Lifetime of fun houseboating on the Murray River

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The Advertiser – www.adelaidenow.com.au
Saturday, August 29, 2009

News of the Murray River Queen’s demise may tell a different story – but holidaymakers still rate the river as one of the state’s great attractions. On Wednesday, AdelaideNow asked readers to share their favourite River Murray holiday experience, to win a trip to the river, staying aboard a luxury houseboat.

The website was inundated with more than 100 responses from around the state, recollecting everything from fond childhood excursions to houseboat mishaps

The Advertiser earlier this week revealed the business that owns Waikerie-based Murray River Queen has been placed in administration an the boat is for sale, amid claims holidaymakers are shunning the area because they wrongly believe the river is close to dry.

Fond Memories

“My favourite river experience was showing my relatives from Germany how beautiful the Murray is and their excitement at seeing the galahs everywhere and the stillness of the river system.” Chris Szaujer, Lyndoch

“The best boat trip as when I was five and we caught a carp like Michael Caton in The Castle.” Matthew Williams, West Beach

“No phones, no cars, no internet. No one seems in a hurry, you can hear birds, catch fish and have a glass of wine. No place is as great as the Murray.” Wayne Arbon, Andrews Farm

“When I discovered Mel Gibson’s name in the guest book – I was thrilled to have sat on the same loo seat as Mel.” Lucy Barratt, Edwardstown

“We woke everyone at 6.30am with “the Easter Bunny’s been”. They all thought the boat as on fire and grumbled all the way through th Easter egg hunt." Rebecca Deans, Kings Park

“To tie off the houseboat without wading, my well-meaning father attempted to row the dinghy… Instead he capsized, and the oars floated away downstream”. Matthew Hawke, Ridgehaven

“We had our first experience of houseboating when the Murray as in flood, and had the indignity of becoming bogged. We spent the night in the situation and were fortunate enough to have a scout group come by the next morning who very obligingly rocked us free”. Ronald Cousins, Happy Valley

“I love being on a houseboat and experiencing the camaraderie between other houseboats waving and honking horns at each other plus we got struck on the bank once and another houseboat driver assisted us in manoeuvring out”. Kristi Hourigan, Mawson Lakes

“It was extremely hot and what better to do than have my feet floating in the River Murray with a nice cold can of beer by my side and the good old fishing rod waiting to catch my Murray cod. Those were the days”. Robert Cox, Paralowie

“Spending all of our family holidays for 25 years water-skiing on the river, the most memorable is canoeing in the backwaters at dawn, koala spotting and seeing a baby pelican”. Vadrienne White, Highbury

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