We spent most of the first day of our houseboat holiday on LAND!

We were unable to pick up the boat before 2pm so we spent the morning in Echuca buying provisions. We also needed to purchase fishing licences as you must have one to fish in Victoria, unlike in our home state of Queensland where these are not required. They cost us $12 for a month.

As the other two couples had driven together to Echuca from the Sunshine Coast, there was one car for us to use. And so, with military precision, the luggage, the food, the wine and beer and us were transported to the boat on the NSW side of the Murray River in Moama.

We were then given a quick lesson on how to use the boat and provided with some tips about where to go during the week. While I do support equal opportunity for women and men, I did leave the boys to participate in the boat-driving lesson as I have absolutely no plans to get behind the wheel.

The boat is certainly a luxury craft. There are four queen bedrooms each with own ensuite. This is our room ——

Once we moored for the night, the boys got a fire going and we enjoyed the beautiful sunset.

I volunteered to cook dinner for the first night. We had agreed each of us would cook one meal and we would then need to eat out on only one evening. Cooking on Day 1 would mean I was then on holidays for the rest of the week.

I chose to make a family favourite – chicken maryland. Preparation time is not too long for this meal so I even added a dessert.

Mick was super excited as he caught a huge yellow belly which we will eat tomorrow.

A great start to our week on the Murray.