Houseboats

 

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Houseboats at Lake Eildon

Lake Eildon is the only inland waterway in Victoria where houseboats are permitted to operate.

While ensuring allocated water is available for irrigators and other downstream users, Goulburn-Murray Water's (GMW) manages houseboat operations, including water quality and other matters associated with over 700 private and commercial vessels.

Houseboat Regulations

Regulations are essential for the long term sustainability of houseboat operations on Lake Eildon.  

The Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024 (the Regulations) are now in effect following a detailed review and rewrite.  This review was led by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in partnership with Goulburn Murray Water (GMW).  This involved working with the houseboat community and interested stakeholders in a co-design approach.

A key focus of the consultation was the need to manage and regulate greywater generated by houseboats. For consultation outcomes in the Closing the Loop report and Statement of Reasons.

Who is affected by the regulations?

  • All  existing licenced houseboats
  • All new houseboats

Further information

    • To learn more about greywater and how houseboat owners can help minimise its impact on the environment visit  Greywater and houseboatson the DEECA website.
    • For more information about recreation at Lake Eildon, visit the Lake Eildon webpage

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Houseboat Licensing

Information

Forms

Use the Private Houseboat Licensing Form (opens in a new window) for:

  • Applications to Licence, Operate or Leave a Houseboat within the Lake Eildon Recreational Area
  • Restricted Term Licences for Lake Eildon
  • Applications for Transfer of Houseboat Licence
  • Applications to upgrade or alter existing houseboat

Other related forms:

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Houseboat Licence Fees


  • Table of annual houseboat licence fees for 2025/26
    Category Description of licence Fee
    Category 1 A trailable boat able to be transported without the need for a Vic Roads permit (upgradeable) - Maximum size 10m x 3.5m $509.00
    Category 2 One enclosed level, non trailable (not upgradeable) - Maximum size 10.6m x 4.5m $938.00
    Category 3

    Two or more enclosed levels (upgradeable) - Maximum size 10.6m x 4.5m

    Houseboat with one enclosed level (upgradeable) - Maximum size 13.7m x 5.5m

    		 $1,612.00
    Category 4

    Two or more enclosed levels (upgradeable) - Maximum size 13.7m x 5.5m

    One enclosed level (upgradeable) - Maximum size 15.2m x 6.25m

    		 $2,214.00
    Category 5

    Two or more enclosed levels (upgradeable) - Maximum size 15.2m x 6.25m

    One enclosed level (upgradeable) - Maximum size 18.3m x 7.25m

    		 $2,687.00
    Category 6 Two enclosed levels (not upgradeable) - Maximum size 18.3m x 7.25m $3,217.00
    Category 7 Special - commercial vessel - Maximum size 20m x 8m $3,755.00

    Houseboat dimensions are inclusive of all structural components which includes walkways, duckboards, ski platforms, handrails, bumpers/buffers, eaves & motors.  Any part of the vessel that protrudes outside of the maximum allowable category dimension must fold or retract within the allowable category dimensions.

    Note: The Corporation currently defines categories by the houseboat dimensions and the number of enclosed levels. An area is considered an enclosed level when three or four sides are constructed of a solid material, i.e. aluminium, glass, perspex, or any other cladding or material.  


 
 Category Description Fee
 A. Application fee for initial houseboat licence $333.30
 B. Inspection fee for both single and multi-deck houseboats at Eildon $540.40
 C.

Inspection fee for both single and multi-deck houseboats at other locations

 $761.70
 D. Fee for transfer of houseboat licence to another person under regulation 12 $333.30
 E.

Application fee for restricted term licence

 $163.20


General houseboat information

New Houseboat Licence Labels

The current houseboat regulations do not require GMW to issue houseboat licence labels. You will not receive a label upon receipt of payment for your annual houseboat licence.

Houseboat Compulsory Inspection Program

GMW's houseboat inspection program ensures compliance with the Regulations and potential to threatsen to water quality and human health are minimised or removed.

Licensees must slip their houseboat at least every 5-7 years and engage a GMW authorised Competent Person to complete and submit a Compulsory Houseboat Inspection Report prior to the vessel being returned to the water.

Houseboat Rubbish

GMW continuously reviews the management of waste services across all its 16 water storages. There are some concerns with the management of the bulk rubbish associated with houseboats at Eildon.

The service provided by GMW is for the removal of domestic household, or in this case, domestic houseboat rubbish, only. It is not intended for “hard” rubbish. However, it is evident bins are being used to dispose of "hard" rubbish in the form of renovation materials, carpets, television sets, white goods, other electronics, lounge suites, mattresses, other furniture etc. This must not continue. 

Operators and owners must take responsibility for their waste and ensure only domestic rubbish is placed in the bins provided. Please crush cardboard boxes to  maximise space for rubbish within the bins.

 Please consult with your club or marina operator for all hard rubbish removal and containment requirements. GMW monitor the bins throughout the boating season and will make  changes to the current rubbish collection process should  inappropriate disposal practices continue.

Greywater

Greywater is any water that goes down an onboard drain, apart from toilets. It consists of the water itself and substances that enter the water from sinks, showers, basins, washing machines, dishwashers, and spas. Greywater makes up most of the wastewater generated on board a houseboat.

As part of the Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024, houseboat operators are required to comply with updated greywater management regulations to protect water quality and the lake’s environment.

For more information, please visit:  Greywater and houseboats DECCA website page.

Wastewater from onboard toilets, known as blackwater, is treated separately.

Blackwater is waste from toilets.

Houseboat owners are responsible for managing their blackwater to protect the environment and human health. They must ensure it is stored in holding tanks until it is pumped out at one of the two GMW supported effluent barges.

It is an offence to discharge blackwater or other waste into the waterway. Penalties apply.

Regulations govern the requirements for blackwater systems and procedures. For more information, refer to Water (Lake Eildon Recreational Area) (Houseboats) Regulations 2024.

Protection of Foreshore Vegetation

When lake levels change, houseboat operators may experience difficulty in accessing popular mooring areas around the lake.  Boat owners are reminded that native vegetation is protected and must not be removed.