Thank you for your interest in our business. Following is an overview to give you an idea of our background, the structure and our operations procedures.
If you are the tangible type, please feel free to download the below documents.
If you are a genuinely interested buyer, we are happy to provide financials to your accountant. A signed copy of a Deed of Confidentiality is required before the release of this information. See document below.
Feel free to contact us for further information or to arrange a time to meet for an inspection. Please contact us on 0408 159 788 or email us cruising@bergerhouseboats.com.au.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Opportunity
The opportunity to own a life style and business combined is rare and to combine that with a “sea change” is even rarer. Houseboat operations of this quality don’t come up for sale very often and Berger Houseboats operates from one of the most desirable regions in Australia. With great temperate weather, close proximity to airports, some of the worlds’ best beaches and extremely flexible working hours, this certainly is a life style business.
Utilizing the benefits of modern technology such as mobile phones and tablets, your work areas are extremely flexible. This gives you the freedom to still run a business whilst away from the area; you can still answer emails and take bookings even when not in the office. We are proud that we have established procedures so the business is set up in such a way that the owners do not need to be onsite for the day to day operations if you choose.
Berger Houseboats has two service vessels permanently in the water at the marina and the principals can still run the business whilst soaking up the beautiful atmosphere. Imagine being able to just walk down the marina, jump in a boat and go fishing or cruising. Treat your friends to a day out on a houseboat, a spot of fishing or swimming. Be the envy of your friends. Your parties can take on a whole new flavour, with the unique environment of floating on the water.
Berger Houseboats operates on the Tweed River in northern New South Wales, just south of the Queensland border and the bright lights and excitement of the Gold Coast. Experience the clean white beaches of Tweed Heads and the tranquil waters and bird life around the inlets, bays, broadwaters and islands of the Tweed River.
The customers of a houseboat holiday business are greatly different from those of most businesses. Remember, they are all going on a holiday and a houseboat holiday is one of the most relaxing holidays you can take, so our customers generally arrive and leave in a relaxed frame of mind. The beautiful Tweed is an uncluttered, peaceful river with an abundance of bird life, nature reserves and tranquil waterholes. There is an array of shops, galleries, museums, clubs and taverns dotted all along the riverbank, fully accessible by our tenders which are supplied with the hire of the houseboats.
Berger Houseboats is fully staffed, and a new owner would simply slot into the role of management without the requirement of any boating skills. What could be simpler? We have long-term casual staff and contractors including cleaners, handy men and three experienced boat drivers who pilot the houseboats to and from the marina. Our current staff are all eager to continue working for Berger Houseboats under new ownership.
Background
The business was established in 1994 with the construction of the 12-berth houseboat “Image Anne”.
In 2000 the 4-berth houseboat “Runaway Bear” was offered to the business to be operated under management. Runaway Bear was subsequently purchased in 2001.
In 2002 the fleet was expanded to four with the addition of “Sundancer” and “Pluto”, 12 and 6 berth respectively – both being operated under management. (See additional information on management of houseboats page #6.)
In 2003 the fleet was progressively expanded with a further four vessels to be operated under management.
The fleet has up graded several times with retirement of older vessels and the addition of larger more modern houseboats. This assists in keeping the business fresh, with up-to-date vessels and giving new choices to customers. The business currently operates with a fleet of eleven (11) houseboats – seven owned by the proprietors and four others under management for owners.
The business currently has the use of six berths on the Tweed Marina – 3 x 20m and 3 x 12m, allowing eight or nine of the vessels to be docked at the jetty at any one time. The business also owns two swing moorings, one large and one small. Negotiations are also underway for a new floating berth in the Southern Boat harbour to cater for an additional two vessels. We are also tendering to Council for another available 12m berth at the marina.
Licence at the marina permits operation of 1.5 houseboats per berth and as two of our 20m berths are counted as two, we technically have 8 berths which allows up to 12 houseboats in the fleet.
Securing the extra berth at the marina will allow expansion to 13 houseboats.
Staffing
We have a full time operations manager and 2 maintenance team members. Our office is staffed to suit the demand.
Sue Ellen also conducting a BAS services businesses, there are many hours spent working for her clients that would otherwise be applied to the houseboat business.
