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- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- Yarra River Cruises
- Melbourne To Great Ocean Road Tours
- Skydive Melbourne Tickets
- SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Tickets
- Melbourne Museum Tickets
- SkyBus Melbourne
- Phillip Island Tours
- Mornington Peninsula Hot Springs Tickets
- Monopoly Dreams Tickets
- LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Tickets
- Ballarat Wildlife Park Tickets
- Melbourne To Yarra Valley Tours
- Healesville Sanctuary Tickets
Melbourne river cruises
Combo: Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise + Nature Parks Penguin Parade Tickets
from
AU$78
Dolphins by day, penguins by night!
- Everything you get: Marine biologist-led Cape Woolamai cruise with tea/coffee, and penguin parade viewing.
- Wildlife encounters: Dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, penguins, wallabies, koalas.
- Upgrades: Add the 3 Parks Pass for the full Phillip Island experience.
- Why choose this: For the ultimate explorer who wants both marine and land wildlife and a science-meets-wonder day.
Dolphins by day, penguins by night!
- Everything you get: Marine biologist-led Cape Woolamai cruise with tea/coffee, and penguin parade viewing.
- Wildlife encounters: Dolphins, fur seals, seabirds, penguins, wallabies, koalas.
- Upgrades: Add the 3 Parks Pass for the full Phillip Island experience.
- Why choose this: For the ultimate explorer who wants both marine and land wildlife and a science-meets-wonder day.
Inclusions
Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise
- 1-hour Cape Woolamai morning cruise
- Wildlife spotting and bird watching
- Tea & coffee with cake
- Expert local commentary
Phillip Island Nature Parks Penguin Parade
- Penguin Parade from the general viewing platform
3 Parks Pass (if option selected)
- Entry to Koala Conservation Reserve
- Entry to Churchill Island
Exclusions
Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise
- Hotel transfers
Phillip Island Cape Woolamai Morning Cruise
- Tip: During the cruise, stand at the bow for the best chance to spot dolphins riding the waves, but bring a windbreaker as it gets breezy.
- This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.
- Guests prone to motion sickness are recommended to bring along appropriate medicine.
- For the passengers’ safety, the front deck (bow) is restricted to people over 1 meter tall
Nature Parks Penguin Parade
- Tip: After the cruise, stop by San Remo for the midday pelican feeding before heading to the Penguin Parade—locals say it’s a hidden highlight of the are
- Penguins arrive at sunset each evening, with typical arrival times ranging from 8:30 to 9pm in summer (Dec–Feb), 7 to 8pm in autumn (Mar–May), 5:15 to 6pm in winter (Jun–Aug), and 6:30 to 8pm in spring (Sep–Nov). It is recommended to arrive approximately 1 hour prior.
- Photographs and video recordings are not allowed when penguins are coming home, because the artificial light sources will stimulate the eyes of the penguins. The island implements light control at this time.
- You can see penguins all year round, regardless of the weather. The Penguin Parade is outside, so pack a raincoat or umbrella if rain is predicted.
- All parks are wheelchair accessible.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 29 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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4.3
3,304 ratings
2.1K
616
198
150
244
Guests from United Kingdom, Germany, United States and over 35 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Kerry
Apr 2025Verified booking
Incredible centre. Very modern and informative. Great experience to see the penguins in such a natural environment. Great staff, friendly and doing their best to control large crowds. Loved the no camera policy. Clean facilities, overall 10/10
David
Apr 2025Verified booking
Overall it was a great experience.
Adam
Jul 2025Verified booking
It was great to see the penguins in there own habitat and its great to see what you are doing to ensure they are kept safe
Saurabh
Jun 2025Verified booking
It was amazing to see the penguins. However, I found that it was a long walk to the beach for the ones who are old, no proper sheds to provide protection from rain. Ticketing experience was good.
