Houseboat holidays on the Hawkesbury: I wish this was my life

As I watch the winking morning sun draw golden webs across the wood-panelled houseboat ceiling, a mug of steaming coffee warming my hands, a thought bubble rises above my head: could this be our life? It's a question, I've discovered, that reveals only the most superior travel experiences – those that give you a blueprint for a better life.

Could this be us, living at a slight remove from the hum of the world, floating on the backwaters of the Hawkesbury River surrounded by nothing but water and bushland?

Swimming off the deck in summer, heading to dry land only to restock provisions or for the odd meeting, living entirely on solar and rainwater here on our own private island?

The question arose many times since being met at the Berowra Waters Marina the previous afternoon by Ginger, a tangerine and white 1970s motorboat captained by a tall, cheery electrician named Laurie Rissman, one of Oh Buoy's owners. We zipped across the bay to Oh Buoy, a 1970s houseboat that Laurie and his wife Jess Rissman,who met us onboard, bought at auction three years ago, and restored from its dilapidated state by hand.

Not only was the boat salvaged, but almost all the interior pieces too, which stay true to Oh Buoy's original retro aesthetic. Everything from the black leather couch and orange mid-century loveseat, to the amber glassware and nautical-themed tapestries, were either gleaned by Jess off the side of the road, or gathered from local vintage stores.

Before leaving us to our own devices, Jess had told us that, "the true beauty of houseboat living is that you're always aware of the phases of the moon and the tide, so you're really in tune with nature."

As our first day on the water unfolds, we realise how right she is. The morning light slides from the ceiling down the walls, as we notice the tide rise and realise it's the perfect time to take Ginger for a spin. We guide her along the river, point out our favourite riverside houses and discover hidden coves as we go.