Our cleaning staff are a mixture of contractors and casual staff. These workers are generally only required on turnaround days, ie Mondays and Fridays and occasionally when there is extra work either additional cleaning on the boats or hull cleaning when boats are up on the slip.
The Fleet
The fleet consists of 14 boats. Please check out our Houseboat page for further information and details on the vessels.
Owned by Vendor
- Pacific Blue – 12 berth Spa Boat
- Ocean Spirit – 12 berth Spa Boat
- Kalinda – 12 berth
- Blue Bayou – 12 berth
- Gypsea Belle – 12 berth
- Image Anne – 12 berth
- Wanderer – 6 berth
- Runaway Bear – 4 berth
Under Management
- Island Dream – 12 berth
- Paradise II – 10 berth
- JFS Rhyanna – 8 berth
- Marie Claire – 7 berth
- Misty Blue – 9 berth
- Wavebreak – 4 berth
Operating Structure
Berger Houseboats is owned and managed by Robert William and Sue Ellen Berger, who come from multi-generational local families and have no plans to leave this beautiful area.
Robert’s background is in small crop farming, with limited formal education beyond sixth-grade public schooling. Sue Ellen has a background in office work, with training in computer programming and multiple years experience in accountancy and consultancy firms.
The management team oversees all aspects of operations, including marketing, vessel allocation, staff rostering, and financial management.
Berger Houseboats employs an operations manager, boat drivers, maintenance personnel, and administration staff on a mix of full-time, casual, and part-time bases. Cleaners are engaged on a combination of casual and contract bases.
Management of Houseboats
Unlike other houseboat companies, we own the majority of the vessels in our fleet. The day-to-day operations and maintenance of the fleet is managed by the business, with the owners of vessels under management primarily involved only in minor maintenance and occasional private use.
Currently, we have six houseboats under management: Wavebreak, Misty Blue, Marie Claire, JFS Rhyanna, Paradise II, and Island Dream. Managing vessels allows for fleet expansion without capital outlay.
More details are available for genuinely interested buyers.
The Competition
We are the only houseboat business operating on the Tweed River, having secured all the licenses at the only suitable marina, making it impossible for another houseboat business to start in the area. Additionally, there is one other business on the Gold Coast with a slightly smaller fleet than ours, but higher costs in that area are reducing their viability.
Marketing
The success of a houseboat business is heavily dependent on a comprehensive marketing strategy and great customer service.
The main focus of marketing is towards the south-eastern Queensland market eg Toowoomba, Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coasts. There is a market in the local area which has not been tapped to interest new comers to the area in houseboating.
Essential elements of the marketing and promotion include:-
- Website with great organic ranking with search engines. (domain name 19 years old)
- Social media: FaceBook (over 6k followers), Google+, Instagram, TikTok
- Various online directories for additional search rankings
- Email mailing list for direct contact with both previous customers, people who have enquired and others who have requested to join our mailing list
- Extensive radio advertising campaigns
- Brochure stands in local businesses
- Participation in Australia-wide promotions by the Tweed Tourism Body
- Brochure board position for BBQ boat flyers – northern Gold Coast and northern rivers
- Periodic promotional stands at trade shows and events, eg Toowoomba and Lismore Regional Agricultural Shows
- Promotional mail outs to previous customers
- Extensive database from previous enquirers for promotional ventures
Expansion Plans
We believe after over 30 years with the same owners, new owners will bring fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm and this great business can be taken to the next level. There are considerable opportunities to expand the business well beyond its present level. The introduction of another up-to-date vessel or two in keeping with what has been happening at Berger Houseboats and the sky is the limit.
Tweed Shire Council, the local Government Authority for the Tweed, is working to identify current and future infrastructure requirements for recreational boating in the Tweed River with the aim of promoting the river as a desirable destination and marine service centre for recreational boating from outside the area.
The recent provision of a large floating jetty at Chinderah for instance, this will be a great boom to houseboat customers wishing to visit the village or pop ashore for a meal, adding to the experience of our customers.
