Top 8 Melbourne River Cruises

1.2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,804 reviews · 2 hours · from $49Our pick

Cruise Melbourne’s Yarra River upstream and downstream for two hours, passing Docklands, Southbank, the MCG, Olympic Park, Herring Island, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. GPS-triggered English commentary explains the sights. You can sit inside, use the open back deck for photos, and enjoy tea or coffee onboard.

“lovely views Would prefer a 1 hr option as well..as the boat is slow and it gets monotonous towards the end...we hoped off early after 1 hr”

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2.Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise on the Yarra River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,470 reviews · from $139

Board at Southbank Promenade for a three-hour evening cruise past Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Rod Laver Arena, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll receive a four-course meal with Australian-style choices, plus beer, wine, sparkling wine, spirits, coffee, tea, port, and liqueurs. The vessel may be the Yarra Countess or Yarra Empress.

“Excellent food, the service was exceptional, and overall worth the money paid for this dinner……do try it!”

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3.Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 889 reviews · 1 hour · from $28

Join Yarra River Cruises at Federation Wharf for a one-hour city cruise with an English-speaking guide, tea and coffee included, and drinks available to buy. You’ll pass Eureka Tower, Southbank, the Royal Botanic Gardens, bridges, and Docklands while hearing local stories. Boats offer indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, and room for photos.

“I went on the Yarra River cruise for the first time during my visit to Melbourne. It was an amazing experience with excellent service. A perfect way to enjoy the city’s beautiful views.”

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4.Electric Picnic Boat Rental on the Yarra River

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 209 reviews · 1 - 3 hours · from $70 per boat (seats 8)

Take the wheel of a Danish-designed electric picnic boat on Melbourne’s Yarra River. No boat licence or experience is required, and staff explain the controls and route before you leave. Bring food, drinks, and sunscreen, then enjoy a private one to three-hour cruise for up to eight people with quiet city views and a built-in picnic table.

“Need to offer a food and drink option and cushions to sit on would be great as two hours sitting on the hard bench wasn’t fun.”

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5.1-Hour Gardens and Sporting Precinct River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 196 reviews · from $27Best value

Set out from Southgate for a one-hour Yarra River cruise through Melbourne’s arts, garden and sporting precincts. Hear English commentary as you pass Princes Bridge, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Government House, the MCG, Olympic Park and the National Tennis Center. Coffee and tea are included, and the enclosed boat runs in most weather.

“Som people smoking on the boat , that's really not good.”

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6.Spirit Of Melbourne Yarra River Lunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 65 reviews · 2 hours · from $95

Spend two hours aboard the Spirit of Melbourne, cruising from the river near Flinders Street Station while enjoying a three-course lunch and included beer, wine, sparkling wine, juice, and soft drinks. Choose your main course when booking. Window seating is not guaranteed, and the cruise offers scenery rather than a narrated city tour.

“Need audio of history and explanation of the area.”

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7.Private Yarra River Cruise w/ Cheese & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 16 reviews · 1h 30m · from $311 per boat (seats 6)

Book a 90-minute private cruise from Melbourne Docklands for up to six people. Your skipper guides a quiet electric boat past Crown Casino, Southbank, historic bridges, and Flinders Street Station while you enjoy a cheese platter and a bottle of sparkling, white, or red wine.

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8.Luxury Sunset Cruise on Yarra River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 30m · from $42Top rated

Set out from Southbank for a 90-minute sunset cruise along the Yarra River. You’ll pass Melbourne’s CBD and Docklands from a covered boat, then watch Crown Casino’s fire show on the return trip. An English-speaking host provides a friendly, informative outing, with drinks available to buy and no BYO permitted.

“Beautiful scenery. The host of the event was very friendly, funny and informative. Sunset was gorgeous and the fireshow coming back in the city was magnificent. Would definitely do this again!”

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