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Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience

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A bedroom with a large bed, a potted plant, and a view of a body of water through a sliding glass door.
A bedroom with a large bed, a framed picture of a coastal scene, a window with a view of the sea, a plant on a shelf, and a fire extinguisher.
A room with a view of the sea through a glass door, a bed, and a chair by the window.
A boat interior with a dining table, chairs, and a control panel.
A modern kitchen with a large island, bar stools, and a view of the water.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire house boat

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6969 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pet friendly
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Water view

Explore the area

View in a map
Gold Coast, QLD
  • Place, Doug Jennings Park
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Sand Pumping Jetty
    ‪7 min walk‬
  • Place, The Spit Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Airport, Gold Coast, QLD (OOL-Coolangatta)
    ‪42 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Gold Coast

Located in Main Beach within a 5-minute walk of Doug Jennings Park, this houseboat is within a 15-minute stroll of Sand Pumping Jetty. Guestrooms at this houseboat include kitchens, balconies, and sofa beds.
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What's nearby

  • Federation Walk Coastal Reserve - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Doug Jennings Park - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Sand Pumping Jetty - 7 min walk - 0.4 miles
  • The Spit Beach - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Sea World - 3 min drive - 1.9 miles

Getting around

  • Cypress Avenue Station - 12 min drive
  • Helensvale Station - 26 min drive
  • Coolangatta Airport (OOL) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Charis Seafood - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Shoreline Restaurant - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Melrose Cafe And Pizzeria - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Seaway Kiosk - ‬6 min walk

About this property

Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience

Step aboard the newly refurbished luxurious 3 storey, 12 metre, tri-hull boat featuring everything you would expect from a fully self-contained luxury home.

Accommodation includes 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, lounge with fold-out bed, dining, balconies, walkaround deck and a rooftop terrace. It can comfortably accommodate 6 people overnight or up to 12 people during the day.

Setting the Flotel apart from all other existing houseboats on the Coast is that guests don’t have to worry about operating the vessel, when you arrive it will be anchored in a picturesque location featuring 360 degree water and island views. You will arrive via a cruise on our Bowrider. You will be departing from the Jetty 300 Marine Parade, Labrador, opposite the Aqua building.

This is the perfect getaway for those who want the houseboat experience without the hassle and stress of operating the vessel and always having a designated driver. Step aboard to relax with friends and family, enjoy some fishing, swimming, take the supplied tender to shore and explore the nearby islands and all the Gold Coast has to offer or just soak in the sun.

During your stay the host will be close by to help with any issues, including getting more supplies or going on further cruises around the islands.
For entertainment, guests can expect to find Smart TVs. Kitchens, 2 bathrooms, and balconies are also available.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach towels

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Rooftop terrace

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total (up to 22 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Designated smoking areas
  • Note from host: Smoking is allowed outside only.

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Boat
  • Water sports equipment
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Unit size: 969 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Dogs only
  • 2 total (22 lbs is the maximum weight per pet)
  • Service animals exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Dogs are allowed up to 15kgs in weight.

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings and birthday parties
No bucks parties.

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Smoking is allowed outside only.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 12
Note from host: No bucks parties.
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
  • Check-in: 2:00 PM
  • Check-out: 11:00 AM

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 12.
  • Note from host: No bucks parties.
  • Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit.

Frequently asked questions

What's there to do close to this houseboat?

This houseboat is situated in Main Beach within a short 3-minute walk of Doug Jennings Park. You'll also find Surfers Paradise Beach and Cavill Avenue within a short drive.

Is there parking available at Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience?

No, this houseboat doesn't offer parking.

Is this houseboat associated with a casino?

No, this houseboat is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this houseboat?

No, there is no indoor pool at this houseboat.

What amenities will couples enjoy at Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience?

Amenities that appeal to couples at this beachfront houseboat include a smart TV and a kitchen along with a rooftop terrace.

Are there hot tubs at Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience?

No, there isn't a spa tub at this houseboat.

Does this houseboat offer breakfast?

No, this houseboat doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this houseboat allow pets to stay free of charge?

Although dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this houseboat.

Are there connecting rooms at Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience?

No, this houseboat doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

How close is the airport from this houseboat?

The closest major airport to this houseboat is Coolangatta Airport (OOL), which is 23.8 mi away (51 minutes by car).

Are there rooms with balconies at Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience?

Yes, every accommodation at Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience comes with a balcony and some offer water views.

