Cruise info

With 90 km of the most spectacular river scenery with it’s ancient towering cliffs, historic battle sites,abundant birdlife, magnificent native bush, seclusion and available onshore facilities you are able to enjoy the ultimate in on-water luxury accommodation for 1 to 7 nights enjoying a different location each day. You are welcome to bring your Kayaks, boats and Jet Ski’s for sport or exploring.

One Night

Depart our historic Lapwood Landing at 2pm and cruise through the scenic “Riverland” before mooring the vessel in the calm waters in the channel between the large natural bush covered Kaiwaka Island and eastern shore. The owner will leave the vessel for you to enjoy the sunset, scenery, seclusion and tranquility of the location, the luxury of the vessel and it’s many features for your overnight. After you have enjoyed the morning bird song the owner returns at 0900 next morning for your training on the recovery of the anchors for your breakfast cruise back to historic Lapwood Landing.

Two Nights

As for 1 Night except the cruise enables you to travel further down river passing by the location of the 1863 Cameron Stockade (Camerontown) where on the 7th of September 1863, two Victoria Cross’s and 5 Distinguished Conduct Medals were won, when 200 Kingite warriors attacked the stockade.

Then a short distance down river you pass by the steel mill water intake jetty and the first of the larger Whitebait stands named “Red Light Bay” can be seen. (NOTE: This section of river is a High Tide pass only)

The old sand mining location, Ski Club and slipway are visible down river. Due to river conditions the vessel is required to return a short distance up river to it’s 2 nd over night mooring. Once secure, if you have brought a kayak, jet ski or boat you are able to go ashore for a walk on the large island. Next morning it is Important that you depart at 0900 for your cruise back to Historic Lapwood landing so you arrive by 10 am.

Three Nights

As for 2 Nights except you are able to extend your cruise down river past the old sand mining location and slipway and further down river past the old Whitebait factory which closed in the 1940’s. At the time it processed and canned up to 120 tons of whitebait a season. This would be your mooring location for the 2nd evening and once moored you are able to enjoy the location and sunset. Next morning you would need to begin your return cruise back up river at 0900 but remembering due to river conditions the vessel must make a high tide pass through to the location of it’s 3rd evening mooring. Once secure, if you have brought a kayak, jet ski or boat you are able to go ashore for a walk on the large island. Next morning it is Important that you depart at 0900 for your cruise back to Historic Lapwood landing so you arrive by 10 am.

Four Nights

As for 2 Nights except we your cruise continues past the old sand mining location and slipway and further down river passed the old Whitebait factory which closed in the 1940’s but did process and can up to 120 tons of whitebait a season. This is our mooring location for the 2nd evening and once moored the crew will leave you to enjoy the location and sunset. They return next morning at 0900 for your cruise up river as due to river conditions the vessel must make a high tide pass through to the location of it’s 3rd evening mooring. Once secure, the crew will be happy to take you ashore for a walk on a large island and later return you to the vessel. The crew will leave the vessel and return next morning at 0900 to provide your breakfast cruise back to Historic Lapwood landing.

Five Nights

As for 4 nights except your cruise extends from the River Delta into the Port Waikato harbour where salt water fishing is available as well as mountain biking through the Waiuku Forest on North Head. Due to river conditions our 3rd night is in the harbour and 4th night back up river near the old Whitebait Factory. Crew return next morning at 0900 to continue the cruise up river to our 5th evening mooring where the crew will be happy to take you ashore for a walk on a large island and later return you to the vessel. They will then leave the vessel and return next morning at 0900 to provide your breakfast cruise back to Historic Lapwood landing.

For Longer Cruises

Please ask us for details of attractions and activities further down river

Note:
Cruises are subject to weather and river conditions

Wake Boarding and Water Skiing

Wake Boarding and Water Skiing groups have found our houseboat to be their ideal accommodation

located in the calm waters of a well known skiing area in the fresh water of the “Riverland”. We cruise to the location right on the ski lane for the over nights. They are able to ski off the stern of our vessel from very early to quite late.

Mid-Winter Christmas Cruise

As per the one night cruise but the vessel is decorated for the evening and we provide a delicious 3 course Christmas dinner with Mulled wine and Christmas crackers.

Note

1. Cruises are subject to weather and river conditions

2. If you are able to provide us with boating experience a 4m punt with outboard, can be available for you to explore the Riverland should you not bring your own boat, while the vessel is moored.

