Numbers of People
Houseboat For Two is licensed to sleep two people only. No children, infants or pets are allowed on the boat.
NON-SMOKING
Houseboat For Two is strictly NON-SMOKING, that applies to anywhere on the boat including the decks.
Deposit and Payment of fees
For all package hires, at the time of booking, a deposit must be paid within 7 days and this amount is $500 . If a deposit is not received within 7 days of the time of booking, the booking dates will not be held. Full payment must be made by 6 weeks prior to the date, if full payment is not received by the due date, this will be taken as a cancellation (see further detail on this below). Payments can me made by direct deposit online.
Bond
A bond of $600 is required for all cruising package hires, this may be higher if the boat is hired for extended periods. The bond must be paid by cash upon arrival at the boat. This bond is in addition to the hire fee and will be returned to you within 48 hours of the return of the boat (usually when you leave the boat), provided the boat is returned in the same excellent condition at it was at the start of hire. At the end of your holiday the boat is thoroughly checked to ensure it is returned on time, clean and undamaged. Any damages or losses incurred on the boat during the hire shall be paid out of this bond, or if over and above this amount, will be sought from the customer. Fuel used during the hire of the boat shall also be paid for from the bond.
Cancellation Policy
Any cancellations of bookings within 2 months of the hire date will not be refunded.
Depending upon the time of year and the amount of notice, sometimes guests may be offered a chance to reschedule dates.
A fee of $100 will apply to any rescheduling of holiday dates.
If rescheduling of dates is requested within 1 month of hire, this will not be possible.
Bookings for public holiday periods cannot be rescheduled.
Any cancellations of bookings for public holiday periods within 6 months of the hire date will not be refunded.
If a reschedule of dates is offered by management, this will only occur once.
If rescheduled dates are then cancelled, fees paid will not be refunded.
Travel Insurance is recommended.
River Conditions – Floods
If the the river rises well above normal level and so the current becomes very strong with debri sometimes floating down the river, Houseboat For Two management can deem the river unsafe to travel on, and so the Houseboat will remain moored at Paradise Gardens for the hire. When the Houseboat stays moored for the full hire, a discount on the holiday fee will be offered. (These conditions only happen in the event of a flood, which has occurred twice over the past 8 years here, so is unusual.)
Hire Agreement
Both guests must sign a hire agreement prior to hire of the boat. When a booking is made, the hire agreement is emailed out so you have a chance to read it well ahead of your arrival. Then when you arrive, a printed copy is signed by you and you are given a copy. The fuel is dipped at the same time and recorded on the hire agreement and then dipped again when you return.
Times
Houseboat For Two is usually available for checkin between Noon and 2pm on the day of hire (often this may be earlier, depends upon the booking dates). Houseboat for Two must be returned by 11am the final day of hire.
Driving the Boat
Anyone who drives the boat must be over 18 years of age and hold a full drivers licence. The boat can only be driven during the daylight hours. The boat can only be driven when both guests are on board.
Other Equipment and vessels
No firearms, bikes, motorbikes, chainsaws are allowed on the boat. Fishing equipment can be taken on board as long as not too cumbersome. No fishing boats, tinnies, speedboats or jetskis are allowed to be towed or tied to the boat. Eskies are allowed onboard, but must be kept on the deck and not dragged about to avoid any scratches on the timber floors.
Houseboat support & instructions
Upon arrival at the boat you will be given a full briefing which covers the operation and driving of the boat, safety provisions and emergency procedures, appliances and facilities on the boat and general advice. A comprehensive guide is kept on the boat for your assistance at any time and you will be provided with a mobile phone so that you can readily contact us if you need our help at any time of the day. This briefing will occur regardless of whether you have previously driven a houseboat, no exceptions made, both guests must be briefed and given driver training before the Houseboat can be hired.
General Fitness
If you intend to drive the Houseboat (sometimes guests choose not to and stay moored for their holiday) then when mooring (parking) you will be required to get off the boat an onto the riverbank to tie up ropes. Sometimes the riverbank is steep and bushy, so guests must be able bodied enough to cope with ‘bush’ conditions! Also helps to have some runners or like shoes for this purpose.
Covid 19
The threat of Coronavirus COVID-19 in the community has meant that we have to take extra precautions. Please note that we have a registered Covid 19 Safety plan and a copy will be provided to all guests when they book and also note the following:
General Wellness
Guests are asked NOT come to the Houseboat if they are unwell. If a guest becomes unwell on the houseboat, especially if they have any respiratory or COVID-19 symptoms, they are asked to notify us immediately.
Symptoms of Covid-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some typical symptoms are fever, respiratory symptoms including coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include runny nose, headache, muscle or joint pains, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of sense of smell, altered sense of taste, loss of appetite and fatigue.
To stop the spread of COVID-19 people with even mild symptoms of respiratory infection should get tested.
Flexible booking
If guests are unable to come to the Houseboat for their booking due to Covid-19 factors then we encourage them to reschedule their holiday dates to a later time. (No penalty fees are incurred for this reschedule).
Conditions of entry
When guests arrive to the Houseboat they shall each be temperature checked. Any guest with a fever, showing signs of illness, or exhibiting virus symptoms will be advised to seek a Covid-19 test immediately.
We wear a mask whilst on the boat and will have spare masks for each of you to wear unless you have your own, this is just for the time we are together during the briefing onboard.