Sail the Yarra River for 2 hours, exploring Melbourne’s top landmarks like Federation Square, Docklands, the MCG, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Cruise the Yarra River for 2 hours, passing iconic landmarks like Federation Square, Docklands, and the Crown Entertainment Complex.
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See Melbourne’s natural and urban beauty, from the Royal Botanic Gardens to Melbourne CBD views and the striking Bolte Bridge.
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Discover history with views of the 19th-century “Polly Woodside” sailing ship and Melbourne’s bustling shipping channels.
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Enjoy live commentary, revealing fascinating stories about Melbourne’s landmarks, from sports arenas to world-class cultural hubs.
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Fun fact: Many animals call Yarra River home, including 18 different species of frogs and 170 bird species!
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2-hour Yarra River sightseeing cruise
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Live commentary
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Complimentary tea/coffee
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- Beverages (can be purchased on the cruise)
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experience
Ashraf
Apr, 2024
So nice and informative cruise , staff was great and helpful , cover most of Melbourne attractive sites
Carolyn
Mar, 2025
We loved learning about the history of different parts of the Yarra,it was very informative.Loved our female skipper,she was amazing to watch how she manoeuvred the boat into various places and we loved her commentary,she was witty !!!
Meena
Mar, 2025
Enjoyed the cruise. However due to high tide only could one way for 1 hour. Manager said has out request through for partial refund to headout. Expecting this back
Anne
Mar, 2025
We loved seeing the beautiful buildings and sites from the water view. The boat stopped halfway to pick up and drop off passengers. The entire ride on the boat was less than 2 hours.
Bruce
Jan, 2025
The first hour down the South Yarra was calm and clearly informative. During the second hour, there were a number of passengers who were totally disinterested in the commemtary and proceeded to converse loudly amongst themselves! It might be an idea to make a comment before departure to be considerate of those who want to enjoy the whole experience!
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
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Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct
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Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
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19th Century sailing ship “Polly Woodside”
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Crown Entertainment Complex
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World Congress & Trade Centre
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Bolte Bridge & Westgate Bridge
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Shipping Channels and dock area
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Docklands and Docklands Stadium
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Melbourne CBD views
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Federation Square
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Royal Botanic Gardens
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Government House
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Melbourne & Olympic Parks including AAMI Park, Melbourne Arena, Holden Centre, Margaret Court Arena | MCA, Melbourne Cricket Ground | MCG, and Rod Laver Arena
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Herring Island
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What's not allowed
- Guests appearing intoxicated may not be permitted onboard.
Accessibility
- The cruise is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
Additional information
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The 2-hr Melbourne Highlights Cruise may include a pause between the two-hour ride and require switching between boats.
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Children will have to remain seated at all times during the cruise.
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Ensure you check-in at the ticket kiosk 15 minutes before departure.
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Australian citizens enjoy reduced prices with concession tickets. Please bring your valid IDs.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.
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Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.
Boarding point
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Board your cruise at Melbourne River Cruises.
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Address: Berth 2, Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia.
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