Drift Flotel - Luxury Houseboat Experience Reviews

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Drify Flotel is a great place to go and chill in the beautiful Gold Coast Broadwater.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great experience, Brett was fantastic, location A1. Family ejoyed the 4 days relaxing about the boat.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Julie I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed over Australia Day weekend and had a blast! The kids can't wait to stay again.The Drift Flotel was in a great location and swimming at the nearby sandbanks were easily accessible. We were pleasantly surprised to see the dry dock attached which made it so much easier to moor our own jetski and small boat. Brett was very friendly and easy to communicate with. He came out to us within 15 minutes when we had a minor issue.The kitchen was well stocked including little bits & peices that came in handy. Somethings were a little worn but overall a great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maria H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Holiday in paradise

Great experience from first communication with Brett (host) to back on land. Highly recommend if being on the water and accessing idyllic beaches with small or larger groups is for you - look no further than Drift Flotel
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sam

Liked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We had an amazing stay at the Drift Flotel! The sunrise and sunsets where the boat is located are incredible and hanging out on the top deck is very relaxing. Brett is a very accommodating host and was happy to answer any questions we had. Can definitely recommend staying here!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tiabei H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Surprise weekend getaway

We had a lovely relaxing weekend on the drift flotel. Enjoyed the amazing sunsets and sunrises. There was plenty of space for our family and although there were a couple of maintenance issues during our stay it didn’t impact our experience. Everyone in the family loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unique and fun getaway

Brett was super helpful and communicative. The boat was well furnished and thoughtfully stocked with supplies any fishing enthusiast would appreciate. If you're looking to get away from the city, this is a fantastic option.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Wyn L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing stay

Excellent communication with Brett. Very quick at responding to questions etc.Relaxing time on the houseboat. Boat is very clean and neat. The only concern is abit maintenance issue but other then that was very enjoyable.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Kathy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location

Quiet time away

very different from the normal getaways. Great time together. Had our own little tinny to go exploring in. Just abit over priced
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cassie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

We had the pleasure of staying on the Flotel to celebrate our birthdays with our dogs. The place itself is beautiful, with modern touches and feels like you’re staying at a luxury hotel on the water. It was like a slice of heaven. Brett was a great host and made sure we had everything to make our stay wonderful. Can’t recommend this place or Brett enough!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meaghan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birthday Trip!

Flotel was PERFECT for our group to enjoy the houseboat experience without any hassle of manoeuvring the boat! Brett was approachable, accommodating and friendly, providing us with a boat tour and answering our questions both prior to and during the trip. The decor was stunning. The location was great. The top deck and kitchen/dining area were brilliant - if only we had lucked out with better weather! We're looking to book again - it's not an if, but a when! Thanks for hosting, Brett!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aimee and Evan P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise and seclusion

First - Brett the host is a great guy. Easy to communicate with, honest and on time with everything. The Flotel - wow! Spacious, clean, the views!!, no neighbours, and better decked out than most hotels. We had three little kids and the safety was great. There was no chance of kids falling overboard. Life jackets available, use of power boat was appreciated. Would stay again and would definitely recommend. Thanks Brett.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Delilah J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Stormy Sensation

First time on a Houseboat and hubby and I had the best time ever fishing from the ground deck and then relaxing on the third floor deck with a glass of wine, watching the sunset and then snoozing through the storm on our third nite. Brett was so easy to communicate with and Bailey was so friendly and they have the cutest book of instructions in the houseboat. If you have never been on a houseboat, you should try it. You never know, you might catch Blue Swimmer and Mud Crabs like we did, or Sting Ray like I did on our last morning!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bethany S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Christmas Getaway!

We stayed on the Drift Flotel over Christmas and it was such an awesome experience. The weather was perfect and the vibes were pumping. The views to the Gold Coast were spectacular and the sunrises and sunsets were amazing! Brett contacted us a couple of days before to organise where to meet and was available for any questions during our stay. The boat was more spacious than we were expecting and was the perfect size for the 4 adults and our Cavoodle who came too. The tender came in handy for picking up one of our guests who arrived a bit later and for taking our dog to the shore for toilet stops. We enjoyed the sound system and TV in the upstairs bedroom which was easy to connect to. We loved our floating home away from home and highly recommend to anyone looking for a unique holiday experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Heather D.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great and Not So Great

Amazing location and set up for the houseboat. Views are amazing. Host was friendly and a great communicator. We had our own boat so didn’t need host to transport us or take us anywhere. We had pretty good weather while we were there. Loved the top deck. Arrived after it had been raining so carpet on the second level was saturated. The first 24 hours we could not get our feet dry. The lounge where our son was going to sleep was on that carpet and the throw on it was wet from the floor. It also smelled strongly of dog. That area was pretty much unusable so my son and daughter had to top and tail in one of the beds. This really shouldn’t be listed as ‘sleeps 6’. All carpet smelled like wet dog. We bought food that we couldn’t cook because the facilities did not allow it. No oven, cooktop didn’t work, cooking appliances caused the battery to beep. There is a BBQ, which we used.Overall we made do and had a nice time. I think if the ad was more realistic, our expectations wouldn’t have been so high. It’s a great concept and was a great experience but it was not luxury.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Martinique

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful place to relax and enjoy a peaceful holiday. Everything you need and a great accomodating host. Kids and fur kid absolutely loved the experience, fishing, boating, exploring. We actually relaxed. Just wonderful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gugy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025