Consider being the captain of your own houseboat, you and your family floating wherever the tides take you, to explore pristine coves and beaches, to catch fish right from the back deck and have it served up as beautiful and tasty as a masterchef creation within half an hour …. Sounds like the perfect holiday, right? Of course, it is!

The only thing holding you back is the fact that you are not a ‘boatie’, you have never driven a boat, have no idea how to read a navigation chart, drop an anchor or flush a boat toilet and imagine your holiday turning into a tragic tale of survival on the high seas… don’t panic!

Houseboat Instruction For First-Timers

You can do it! We will show you how, and you do NOT need a licence to drive a Houseboat.

That’s right, NO license is required.

If you are over 18 years of age … here comes the clincher … and you display good common sense and a safe attitude (now you are thinking that there go half of your family or friends), then you can be the captain of one of our houseboats. You do not even have to have a car driver’s licence.

All of our fleets are safely equipped. They’re easy to drive and travel the amazing Gold Coast waterways, at the safe speed of 6 knots.

If you’re imagining packing up your car, trailer, van or bus with all your luggage, racing to pick up your houseboat and careening off around the waterways with your family and friends, using the islands and other boats as bumper bars while you try to navigate your way backwards, sideways or however you can to get to your destination. Ummm, no!

We do value our fleet and the lives of your crewmates! Can anyone drive a houseboat, yes – as per conditions above. Do we take your money, push you off and wave you goodbye while we have our fingers crossed behind our backs hoping you all make it back in one piece – no!

When you arrive at Coomera Houseboats, you will be met by your very own ‘personal briefer’. Your personal briefer, who holds either a Coxswain or Master V marine qualification will take you onto your houseboat and brief you on the boat operations and safety, and will answer any questions or concerns you have regarding operating anything on the vessel.

When you are ready, your briefer will drive your houseboat out of our marina, and let you take control. Once both you and he agree that you can now safely operate the vessel, the personal briefer will depart the houseboat. So, as long as you make sure that you ask them any questions you have, you will be fine. If at any stage of your holiday, you are unsure about something, we will let you know the best way to contact us for more information, instruction or assistance.

So no license required, just a combination of our experience and your safe and sensible attitude.

Provisions For Your Houseboat Holiday

You need to bring food, drink and supplies for a houseboat holiday. You have several choices when it comes to supplying your vessel with all the food, drinks and snacks you need.

Your first choice is to shop before you arrive and bring it all with you. No need to stress if you forget something as there are supermarkets just 10 minutes away from our marina. You can also use Coles or Woolworths online and have your order delivered directly to the marina, where our team will pack the groceries onto your vessel prior to your arrival.

We also now have catering options available! If you choose this option you will arrive on your houseboat with the fridge stacked full of already prepared meals ready to be heated and enjoyed.

Just let our team know if you decide on an online shop or a catered option when you book your vessel and we will ensure your fridge is stocked and your houseboat galley is ready to go.

Stay In Your Houseboat At Our Marina

Coomera Houseboat Holidays is situated just behind Dreamworld, in our very own modern, purpose-built 27 berth marina. The only people you will see on our jetties are our customers enjoying their breakaway just like you. You are welcome to stay at our marina on your houseboat if you want to check out the theme parks!

Some of the features on our marina include:

100 car park spaces in a fully fenced, floodlit, security patrolled car park
Modern office and check-in reception area
Boat launching facilities and secure parking for boat trailers (if you decide to take your own tender)
Fully stocked bait & tackle shop with everything you need to catch plenty of fish!
Party ice, block ice and general outdoor supplies
Trolleys – for ease of loading everything onto your houseboat.

What Does A Houseboat Have Onboard?

Stepping aboard one of our Coomera Houseboat Holiday houseboats is like walking into a modern fully self-contained holiday apartment, but sometimes bigger. We strive to provide the safest, most modern, best-presented houseboats on the water.