Ann
Jun 2025Verified booking
The overall experience was reasonably good We had visitors from the UK & wanted them to see the penguin parade . Although we only had general viewing tx , we still had a good view of the beach area . However this was diminished slightly as the. Light directly behind us was not functioning ( the only one not working ) & we feel that this definitely affected our enjoyment, as it was difficult to see the pegiuins as clearly as we would have hoped had the light been in working order .A bit disappointed !
Lorna
May 2025Verified booking
Saw penguins on way out clearly and up close. Online tickets worked great. Appreciated buggy for husband who had difficulty walking so far. Some people didn't follow Ranger's directions, sit on bum and no phones. Thank you great evening.
Mr
May 2025Verified booking
This was first time for my mum and sister and they loved watching the little guys waddling towards their burrows. I had booked tickets online which was a seamless experience. Glad to see their were plenty of food options as we were hungry. The only not so good experience was trying to locate the charging station.
Peter
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great set up and lovely to see the penguins. Disappointed in the number of people not following the rules re seating and photography, which seems to mostly be about the number of people being too large and not enough staff to enforce the rules. Maybe some of the money spent on the fancy building should have gone to employing some more staff.
Carly
Apr 2025Verified booking
This is not a reflection on the venue but the disrespect from a majority of guests was disheartening. Those poor animals having flashes from phones they weren't meant to be using, pushing through children with their videos on their phones. The amount of times I had to tell people 'No photos' 'No videos' was ridiculous. There needs to be something in place to stop this from happening. My children have nothing to look back on beacaue I did the right thing and didn't take photos or videos. Get staff to walk around with eftpos machines and fine these entitled people on the spot and make them delete images from their devices.. it was very overwhelming.
Martin
Apr 2025Verified booking
Sue the guide was very good, you could see that she loves her job and is (in my opinion) too kind with certain clients. I would have liked more information about the penguins during the "waiting time" on the viewing platform but I had answers to all my questions in the venue. What was really disturbing was the crowd, I'd say at least half of the people there were still taking pictures after the picture policy applied. There should be more staff to assess bad behaviours and especially on the boardwalks where lots of people were shouting (even adults) and using their flash directly in the birds eyes. On top of that and even if it is not part of this experience, the nobbies was the worst. There was people's hats and trash on the grass and everyone would gather around a penguin screaming as soon as it would leave his burrow. I think there should be walls of glass on both sides to reduce trashs and noise pollution.
Jasmin
Apr 2025Verified booking
I love the ambiance of the place, the high light of the penguins parade is amazing and they are so cute. Would love to come back again. Such a great and beautiful experience 🥰
Mary
Apr 2025Verified booking
The wait of more than an hour and fifteen minutes was too long on a hard bench. It was quite dark when the penguins came ashore in dries and drabs, not really a parade. I'm glad I went, but was a bit underwhelmed.
Manmeet
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ticket experience was good. The facility excellent, restaurants good. The guide at facility was not too clear in speaking. Plus weather did not go our way. Lots of rain but watch cute little penguins great experience.
Jacqueline
Jun 2025Verified booking
Our second time at the penguins such an amazing experience would never get old.
Harsh
Jun 2025Verified booking
Everything okay but penguin parade experience was not good.
Aida
Jun 2025Verified booking
Beautiful experience for kids., infirmation is amazing.
Astrid
Jun 2025Verified booking
It all went smoothly especially given how many people were there.
Laxmikant
May 2025Verified booking
This experience is perfect for
Meryem
May 2025Verified booking
We had a great experience. The one hour cruise was amazing. Our stay should have been longer.
Ishan
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was a great experience and we saw lot of Penguins there.
Gracie
Apr 2025Verified booking
Loved the parade but unsure of the numbers advertised we where lucky to see 100 come yet 419 reported to have come in
Freida
Apr 2025Verified booking
Everything, courtesy of the guides n the viewing of the penguins. Thank You all very much. Keep up your good work.
Natalie
Jul 2025Verified booking
Fransisca
Jul 2025Verified booking
Sonja
Jul 2025Verified booking
- Sign on for a serene hour-long cruise down Melbourne’s mighty Yarra River for a unique sightseeing experience.
