About a third of the boats tied up at Dockside Marina in Kangaroo Point are now lived in full-time, according to the marina’s manager, as some Brisbane residents look beyond apartments for a place they can afford close to the city.
Dockside Marina manager Ken Allsop has seen more people living at the marina in recent years, and he estimates around one-third of the docked boats are now used as permanent homes. Reports cited that residents are making use of shared marina facilities such as bathrooms, showers and laundry, which can help make long-term stays workable in small cabins.
Dockside Marina promotes its berths as an inner-city option at Kangaroo Point. One resident was described as moving from a house to an apartment, then onto a 1966 boat after deciding unit living did not suit him. His monthly marina fees included basics such as power and water. However, there are practical limits to boat life, including cramped space, low headroom, tight storage, and ongoing maintenance issues that can interrupt day-to-day routines.
Rents and Prices Remain High
New figures help explain why some people are exploring unusual housing choices. Domain’s Rental Report for the December 2025 quarter put Brisbane’s median rent at $670 a week for houses and $650 a week for units, with quarterly rises in both categories.
Cotality’s national rental analysis has also pointed to tight conditions, including low vacancy and strong rent growth over five years. While those figures are national, they reflect the broader strain many renters feel in high-demand markets.
Buying a home has not become an easy alternative for many households. Reports stated that Queensland’s housing market continued rising into December, with Brisbane values increasing while affordability stayed a challenge.
Boat Life Has Limits
Living aboard can reduce some weekly housing costs, but it can also bring extra work and unexpected expenses. Full-time boat living has its trade-offs, balancing potential savings with ongoing upkeep, including maintenance demands that can be heavier on older vessels.
In Kangaroo Point, boat living can be both practical and personal. Residents who saw the move as a lifestyle change as well as a way to manage costs, while also acknowledging the limits of space and the reality of repairs.
Living aboard is not the same everywhere. Some marinas set conditions and require approval for liveaboards, covering issues such as safety and the use of facilities.
Published 28-Jan-2026
