Orlando is the perfect mid-size houseboat for honeymooners, two couples, or Mum Dad and the kids in South Australia’s beautiful Riverland. Following extensive refurbishment in 2022, now the all-round ‘Best Little Hire Boat on the River‘.
Description
The vessel is licenced for up to six people (2-4 adults), smoke-free inside and no pets please.
Inside
The two bedrooms have sliding doors to deck areas, basin/mirror, ensuite toilet-bathrooms and queen beds. One zips apart to queen singles and the sofa bed in the forward lounge may be used to sleep kids only. Inverter power points facilitate c-pap use.
The spacious kitchen features:
- drawer-type dishwasher,
- flatbed microwave,
- Nespresso pod coffee machine,
- gas cooktop/fan forced oven,
- 330 ltr fridge/freezer and,
- large island bench with built-in bottle rack.
A gas space heater is movable between lounge and dining areas.
Enjoy river views throughout the boat from the all-round floor-to-ceiling windows. Sink into the comfortable soft leather lounges to watch the smart Android TV or link your own media devices/ supplied DVD/VCs when out of broadcast range.
Outside
The large rear deck is ideal for both fishing and alfresco dining with rod-holders, bait board, two 50 ltr fibreglass eskies, sunblind and Weber Q. A spiral stair provides easy access to the canopied upper sundeck with soft-cushion chairs/recliners, drinks tables and five-person, gas-heated spa.
The boat is amazingly easy to drive due to its central helm and twin outboards. It is also very economical and environmentally friendly with:
- high turn-angle, central, 60HP EFI Honda motors,
- 4 kVA remote start-stop inverter generator,
- evaporative air conditioning,
- LED lighting throughout,
- solar panels to do most of the battery charging,
- low water-use marine toilets,
- kitchen wastewater is retained together with blackwater, while filtered and disinfected bathroom water is returned to the river. We received the 2016 BIA/EPA Environment Award for pioneering this split-stream houseboat greywater system.
Check-In/Out
Secure parking is available in an on-site lock-up compound. Please arrive around 1 pm for the 2.30 pm Paringa Bridge opening (a little upstream from the mooring) on your first day – if later, you may stay at the mooring overnight and set out next morning. Although less popular, it is also possible to go downstream in which case you must traverse Lock 5 (just downstream from the mooring). The lock operates on demand between 8 am and 4.30 pm daily, except Christmas Day and lock staff are very gentle with novice houseboat hirers.
On your last day, disembark back at River Murray Houseboats by 10am – from upstream, you need to be at the bridge for its 9.30 am opening.
