Holidays Afloat
Holidays Afloat
5
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
Holidays Afloat & Ripples Located an hour north of Sydney at Brooklyn, conveniently close to the M1 (F3) motorway. Ideally located at the gateway to the Hawkesbury, it is a leisurely hour and a half cruise to the pristine waters of Kuring-gai Chase National Park. Alternatively you can cruise up the Hawkesbury to historic Wisemans Ferry, or head towards the serenity of Berowra Waters. You are spoilt for choice with our extensive cruising areas. With the largest and widest range of houseboats, HOLIDAYS AFLOAT & RIPPLES will have the vessel that is just right. We have a range of different types of vessels. Whether you’re a couple, a family or a group of friends we have the perfect choice. If you are seeking a traditional houseboat, a modern cruiser or homecruiser, or if you’re on a budget or seeking luxury we’ll have the right vessel for you. To put your mind at ease we will give you a personal briefing on board your vessel where we show you its full features and operation.
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5.0
102 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
11
Average
0
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0
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Eleanor C
Sydney, Australia3 contributions
Dec 2020
We had a great few days out on the boat! We had a 45 foot, with myself and my partner (now fiance!), and we were able to grab my parents in the motorised dingy to come on for one of the nights. Highly recommend getting the motorised dingy (costs bit extra) if you plan on doing any trips to shore, we also used it to just go explore a little during the trip! They recommended our parents went to McKell Park, as there is a spot for you to moor there, and we used the dingy from there to collect them.
The team were amazing to deal with before we left, and on the day to get things organised. Organise ice when you get there to take straight on, lots easier.
Lots of room in the fridge for your cold items, and two eskies outside, bbq was really great and easy to use. We also brought a bunch of card games to occupy some time in the rain, but was so lovely to just sit and watch it all around you!
Overall amazing trip, we'll be doing it every year :)
The team were amazing to deal with before we left, and on the day to get things organised. Organise ice when you get there to take straight on, lots easier.
Lots of room in the fridge for your cold items, and two eskies outside, bbq was really great and easy to use. We also brought a bunch of card games to occupy some time in the rain, but was so lovely to just sit and watch it all around you!
Overall amazing trip, we'll be doing it every year :)
Written December 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spikeystravels
Sydney, Australia5 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
From the first contact on the phone through to meeting Karen at the office and being shown around the boat by Matt, it was a great experience. Nothing was too much trouble and we were given lots of advice on the best fishing spots and all our questions were answered..
We hired "Victoria" the flybridge boat. It had plenty of space for 2, clean and tidy with everything we needed, having brought our food and bedding with us - although pillows and a mattress protector were provided on board. Couldn't fault anything with the boat really although there is a newer version available without the flybridge which we had a look around at the dock.
On our return we were met outside Brooklyn harbour and motored in by another staff member.
the check in and check out process was fast and painless which was a bonus for keeping the chilled weekend feeling.
We caught some decent sized fish and it was nice to be around the sounds of nature with mobile phone reception being non existent in places along the river. We had the boat from Friday morning through to Sunday 4pm.
If there is more than 2 adults, consider a bigger boat.
Note that on fine weekends, Saturdays get busy for moorings so aim for your spot by about 2pm latest.
Would definitely use this company again as the whole experience was top notch from start to finish, bit pricey but so worth it for being able to relax on the water.
We hired "Victoria" the flybridge boat. It had plenty of space for 2, clean and tidy with everything we needed, having brought our food and bedding with us - although pillows and a mattress protector were provided on board. Couldn't fault anything with the boat really although there is a newer version available without the flybridge which we had a look around at the dock.
On our return we were met outside Brooklyn harbour and motored in by another staff member.
the check in and check out process was fast and painless which was a bonus for keeping the chilled weekend feeling.
We caught some decent sized fish and it was nice to be around the sounds of nature with mobile phone reception being non existent in places along the river. We had the boat from Friday morning through to Sunday 4pm.
If there is more than 2 adults, consider a bigger boat.
Note that on fine weekends, Saturdays get busy for moorings so aim for your spot by about 2pm latest.
Would definitely use this company again as the whole experience was top notch from start to finish, bit pricey but so worth it for being able to relax on the water.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Busy7mum
Hornsby, Australia11 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
We (2 adults, 2 children) have just returned from our third houseboat holiday. We took a Homecruiser 47 out for a fantastic 4 days/3 nights. As always the whole hiring process with Holidays Afloat was great. This size boat is perfect for a family. We did heaps of fishing and swimming. We would all be up fishing by 6.30am each morning - so still and peaceful. We used the BBQ for every meal and ate at the table on the top deck.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NTLpete
Newcastle, Australia15 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Friendly, professional, and good humoured staff, despite my dreadful navigation on the water. We took one of the smaller houseboats and it was fine for two, be they friends or partners. The interior has a hint of Uncle Barry and Aunty June’s caravan about it but having said that it has everything you need, and the best bit is outside the window anyway. We decided on the Cowan Creek area, as opposed to the Berowra or Wisemans Ferry areas. We took staff advice, and as we’d arrived before lunch Friday, we headed as far up as we could manage that afternoon. We spent our first night in a bay of four public moorings just short of Waratah Bay. Heading off early the next morning we found a bay with only two public moorings just short of Bobbin Head marina. A beautiful spot, like so many others, but due to proximity to the marina around the corner it is a 4 knot area. This has the benefit of slowing down 90% of the ‘JetSki Jaydens’. The fishing was adequate, the beer cold, and the landscape breathtaking. My suggestion to you, no matter what vessel you hire is to get an outboard for your tender, row if you want, but a motor makes exploring the little shallow areas at the head of the creeks far more enjoyable.