The next logical step to take is to add another up to date vessel, either under-management or purchase outright, and replace one the medium sized vessels with a vessel of a larger capacity. This increases the turnover of the business with, or without, capital expenditure. Our marina licencing permits immediate expansion of the fleet without additional berthing fees.
The Tweed River is a beautiful river system and has much to offer both visitors and locals and what better way to see a river than by cruising its’ waters on a houseboat!
Financial Information
The business started with one vessel, the Image Anne, constructed here on the Tweed specifically for the business.
By 2004 the fleet had expanded to eight vessels (see Background) and turnover had increased sharply, not only because of the expansion of the fleet, but because Berger Houseboats was by now an established business, recognised as such in and beyond the South East Queensland area.
Currently the net operating profit provides a very comfortable living for the working proprietors and an attractive return on capital employed.
We guard our financial details closely, but recognise the need to make them available if we wish to dispose of the business.
Comprehensive financial information will be made available to the accountant of a genuinely interested buyer only.
We have enjoyed the spoils of owning a houseboat business; with the late starts or not even working on rainy days. Where can you find a job that for most of the week you set the start time and the knock off time, you can go home for morning tea and lunch, sit and talk to tourists at work and yes, get paid to chinwag. Rob has particularly like knowing that even when he is in town talking to people, the business is still working making money. Even when we personally are not productive, the business does not stop.
Tangible Assets
Houseboats
- Pacific Blue
- Kalinda
- Blue Bayou
- Gypsea Belle
- Image Anne
- Wanderer
- Runaway Bear
Work Boats
“Migaloo” – 5m Boston whaler with a 2020 115hp Yamaha 4 stroke outboard – commercially registered
- “Rex” – 3.9m Quintrex Explorer (2021) with a 2021 25hp Yamaha 4 stroke outboard including an electric start and trim and tilt.
Tenders
Bushman 12’ tender x 9
Bushman 10′ tender x 1
Nylex 12′ tender x 3
Motors - extras
- FT60 Yamaha 4 stroke x 2 working, plus 3 additional for parts
- FT60 extra long gearbox x 3
- 3hp Yamaha outboard motors x 5
- 4hp Yamaha outboard motors (2 stroke) x 2
- 4hp Yamaha outboard motors (4 stroke) x 5
In storage:
- New T60 Yamaha 4 stroke outboard motors x 2
- New 5hp Yamaha 4 stroke outboard motors x 2
- New 4hp Yamaha 4 stroke outboard motor x 1
*Subject to change
Kayaks
6 x fishing kayaks
Generators
- 2KVA Honda generator 2015 x 2
- 2.2KVA Honda generator x 1
- 3KVA Honda generator x 1
Heaters
2 x outdoor heaters
Service Trailer
8×5 box trailer with cage
Linen
All linen, including:
- queen, double and single sheets
- spare blankets
- doonas
- mattress protectors
- pillows and pillow protectors
- bathroom linen
Marina Luggage Trolleys
8 x great quality, custom designed trolleys for use at the marina for carting equipment, etc and for customers to cart luggage to vessels.
Misc Items
All spare parts, utensils, safety equipment, cleaning/paint products, gas bottles, jerry cans and multiple others items used to run a business of this size in this industry.
Promotional Material
- Extensive database
- Massive photographic collection
- Flyers, banners, flags and posters
- Website
- Social media and online presence
- Merchandise
Message from the Proprietors
Operating a houseboat business means working in an outgoing, friendly atmosphere. You get to meet many people and see them at their best—on holiday!
Some guests return time and again, becoming friends with whom we joke around and truly have a good time. The ideal candidates to purchase this business are those who can maintain this friendly atmosphere. People are looking for a holiday, they want to enjoy themselves and deal with friendly people.
No prior experience is necessary; our current staff are well-versed in the routines, and new owners could quickly find their place. When we started, we knew very little about running a houseboat business, management rights, or boats. What we have learned in this business is astonishing, and the whole process has been enjoyable.
We have had a lot of fun over the years, and the decision to sell has not been taken lightly. This is a family business that has been a part of our lives for many years. However, Rob’s ill health means we need to reassess our lives, and we decided it was time to pass the torch. We have established a successful business and provided facilities on the river. We would be delighted to see someone step in, support its growth, and expand its potential.