- Watch the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Center, “Polly Woodside”, and the Docklands Stadium pass you by.
- Look out for the Melbourne CBD, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s busiest trading ports.
- Check out Victoria Docks, a testament to the city’s rich maritime heritage.
- Sign on for a serene hour-long cruise down Melbourne’s mighty Yarra River for a unique sightseeing experience.
- Watch the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Center, “Polly Woodside”, and the Docklands Stadium pass you by.
- Look out for the Melbourne CBD, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s busiest trading ports.
- Check out Victoria Docks, a testament to the city’s rich maritime heritage.
Inclusions
- 1-hour Yarra River sightseeing cruise
- Complimentary tea/coffee
Exclusions
- Beverages (can be purchased on the cruise)
- The cruise is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
- Guests appearing intoxicated may not be permitted on the cruise.
- 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.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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4.5
1,881 ratings
1.4K
291
59
22
94
Guests from New Zealand, Singapore, India and over 8 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Helen
Jun 2025Verified booking
Being able to sit outside, and see the sights on the banks properly. The commentary was good. The good weather helped also!
Dianne
May 2025Verified booking
We liked wht we could hear of the commentary. Easy to book and find strt off point
WU
Apr 2025Verified booking
Tonalee
Jun 2025Verified booking
The trip wasn't great... though the company can't control screaming kids, it was very hard to hear any of the information over the speaker. Also, I guess Melbourne (Yarra River) isn't as beautiful as the river cruise we took in Brisbane. I guess I missed the 'Docklands' destination description when I booked.
Walaa
May 2025Verified booking
The tour should show the dockland area but they cancelled it .
Kevin
Jun 2025Verified booking
I didn't like the attention given and the lack of information about the trip,
James
Jan 2025Verified booking
Fantastic way to see the lower Yarra. Lovely crew, comfortable boat, great views with an informative commentary. Spend time on the stern deck if the weather is good but don't forget to duck for the bridges.
Timothy
Jan 2025Verified booking
Perfect weather and friendly onboard staff.
Akshay
Jan 2025Verified booking
The ease of booking was vey good. Quality of cruise was good. The audio is very poor. It should be heard to understand what is happening and which aites are we visiting.
Simran
Jan 2025Verified booking
It was very good experience i mean its very smooth you dont have to wait about anything.
Heather
Mar 2025Verified booking
Michael
Mar 2025Verified booking
Jonathan
Mar 2025Verified booking
Amir
Mar 2025Verified booking
Eunhee
Feb 2025Verified booking
Pandian
Feb 2025Verified booking
J
Feb 2025Verified booking
Saif
Jan 2025Verified booking
Grace
Jan 2025Verified booking
Diana
Jan 2025Verified booking
Inam
Jan 2025Verified booking
parminder
Jan 2025Verified booking
Hira
Jan 2025Verified booking
Nakaraj
Jan 2025Verified booking
Caroline
Mar 2025Verified booking
The ferry on the Yarra was packed with people so with a little vhild hard to move around. A hot day but the window near me wouldn't open. The 'guide' was a recording and a t times hard to hear. And, I thought I had booked the tour upstream but it went out to the Ports.
Combo: Melbourne Skydeck Tickets + 1 or 2-Hour Yarra River Cruise
from
AU$77
- Melbourne feels it looks its best when viewed from the Skydeck and the Yarra River. See if you agree while enjoying great savings on both.
- Ride the fastest elevator in the southern hemisphere before the Melbourne Skydeck lets you in on a 360° view of the entire city.
- Cruise the Yarra River for 1 hour, seeing the Federation Square, Royal Botanic Gardens, major sporting arenas, Herring Island, etc.
- Else, opt for the 2-hour cruise where you see all that, and then some: Crown Entertainment Complex, World Congress & Trade Centre, etc.
- Melbourne feels it looks its best when viewed from the Skydeck and the Yarra River. See if you agree while enjoying great savings on both.
