Choosing a Houseboat for your next Adventure!
To ensure you have the best possible time, it is important to plan your houseboating trip carefully. Choosing the right boat for your group is an important part of this planning. Here are a few helpful tips to consider before booking your next escape.
Don't go too small
For instance, if there are 8 people in your group, you would be advised to perhaps look at a 12 berth vessel. This way you will have more room to move, more privacy and ensures an enjoyable experience.
The Boaties!
One of the best things to do while enjoying your houseboat getaway is to fish! Sleeping up to 6 people, Pluto and Wanderer are perfect for your fishing trip.
Family groups with young children (under five)
We would highly recommend a larger (12 berth) houseboat for your holiday. With little ones of our own who have grown up with the boats, we can say for sure that we feel much more comfortable being aboard a houseboat with hard sides rather than rails! All kids love to climb so this is just peace of mind for mum and dad! We also have children’s sized life vests for a little extra reassurance.
If your confident in knowing your little ones are good swimmers, Wanderer and Misty Blue are great family boats with bunk beds for the kids and double beds for mum and dad! Don’t forget the rods, fishing is a new experience for many youngsters.
Family groups with school aged children and teenagers
Teenagers can be a handful sometimes, so we recommend one of our larger boats so you can all have a little extra space of your own. Gypsea Belle is provided with a 10-in-1 games table for added entertainment along with a couple of resort style beanbags to kick back in. Kayaks and outboard motors are available for hire to get the most of out of your houseboat holiday with your family.
Couples
If you’re looking at heading off for a romantic weekend trip with your partner, we’d suggest hiring our very, cosy, Runaway Bear. She does sleep up to 4 people but is really only suitable for two. Runaway Bear has everything you need for your houseboat getaway and the great thing is, she can go where all the bigger boats can’t! If you would like a little more space, of course any of our larger houseboats would suit, but to keep the costs down, Wanderer or Misty Blue would be suitable.
For larger groups of couples (2 or more) we would suggest any of our 12 berth vessels and also JFS Rhyanna which sleeps up to 8 people. These houseboats all have separate bedrooms featuring either double or queen beds. Privacy is an added luxury aboard these houseboats, making your stay as comfortable as possible.
All male or female groups
We quite often cater to groups celebrating special occasions or weekend fishing trips.
All male or female groups are welcome. Any of our 12 berth houseboats are ideal for larger group celebrations, especially Kalinda and Gypsea Belle as they have the luxury of a second toilet/bathroom which definitely comes in handy after a couple of drinks!
Below is a great video put together by the Lennox Head Women’s Soccer Team from their trip aboard Image Anne.
Parties and Special Occasions
Pacific Blue, Kalinda and Blue Bayou are all particularly suited for entertaining with great open decks and hard targa tops upstairs, with clear zip covers if the weather is inclement. Cook up a storm in the outdoor kitchens, with the bonus of an extra fridge on Pacific Blue and Kalinda.
More than 12 guests?
Don’t stress, multi-boat hire is available! Our 12 berth houseboats are licensed to have up to 12 people onboard at any one time. If you have more than 12 guests, we would suggest looking at hiring a second houseboat. Cruise the river together and stop off at one of the taverns along the way so everyone can get together for a catch up and bite to eat. Tenders are included to assist with ferrying between the two houseboats.
Luxury!
If you’re looking for a luxurious kind of holiday, you’ve come to the right place! Pacific Blue creates a whole new class of houseboat on the Tweed River with no other houseboat like her. Featuring 4 queen bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large, spacious kitchen, including dishwasher, two fridges and microwave, beautiful dining and lounge area, featuring a 3D LED TV with BluRay player, excellent entertaining area complete with a 6 person heated spa upstairs as well as the perfect fishing platform off the back deck. Pacific Blue really is the boat to spoil yourself.
With 10 boats in our fleet, we’re sure to have the perfect houseboat for your holiday. We pride ourselves on matching your special occasion with the ideal houseboat. If you are still unsure we’re always here to help you pick the perfect houseboat for your adventure on the Tweed River.
Happy boating!