Detailed below are some Frequently Asked Questions. To find out more about what is the situation with the Murray River water level, please visit our Useful Information page.
If you have a specific question that you don't see answered below, please contact us via our website enquiry form or call us on (08) 8569 2559 and we will put your mind at ease.
The Unforgettable Houseboats Fleet offers Australia’s most accredited and prestigious houseboats for hire combining quality, comfort, luxury, and style. We have been awarded **21 Tourism Awards** at Regional, State and National Levels. We also were proud to receive the 2000 Australian Marine Industry Federation's 'Boat of the Year Award' with Unforgettable 4 being named 'Houseboat of the Year'. Our backup throughout your entire trip is the key to our customer's satisfaction. No matter where you are, feel reassured that we can help you no matter whatever the problem.
Modern houseboats are surprisingly easy to operate. Our professional staff will explain the operation of your rental from bow to stern before you leave the marina and after your practical instruction you'll be on your way in confidence. It's that easy!
A full car driver’s licence or boat licence is all that is required. The hirer must be over the age of 21 years of age.
Base contact is available 24 hours a day by mobile phone or by using the two-way radio onboard the houseboat.
Just about everything. Refer to the **Holiday Checklist** page for further information.
All you need to bring is your food, drinks, personal toiletries, CDs, DVDs, Binoculars and fishing equipment. Check out our **Planning Your Trip** page to give you some ideas of how to start your Unforgettable Houseboat experience.
Simply phone the Unforgettable office on (08) 8569 2559 to discuss available dates. Once you've decided on the date and boat that best suits your group we will make a tentative booking for you. All that is then required is for you to pay a deposit of $600 to confirm the booking. This deposit is deducted off your hire fee and once this is made your final balance is due no later than eight weeks prior to departure.
Free lock-up car parking is available at the marina. We have a separate car park for trailers and boat trailers for your convenience.
The Murray River is a fishing enthusiast’s delight! Sit back, cast your line off the back deck and be prepared to catch that elusive Murray Cod. The abundance of fish in the river, whether European Carp, Redfin or Callop will have you attending your line continuously. Don't have any fishing lines? No worries! We also offer a full range of fishing equipment for hire at the marina. You do not require a fishing licence to fish in South Australia, however there are restrictions on returning fish to the river. For further information on fishing on the Murray River, please visit the South Australian Government’s Primary Industries and Regions website.
Yes, you have enough fuel onboard for the duration of your holiday. There are two fuels on each houseboat in the fleet – unleaded for the outboard motors and diesel for the generator.
No, not under normal circumstances. The boats have extremely large holding tanks and would only need to be pumped out over longer hire periods or if an issue occurred.
You have between 400-600 litres of fresh drinking water depending on the houseboat you select. This is mains water that goes through a secondary filtration on the houseboat. If your group usually drinks bottled water, you may include some in your shopping. Your showering water is direct from the river and separate to your fresh drinking water.
The only hotels for dining options is in the township of Mannum (Pretoria Hotel, Mannum Community Club or Mannum Motel) or at Swan Reach (an option only achievable only over a 7 night hire period).
Yes, there are General Stores located every 2½-3 hours apart on the river. These General Stores are very well stocked but they are not supermarkets. You will be able to purchase staples such as bread, milk, ice, canned & bottled product, bait, ice, takeaway foods, newspapers, dairy & frozen products. Each of the General Stores also has small amounts of alcohol available. These General stores are very close to the river & within easy walking distance of the houseboat.
Yes, each of the houseboats are insured in the fleet. If you are involved in an accident during the time of hire you are responsible for an insurance excess payment of $2,000. This would be processed against a credit card (MasterCard or Visa) on the day of disembarkation. You will have a claims form to complete before departing. Any accident that occurs during your time of travel must be reported on the day of the incident & not on the day of return.
Insurance Excess Waiver: A non-refundable insurance waiver payment of $300 can be made in advance or on the day of boarding and will reduce the insurance excess applicable in the event of damage to the vessel to Zero.
Yes, just include a small extension lead in case it is required.
No, we have a strict no pet policy.
Yes, you depart from Mannum and return the houseboat to Mannum on the day of disembarkation.
No, we have coffee plungers across all houseboats in the fleet. You are more than welcome to bring your own coffee machine with you.
Please be aware that the maximum number of people permitted on a houseboat must not exceed the number of berths. Department of Transport who govern the surveys held against each boat also states that the maximum number permitted is 12 people in total. If your group exceeds 12 people you would need to consider additional houseboats to accommodate your group. Children over the age of 12 months are included in the passenger number. If they are under the age of 12 months are not counted in the passenger number.
Your deposit payment is required within 3 working days of a tentative booking being held for you. Your deposit can be paid by Visa, MasterCard or Direct Deposit. Details for the Direct Deposit option will be provided to you during email correspondence.
8 weeks prior to your boarding date. You will find this date notated against the original paperwork/invoice that was sent at the deposit stage of your booking. Your balance payment can be paid by Visa, MasterCard or Direct Deposit. Details for the Direct Deposit option will be provided to you during email correspondence.
Payment is required either on the day of boarding by a cash payment only option or it can be paid by direct deposit 1 week prior to boarding by direct deposit. Details for the Direct Deposit option will be provided to you during email correspondence. Your security bond account payment is utilised towards your fuel, ice consumption during the time of hire and provided the boat is returned in good order and condition this is what would be deducted from this payment.
The invoice indicating your expenditure will be sent back to you within 10 working days after the date of disembarkation. Your invoice will either be in a credit or debit – if in credit this amount will be refunded back to you by cheque or direct deposit (details must be provided on the day of boarding for direct deposit option). If you exceed the security bond paid and the account is in debit you will need to make payment against this account within 7 days of receipt.
Average fuel consumptions for estimation purposes only.
Unforgettable 3
Unleaded – Outboards: 14 – 20 litres per hour
Diesel – Generator: 15 – 35 litres per day
Unforgettable 5
Unleaded – Outboards: 11 – 16 litres per hour
Diesel – Generator: 15 – 30 litres per day
Unforgettable 6
Unleaded – Outboards: 17 – 24 litres per hour
Diesel – Generator: 17 – 35 litres per day
Unforgettable 10
Unleaded – Outboards: 17 – 24 litres per hour
Diesel – Generator: 15 – 35 litres per day
Unforgettable 11
Unleaded – Outboards: 15 – 20 litres per hour
Diesel – Generator: 17 – 35 litres per day
Unforgettable 12
Unleaded – Outboards: 10 – 14 litres per hour
Diesel – Generator: 10 – 20 litres per day
"Thank you for everything Charlotte. It was a truly wonderful way to spend my 50th Birthday surrounded by friends and family ion the most amazingly equipped houseboat!! Took some fantastic pictures. I have been recommending it to everyone!!"
Michelle Kennedy: South Australia
