Hirer Information
Essential Information for those Hiring Our Houseboats
Houseboat Availability
Your houseboat will be available from 3pm on the day you commence your hire. If you are planning to arrive after 4.00pm please let us know. Please note that driving lessons must have commenced by 4.30pm or you may be required to remain at the dock until the following morning. Outside of daylight savings arrivals after 4.00pm may be required to remain at the dock until the following morning. Your boat must be returned and vacated by 10am on the final day of your hire. Houseboats vacated late, dirty or damaged will incur additional charges.
All guests staying on the houseboat must be present for the induction and safety briefing and all guests (over the age of 18) must sign our hire agreement. Everyone who will be on board the houseboat is required to watch our Induction Video prior to departure which will take 30 minutes. The houseboat can not leave the mooring until all guests have watched the induction video and signed the hire agreement. Please note that in the event that a representative of the company is required to spend time to give further instruction and/ or an induction/ safety briefing, other than at the start of a hire, you will be charged for this service at an hourly rate of $80 in respect thereof with a minimum charge of one hour. Please note that this hourly rate increases to $120 per hour (with a minimum charge of one hour) on a public holiday.
Should you stay at our dock on the first night of your hire, our staff will be available between 8.30am and 11.30am the following day to give you a driving lesson. Once that has been completed, you can get on your way to start enjoying the freedom of exploring the Murray River. If you require assistance outside of these hours, that does not involve a problem with the vessel, this will be deemed as a call out and you agree to pay the company an hourly rate of $80 in respect thereof with a minimum charge of one hour. Please note that this hourly rate increases to $120 per hour (with a minimum charge of one hour) on a public holiday.
Should you wish to return to our mooring or vacate the houseboat prior to the last night of your hire our staff will be available no later than 5.00pm to assist with returning to the mooring and collecting any cars that may be in the car compound. If assistance is required any later than 5.00pm, and that assistance does not involve a problem with the vessel, then this will be deemed as a call out and you agree to pay the company an hourly rate of $80 in respect thereof with a minimum charge of one hour. Please note that this hourly rate increases to $120 per hour (with a minimum charge of one hour) on a public holiday. Please note that the time reverts to 4.00pm outside of daylight saving time.
Please note that in the event that a representative of the company is compelled to spend time to give further instruction, to assist with a situation that does not involve a problem with the vessel or to drop off or retrieve vehicles from the car compound, other than at the start or finish of a hire, you will be charged for this service at an hourly rate of $80 in respect thereof with a minimum charge of one hour. Please note that this hourly rate increases to $120 per hour (with a minimum charge of one hour) on a public holiday. If our workboat is required the hourly rate is $180 per hour (with a minimum charge of one hour).
Car Parking
We have a lock-up fenced compound (outdoor) where you can store your car if you choose. The charge is $30 per car per week or $5.00 per night per car. Trailers do not incur a fee.
If you choose to store your car in our off site storage area please note that if you require us to assist you with access to your vehicle, other than at the start of your hire on a Monday or Friday or the finish of your hire on a Monday or Friday (between 9am and 5pm), you will be charged for this service. If access is required between 9.00am and 4pm on a weekday you will be charged an access fee of $30.00. Access required outside of these hours will be charged at an hourly rate of $80.00 with a minimum charge of one hour. Please note that this hourly rate increases to $120 per hour (with a minimum charge of one hour) on a public holiday.
