The perfect Murray River houseboat holiday

Why self-drive when you can self sail?

Make your own way down the mighty Murray.

Travelling across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, the Murray River traverses some of Australia’s most iconic scenery, with the many towns it passes through home to unparallelled natural wonders.  When it comes to making the most of the Murray, which in total spans just over 2500km, there’s no better way to enjoy its beauty than by houseboat. Setting off from Mildura, here’s how to make the most of your next unforgettable holiday. 

The right boat

All Seasons Houseboats, Mildura. Image: Supplied

Much like any other holiday, the first step is deciding how much time you have for the holiday and what you’d like to do with it. Whether it’s a three-day long weekend, five days between the weekend bumper period or a full seven-day extravaganza, there is plenty to do and see along the Murray, as well as countless upstream and downstream itineraries for you to choose from.  Once you’ve decided on the number of days, it’s time to find your perfect river home. Again, options abound, with most houseboats accommodating anywhere from two to 12 people, making it the perfect holiday option for couples, families or groups. A number of houseboats within the All Seasons fleet come with jacuzzis and barbeques, while others are pet-friendly and accessible. You can also rent kayaks, SUPs and tinnies for the trip and purchase a fishing licence from your houseboat provider upon arrival, meaning there really is something for everyone and every kind of holiday. 

Houseboats have come a long way.

Go upstream or downstream

Once you’ve found the houseboat of your dreams, it’s time to decide if you’ll sail upstream or downstream. The good news is, there’s no right or wrong answer, as both directions offer stunning scenery, unforgettable views and guaranteed relaxation.  For those wanting to venture across the Victorian border and into New South Wales, Wentworth has plenty of tourist attractions and adventures. Take a tour of the historic gaol in town, or, for the more adventurous, try sandboarding at Perry Sandhills. 

For those holidaying upstream from Mildura, a great place to begin is the Gol Gol Hotel, which combines local history with delicious fare. For the sportsmen and women, the Riverside Golf Course is conveniently located directly across the road, though teeing off before indulging in some beers is recommended.  Further downstream, you’ll find Trentham Estate Winery, where you can take a walk around the award-winning vineyards and enjoy a menu crafted from locally-sourced produce before strolling just metres back to your houseboat and heading onto Psyche Bend Pumps and the scenic Red Cliffs.  

Make sure you explore on-shore 

When you’re ready for time on-shore, take a tour of the area’s iconic Pink Lakes or visit Mungo National Park to learn more about the area’s ancient Indigenous history and get as close to life on Mars without leaving Earth, while rev-heads will be in heaven at the Holden Museum. Foodies can also enjoy a number of farm-fresh and family-friendly tours where you can learn more about the region’s incredible produce and pick your own fruit. Most tour operators can collect you from your houseboat location and central pick-up spots in town. Just outside of Wentworth, families can also indulge in plenty of fun at Coomealla Dairy, where you can play with and milk their herd of goats and learn more about what goes into creating their delicious products.  When moored at Mildura, be sure to make a breakfast pit stop at Brother Chris, enjoy an unforgettably authentic Calabrian lunch from The Italian, or stop in for dinner at the award-winning Stefano’s before enjoying a nightcap at Fossey’s, Mildura’s newest gin distillery. 

Plan the essentials ahead of time 

Some of the fleet have jacuzzis.

Understandably, the last thing you want to do on holidays is to worry about what’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner, especially when the nearest shop isn’t exactly around the corner. Luckily, many of the local shops in Mildura and Wentworth can deliver groceries, alcohol and local meats to your houseboat ahead of your arrival so that you can begin to unwind the minute your bag hits the houseboat floor.  For a truly special holiday experience, why not hire a private chef to cook for you on your first or last night? Showcasing the best in the Sunraysia region’s produce and working to your group’s specifications, local chef Jack Guy has become renowned for his onboard degustations for visitors, and his meals are the perfect way to begin or end a holiday. 

Ready, set, boat 

With an average sailing speed of 6-8km per hour, it’s safe to say that the life of a houseboat driver sailing down the Murray River is a seriously leisurely one. And with such slow speeds, you don’t need a boat licence to operate your houseboat, just a valid car driver’s licence. Upon arriving and checking in, your houseboat guide will teach you the basics of mooring, steering, driving and signalling to other vessels on the river.  Depending on the distance you’re hoping to cover, most travellers spend between four and five hours per day active on the river, with a requirement that all houseboats be moored for the evening before sunset and remaining moored until sunrise the next day. 

Getting there 

Bonza, Rex and Qantas all fly directly to Mildura from Sydney and Melbourne. Hire cars are available from the airport, but houseboat operators can recommend a transfer service. There’s also long-term parking available for people driving available at Mildura’s mooring sites. 

Originally published as The perfect Murray River houseboat holiday