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Sightseeing Cruises

2-Hour Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

The cruise captain checking tickets of the guests on Sightseeing Cruise on Yarra River
The Melbourne River Cruise
Melbourne cruise on Yarra river
Guests on the Melbourne River Cruise

Sail the Yarra River for 2 hours, exploring Melbourne’s top landmarks like Federation Square, Docklands, the MCG, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Highlights

  • Cruise the Yarra River for 2 hours, passing iconic landmarks like Federation Square, Docklands, and the Crown Entertainment Complex.

  • See Melbourne’s natural and urban beauty, from the Royal Botanic Gardens to Melbourne CBD views and the striking Bolte Bridge.

  • Discover history with views of the 19th-century “Polly Woodside” sailing ship and Melbourne’s bustling shipping channels.

  • Enjoy live commentary, revealing fascinating stories about Melbourne’s landmarks, from sports arenas to world-class cultural hubs.

  • Fun fact: Many animals call Yarra River home, including 18 different species of frogs and 170 bird species!

Inclusions

  • 2-hour Yarra River sightseeing cruise

  • Live commentary

  • Complimentary tea/coffee

Exclusions

  • Beverages (can be purchased on the cruise)

Itinerary

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

4.5
897 ratings
5/5
624
4/5
181
3/5
21
2/5
18
1/5
53
  • New Zealand
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
  • India
  • Canada
  • Indonesia
  • Germany
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • Hong Kong
Guests from New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and over 16 countries have loved this experience
Sally Mowbray-Lee

Sally

5/5

Dec, 2024

The views the peacefulness, the commentary was good but miss some of it because of other people talking on the boat, some very interesting info in it.
Carola Hemmersbach

Carola

4/5

Oct, 2024

Everything went well with the tickets. At the counter for the boat tour, we were registered in the computer and received our boarding pass. The trip was nice. The explanations of the sights were interesting.
Wendy Morley

Wendy

5/5

Aug, 2024

Ticketing was easy and quick. Friendly staff member at the ticket office-Fay. Michael and his assistant on board the boat were efficient and friendly. Good commentary.
Stephen Fitzgerald

Stephen

4/5

Jun, 2024

The late afternoon cruise was very pleasant and informative. Good value for money. The only glitch was that it was not claer that that the electronic ticket and barcode had to be swapped for a paper ticket which I had to quickly do.
Danielle Seery

Danielle

4/5

Jun, 2024

Booking on line was easy. Did the 2 hour tour, was very informative particularly all the history of the river and Melbourne over the years. Really enjoyed the tour around the port area which you really don't get to see except from a boat. Maybe the inclusion of an app or headphones to hear the commentary would be good as had a noisy bunch on board which made hearing a little difficult at times. Really good otherwise.

Melbourne, how the river sees it

Step aboard for a journey that reveals Melbourne’s charm from its most serene vantage point: the Yarra River. As the city buzzes around you, drift along the calm waters and take in unmatched views of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks. Starting at the vibrant Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct, the cruise glides past Federation Square’s striking architecture before revealing the lush beauty of the Royal Botanic Gardens and the intriguing Herring Island. Along the way, discover the heart of Melbourne’s sporting spirit with glimpses of world-class venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Rod Laver Arena, and AAMI Park.

Sail into the story of Melbourne’s past and present as you pass the 19th-century sailing ship Polly Woodside, a symbol of the city’s maritime heritage. The route continues through the bustling Docklands, offering views of modern marvels like Docklands Stadium and the World Congress & Trade Centre. Glance up at the impressive Bolte and Westgate Bridges, two engineering feats that span the city’s shipping channels, as you learn about Melbourne’s industrial prowess through expert onboard commentary.

The cruise loops back, presenting the city skyline in all its glory. Capture the unique blend of historic and contemporary as Melbourne’s CBD reflects on the river’s surface. Whether you’re soaking in the view of Crown Entertainment Complex or the Government House, you'll learn about the significance of the landmarks that shaped Melbourne over the years.

Route

  • Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct

  • Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

  • 19th Century sailing ship “Polly Woodside”

  • Crown Entertainment Complex

  • World Congress & Trade Centre

  • Bolte Bridge & Westgate Bridge

  • Shipping Channels and dock area

  • Docklands and Docklands Stadium

  • Melbourne CBD views

  • Federation Square

  • Royal Botanic Gardens

  • Government House

  • Melbourne & Olympic Parks including AAMI Park, Melbourne Arena, Holden Centre, Margaret Court Arena | MCA, Melbourne Cricket Ground | MCG, and Rod Laver Arena

  • Herring Island

What's not allowed

  • Guests appearing intoxicated may not be permitted onboard.

Accessibility

  • The cruise is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Additional information

  • Children will have to remain seated at all times during the cruise.

  • Ensure you check-in at the ticket kiosk 15 minutes before departure.

  • Australian citizens enjoy reduced prices with concession tickets. Please bring your valid IDs.

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

  • Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

  • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

Boarding point

  • Board your cruise at Melbourne River Cruises.

  • Address: Berth 2, Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia.

Get directions to the boarding point

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