Our vessels have different inclusions, so make sure you look at the checklist of your chosen vessel, but here is a taste of what they can include:

‘Operational’

12-foot dinghy (outboard motor hire available)
Comprehensive navigational aids/charts
Electric anchor winches
Full safety gear including life jackets.

‘Practical’

Hot and cold showers
Toilet
Crockery and cutlery, cooking utensils – including BBQ equipment
Fridge/freezer and extra separate icebox
Cooking equipment, saucepans and crab cooker
Basic essentials including toilet paper, dishwashing liquid, sponges, garbage bags, guest hand soaps, matches etc.
Full linen – including all bedding and towelling (we recommend you bring your own beach towel!)
Outdoor furniture and sun lounges
BBQ
A gas hot water system
Extensive water and fuel capacity
Microwaves, hairdryers, dishwashers
Rod holders and bait boards.

What more could you ask for!

So, now that you know you can do it – check out our fleet, choose the vessel that will suit your group perfectly, and book it in before someone else does! We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have, so please do contact us.

See you on the Gold Coast soon!

Planning a holiday on the Gold Coast? Should you spend your holiday sleeping in a tent, hotel room or on a houseboat?

Sun-drenched and fun-packed, Australia’s Gold Coast is a spectacular strip of glimmering high-rise hotels and vast resorts along with dozens of golden sand beaches. With plenty of attraction sites beyond its splendid beaches, the Gold Coast is a place best enjoyed with the company of your loved ones or friends.

So do you rent a houseboat, a hotel room, or just camp along the shoreline? Between the three choices, which would you and your friends & family prefer? In this article, we’ve discussed the pros and cons of each option to help you make the right decision. You’ll learn why renting a houseboat could be the smartest holiday decision you make instead of camping or booking a hotel room.

Camping, Hotel or Houseboat?

Camping – “Honey did you bring the air bed pump?”… [crickets chirping]

Camping allows you to be in close contact with nature without spending a great deal of money. In fact, it’s much cheaper compared to the other two options. While camping has its benefits, it has enormous challenges as well. Below are some of the cons of camping.

Cons:

Poor camping conditions can make sleeping difficult. I don’t know about you but I’m not exactly a bundle of joy to be around after a bad sleep on rough ground!
Campers usually have to share bathrooms (Who doesn’t love wiping down the toilet seat before you use it?).
You have to carry gear to the campsite, including tent, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, eskis, etc.
It can be challenging to keep food fresh and you’re often a long way from the nearest Woolies.
Keeping your tent free from everything that crawls, slithers and flies can be a constant challenge!
Designated camping sites may be far from the ocean or pools so if you need to cool off hopefully you like driving…

Hotel – “Can we watch Netflix?” – Kids… [Sigh] – parents

Renting a hotel room can be the easiest and cheapest way to holiday … but does it make for the best way to enjoy your long-awaited holiday? How many of us have chosen the perfect hotel and taken great delight in imagining the most amazing five-star experience, only to arrive at the hotel and realise the photos are many years out of date, the view is non-existent, and the expected luxury has dimmed into more of an ‘OK, we’re here so let’s make the most of it’ experience. Apart from that obvious flaw, what else could go wrong? Well, consider these potential issues before you hit the book button:

Cons:

The promised luxury doesn’t match the actual experience. How many years ago were the photos on the website taken!!! The tiny sliver of the ocean view that you can see beside the brand new hotel that now stands between your balcony and the beach is simply (yawn) awe-inspiring!
Your experience is basically limited to the weather. Bad weather means you could be stuck in a hotel room watching TV, or playing an old board game, eating expensive room service meals, with bored, grumpy kids ….. sounds like absolute bliss!
You pay for the room, but most of the experience is outside, so pack up the kids, sunscreen, sunshade, towels, blanket, food, water …. Sigh …. trudge back up the three floors of stairs to your room for the forgotten buckets and spades … and off you go for a fun day at the beach! (Everyone likes sand in the car right?)
It’s a hotel. We all know what that means. You research, you choose carefully, you cross your fingers and set off, knowing that the room you are allocated will either make or turn it into an experience that even the Griswald’s would shudder at!

