ON THE RIVER · MELBOURNE RIVER CRUISES

Top 4 Melbourne River Cruises

4 river trips  ·  from $28 a head

Every trip has one free afternoon too few. These 4 melbourne river cruises earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to packing.

Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise - Starting at Southgate behind the Langham Hotel
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Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise

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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Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise on the Yarra River - Four courses with Australian-style choices
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Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise on the Yarra River

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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Melbourne: Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise - What you see during the one-hour route
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Melbourne: Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

3.Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

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

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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Melbourne: Electric Picnic Boat Rental on the Yarra River - Getting comfortable at the controls
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Melbourne: Electric Picnic Boat Rental on the Yarra River

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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