Two hours from Melbourne, where the Great Dividing Range folds around Lake Eildon and its 540 kilometres of coves and inlets, this operator hires self-drive houseboats from the marina at Eildon. The fleet runs from a ten-berth Senator to the twelve-berth Diplomat and Sirocco, fully equipped for a week afloat — the newest carrying three double bedrooms, a built-in spa, an outdoor shower and a barbecue on deck. The lake's many small bays and quiet coves leave plenty of room to anchor well away from everyone else.