Do not be late, but if for some reason you
are.............
One can expect delays heading north out of Sydney on a Friday
afternoon so we encourage hirers to try and give themselves an
additional i hour for travel (try and get time off work)
If you are expected to be late call the marina ASAP
You require a minimum 1/2 hour to load your Houseboat, 10
minutes for paperwork and 1/2 hour for instructions
Our staff are here till 4:30pm consequently late arrivals may
expect to pay late arrival fees
These are your options:
1 You pay the late arrival fee to cover staff costs
2 You remain on the marina, at least one person in the
group must have arrived by 4pm (noise restrictions apply as
Brooklyn is a residential area)
3 Arrive the following day but booked rate still
apply
4 If available the Houseboat can be placed on a mooring at
Brooklyn Marina, at least one person in the group has to have
arrived by 4pm (noise restrictions apply as Brooklyn is a
residential area)
5 THE BEST OPTION - If someone arrives early enough to be
shown through, fix up the paperwork and drives the Houseboat
to one of the bays, the late arrivals can organise for a
Water
Taxi to take them to the Houseboat
Brooklyn has a railway station called Hawkesbury River railway
station. Be sure your train stops here. The train trip from Gosford
or Hornsby is about 20 minutes. Phone us at Brooklyn Marina and we
will pick you up for a small fee per trip. Brooklyn Marina is NOT
at the railway station. The marina there is called Hawkesbury River
Marina.
If travelling by road then use our easy to follow
Detailed Directions
Guide - the pictures will help you. If, however, you are
coming from the airport then consider taking the shuttle bus to
Central Station or Hornsby then the train to Hawkesbury River
Railway Station. Phone us on arrival and we will pick you up.
There is free car parking is at the marina, however we ask
that you limit it to 2 cars per houseboat.
No, you do NOT need a special boat license to drive our boats.
You do, though, need to be at least 18. The same rules apply
as on the road - DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE !
To settle your nerves we explain the navigation rules, brief
you on the full operation of the boat. We give you a full
lesson on the water, before you know it you'll be 'an old salt'.
You are never on your own, as you can contact us if you are
unsure of something whilst out on the river.
YOU MUST read and understand the "HANDBOOK" which you can
download from our website as a PDF file or have sent to you as a
booklet. THis Handbook explains everything about the boat and much
more.
The boats are fully insured provided the conditions of the
Hire Contract are fulfilled - you are responsible for damages
and loses of equipment up to the value of your deposit/bond.
Willful or negligent damage is not covered. Our boats are
expensive to replace - look after them !!
Our houseboats are fully equipped with cutlery, crockery,
glasses, pots , pans and other kitchen utensils. Additionally, we
have dishwashing equipment, toilet paper, tea towels, gas lighters.
You need to bring your favourite pillow, doonas, linen and towels
(or hire all of these from us for $11 per person). Storage space is
limited so pack wisely and we suggest soft bags as they are easily
storable. Don't forget a hat, sunglasses and sun care lotion.
It might be also wise to bring an extra roll or two of toilet
paper.
Of course, but they can be slippery little suckers!
Bring along your favourite rod and reel. Bait, fishing rods
and hand lines may be purchased in Brooklyn.
You need to organise a
fishing licence before your arrival (Ph:
1300369365)
YES. There are some of the best restaurants in Sydney, most of
which can only be accessed by boat.
1. Riverside Brooklyn Restaurant at Hawkesbury River
Marina is now closed.
3. Berowra Waters Tea House. Ph: 9456 1454
6.
Peats Bite Restaurant at Sunny Corner
(accessable only by boat). Ph: 9985 9040
All our houseboats have CD/radio players. Some even have
loudspeakers outside. Be sure to bring along your favourite
CDs.
It would be best to bring an IPod or similar (with a charger
that plugs into a car cigarette lighter) and then can be played
over the Houseboats stereo.
The cd/radios do not have the audio plugs for IPODS and MP3
players but you can bring along a wireless FM transmitter such as a
digidock.
