Mildura Houseboats

Mildura Houseboats runs self-drive houseboat holidays on the Murray River from Buronga, and a set of its boats are booked as pet-friendly, so the dog comes along for the trip instead of sitting in a kennel back home. It is a genuinely different kind of stay with a dog: a floating, self-contained home with a sun deck, where the dog is with you the whole time.

The dog setup

Pets are permitted only on the houseboats specifically flagged as pet-friendly, so tell them when you book rather than after. A fee of $50 per pet applies and a maximum of two pets is allowed per booking.

Pets are not permitted on the furniture or beds, and you bring everything the dog needs: food, bedding, bowls and lead. Extra cleaning or damage charges can apply if a pet causes mess beyond normal wear.

The place

The fleet is modern and well kept, with sun decks and the option to hire a small tinnie or pedal boat to explore the banks beyond the houseboat. Guests rate the boat condition and the friendly staff, and the river itself does the rest.

Once you dock at a riverbank to explore on shore, keep the dog leashed and under control: the Murray frontage is shared country with other travellers, stock and wildlife.

Getting there

The base is at Buronga on the NSW side of the river, just over the George Chaffey Bridge from Mildura. Drive-in only, and you will want the car for provisioning in Mildura before you cast off.

Close by with the dogs

If a houseboat is booked out or not your style, Discovery Parks Mildura, Buronga Riverside sits on the same riverbank with pet-friendly sites, and NRMA Mildura Riverside Holiday Park offers pet-friendly sites and cabins on the Mildura side. Before or after the trip, Mildura Fenced Dog Park at Rio Vista Park gives the dog a proper off-lead run.

More options are on the NSW pet friendly stays guide and the Buronga destination page.