- Ride the fastest elevator in the southern hemisphere before the Melbourne Skydeck lets you in on a 360° view of the entire city.
- Cruise the Yarra River for 1 hour, seeing the Federation Square, Royal Botanic Gardens, major sporting arenas, Herring Island, etc.
- Else, opt for the 2-hour cruise where you see all that, and then some: Crown Entertainment Complex, World Congress & Trade Centre, etc.
Inclusions
Melbourne Skydeck
- Access to Melbourne Skydeck
Yarra River
- 1 or 2-hour Yarra River Cruise (as per option selected)
Melbourne Skydeck
- Tip: Try visiting during evening hours to get amazing sunset clicks and views.
- The venue is wheelchair accessible.
- Parents must accompany children aged 12 and under.
Melbourne River Cruise
- Tip: Keep your camera ready, in landscape mode, as there'll be plenty of photo-ops along the way.
- The cruise is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
- Guests appearing inebriated will not be permitted onboard.
- Children will have to remain seated for the duration of the cruise.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.4
4,265 ratings
2.6K
1.2K
225
72
179
Guests from New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and over 21 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Vu
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great view, I love the small balcony that I can be outside in the wind!
Laura
Apr 2025Verified booking
Great experience if it's your first time in Melbourne. Amazing view!!
Richard
Apr 2025Verified booking
It was enjoyable. We opted for the upstream and downstream tours. There was a half hour break between the two and the boat returns to the pickup point between them for the half hour and we needed to disembark for the duration of the break. There is a toilet on board and the seats are relatively comfy. Unfortunately the rain came down during the downstream tour so we couldn't get any good photos as the windows were covered in droplets but, that's Melbournes weather. All in all it was an enjoyable ride and we got to see Melbourne from a different perspective.
Carolyn
May 2025Verified booking
Nice weather great crew commentary
Anu
Apr 2025Verified booking
Overall a please experiance. There are complementry tea and copffe on board and teh crew are pretyy friendly
Erica
Jun 2025Verified booking
Sugumaran
Jun 2025Verified booking
Kinjalben
Jun 2025Verified booking
Peter
Jun 2025Verified booking
Scott
Jun 2025Verified booking
Angela
May 2025Verified booking
Damien
May 2025Verified booking
Ayaz
May 2025Verified booking
Stuart
May 2025Verified booking
Marcia
May 2025Verified booking
Mark
Apr 2025Verified booking
Lisa
Apr 2025Verified booking
Punam
Apr 2025Verified booking
Ariane
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Suresh
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Elisabeth
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Ajay
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Siva
Apr 2025Verified booking
Damien
Apr 2025Verified booking
Yong
Apr 2025Verified booking
- Here's your perfect recipe for an afternoon delight: a bottomless brunch while cruising the Yarra River with Melbourne's best views as a backdrop.
- Brunch right by munching on numerous veggie and non-vegetarian delights – sweet and savory. Eat as much as you like.
- Wash all that food down with a luxurious selection of wines, beer, mimosas, prosecco, tea and coffee.
- The outdoor deck and glass viewing areas offer splendid views of Melbourne's iconic spots including famous sporting arenas, gardens, and more.
- Here's your perfect recipe for an afternoon delight: a bottomless brunch while cruising the Yarra River with Melbourne's best views as a backdrop.
- Brunch right by munching on numerous veggie and non-vegetarian delights – sweet and savory. Eat as much as you like.
- Wash all that food down with a luxurious selection of wines, beer, mimosas, prosecco, tea and coffee.
- The outdoor deck and glass viewing areas offer splendid views of Melbourne's iconic spots including famous sporting arenas, gardens, and more.
Inclusions
- Bottomless brunch with drinks (menu)
- 2-hour Yarra River cruise
- Commentary
- Complimentary tea/coffee
- Tip: If it's a sunny day, hang out on the right side of the ship to bag the best views.
- Here's the menu for the brunch.
- The cruise is accessible by prams and strollers but not by wheelchairs. Guide dogs are welcome.