Remember, there is no normal 240volt household power on the
boats.
Our larger boats have DVD players. For the smaller vessels,
portable DVD players may be hired. Please note that there is no TV
reception on the river. Most people prefer to get away from it
all and not even use this luxury.
You can take the boat as far upstream as Windsor or as far
down stream as Bobbin Head. Waterways Authority has set a limit to
where you may travel seawards - this is an imaginary line
between Juno Point and Challenger Head. A heavy fine by Waterways
may be expected if you pass this imaginary line. You may
NOT take the boat past this point to Pittwater,
Patonga or out into Broken Bay.
We have trackers on our Houseboats so we know where you
are to the meter. You can always text us whilst you are on
the Houseboat and unsure of your location.
There is a general store where you can buy groceries, dairy
products and newspapers. A similar store is located
at Hawkesbury River Marina (opposite the train station). The
local hotel has a bottle shop. There are also stores accessible
from the water at Dangar Island, Cottage Point and Spencer.
Remember though, we do sell ice and bait and if you require extra
provisions during your stay on the houseboat we can deliver
these for a nominal cost.
There is a new Coles store in Berowra, only 15 minutes
away.
NO, there is not a bank at Brooklyn, but there is an ATM at
the local pub (Anglers Rest). We do accept EFTPOS and cash
but personal cheques cannot be accepted immediately prior to
your hire. And we do not have the facilities at our Marina
for 'cash out'.
Yes, of course. The Hawkesbury River is considered as one of
the cleanest rivers in New South Wales. Tidal changes flush
the Hawkesbury River twice per day. Consequently, the current
can be very strong (weaker swimmers should be cautious and sober
and if necessary use life jackets). The safer areas are at
beaches or in bays. BUT, be careful.
It is also unwise to swim at sunset and sunrise (unwise
for any salt water areas in Australia).
The water on board is normal city household tap water. There
is normally sufficient water on board to last a week, economic
use will of course extend this. You may fill up at Brooklyn
Marina free of charge. However, you will be charged if you refill
the water tanks elsewhere on the river.
This depends on which houseboat you are on. However, you
should have sufficient fuel for the week. Each boat has a gauge
which indicates how many hours you have traveled. Motoring
charges are based on the hours traveled, which covers fuel, gas,
oil and engine maintenance. This, we feel is fairer to the
hirer as you can see exactly how much you will be charged.
Travelling time can be affected by tides and wind, so plan
your journeys.
Our boats are fitted with 12 volt DC power, which may be
accessed by a cigarette lighter type plug socket as found in a
car. There is no 240 volt power, you may NOT use appliances
which run on 240 volt, such as a hair dryer. Our boats do however,
have quite large solar panels which assist in maintaining a
reliable supply of power. However, sparing use of power (do NOT
have all lights going unnecessarily) will retain the power on
board.
Our boats are fitted with gas operated fridges of adequate
size. Each fridge has a small full width freezer compartment. Since
gas fridges have trouble keeping the cold in very hot
conditions our boats have generously sized eskys for your drinks -
which help give you more space in the fridge. Ice kept in
these eskys can remain surprisingly long.
Use your mobile to phone our base (a text message to our
mobile phone will ALWAYS get through to us) or other emergency
numbers supplied on board. All our boats are fitted with a Marina
band radio. They are easy to use and emergency assistance is
not far away.
If all else fails contact a boat or people who are
closest to you.
We send you a Handbook designed to prepare you for your
houseboat. It offers a map with a 3 day suggested itinerary, rules
of the River and much more.
Yes but understand rates commensurate with time of day/night and
distance travelled. Bookings are essential. You can contact Marine Cabs on 0448 101
010
You have 2 options:
1. Contact Hawkesbury River
Provisioning on 0411 443 944 and they will organise food
supplies prior to hiring the Houseboat
2. Contact Mark or Josh jjsriverchef@hotmail.com (0423932665).
These guys will either supply you with a meal of your choice
or even come out and cook something for you, off their
own boat.