Lake Eildon Houseboats

Lake Eildon Houseboats was founded in the mid 1980’s by Jim and Ruth Calder and was then known as High Country Houseboats.

With 7 boats on the lake Jim and Ruth were the largest hire fleet on the Eastern arm and eventually the entire lake. 

In the early days we were located at the Howqua Valley Caravan Park but relocated to an inlet near Gough’s Bay that become known as “Calder Bay” named after Jim and Ruth.

This was the home of Lake Eildon Houseboats until 2005 when Jim and Ruth retired; the boats were sold and subsequently moved to Jerusalem Creek Marina where we operate from today.

“Getaway” and “Spoil Yourself” were built by one of Australia’s most experienced houseboat builders and designers of the day; Dick Marsden, an engineer who was also a graduate of Cambridge University.  At the time Dick was instrumental in developing the Houseboat industry, building the first trailer to move boats from Jerusalem creek to his Eildon workshop and having the local authorities raise all of the power lines between the lake and his factory to facilitate his trailer!

While some of the new modern houseboats are not only massive by comparison but appointed more like a luxury hotel than a family fun machine, the Lake Eildon houseboats are well designed and appointed, easy to handle and very reliable.  Interestingly the overall dimensions or footprint of Getaway and Spoil Yourself still represent the maximum size allowed on the lake without special permits and are licensed for 12 passengers, whereas most of the available boats have a smaller passenger rating.

The perfect houseboat holiday

Important considerations for you enjoying your house boating holiday include; not worrying about wet feet on the floors, being safe to handle in high winds, being a suitable size to access some of the smaller coves, creeks and hiding spots dotted around the lake, safe walk around decks for easy access to ropes and additional safety for kids as well as solid reliability.  Book your houseboat holiday today.

Lake Eildon Houseboat’s parent company is based in Williamstown, where we also operate Victoria’s biggest boat brokerage and new boat sales business Aussie Boat Sales, and the Anchorage Marina and Anchorage Restaurant.  We have been involved in the marine industry for over 25 years and have operated hire boats for much of that time.  Please see our website www.aussieboatsales.com.au for more information