The 12 Best Yarra River Cruises in Melbourne

1.2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise

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

Cruise upstream and downstream on Melbourne’s Yarra River, passing Docklands, Southbank, sporting grounds, Herring Island, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. You’ll have GPS-triggered English commentary, tea and coffee, indoor seating, and an open back deck for photos. The cruise may change boats midway.

“it was easy to access and the commentary was very interesting. the skipper was also very polite and knowledgeable.”

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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 four courses, Australian wine, beer, spirits, coffee, port, and attentive table service aboard the enclosed Yarra Countess or Yarra Empress.

“The good: service was excellent...the seating process, initial drinks, appetizers all done very efficiently and with warmth and care. The appetizers were quite tasting including duck slice, oysters, beef, scallops. The needs improvement: overall, Read more”

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3.Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

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

Cruise through central Melbourne from Federation Wharf, passing Eureka Tower, Southbank, the Royal Botanic Gardens, bridges, and riverside districts. An English-speaking captain and crew provide live commentary, with tea, coffee, snacks, and alcoholic drinks available onboard.

“great trip along the Yarra river. Guide was excellent. Cruise well worth the money”

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4.4-Course Dinner Cruise with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 511 reviews · 3 hours · from $138

Board at Southbank for a three-hour dinner cruise through central Melbourne. You’ll enjoy tasting platters, a choice of main course, dessert, cheese, drinks, and views of Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Rod Laver Arena, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

“Had our own table by the widow - great views. Great Food, Great Service. Thoroughly recommend it”

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5.Electric Picnic Boat Rental on the Yarra River

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 209 reviews · 1 - 3 hours

Take the wheel of a private electric picnic boat on Melbourne’s Yarra River, with room for up to eight people and no boat license required. GoBoat staff explain the controls and route in English, then you set the pace. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and a sun hat.

“It was the best family outing / kids birthday party I’ve ever had. We picnicked while seeing the beautiful sights of our city. The kid were super excited and staff were amazing. Highly recommended. A pleasant experience”

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6.1-Hour Gardens and Sporting Precinct River Cruise

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

Spend an hour on the Yarra River, leaving from Southgate and passing the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Olympic Park, Herring Island, and Princes Bridge. English commentary, panoramic windows, an enclosed cabin, and free coffee or tea make this a simple city overview in any weather.

“I wanted to take my young son to see the city and he was able to enjoy the full hour on the boat while I learnt through the running commentary”

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7.River Gardens Melbourne Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 193 reviews · from $29

Spend an hour on the Yarra River with live commentary, complimentary tea and coffee, and views of Princes Bridge, Herring Island, the MCG, Olympic Park, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Sit inside behind panoramic windows or outside on deck, with the route adjusted for tides and river traffic.

“Nice relaxing cruise, very informative about sights and history. It was raining so it was great that it was all enclosed. Complimentary tea, coffee & water.”

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8.Port of Melbourne and Docklands Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 106 reviews · from $29

Cruise from Southbank along the Yarra River toward Hobson’s Bay, passing Docklands, Polly Woodside, shipping channels, the convention centre, and Melbourne’s skyline. You’ll have live commentary, tea and coffee, panoramic windows, a restroom, and an outdoor sundeck.

“Informative - a great view of Melbourne city and historic view points- highly recommended to all visitors and locals”

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9.Cape Woolamai Sightseeing Cruise from San Remo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · from $35

Board at San Remo jetty for a one-hour cruise around Cape Woolamai. Your captain explains local history and wildlife while you watch for fur seals, seabirds, and dolphins. Indoor and outdoor seating, tea, coffee, biscuits, cake, and children’s activities make this a handy family outing.

“Excellent trip with please commentary outlining the history of the Cape. The best way to see the cliffs facing Bass Strait whilst having morning tea. Unfortunately there was no special sea life on show but we loved the trip and the friendliness of the crew.”

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10.Spirit Of Melbourne Yarra River Lunch Cruise

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

Spend two hours aboard the Spirit of Melbourne with a three-course lunch, beer, wine, sparkling wine, juice, and soft drinks included. You will cruise past Melbourne’s waterfront sights from panoramic windows, choose your main course in advance, and dine in a relaxed setting across the river from Flinders Street Station.

“We really enjoyed the lunch cruise. The meal was lovely, the service top class and the scenery as we cruised along the Yarra was beautiful. It was a great way to spend a sunny Melbourne afternoon.”

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11.Yarra River: 1.5-Hour Scenic Sunset Public Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 57 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Spend 90 minutes on Melbourne’s Yarra River as the skyline catches the evening light. The English-speaking skipper or guide points out sights on the way toward Arena stadium and back. Groups are capped at 25, though the boat used may be much smaller. Drinks cost extra and BYO is not allowed.

“This was not the craft illustrated in the information on this trip. It was clean, tidy and safe but less than half the size (eight seats) and no possibility of moving about or being outside. The skipper was a trustworthy, experienced and jovial gentleman but certainly no commentator on the sights we were passing. The trip was however enjoyable - most cities benefit from being seen from their rivers and the small group on board were convivial and entertaining including, we believe, an up and coming young Australian comedian and his family - that was you Sam, wasn’t it?”

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12.1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 1h 30m Top rated

Set out from Docklands on a private 90-minute Yarra River cruise for up to six people. Your English-speaking skipper guides the quiet electric vessel toward Crown’s flame show, with city views, a cheese platter, and your choice of Australian wine or non-alcoholic wine included.

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