A houseboat holiday on the Blackwood River is one of those trips the whole family talks about for years afterwards. Based near Augusta in the Margaret River region, Blackwood River Houseboats offers a wonderfully slow, nature-immersed escape where your “home” literally floats along one of WA’s most beautiful waterways.
From the moment you arrive at their private marina on the river at West Bay, the pace shifts down a few gears. After parking at the jetty, you’re greeted by friendly owners, who run through a detailed induction. No skipper’s ticket is required, which makes a houseboat holiday accessible to most families, but you do get thorough training on how to drive the boat, use the equipment, and safely moor at the swing moorings dotted along the river. The briefing is clear and hands-on, and by the time you cast off you feel confident rather than nervous.
Once you’ve loaded your food, clothes and all the kids’ “essentials” (think books, games and favourite teddies), it’s time to ease out into the Blackwood River. With calm, protected waters and no ocean swell, even non-boaties tend to relax quickly. There’s a real sense of adventure as you slowly cruise past reed-lined banks, paperbarks and towering trees, spotting birdlife and the occasional pod of river dolphins along the way.
The houseboats themselves are designed with families in mind. The current fleet includes “Storm”, a six-berth hire-and-drive boat with a shaded top deck, a cosy front “cocktail” deck, and a rear swimming platform that quickly becomes the kids’ favourite spot. Inside you’ll find a fully equipped galley kitchen with oven, gas cooktop, microwave, decent-sized fridge/freezer and all your crockery and cutlery. There’s a flushing toilet, hot shower, cabin heating for cooler nights, and all linen and towels are provided, so you really can just arrive with your food, drinks and clothing.
One of the big drawcards for families is how much fun there is to be had right from the back of the boat. Included with your stay are kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, a motorised dinghy and life jackets for the kids, which makes exploring the river easy and affordable.
Older children love paddling between boats or taking the dinghy (with an adult) to check out different moorings, while younger kids are usually thrilled just to dangle a line in and “fish” off the back deck at sunset.
On our trip, hours disappeared as the kids paddled around, tried SUPs, and took turns spotting each other on inflatable rings.
The Blackwood River itself is a destination. The houseboats operate along a tranquil stretch of river and Hardy Inlet, with swing moorings in place to protect the banks and riverbed. You can cruise up as far as Alexandra Bridge and then meander back over your stay. Along the way there are hidden walks, wetlands and a rich mix of birdlife to discover, and in spring you may spot orchids and other wildflowers. In cooler months, Augusta’s coastline nearby is famous for whale watching, making this a great base for an extended South West escape.
Evenings on the river are magical. Once you’re securely moored for the night, the boat becomes your floating holiday house. Families often fire up the BBQ on the back deck, cook up their catch (if they’re lucky!), or throw together an easy pasta while the kids finish a board game or card tournament at the dining table. With dark skies and minimal light pollution, it’s a brilliant spot for stargazing from the top deck after the little ones are in bed. For tech-loving kids, the enforced digital detox can be a challenge at first, but most quickly swap screens for binoculars, fishing rods and spotting dolphins.
Safety is understandably a key question for parents, and it’s worth noting that common sense goes a long way. The boats have railings and there are life jackets available for children; you can request the sizes you need when you book. You’ll still want clear rules about staying within the rails, no running on deck and always having an adult nearby when the kids are in the water or using the dinghy or kayaks. In our experience, primary-aged kids and up cope well with the setup, but if you have very young children or non-swimmers you’ll want to think carefully about whether a houseboat is the right fit just yet, or consider sharing with another family so there are more adults around to supervise.
A lovely bonus is how genuinely eco-conscious this operation is. Blackwood River Houseboats is Ecotourism Australia certified and runs completely off-grid: power is generated via solar, they harvest and store rainwater, the boats use low-emission four-stroke outboards, and sealed holding tanks and swing moorings help protect the fragile river environment. It’s a great opportunity to talk to kids about treading lightly and leaving no trace, while still enjoying plenty of comfort.
If you like the idea of a river escape but aren’t keen on driving the boat yourself, Blackwood River Houseboats also offers fully moored floating apartments. These give you many of the same beautiful river views and watery vibes without needing to skipper, and are typically available across the cooler months as a May–September experience, while the hire-and-drive houseboats generally operate October to April. It’s worth chatting with the team about which style of stay will suit your family best. Find out more here.
Whether you’re planning a multi-family getaway, a special birthday trip or simply craving a slower holiday where the main “activity” is watching the river drift by, Blackwood River Houseboats makes an unforgettable base. It’s one of those rare experiences where parents unwind, kids roam and explore in a safe, contained way, and everyone finishes the trip feeling like they’ve properly escaped the everyday.
Blackwood River Houseboats
Address: 13685 Bussell Highway, Augusta WA 6290
Opening hours: Houseboats and floating apartments are available by advance booking only. Hire-and-drive houseboats generally operate October to April, with moored floating apartment stays typically available May to September (check with operator for current availability and seasons).
Website: blackwoodriverhouseboats.com.au
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After spending 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie McNichol made the move to Perth in 2010. As the Co-Founder and Editor of Buggybuddys, she has been able to use her experience and passion for helping families to create a trusted online resource for parents across Perth.
Jennie is the proud mother of two daughters, aged 16 & 14 and is a big advocate of the family-friendly lifestyle that Perth has to offer.
