Discover Melbourne’s history and highlights on this guided Yarra River cruise. Float past the city’s towering skyscrapers and lovely urban gardens while learning about the transformation of this vibrant city from 19th-century port town to a modern cultural capital. Your sightseeing cruise takes you upriver and downriver for a scenic overview of attractions on both banks.

Cruises downriver to the port and upriver away from the city
Opportunities to photograph Melbourne's skyline and port from the water
Onboard commentary with insights into Melbourne's history
Panoramic windows provide unparalleled views plus protection from wind or rain
Sun deck for outdoor river cruising

Operated by:

What's Included

Commentary
Drinks (tea and coffee)
Yarra River Cruise

No food or drinks are sold on board
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Gratuities

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Melbourne River Cruises
Berth 2, Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
Berth No 2, Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct Landing

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Take in Melbourne’s highlights from a unique vantage point on the scenic Yarra River. Learn about the history of this modern metropolis on a narrated tour as you glide past beautiful gardens, historic buildings, and ultramodern skyscrapers.

Enjoy the sights from your boat’s sundeck or through panoramic windows from the inside cabin, where you can enjoy complimentary coffee or tea. At the end of the round-trip journey, you have a wonderful overview of Melbourne’s history and layout to help you plan the rest of your time in Victoria’s welcoming capital.

Downriver Highlights:
• Docklands
• Crown Entertainment Complex
• West Gate Bridge
• 19th-century sailing ship Polly Woodside
• World Congress Center and Trade Center
• Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct
• Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Center

Upriver Highlights:
• Princes Bridge
• Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
• The Governor's residence
• Olympic Park
• Herring Island
• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Victorian Arts Center spire
• National Tennis Center

Melbourne River Cruises (Pass By)

Embark your cruise from lively Southbank

Yarra River (Pass By)

Cruise along Melbourne's iconic river and learn of the history and culture of one of the world's most livable cities.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Please note the travel date is only required as an indication within 3 months from booking confirmation date
Note: Passengers may bring a small amount of snacks and drinks on board
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Most travellers can participate
Unfortunately the vessel is NOT wheelchair accessible. However, passengers in a wheelchair can be accommodated only if they can get on and off the vessel on their own and if the wheelchair is collapsible. The staff are not permitted to assist handicapped persons due to insurance restrictions
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 78 travellers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations.

Traveller Photos

Traveller Tips

We did feel a bit hard done by - a one hour cruise for the price of a two hour cruise.

Reviews

3.5

353 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travellers.

Showing 1-10 of 353 reviews

Not worth the money!

Sharon_S, Feb 2023

We were very disappointed. The boat smelt of mildew when we first hopped on which was not a good start. The commentary along the way was virtually non existent so you really had no idea what you were looking at. The Captain said to ask him if you had any questions. For two hours we expected a little more than what we got. I would recommend a recording to play whilst on the cruise if they don't want to do a commentary as I am sure there is a lot they could tell us about their city.

Absolutely loved it!...

Rachel_W, Feb 2023

Absolutely loved it! Incredibly relaxing, Fabulous views. Captain and crew friendly and fun. Just what the doctor ordered after all go go getting to Melbourne. Highly recommend.

Awesome - Definitely Worthwhile!

Felix_Z, Feb 2023

Just being on the water, seeing tge skyline and sites of Melbourne. The captain David was very polite, courteous, entertaining and knowledgeable of the sites seen on the water tour.

Cheated!

CATHERINE_B, Feb 2023

I booked for a two hour cruise of Melbourne and was told to "keep sitting". At the end of 1.25 hours, of which only 1 hour was a cruise as the rest was spent picking other people up from different locations, we were told to all get off as it was the end of the cruise, which I obediently did. Either I was supposed to have stayed on for a second "cruise" in which case they should have said, as we only covered the docklands, or they were just dishonest. Either way I was cheated. The commentary of the docklands was interesting, and I assume the same would have been true of the commentary up the river. However, given the above it was a poor experience and I will avoid travelling with Viator again.

Thoughts on the River Cruise

Ernest_L, Feb 2023

A good panoramic view of the City and Garden views as well as rowing activities along the river. Good commentaries. The captain and assistant captain were very helpful and knowledgeable about lives and buildings along the river. We were a bit confused about the coffee facilities. The maps provided were also very helpful. Taking photos was a bit inconvenient. A transparent roof may be useful for taking photos of the City skylines.

Uninspiring

Kevin_T, Jan 2023

The captain seemed almost disinterested. At one stage he said “I have some commentary but I wont talk over you”. His commentary continue but abruptly ended after a short time.

Good morning on a riverboat

Mark_G, Jan 2023

Fantastic view of the Melbourne . Good service , comfortable and clean environment. Thank you captain and crew.

Superb

Gayzle_G, Jan 2023

Cruise was enjoyable! Captain was comedy and knowledgeable!. Melbourne was beautiful. Transport was great.

Not what I expected

Thara_W, Jan 2023

Children did not enjoy it. They were crying they wanted go home. We have booked for two-hour but ended up with one. It advertised tea or coffee provided.. but didn't have facilities. Children were saying it is just a boat not a cruise.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Enjoyable.

Kim_L, Jan 2023

This was an enjoyable, good value cruise. The boat Captain provided an excellent commentary. Happy to recommend.

Yarra cruise

Andrea_a, Jan 2023

All through was lovely. It was a great experience. The tour guide gave us lots of information it was relaxing.

Insight to Canberra

MAGGIE_M, Jan 2023

Neil was an excellent guide and gave a very informative and interesting tour of the city, a must do for anyone visiting Australia

Amazing boat tour ...

Stephanie_I, Jan 2023

Amazing boat tour Highly recommend to anyone who loves to hear the history and see beautiful Melbourne from the water.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Nothing to see there

navya_v, Jan 2023

Worst experience . Waste of money .. nothing to view.. doesnt worth paying single dollar for it.. very high cost

Poor

Peter_C, Dec 2022

Poor communication that cruise was in 2 parts. Unable to continue due to other plans. Asked for refund but refused.

Boring trip

Susan_T, Dec 2022

There were no memorable parts to cruise. First part upstream had only views of river bank and some tall buildings. Second part downstream was a little more interesting.

Pleasant couple of hours

Dean_P, Dec 2022

Went both ways on the Yarra River, great sights excellent commentary and the bar on board was in operation too.

Entertaining, educational, and a lovely cruise

Noelene_H, Dec 2022

The tour guide and skipper of the boat told many stories of the early days of Melbourne, and was extremely entertaining. Loved hearing the history, and the quirky stories. It's also a very beautiful trip along the river.

Worth a couple of hours to learn of the City

Jeff_H, Dec 2022

Clear commentary was a great introduction to the city form the Ybarra River. Captain/commentator was very informative. PA system worked well.

1 traveler found this review helpful

Bad

Jeri_W, Nov 2022

The smell of the boat and the diesel fuel were extremely unfavorable. Need more room to sit outside. The staff was lovely

...

Questions?

Product code: 3013SIGHTAB

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Highlights of Melbourne Cruise

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