking up to a different view every morning.
Michelle’s tips for a stress free experience are simple: “Just be mindful of the variation in boating laws if coming from interstate and observe the rules in relation to operating the houseboat. For example, they are not to be docked at marinas, public jetties or wharves, (use the dinghy for transfers) and they are not permitted to travel between sunset and sunrise.”
With a range of vessel sizes available from Boyd’s Bay Houseboats, there is something to suit everyone—whether it is with the whole extended family, a group of friends, or just a romantic getaway for two. With luxury 12-berth cruisers, sharing the cost among a group makes a vacation even more affordable.
Peter also points out, “Houseboat holiday bookings are always at their highest in summer. But do not discount winter. Winter on the Gold Coast is packed with 21-degree days, less wind, fewer storms, and a significantly less number of boats on the water. Being the off-peak season, it is also often cheaper.” So why not take a holiday with a difference and consider a houseboat for your next adventure.
By Amber Kinghorn
