‘50c’: Aussies expose cost of full-time boat life

Rob Holmes and Teresa Butland have spent almost four years living on their houseboat at the Dockside Marina, Kangaroo Point. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Teresa Butland promised her partner Rob Holmes she would give living on a boat six months – nearly four years later the couple still call the Brisbane River home.

Mr Holmes spent most of life on the water but the experience was foreign to Ms Butland when the couple met.

“We were just trying to think outside of the box about where we’d live in the future,” Ms Butland said.

“Rob had lived on a houseboat before and suggested it.

“It’s a different lifestyle and it’s cheaper.

“I said I’d give it six months and if I hated it, we’d sell up and do something different.

“Six months in, I was quite happy to carry on.”

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Rob Holmes and Teresa Butland with the first houseboat they lived together. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The couple sold their properties and bought ‘The Boathouse’, a modern catamaran houseboat with open plan living, dining and kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom and upper deck entertaining area.

“It’s like a one-bedroom apartment,” Mr Holmes said.

“It has 360-degree water views and you wake up looking at the Story Bridge every morning.”

‘The Boathouse’ is moored at the Dockside Marina in Kangaroo point with the couple paying about $1800 a month for their berth, including power and water.

“Once you purchase your boat, the living expenses are quite low and proximity to city and facilities is incredibly good,” Mr Holmes said.

“The ferry pulls up right at Dockside, so can go anywhere throughout Brisbane for 50c.”

Ms Butland said she was surprised how easy life was on a houseboat.

“We did have to downsize, as it’s a small space, but that was a good thing in the end,” she said.

“We didn’t have to give up any of our comforts, it’s a great lifestyle and we have the best view of fireworks over the Story Bridge during River Fire.”

‘The Boathouse’ is currently for sale as the couple have bought another boat. Picture: Boatsonline.com.au

Ms Butland said they also gained a community at the marina.

“I think I was surprised by the people we had met and the friendships we formed,” she said.

“That’s been really lovely.”

Mr Holmes said they had an eclectic mix of neighbours at Dockside, but all shared a love of being on the water.

“There are small business owners, doctors, nurses, families with children and dogs,” he said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data from the 2021 census showed 29,369 people were living in either a cabin (land-based) or on a houseboat on census night.

Of that, 1978 were in a marina while 22,354 were in land-based locations, with 5,038 indicating ‘other’, potentially accounting for thousands on houseboats outside of a marina.

The couple have enjoyed houseboat life so much, they bought a bigger timber boat and put ‘The Boathouse’ up for sale.

“We can pack the new boat up and go anywhere we want to go – Tangalooma, Straddie, up to the Whitsundays,” Mr Holmes said.

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