Have you ever been on a houseboat?
When my husband and I first moved to the Riverland, South Australia, we were brought by a friend to see the houseboats at Kingston on Murray, Riverland, South Australia. According to her, houseboats in Riverland, South Australia are one of the attractions of the Riverland. That was the first time I had ever seen houseboats.
During our trip to see the houseboats at Kingston on Murray, I couldn’t stop taking pictures of the houseboats because I was so fascinated by their unique structures and superior exterior. Back then, my husband and I were not able to view the interior of the houseboats because we were told that we had to hire a houseboat to be able to do so. Since that day, I always had a deep curiosity on what it would feel like living on a houseboat.
After a few months living in the Riverland, our friend from church invited us to her house for lunch one day. Her house was situated in Lyrup, Riverland, South Australia. It was quite a long drive (about 20 minutes) from our place at Barmera, Riverland, South Australia.
Her house was situated amidst bushlands near the Lyrup Forest. When we pulled over the car at her house compound, we got out of the car wondering where her house was. All we could see were some wild bushes and nice pot plants around her compound. Our friend happily greeted us upon our arrival and showed us to her house. When she showed us to her place, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that she actually lives on a houseboat! I was so excited.
The interior of her houseboat looked like a normal two bedroom unit. It was fully equipped with a small wood fire heater, an air conditioner, a fairly big flat screen television, a modern kitchen and a deck at the back of her houseboat.
During our visit, we enjoyed our lunch at the deck overlooking the magnificent Murray River. While having our lunch, our friend shared with us about her experience living on a houseboat. According to her, she gets her electricity supply from her solar power system, collects rain water for her water supply and uses the generator if she does not get enough electricity supply from her solar power system. As she is unable to have a landline, uses the mobile broadband for her internet and she subscribes to a mobile telephone provider. She also has to pay special rates to the government to park her houseboat by the river as it is of public property.
On a separate occasion, when my sister came down to the Riverland for holiday, our friend invited my sister, my husband and I for dinner at her houseboat. This time, she took us along a cruise on her boat along the Murray River.
It was a very relaxing outing as we enjoyed looking at the tranquil water and natural surroundings. Seeing the sunset, watching the wild birds and ducks go by was very therapeutic for me. Combined with the light and easy music, lovely Aussie barbecue dinner prepared by our friend and beautiful ambience, I was able to relax and unwind easily during the river cruise. I would have to say that the river cruise was a really amazing and memorable experience for me.
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Houseboats at Kingston on Murray,
Riverland, South Australia
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From left: Me, my
sister, our friend and my husband outside our friend's houseboat
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The
spectacular view from our friend’s houseboat during our river cruise
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With my wonderful experience at the houseboat, I would highly recommend anyone to view the houseboats in Riverland, South Australia. You can hire a houseboat for your next holiday vacation at Riverland, South Australia. It costs quite a lot but it is worth the experience if you have the money. If not, you can just take a picture outside the houseboats, like what I did when I went to Kingston on Murray, Riverland, South Australia.
Whatever the case, you will surely enjoy viewing the houseboats in Riverland, South Australia.
Cheers,
Caroline Poh