Manuwai Vessel Features

• Large wide screen LCD TV with SKY , surround sound in the forward area
• 4-6 luxury cabins with high quality white linen
• 4 cabins with en-suite bathrooms
• Designer kitchen/galley with stainless steel appliances
• Gas cook top with electric oven
• Ducted air-conditioning to all cabins & forward lounge area
• Combined VCR & DVD Player
• CD player for music in forward living area
• LCD TV’s with built-in DVD player in each cabin & both rear lounges
• 5th Toilet off the passageway for visitors or those sleeping in rear lounges
• 5th shower off the passageway for those sleeping in rear lounges
• Hair Dryers
• BOSS I-Phone/I-Pod portable player
• Approved city water supply from special holding tanks
• 240 v power supply

Sundeck features

Extra large fully enclosed (with roll up clears) and carpeted sundeck incorporating:

• Large cedar gas heated spa
• Bar facilities
• 2 Sun Lounges
• Table setting for 8
• Gourmet 4 burner s/steel BBQ
• 30L Chilly Bin
• Wet Bar facilities including a fridge
• CD player for music
• 8 See thru plastic clears for weather protection or to roll up on those warm days

Now it’s time to finalise your last minute details with us and start preparing for one of the best holidays you’ll ever have! We MUST be notified of the following NO LATER THAN 4 WEEKS prior to departure:

Bedding arrangements

We need to know how you would like the bedrooms on your boat made up to suit your group’s sleeping requirements. Beds can zip apart to become singles so we need to know what configuration you would like the beds made up in. Example: 12 passengers on a 4 bedroom boat could be 4 queens and 2 double sofa beds.

Ice Boxes

Would you like ice in the on board chilly bin for the storage of your drinks. Cost is $45.00 with the cost deducted from your security bond at the end of your trip. A load of ice consists 3 x 10kg bags of crushed ice..

Electrical Equipment

Are you bringing any electrical equipment onboard the boat? If so, we need to ensure that anything you are bringing is compatible with our power systems. Coffee machines, Hair dryers, electric shavers, mobile phone and camera chargers are fine – anything apart from that MUST be approved! Failure to gain approval for any electrical appliances could result in damage to the power system for which the hirer is responsible.

Ski Boats, Jet skis and Dinghies and kayaks

You are more than welcome to bring along your own boats, jet skis and kayaks, but please advise the office before hand if you intend to do so as we would like to be sure that you will be bringing all the required safety equipment. We will also be able to advise the location of the nearest boat ramp etc

You also need to bring your fuel supplies in jerry cans and be mindful that your fuel CANNOT be stored on the houseboat at any time.

Food & Drinks

While most provide their own we are able to assist with any requirements you might have regarding catering.

Additional Boat Hire

We have a 12 foot Punt with outboard to enable those with boating experience to explore the Riverland. We and can also arrange for a kayak safari or hire and all involve an additional charge.

Additional Tours

Should your cruise involve several days we are able to offer a range of activities, transfers, and day trips that can enhance your houseboat holiday. Once you have finalized these details, please contact us by email or on (09) 6388305 or 021 137 0066

You need to bring

• Food & Drinks
• DVDs and CDs
• Fishing Equipment & Bait
• Camera
• Personal Toiletries
• Sun Screen
• Insect Repellent
• Laundry Powder
• Beach Towel for Swimming/Jacuzzi

We Provide

All Linen including Sheets, Quilts & Pillows, Bath Towels, Face Washers, Hand Towels, Bath Mats, Tea Towels, First Aid Kit, Cutlery, Crockery, Bake ware, Kitchen Utensils, Gladwrap, Alfoil, Paper Towel, Toilet Paper, Garbage Bags, Dishwasher Powder, Rinse aid, Dish washing Liquid, Cleaning cloths, Fresh Drinking Water, Safety Jackets (Adult size only).

Our Boat Offers

Ducted reverse cycle Air conditioning, Dishwasher, Microwave, Electric oven & Gas Cooktop, large Fridge, Colour TV, SKY, DVD, CD Player, TV’s with built-in DVD players in all cabins, Gourmet 4-Burner Gas BBQ, Outdoor tables and chairs, automatic power system, super quiet diesel generator, washing machine and tumble dryer and an 8 person Jacuzzi.ON THE DAY – PLEASE ENSURE YOU FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE!

Your boarding time is 3pm and you must disembark the houseboat by 10am. On arrival you must first check in at the office and complete the relevant paperwork before boarding your boat. Once settled onboard, our Skipper will join you and take you through the internal operations of the houseboat. After this he will provide you with your tuition on the assistance the Skipper will require in handling the craft.

Please note that all prices are subject to change without notice.