- Gluten-free and vegan options are available on request.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
- The ferry transfer between Melbourne and Williamstown is as convenient as it is pretty. Board at either point or enjoy a round trip.
- Say yay to not opting for crowded trains or stuffy cars as you cruise along the Yarra River and enjoy views of Melbourne's iconic Crown Casino, Westgate Bridge, and more.
- From its historic landmarks, beaches, and adorable cafes to being Melbourne's first port, Williamstown has plenty to offer.
- Just here for the sail? No problem. Sail right back to where it all started: Southbank or Port Philip Bay and enjoy the views all over again.
- The ferry transfer between Melbourne and Williamstown is as convenient as it is pretty. Board at either point or enjoy a round trip.
- Say yay to not opting for crowded trains or stuffy cars as you cruise along the Yarra River and enjoy views of Melbourne's iconic Crown Casino, Westgate Bridge, and more.
- From its historic landmarks, beaches, and adorable cafes to being Melbourne's first port, Williamstown has plenty to offer.
- Just here for the sail? No problem. Sail right back to where it all started: Southbank or Port Philip Bay and enjoy the views all over again.
Inclusions
- One-way ferry transfer between Melbourne City and Williamstown
- Round-trip (optional)
- Complimentary tea/coffee
- Tip: Have your camera ready at all times, there's a photo-op at every bend!
- The ferry is not accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooters.
- Children will have to remain seated at all times.
- Cruises may be delayed or rescheduled due to weather, tidal conditions, or shipping traffic.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.5
306 ratings
217
58
7
4
20
What our guests say
Kylie
May 2025Verified booking
Good information, on time, amazing experience.
Fatme
May 2025Verified booking
hongxuan
Apr 2025Verified booking
Kristopher
Feb 2025Verified booking
The crew's assistance with me and my partner boarding on. Ashamed that the front row's window traped shut by the front door. Otherwise the service was exemplary.
Jennifer
Jan 2025Verified booking
Booking tickets was easy & the pier for departure was easy to find. The cruise was well organised & left on time. We enjoyed the experience immensely, although we had to move seats to avoid two neighbouring couples who were oblivious to us & speaking to each other at the tops of their voices. It was during the Aust Open season & being a warm day, the boat had quite a few tourists on board . The downside to this was that the commentary was almost inaudible. However this cruise along the Yarra to Williamstown is an awesome way to see the many beautiful office & apartment buildings & linear parklands lining the river at Southbank, Docklands, Fishermens' Bend & Williamstown. Just a fantastic way to view our beautiful city, river & environs. We intend to do it again oneday.
Katherine
Mar 2025Verified booking
The ferry crew were excellent and the commentary along the river very informative.
Vineetha
Feb 2025Verified booking
Smooth ferry ride, cruising the sights of Malbourne. Very relaxing
Harvinder
Jan 2025Verified booking
Easy to book and Good commentary by the staff.
Aakriti
Mar 2025Verified booking
Paul
Feb 2025Verified booking
Jost
Jan 2025Verified booking
Andrea
Jan 2025Verified booking
Jessica
Jan 2025Verified booking
Karen
Oct 2024Verified booking
It was half hour late leaving and there was erratic info, no seats or shade for waiting.
Seetu
Dec 2024Verified booking
Natalie
Nov 2024Verified booking
German
Dec 2024Verified booking
The ferry was cancelled due to the high tide. I am asking for the full refund of my 4 tickets,
Lijun
Jul 2024Verified booking
It was our first time taking this ferry. I was thrilled by the very nice and helpful onsite team, as well as the ferry team. It was very memorable time for me and my boy. I will definitely recommend to friends!
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
Foster
Aug 2024Verified booking
Headout Guest
Aug 2024Verified booking
- Sightseeing on a boutique boat? This Yarra River cruise aboard Lady M is just 1.5 hours long and with only 25 seats, it’s super exclusive and intimate.
- The onboard commentary will fill you in on all the must-knows. Watch the sunset in peace with your close ones while the skipper handles everything.
