“We’re doing what most of us came down here to do – to live and work in this beautiful part of the world, raise our kids and leave a positive impact on the community and the environment.”
Create a free account to read this article
or signup to continue reading
Augusta residents Pam Winter and James Austin have spent the last 16 years developing their business – Blackwood River Houseboats – with strict attention to the care of the river and surrounding environment in which they live,
“We’ve sort of ‘massaged’ it into a lifestyle and business,” Ms Winter told the Mail.
”Enjoying what we do and ensuring we are treating the river with the respect and care it deserves is a really important part of our business.”
The couple ventured south with a desire to make a living on the water, with Mr Austin, a keen surfer, chasing the waves as many have done before him.
“We’ve been on the water for a long time, and the houseboats have become a great sustainable business for us.”
The pair began building the business on the water’s edge, from the ground up, as they raised their four children in the local community.
“Three of the boats are named after our children – Storm, River and Allira.”
With such a focus on the natural environment through the business as well as a personal desire to live as sustainably as possible, Winter and Austin worked to establish themselves ‘off grid’, with solar panels and rainwater essential to the operation and maintenance of the vessels.
“Part of the regulations for running the business dictate very careful operation around the riverbank and on the river, there must also be great care taken not to disturb or damage the riverbed.
“We live in a stunningly diverse bio-hotspot which boasts bush life, flora and fauna – there’s even a pod of dolphins that lives in the river.”
Guests enjoy the quiet of the river during their stays, with good fishing and bird watching as well as exploration of an old group settlement home and bushwalks on offer.
“We get a lot of people who want to get on a boat but don’t have a skippers ticket, after a safety workshop and a general run through they are ready to go.”
Ms Winter said the houseboats were popular with extended families and groups of couples, while others brought relatives from overseas to experience the quieter side of tourism in Western Australia.
“I think the key to our success has been determination – there have been some tough times and the nature of the tourism industry is very seasonal – and because at the end of the day it’s about living right here on the river, and making a living doing something you love in a spot that can’t be beaten.”