RIVER TRIPS · MELBOURNE RIVER CRUISES
The 8 best melbourne river cruises you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Cruise upstream and downstream from Southgate with GPS-triggered English commentary, passing Docklands, Southbank, the MCG, Olympic Park, Herring Island, and the Botanic Gardens. You get indoor seating, an open back deck, tea and coffee, and a practical city overview for $49.
“Value for Money, You Should take Down Stream and Up Stream as well”
Board at Southbank Promenade at 7:30 pm for about three hours on the Yarra River. You’ll pass Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Rod Laver Arena, and the Royal Botanic Gardens while enjoying four courses, Australian wine, beer, bubbly, spirits, dessert, cheese, and port. Seating may be aboard the Yarra Countess or Yarra Empress.
“excellent experience! very very atentive staff! me and my wife enjoyed evey moment! good food and appropiate drinks. 5 stars… clear!”
Cruise from Federation Wharf through central Melbourne for one hour, with live English commentary on the Eureka Tower, Royal Botanic Gardens, Southbank, bridges, and city history. Tea and coffee are included, while snacks and alcoholic drinks cost extra. Guides such as Gilbert, Paul, Pete, and Bridgette have been praised for friendly delivery.
“There wasn’t really a guide in the cruise but the staff in the boat was very helpful for boarding, safety rules, off boarding. The boat is well equipped and the speed is just right to really enjoy the scenery. A great experience when visiting Melbourne”
Take the helm of a Danish-designed electric picnic boat on Melbourne’s Yarra River. No boat license or experience is required, and staff explain the controls before you leave. Bring your own picnic and drinks, then cruise privately for one to three hours with up to eight people.
“It was a very nice ride also along the australian open. The boat had a loot of space and the introduction was very easy to understand.”
Spend one hour on the Yarra River, leaving from Southgate and cruising past Princes Bridge, the Royal Botanic Gardens, MCG, Olympic Park and the National Tennis Centre. English commentary, panoramic windows, an enclosed cabin, plus complimentary coffee and tea make this an easy city overview in any weather.
“The tour guide was terrific. We're from Melbourne and had booked this for an exchange student, but I learned a lot about the city I didn't know before. The boat was a little warm, and viewing was only great on one side of the boat but we went back the same way we came so we were able to see both sides eventually. A nice overview of the history of the city related to the Yarra.”
Spend two hours aboard the Spirit of Melbourne, cruising from near Flinders Street Station with a three-course lunch, Victorian produce, beer, wine, sparkling wine, juice, and soft drinks. Choose your main when booking, then watch Melbourne’s waterfront pass through panoramic windows.
“food and service was very good and with unlimited wine it was super value for money”
Share a private 90-minute Yarra River cruise from Docklands with up to six people. Your skipper guides the electric boat past Crown, Southbank, historic bridges, and Flinders Street Station while you enjoy a cheese platter and a bottle of sparkling, white, or red wine.
Join an English-speaking guide for a 90-minute Yarra River waterbike ride from VRA Landing. Pedal past the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Southbank, Crown Casino, and Melbourne Aquarium. Guides including Marc, Lora, and her husband add local facts and take digital photos.
“This was amazing!!! We had so much fun, thanks a lot ☺️”
An hour, an evening, a set of rapids or a week aboard.
Every country and city on the site, from the Nile to the Chicago.