- Head to the bar, buy yourself a drink, and enjoy sights like the Botanic Gardens' green expanse to the modern buildings at Federation Square.
- The cruise ends on a high note, timed perfectly to catch the fireballs lighting up the Yarra River promenade by Crown Casino.
- Sightseeing on a boutique boat? This Yarra River cruise aboard Lady M is just 1.5 hours long and with only 25 seats, it’s super exclusive and intimate.
- The onboard commentary will fill you in on all the must-knows. Watch the sunset in peace with your close ones while the skipper handles everything.
- Head to the bar, buy yourself a drink, and enjoy sights like the Botanic Gardens' green expanse to the modern buildings at Federation Square.
- The cruise ends on a high note, timed perfectly to catch the fireballs lighting up the Yarra River promenade by Crown Casino.
Inclusions
- 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise on Yarra River
- Small group of up to 25 guests
- Onboard commentary
- Expert skipper
Exclusions
- Food & beverage (available for purchase onboard)
- Tip: Keep an eye out for the many sculptures and art installations dotted along the Yarra River, including the giant, brightly colored mosaic sculpture Angel by Deborah Halpern.
- This experience is wheelchair accessible, provided they are foldable.
- Your guide dogs are welcome at the venue.
- These tickets can't be cancelled. However, they can be rescheduled up to 48 hours before the experience begins.
Reviews
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4.0
13 ratings
6
3
3
0
1
What our guests say
Ayaz
Apr 2025Verified booking
Melanie
Mar 2025Verified booking
Was nice scenery. Not cramped at all. Just wished the commentary was there like it was meant to be. Would have been good to have been told something.
Neal
Feb 2025Verified booking
The boat was in good condition, clean etc and staff helpfull with drinks etc but there was NO engagement with the passengers. We got a very brief welcome and not a word more, nothing about where we were going, or any commentry about the harbour and Yarra river , just silence! I havent done many of these but the on the occasion I have there was some commentry. Regards Neal Still
Emelia
Jan 2025Verified booking
I thought there would be a bar on board - there wasn't (that's why i booked the tour) and i thought the bought would be bigger - i understand that one it was a small crowd but nevertheless would've felt really fancy being on a big boat with not many people
Maretiz
Jan 2025Verified booking
We paid $60 per head, too much, No narrator to tell us what place are we! all the building sorounds us, what was that. Also the crew did not even offer to get us a group photos. No narrator at all
Marilia
Jan 2025Verified booking
The sunset, the view, the boat, the capitain
Kelly
Mar 2025Verified booking
LEIGH
Mar 2025Verified booking
Joseph
Jan 2025Verified booking
Paul
Jan 2025Verified booking
Oct 2024Verified booking
Excellent tour. Highly recommended. Favio was very friendly and showed great knowledge of the city.
Shivangi
Oct 2024Verified booking
Michelle
Sep 2024Verified booking
MelbourneCruises in Melbourne
Your Melbourne river cruise options explained
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Yarra River cruises
Sail along the lower stretches of the famous Yarra River that helped establish the cultural hub of Victoria, Melbourne city. Choose between two routes; one that explores the bustling Melbourne Docklands or the other that passes by tranquil gardens and Herring Island; or pick the Melbourne Highlights route that covers both. You can also choose to cruise the river while enjoying a delicious meal on a lunch cruise.
Recommended experiences:
1 or 2-Hour Sightseeing Cruise on Yarra River
Download Melbourne highlights route map
Williamstown ferry transfers
Get easy transfers between Melbourne and Williamstown, a suburban area located just a few miles south of the CBD. Choose between one-way and round-trip transfers either from Melbourne to Williamstown or vice versa, depending on your itinerary. You can also enjoy complimentary tea and coffee served on board during your journey.
Recommended experiences:
Ferry Transfers between Melbourne and Williamstown
Combo tickets
Save a few dollars by combining your Melbourne river cruise with a visit to a popular attraction with combo tickets. Get tickets to Melbourne Skydeck, IceBar Melbourne or SEA LIFE Aquarium. You can also pick individual dates for each experience.