Written November 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie Penrith.
15 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
This has to be the best way to explore the tranquil Hawkesbury river. We went out for 4 days over the June long weekend and had an absolutely terrific time. It was the getaway we needed and recommend the experience to anyone , the houseboats are clean and reliable and the staff are helpful and friendly. Karen in the office is very informative and a good laugh. I recommend you get a motorised dingy as it was so much fun exploring close to the shore in the many areas accessible. If you have never Been on a houseboat overnight then I suggest you give it a go as the morning serenity is unbelievable.
Written June 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy F
Sydney13 contributions
Nov 2021
What amazing memories we three best friends had over the weekend. I have been on the Hawkesbury River prior with Holidays Afloat and always had a great time but this time I was with my friends who had never experienced house boating on the Hawkesbury......It was such a wonderful experience to do for Julie's 50th birthday celebrations.
Holidays Afloat are such a professional team, I was requesting several things prior to our arrival and nothing was a problem for both Nicole and Karen.
We took out the Islander 35' 4 berth which was perfect for us as it slept 2 x double beds. It has recently had a refurb so everything was new, fresh and workable. The full size oven was fantastic as I had the cook top, grill and oven all going at the same time for our seafood Platter.
With Luxury Afloat you can sit and relax, kayak (and fall in) bush walk, fish, bbq and party and most of all create some wonderful ever lasting memories....
It truly is My Happy Place - Thank You Guys
Holidays Afloat are such a professional team, I was requesting several things prior to our arrival and nothing was a problem for both Nicole and Karen.
We took out the Islander 35' 4 berth which was perfect for us as it slept 2 x double beds. It has recently had a refurb so everything was new, fresh and workable. The full size oven was fantastic as I had the cook top, grill and oven all going at the same time for our seafood Platter.
With Luxury Afloat you can sit and relax, kayak (and fall in) bush walk, fish, bbq and party and most of all create some wonderful ever lasting memories....
It truly is My Happy Place - Thank You Guys
Written November 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Voyager59552192709
1 contribution
Dec 2019 • Family
Holidays alfoat (Ripples) were simply amazing!! We had my sister and her family here visiting for Christmas however, we had to abandon our holiday to Jarvis Bay due to the tragic fires and the kids which the kids were very sad about, as were we. So I called Holidays afloat and explained our situation and asked if they had any boats available, to which they said yes!
Neither of us had ever had a boat house holiday before so it was all new to us and it was amazing. Karen at Holidays afloat was super friendly and helpful, the team were amazing, they showed us how to use the boat and away we went...
We all had the best time, diving off the side of the boat almost at every hour for a swim, exploring creeks - even the youngest at 5yrs old was jumping off the side of the boat.
so from us "Thank you Holidays Afloat, you saved our Christmas, we will definitely do this again"
Neither of us had ever had a boat house holiday before so it was all new to us and it was amazing. Karen at Holidays afloat was super friendly and helpful, the team were amazing, they showed us how to use the boat and away we went...
We all had the best time, diving off the side of the boat almost at every hour for a swim, exploring creeks - even the youngest at 5yrs old was jumping off the side of the boat.
so from us "Thank you Holidays Afloat, you saved our Christmas, we will definitely do this again"
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rudders
Sydney, Australia4 contributions
Oct 2020
We have a wonderful 6 nights on one of the 47' - 12 Berth houseboats. The boat was great and with two families the entire time we have room for both kids and adults to have their own space and time but could still come together for meals. The Hawkesbury is a top spot to cruise on even on a busy holiday weekend.
Importantly the team at Holidays Afloat we professional but relaxed. We felt well prepared before we set off and completed without stress. Great job team - look forward to our next outing!!
Importantly the team at Holidays Afloat we professional but relaxed. We felt well prepared before we set off and completed without stress. Great job team - look forward to our next outing!!
Written October 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam E
4 contributions
Aug 2020
We have been holidaying with Ripples/ Holidays Afloat every year for many, many years now, we have always had fantastic service from Karen, Steve and the entire team (always smiling and happy). They go out of their way to ensure that you have a great time. We have hired most of the fleet from time to time and now always take out a 47ft Homecruiser as our preferred option. Last trip was 7 nights at end of August and it was the best ever (apart from the number of fish we caught or rather "didn't catch"). We invited children and grandchildren for 2 days and they had an absolute ball, especially the little ones,they are all talking about when they can go again.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to Steve and Karen for having such a great team and for their personal touches that make our times away so special, Dyirabun is our special happy place, see you again soon.
G and C.
A huge THANK YOU goes out to Steve and Karen for having such a great team and for their personal touches that make our times away so special, Dyirabun is our special happy place, see you again soon.
G and C.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad D
3 contributions
Nov 2023 • Friends
What a fantastic weekend to spend with friends!!
From booking this trip online to driving home on Sunday, everything ran smoothly.
Exploring the Hawkesbury was great, especially the beautiful surroundings and views during perfect sunsets.
Will certainly be back to explore more with Holidays Afloat,
From booking this trip online to driving home on Sunday, everything ran smoothly.
Exploring the Hawkesbury was great, especially the beautiful surroundings and views during perfect sunsets.
Will certainly be back to explore more with Holidays Afloat,
Written November 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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