By Houseboat

Fast facts

• Relaxing getaways on lakes and rivers with history, nature, and magnificent scenery.
• Hire a houseboat on the Hawkesbury River, Murray River, Tweed River, Myall Lakes and Clyde River.
  

Why go there

A houseboat journey is about relaxing. Absorb the stillness of the waterways as you motor slowly along, enjoying the scenery, the birdlife, and the relaxation of going nowhere in a hurry.

On the Hawkesbury River, just north of Sydney, you can glide through steep forested gullies patrolled by sea eagles, and explore the bays and inlets of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

You don’t need a boat licence to manoeuvre a houseboat, just commonsense and the spirit of adventure. Essentials are provided – small kitchen, linen, etc. Just bring some close friends or family, food and drink, and bags of ice to cool the champagne.

On the Murray River, drift past river red gum forests, and wetlands teaming with birdlife, rich agricultural land, and historic river towns.

Just south of the Queensland border, and close to the bright white beaches of Tweed Heads, is the tranquil Tweed River. Hire a houseboat to explore the inlets and bays, look out for water birds, fish for some of Australia’s largest mangrove jacks, or try you hand at pulling up a mud crab for the barbeque.

Explore the vast Myall Lakes, closer to Sydney. Explore the broad expanses of water edged by forested headlands, sand dunes, waterlillies and an amazing variety of birdlife.

On the South Coast’s Clyde River estuary, a houseboat journey takes you across crystal clear waters bordered by state forests and dotted with oyster farms. The sunsets here can be magical, with the skies filling with bats, and the river rippling with feeding fish.

Don’t miss

• Gum tree silhouettes and a broad sweep of stars on the Murray River
• The feeling of tranquillity and oneness with nature as you meander down the Hawkesbury River
• An abundance of bird life, nature reserves and tranquil waterholes along the Tweed River
• Hunting for prawns by moonlight on the Myall Lakes
• An onboard seafood barbecue while motoring past national parks