Recommended experiences:
Combo (Save 15%): SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Skip-the-line Tickets + Yarra River Cruise
Plan your Melbourne river cruise
Timings
Best time to visit
Boarding points
Rules & regulations
Tips
Nearby
Yarra River sightseeing cruises
Availability: Every day
Timings: slots from 11am to 5pm; duration - from 1 to 2 hours
Yarra River Bottomless Brunch
Availability: Saturdays & Sundays
Timings: departs at 1pm; duration - 2 hours
Williamstown ferry
Availability: Fridays to Sundays
Timings: slots from 10:30am to 4pm; duration - from 1 to 2 hours
Peak season vs low season
Peak travel season in Melbourne is from December to March during the summer. The weather is warm and dry which is perfect for cruises. Temperatures usually stay between 12° to 26°C, except for a few hot days. But this is also the time for school holidays, so expect large crowds wherever you go.
Autumn (Mar to May) remains cool and breezy, making it a good time to go on a Melbourne cruise. There are fewer crowds at this time as well. Spring (Sep to Nov) has lower temperatures than summer, but you can expect a few showers.
Weekdays vs weekends
Sightseeing cruises are available every day, so if you have the time, pick a weekday cruise. The weekends may get crowded, especially in the summer. However, meal cruises are usually only available over the weekends, so book your cruise a couple of weeks in advance to guarantee seating.
The two most common boarding points for Melbourne cruises are Southbank Promenade and South Wharf Promenade.
- Note: The berth or wharf number for your specific cruise will be mentioned on your ticket.
Addresses
Melbourne river cruises: Berth 2, Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia.
- Nearest landmark: Melbourne Skydeck
- Nearest bus stop: Southbank Boulevard
South Wharf: 45 S Wharf Promenade, South Wharf VIC 3006, Australia.
- Nearest landmark: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
- Nearest tram stop: Docklands Park
- Arrive 15 mins early: Reach the boarding point of your cruise at least 15-20 minutes before departure time. This will give you enough time to settle in the boat before it sets sail. Remember that the timings mentioned on your tickets are for departure, not arrival.
- Smart casual dress code: We suggest smart casual clothes for your cruise. Wearing casual clothes may attract a few stares. You can opt for a smart shirt and trousers instead of shorts and flip-flops.
- Check your alcohol levels: Alcohol may be served with your food, but make sure to remain within your capacities to avoid being too inebriated. This is to ensure that you remain safe in a moving vehicle. If you appear too intoxicated before the cruise, you may also be denied entry.
- Smoking: While some cruises allow smoking onboard, some do not. You can confirm this while booking your tickets. Indoor smoking is strictly prohibited.
- Check for wheelchair accessibility: Some cruises are wheelchair accessible and allow service dogs on board. You can confirm this information while booking.
- Keep your kids seated: Once the cruise has started, keep your children close and seated at all times for their safety.
- Dietary inclusions: Your meal cruises offer vegan and gluten-free options. We suggest that you mention any special requests when booking your tickets.
- Keep sickness medication: If you’re prone to getting seasick, please carry the necessary medication to stay comfortable.
- Get sun protection: If you're going on a daytime cruise, keep sunscreen of at least SPF30 to stay protected from sun damage.
Melbourne Cricket Ground: Visit the second-largest cricket stadium in the world at MCG. Explore the Australian Sports Museum and uncover the history of the popular worldwide sports, Cricket.
Skydive Melbourne: An adventurous way to explore the Melbourne coastline, Skydive Melbourne offers 4 different dropzones to choose from. Also choose the height of your fall between 8000 to 15000 ft.
Phillip Island tours: Less than 2 hours away from Melbourne, Phillip Island is a traveler’s paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. Come across koalas, fur seals, whales and the island’s star animal, the Little Penguin.
Ballarat Wildlife Park: With freely roaming kangaroos and koalas, Ballarat is also home to the majestic Sumatran Tigers. Interact with the friendly animals and listen to ranger talks to learn about the native Australian wildlife.
