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By Sarah Bristow
Immerse yourself among Queensland’s web of waterways with a holiday aboard a houseboat. Pottering your way downstream has long been a popular way to travel in these parts as an easy way to make a holiday even more memorable. In even better news, there’s no experience required - a boat license isn’t needed for most houseboats. Tempted to find a floating abode to call your own? Take a look at these nine amazing houseboats you can rent in Queensland.
Photo by @rainbowbeachhouseboats
Tucked into the Gympie Region on the northern cusp of the Sunshine Coast is where you’ll find Rainbow Beach, the township nudging Double Island Point where dolphins, dugongs, and turtles frolic year-through. Get to know this famous coastline a little better with the award-winning Rainbow Beach House Boats. Each member of their sleek fleet of houseboats offers a host of luxe amenities, including a Weber barbecue, and the chance to add a tinnie to your crew. Big on convenience, the company also boasts exclusive moorings at the likes of Kauri Creek, Pelican Bay, and Bullock Point.
Neighbouring Tin Can Bay is host to a series of much-loved fishing spots, as well as the family-owned Tin Can Bay Houseboats. They pride themselves on hosting an army of affordable houseboats to spend your time cruising the crystalline waters of the neighbouring Great Sandy Strait and Fraser Island. There are a quartet of houseboats to choose from here - Golden Grove, Gentlemen Tom, Annie’s Adventure, and Whimbel - each offering you the opportunity to captain your own ship as you cruise the idyllic coastline.
Unique family holidays are the focus of Coomera Houseboats. Their fleet of 11 houseboats will see you surge through the waters of the Coomera River, taking in the sights and sounds of the region from the neighbouring Gold Coast Broadwater. The houseboats here err on the side of opulence, with the hireable array including the likes of Aegean - another indulgent houseboat for hire in Queensland - a four-bedroom floating spa complete with rooftop jacuzzi that’s been valued at a cool $1.9 million.
Give your next Gold Coast adventure a twist with a float along its waterways with the family. Fantaseas is not short on experience - it’s one of the area’s oldest operators, boasting 26 years in business. Choose one of the treasure chest of boats on offer, ranging from one to five bedrooms, to potter the Coomera River and its coastal surrounds - you can venture up to 50 kilometres away.
Splurge on something extra special with the hire of Amira, courtesy of Luxury Houseboat Hire. The 5-star floating penthouse is a $1.7 million dollar marvel resembling a super yacht that can sleep up to 12 guests and one of the most memorable houseboats in Queensland. Built with all the creature comforts of an opulent home, the boat boasts a bounty of amenities, which include luxury furnishings, full-size bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, swimming platform, entertainment deck, barbecue and a Bose sound system among more.
Photo by @luxuryafloatnoosa
Forgo bustling Hastings Street for the tranquility of Noosa River with Noosa River Houseboats. Make your way upstream towards the start of the Noosa Everglades at Lake Cootharaba aboard the fleet of vessels for hire here, including the 12-person Dream Catcher, the largest houseboat for hire on the watery strip that makes for an ideal host for family gatherings.
Escape the city for a break along the Sunshine Coast’s waterways with Luxury Afloat Noosa. Kids in tow? All the better. There’s a bevy of single-level vessels available from the local company that will perfectly suit those with the full brood on board. Each vessel conveniently also includes a dinghy, making for an easy opportunity to teach the kids how to fish, not to mention easy access to neighbouring Noosa’s plethora of eateries.
Take to the coast off Cardwell, north of Townsville, for a better look at the postcard-worthy waterways that surround Hinchinbrook Island. When it comes to hiring a houseboat in Queensland, there’s few better places to set sail - within arm’s reach of the Great Barrier Reef, this region is rich in marine life, offering ample potential when it comes to both fishing and snorkelling. Let Hinchinbrook Houseboat Hire guide the way - the local company offers a number of family-friendly boats to see you cruise comfortably along the Hinchinbrook Channel.
Within a hop, skip, and a jump of the Queensland capital of Brisbane is Bribie Island. It’s here that Bribie Island Houseboat Holidays calls home, a company that plays host to the 44 ft, three-bedroom strong Aussea Belle. Jump aboard with your nearest and dearest and float your way around Bribie and the surrounding Pumicestone Passage - this protected marine park is not only abundant with wildlife, from dugongs to dolphins, but calm enough for ample fishing, swimming and paddle-boarding with the kids.
Choose from two houseboats located on the stunning Western Cape York, in the Albatross Bay where the surrounding waterways make for excellent fishing, crabbing and croc spotting. The perfect platform for a fishing adventure, you'll be right where the fish are before enjoying the spectacular sunsets after a day out on the water. Suitable for up to 10 people, you'll need a recreational boat license for Weipa Houseboats, with a qualified master providing full operating instructions.