Houseboat – “Dad, I caught one!” – [No Ipad required]

So … the question remains … Camping, hotel or houseboat?

Houseboats offer more privacy compared to camping or hotel rooms; not only are you all by yourself on a rented houseboat, you’re also in the ocean, anchored to a private beach. Apart from uncompromised privacy, houseboats also provide comfy sleeping, private indoor bathrooms as well as fully equipped kitchens allowing indoor cooking.

Below are ten reasons why you should rent a houseboat rather than camp or book a hotel room.

Ten Reasons Why you Should Rent a Houseboat

1. Play- With a rented houseboat, you are more likely to experience a seamless stress-free holiday. Take a few days from your busy schedule to unwind on your houseboat while enjoying nature. Think of waking up to beautiful scenery and marine life. Watch awesome movies inside the cabin or read your favourite book on the top deck.

2. Party- Houseboats offer a fabulous way of hosting parties, including BBGs, birthday parties, holidays, or weekend parties, among others. Houseboat holidays are a great way of developing family traditions. Your friends and family will be intrigued by a party on a houseboat. Apart from birthday parties and family getaways, other events that can be hosted on the houseboat may include an anniversary party, wedding party, bachelor/bachelorette party, or even a divorce party hosted by one of our recent clients. Whatever party you can think of, you can host it on your houseboat.

3. Amuse- Houseboats can be a great way of entertaining your guests, family, or friends. A houseboat provides a perfect spot for sharing new experiences and making memories with your favourite people. You can host as many friends or family as you like, depending on your houseboat capacity. Choose between hosting a large group of people or a small group for a more intimate experience.

4. Out of the World Sleeping Experience- The relaxing, gentle sway of the water beneath your houseboat will make you fall into a soothing, deep sleep such as you’ve never experienced before. You will wake the next morning refreshed, ready to enjoy the day. Why would you book a beachfront hotel room when you can rent a deluxe hotel suite floating on water?

5. Cruise or Beach- A houseboat allows you to take full control of your holiday Enjoy your weekends in coves, cruise around in a speedboat, or personal watercraft to explore beautiful waterways, anchorages, and fishing hotspots within the vicinity of your houseboat. You can still enjoy the best of the on-land attractions and theme parks the Gold Coast has to offer. Explore endless possibilities and enjoy your holiday to the fullest thanks to your houseboat.

6. Improved Family Bonding- Take your family bonding to the next level with your houseboat holiday. Utilise every minute of your houseboat getaway by talking, bonding, laughing and creating unforgettable memories. Life is short, and you have to enjoy these moments and even repeat them each year if possible.

7. Swim- With your boathouse floating on water, you definitely need to swim. Remember to carry your water toys, including pool noodles, inflatable tubes, and floating lounge chairs, among others. Never forget to put on your life jackets.

8. Fishing- Fishing is another great activity you can enjoy within the comfort of your houseboat. Bring along poles, tackles, bait, and a valid fishing license and fish off your deck. Fry, bake, or grill your catch and enjoy.

9. Enjoy Sunrise and Sunsets- Enjoy the true beauty of sunrise and sunsets from your houseboat while sipping a fabulous morning coffee or having an evening cocktail.

10. Affordable Rates- Houseboating is quite affordable compared to other numerous holiday options. Don’t forget to inquire if your houseboat rental provider offers special offers or discounts.

Bottom Line

Everything you require for a great Gold Coast holiday is on a houseboat – you are the only thing missing!

Therefore, don’t hesitate; treat your family or friends with a well-planned houseboat holiday today. Contact us and let our friendly and experienced staff assist with finding your ideal anchoring locations and breathtaking natural beaches to explore.

Tag: Houseboats

Houseboating Basics For First Timers