Melbourne river cruise top sights and highlights
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Frequently asked questions about Melbourne river cruises
What Melbourne cruises are available on weekdays?
You can usually find Yarra River sightseeing cruises available on both weekdays and weekends. Meal cruises, however, are usually held over the weekends.
What are some cheap Melbourne cruise options?
The 1-2 hour Sightseeing Cruise on the Yarra River is the most affordable option, starting from AU$26.60.
What meal cruises are suitable for children?
Although both the Bottomless Brunch and the Spirit of Melbourne cruises serve alcoholic beverages, they also have mocktails, fruit juices and cold drinks for children. You can take your kids along on either of the meal cruises.
How should I plan my Williamstown ferry transfer?
The Williamstown return ferry transfers have a 2-hour duration, sufficient time to take a quick tour of the suburb and return to Melbourne. However, if you wish to spend more time or stay the night, take a one-way transfer and a return ticket whenever you wish to head back.
Will the cruise wait for me if I’m a few minutes late?
Melbourne river cruises usually depart on time and will not be able to wait for you if you are running late. To avoid missing your cruise, we suggest that you plan early and arrive at least 15-20 minutes before its departure.
What is the cancelation policy for Melbourne cruises?
The cancelation policy for Melbourne river cruises vary from experience to experience. While some may allow cancelation up to 24 hours before departure, some cruises have cancelation up to 48 or 72 hours. Some cruises may also not allow cancelation but permit rescheduling. Read the cancelation policy of your ticket carefully before making the booking.
What is the validity of the combo tickets?
Melbourne river cruise combo tickets allow you to select the dates for each experience individually, so they’re valid until the day of your experience. You can check their availability and book whichever dates that are best suitable for you. However, keep in mind that you will be unable to modify your booking later.
From happy customers
James
AustraliaJan, 2025
+ 2 more
Fantastic way to see the lower Yarra. Lovely crew, comfortable boat, great views with an informative commentary. Spend time on the stern deck if the weather is good but don't forget to duck for the bridges.
1-Hour Yarra River Ports & Docklands Cruise
Anne
United StatesMar, 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.
2-Hour Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise
Christine
CanadaJan, 2025
The tour was informative. The boat was clean. Staff on the boat were friendly and helpful.
The ticket booth employee was a grumpy man. But overall the tour was 10/10
2-Hour Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise
Rukshana
AustraliaApr, 2025
The whole experienxe. Crew was friendly, n informative of nature n seals. Was well taken as crew kept checking with each an everyone if they needed anythng or they doing ok. They had all the motion sickness requirements available, safety vest was nicely instructed and wat to do when. Seals rock were full of seals, worth the trip, plus the cake was very nice n moist.
Seal Watching Afternoon Cruise at Phillip Island
Matthew
AustraliaJan, 2025
These guys were great, they new what they where doing and it was a great experience all round, all the staff were fantastic and the skipper showed exceptional skill getting such a big vessel in and around the rocks to see the seals, the information and facts provided on the tour was great and we got to see heaps of seals.
I would highly recommend this company for any of their tours.
Seal Watching Afternoon Cruise at Phillip Island
Emma
Jul, 2024
We saw the whales several times and also spotted seals and a penguin.
It was also beautiful scenery as we looked at the caves as we sailed back.
The photo was good value and worth buying to remember the trip.
Super enjoyable we would definitely do again.
Phillip Island Dolphin & Whale Cruise
Karen
AustraliaApr, 2025
Wonderful experience. Fantastic friendly staff, music entertainment on board, sunset was spectacular & continued althroughout cruise. Favourite part of our holiday.
Sunset Sightseeing Cruise at Phillip Island
Reagan
AustraliaMar, 2024
It was more of an jntjmate cruise as it was midweek. Don't was quiet, could move about more easily and experience every aspect of the cruise. And we saw a dolphin.
Sunset Sightseeing Cruise at Phillip Island