What we provide on-board our Deluxe Houseboats:
- Fitted sheets, Quilts, Pillows, Quilt Covers and Pillow Cases
- Bath Towels, bath mats and hand towels
- First Aid Kit
- Cutlery
- Crockery
- Pots, Pans, Baking Dishes
- Platters, salad bowls
- Kitchen & BBQ Utensils
- Sandwich Maker
- Microwave
- Oven
- Gas Cooktop
- Dishwasher
- Side by side fridge/ freezer
- Hooded BBQ
- Fresh Drinking Water
- CD Player/ radio
- Life Jackets (Adult Size/ One Size)
- River Maps
What we provide on-board on our Ultimate Houseboats:
- All Bed Linen
- Quilts and Pillows
- Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Bath Mats and Tea Towels
- First Aid Kit
- Cutlery
- Crockery
- Pots, Pans, Baking Dishes
- Platters, salad bowls
- Kitchen & BBQ Utensils
- Sandwich Maker
- Blender
- Ice Maker
- Nespresso coffee machine
- Oven
- Cooktop
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Side by side fridge/ freezer
- Hooded BBQ
- Eskies
- Fresh Drinking Water
- Life Jackets (Adult Size/ One Size)
- River Maps
What we provide on-board on Icon, Infinity, Envy and Absolute:
- All Bed Linen
- Quilts and Pillows
- Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Bath Mats and Tea Towels
- Beach/ Spa Towels
- First Aid Kit
- Cutlery
- Crockery
- Pots, Pans, Baking Dishes
- Platters, salad bowls
- Kitchen & BBQ Utensils
- Sandwich Maker
- Blender
- Ice Maker
- Nespresso coffee machine
- Oven (Infinity and Envy have 2 ovens)
- Cooktop
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Side by side fridge/ freezer
- Hooded BBQ
- Fresh Drinking Water
- Life Jackets (Adult Size/ One Size)
- River Maps
Food, Drinks & Alcohol – Information on Pick up, Ordering & Delivery
Groceries and supplies can be brought in Echuca which has extended trading all year round. For those that would like to be organised prior to arrival Woolworths, Coles and Dan Murphy’s offer a click and collect service – you can pre-order your groceries and/ or drinks online and simply pick them up when you arrive in Echuca. Please note that there are virtually no places along the river to purchase groceries and supplies so guests are strongly advised to take all groceries and supplies with them from the beginning of their hire.
The Pear Tree are a specialist retailer of fruit and vegies in Echuca. They offer fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, organic products, dairy products, local meats and daily fresh bread. Delivery to the houseboats can be arranged and they can be contacted on 03 54 801341.
Larder and Co – catering/ provisioning can be arranged and delivered to your houseboat. They can provide platters of cheese, marinated vegetables & cured meats, salads, all types of meats for BBQ’s, desserts, breads, dips, prepared meals such as curries or casseroles and lots more. If you are interested in catering or provisioning please contact them on 03 54 821611 or www.larderandcoechuca.com.au
Echuca Meats – Echuca Meats offer group catering. They can provide BBQ Meat, salads, dessert, cooked meats, meat on the spit, house made favorites such as lasagna, shepherd’s pie, pasta and curries, side dishes and even ready to cook fav’s such as chicken parmi’s, kiev’s and schnitzels. They can also pre deliver your items to be readily available upon arrival. Echuca Meats would love to make your stay a little easier – and more delicious of course. If you are interested in catering look them up on Facebook at Echuca Meats | Echuca VIC | Facebook or contact them on 03 54 821713
Coffee Machines on Board
The Ultimate Houseboats, Icon, Infinity, Envy and Absolute have a Nespresso Coffee Machine and you will need to bring pods for these machines (can be purchased at the super market). The Nespresso machines take the original pods – NOT the larger Vertuo pods.
What to bring on your houseboat holiday
- Food & Drinks including tea, coffee and sugar
- Coffee pods – original pods – NOT the larger Vertuo pods.
- All Condiments such as salt and pepper, oils, sauces, etc.
- Personal Toiletries
- Sun Screen
- Insect Repellent
- Insect Spray – for indoors
- Glad wrap/foil/paper towel
- Dishwashing liquid & Dishwasher Powder
- Toilet Paper
- Laundry powder (front loading washing machines)
- Camp chairs
- Extra Blankets in colder months
- DVD’s, CD’s, ipod
- Mobile Phone
Extras
- Canoe – Kayak or Fishing Dinghy Hire – www.echucaboatcanoehire.com
- Stand Up Paddle Boards – Hire/ Lessons – www.echucasup.com