Teresa Butland promised her partner, Rob Holmes, she would give living on a boat six months. Nearly four years later, the couple still calls the Brisbane River their home. This unconventional lifestyle choice has not only become a long-term commitment but also a testament to the couple’s adaptability and love for the water.
Mr. Holmes, who spent most of his life on the water, introduced Ms. Butland to the idea. “We were just trying to think outside of the box about where we’d live in the future,” Ms. Butland explained. “Rob had lived on a houseboat before and suggested it. It’s a different lifestyle and it’s cheaper.”
Embracing a New Lifestyle
The couple sold their properties and invested in ‘The Boathouse’, a modern catamaran houseboat featuring open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas, along with a bedroom, bathroom, and an upper deck entertaining area. “It’s like a one-bedroom apartment,” Mr. Holmes described. “It has 360-degree water views, and you wake up looking at the Story Bridge every morning.”
Moored at the Dockside Marina in Kangaroo Point, the couple pays 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 noted. “The ferry pulls up right at Dockside, so you can go anywhere throughout Brisbane for 50c.”
Community and Comfort
Ms. Butland was pleasantly surprised by 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.”
Beyond the comforts of their floating home, the couple found a community at the marina. “I think I was surprised by the people we had met and the friendships we formed,” Ms. Butland shared. “That’s been really lovely.” Mr. Holmes added that their neighbors at Dockside are an eclectic mix, including small business owners, doctors, nurses, and families with children and dogs, all sharing a love for the water.
Growing Popularity of Houseboat Living
The couple’s lifestyle choice is part of a growing trend in Australia. According to the 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, 1,978 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.
“We can pack the new boat up and go anywhere we want to go – Tangalooma, Straddie, up to the Whitsundays,” Mr. Holmes said.
The couple has enjoyed houseboat life so much that they bought a bigger timber boat and put ‘The Boathouse’ up for sale. This move represents their commitment to a life of adventure and exploration, with plans to travel to various beautiful locations along the Australian coast.
As more Australians explore alternative living arrangements, the appeal of houseboat living continues to grow, offering a unique blend of affordability, community, and the freedom to explore.
