🚢 Origins and Early Life (Built 1927)

The Queen Tara Riverboat was originally built in 1927. For the first several decades of her life, she served as a cargo boat — transporting goods and essential supplies throughout Cambodia’s waterways, especially between river towns and lakes.

🩺 Hospital Boat Era (1964–1979)

From 1964 until 1979, the Queen Tara took on a very different and vital role: operating as a hospital boat. In a time when road infrastructure was extremely limited and much of the countryside was reachable only by water, she carried medical staff, supplies, and care to isolated communities along the rivers. Tara River Boat

🚤 Passenger and Cargo Service (1979–1999)

After her years as a hospital boat, she was repurposed once again — this time as a passenger and cargo vessel running between Vietnam and Siem Reap. This period helped keep river transport alive in a region where roads remained sparse and riverways were still often the most reliable means of travel. Tara River Boat

🛶 Abandonment and Rediscovery

By the late 1990s, the Queen Tara was no longer in active commercial service. She was eventually abandoned and left half-sunk in the mud, where she remained until rediscovered by an Australian who formed the Tara River Boat Company. Tara River Boat

⚒️ Restoration and Revival (2000s)

In the early 2000s, as tourism around Angkor Wat and the floating villages of Tonlé Sap increased, a decision was made to restore the Queen Tara. Local villagers and boat builders worked together over many months to re-float and refurbish her, giving new life to the nearly century-old vessel. Tara River Boat

🍽️ Floating Restaurant, Bar & Basecamp (Since 2005)

Since around 2005, the Queen Tara has served its current role as a floating restaurant, bar, and basecamp for tours of the Tonlé Sap Lake and surrounding floating villages near Siem Reap. Today she functions not just as a cruise boat but also as a destination experience, offering meals, drinks, comfortable seating areas, viewing decks, and even overnight stays on the water. Tara River Boat

🌞 Eco-Friendly Operation & Community Impact

In recent years, the Queen Tara has been updated to run on 100% solar power, and excess electricity is even shared with some floating village homes that otherwise lack reliable power. The Tara River Boat Company emphasizes sustainable tourism, employing local villagers in construction, operation, and guiding roles — helping support community education and environmental programs. Tara River Boat

🏆 Cultural Significance

Today, the Queen Tara is more than a tour vessel — she’s a living piece of Cambodian river heritage. At over 41 meters long and weighing more than 350 tonnes, she’s the largest boat on the Tonlé Sap Lake and a popular stop for travelers looking to explore life on the water, enjoy stunning sunsets, and learn about the culture and ecology of the region. Tara River Boat