General News
14 November, 2025
Boat House Horsham returns for second season
THE Wimmera riverside is set up and ready for families, friends, visitors and solo paddlers to cruise around, as the ‘The Boat House Horsham’ is set to launch its second season.
After a successful first year operating from its prime riverside location in the heart of Horsham, it is expanding its fleet and preparing for an even busier summer.
The owner, Luke Ladlow, says he’s ‘absolutely buzzing’ to welcome locals and visitors back to the water.
“I’m absolutely buzzing for the season to kick off on November 15,” he said.
“At The Boat House, we’ve been gearing up behind the scenes, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the water.”
Last year marked the business’s debut on the Wimmera River, attracting crowds of all ages keen to hire pedal-boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Mr Ladlow said the response exceeded expectations.
“Last season was a fantastic start - we launched the watercraft hire shop on the Wimmera River and managed to get a great spot in the middle of town, and the community really embraced it," he said.
“We welcomed kayak and stand-up paddleboard hires too, and folks came down for a day out by the water in numbers we hadn’t fully expected.
“The atmosphere was great - families, groups of friends, couples - all getting out and enjoying the riverfront.”
The Boat House quickly became a favourite among families, but Mr Ladlow said the appeal spans all age groups.
“It turns out it’s popular across the board, as we get a strong showing from families with kids, younger adults (mates coming down for a paddle) and older adults keen for a relaxing riverside session," he said.
This season, he expects numbers to grow again as locals embrace outdoor experiences and visitors seek new ways to enjoy Horsham’s riverfront.
“This year I’m expecting even better turnout,” he said.
“With last year’s momentum, the favourable riverfront activation around town and the increasing appeal of outdoor experiences, I see us hitting new highs.
“We’ve ramped up our fleet of kayaks and SUPs so we’re ready for peak summer, and my hope is many more locals will make it a regular weekend stop, and we’ll also draw more visitors to Horsham, helping the riverside buzz.”
Weekends, school holidays and long weekends continue to be The Boat House’s busiest periods, especially during peak sunshine hours. Special bookings are also adding to the excitement.
“Hands-down weekends during school holidays and long weekends are our busiest,” he said.
“The time between late morning and early afternoon, when the sun’s out and the water’s calm, is gold.”
Mr Ladlow said he’s proud to see the community embracing the river in greater numbers and shared a message of thanks to the community as the new season begins.
“To the Horsham community and beyond: thank you for your support so far.
This riverfront belongs to all of us, and I hope this season we see even more local families, school groups, visitors and day-trippers enjoying what we’re building at The Boat House,” he said.
The Boat House will reopen on Saturday, November 15, offering pedal boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and group bookings throughout the summer season.