Book your houseboat holiday

Booking a houseboat holiday is easy. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, confirm availability and then book you in for a totally relaxing Murray River houseboat escape. If we are not in the office, drop us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Houseboat Booking Hire Periods

A weekend hire commences 3.00pm Friday and concludes 10.00am Monday.

A mid week hire commences 3.00pm Monday and concludes 10.00am Friday.

A long weekend hire normally commences 3.00pm Friday and concludes 10.00am Tuesday.

*Please note a surcharge applies for 3 night bookings over a designated long weekend.

A week hire can commence either 3.00pm Monday or Friday and conclude the following week at 10.00am.

There is a minimum 3 night hire period charge, and a maximum of 10 nights.

Christmas and New Year periods are only available for 7 night hire periods

Deposits and Bonds: May be higher for hires during peak holiday times.

PEAK RATES apply over EASTER and the December and January School Holidays

NORMAL RATES apply for all other times

*FUEL is not included in your hire fee and is an additional cost.

Please note that 3.00pm is your normal boarding time. We schedule our instructors for your lesson, and appreciate you adhering to these times. There may be times we can board you a little earlier as well, and we confirm all this with you a week prior to your arrival.

When you arrive at our property, please head down to the marina to your hired houseboat. Your instructor will welcome you on board and you will then receive an induction lesson from your instructor as soon as possible once you are unloaded, and all paperwork etc will be finalised. One of the best things about a houseboat holiday is that as soon as you jump on board and are surrounded by water, that holiday feeling takes over!

Houseboat Booking Conditions

Please take the time to read the following terms and conditions for a houseboat booking from Griffens Marina Houseboats at Blanchetown. Please contact us with any questions you may have about houseboating in Australia.

The Hirer and/or person driving the houseboat must be over the age of 21 and hold either a full current drivers licence or a boat operators licence.
The Hirer personally accepts full responsibility for the care and safety of the houseboat (which term includes all its fittings, equipment and accessories) and also accepts full responsibility for the actions of all persons on board during the period of hire.
The Hirer will comply with all directions by the Owner concerning operation of the houseboat and its accessories, and will comply with the River Murray and Inland Waters Navigation Regulations and all other relevant navigation rules, regulations or by-laws.
The number of persons on board the houseboat must not exceed the number of berths as shown on the survey certificates.
The deposit is payable within 7 days of booking, the balance of hire charge is payable 4 - 8 weeks prior to departure ( depending on season)
A cash security and fuel bond (or credit card details) is payable upon boarding the houseboat.
Costs of fuel and any damage or losses incurred will be deducted from the security bond. In the event of charges being greater than the bond, all additional charges must be paid.
No extra fuel is to be carried or decanted on board the houseboat. If you are bringing a dinghy or pleasure craft, any additional fuel must be stored in your own vessel.
No firearms, candles, motorbikes, chainsaws or axes are permitted on board.
INSURANCE EXCESS of $1500.00 ($2000.00 Daydreamer) applies provided the conditions of the agreement are fulfilled and subject to the insurance company's assessment, the limit of the hirers liability is the insurance excess. If more than one accident occurs during any hire period each individual accident will be treated as a separate claim and the excess will be applied to each individual claim.
In the event of cancellation the standard Houseboat Hirers Association cancellation policy will apply.
Houseboat proprietors reserve the right to refuse permission to board at their discretion.
Rates and on board features may be subject to change, please confirm when booking.

***OUR HOUSEBOATS ARE SMOKE FREE IN ALL INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AREAS including outside decks***

Cancellation Policy

Please note: Travel Insurance is recommended to cover any unforeseen circumstances or losses.

In the event you need to cancel the booking, and where the cancellation occurs more than 90 days from the hire dates, the deposit will be refunded less a $150 cancellation fee.

Deposits from cancellations less than 90 days but more than 45 days, will be refunded when the houseboat is re-booked for the relevant hire period, less a $250 rebooking fee.

For cancellations less than 45 days notice, the owner reserves the right, at its discretion to retain all or part of the monies paid.

In the case of Force Majeure, we will not accept liability for any loss or damage you may suffer as a result of any Force Majeure events, and we reserve the right to change and cancel bookings without compensation to you.

*Please note change of booking dates may also incur a rebooking fee of $100.

Code of Conduct for Houseboat Users

In conjunction with the instructions you will receive, we ask that you please consider the following points whilst on your holiday. These will ensure that you return safely and the environment will still be there for you, and others, to enjoy in the future.

Be aware of yours and other boat user’s rights, obligations, responsibilities, and show courtesy to other river users at all times.
Take pride in handling your boat. Do not exceed 4 knots within 30 metres of any moored vessel, jetties, ramps or swimmers. This rule is for your protection too. Keep a watch at all times.
Be aware of speed limits in restricted areas and stick within them. Watch your wake and its effect on other river users.
Respect the privacy of property owners by being aware of land ownership and where you can and cannot moor a houseboat.
Be aware that noise levels travel much further on the river. Please respect other river users and residents by keeping all noise levels to a minimum, especially at night times.
Do not cut down trees and shrubs or gather dead wood, it is an important part of the natural ecology.
Use environmentally friendly products, i.e. phosphate free biodegradable detergents and soaps.
Be aware of your responsibilities regarding the handling of all waste, in particular, rubbish disposal.DONOT leave any rubbish on the riverbank.
If you have had a small campfire ( only permitted during non fire ban season) ensure it is out before going to bed and/or leaving your mooring.
When refuelling ski boats, ensure it is carried out safely to prevent accidents and spillage.
Our houseboats are SMOKE FREE in all areas including outside deck areas. Smoking is only permitted on the riverbank and caution must be used at all times.