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Wine & dine as you cruise along on the Spirit of Melbourne
If you are looking for a unique dining and sightseeing experience in Melbourne, Spirit of Melbourne is the way to go. This floating restaurant will take you along the Yarra river and see attractions like The Langham, Eureka Tower, and the Crown Casino. Pair that up with drinks and a 4-course meal to make it a top contender for unique things to do in Melbourne! Read on to know what to expect on the cruise, boarding point details, and all the attractions you will see along the way.
The Spirit of Melbourne cruises upstream along the Yarra River, passing by Melbourne landmarks like SEA LIFE Melbourne, The Langham, Morell Bridge, and the National Gallery of Victoria.
Unlimited food and drinks
The dinner cruise has a four-course meal spread, with appetizers, entrées, desserts, and drinks. Be sure to try the cheese platter which is a fan-favorite.
Dining with panoramic views
Dine inside a covered hall on the cruise ship, where the windows are all full-length and offer superb panoramic views of the riverside and all the attractions, including the Crown Casino, Melbourne Cricket Ground, & more. You'll have a great view outside, no matter where you sit.
Top-class service onboard
The Spirit of Melbourne takes pride in exceptional service. The staff is attentive and sweet, tending to your requests while also giving you enough space to enjoy the sights along the way.
Spirit of Melbourne route map
Your Spirit of Melbourne cruise options explained
Dinner cruise tickets
Ideal for: date nights, unique dinner experiences in Melbourne
Go on a 3-hour dinner cruise along the Yarra River as you take in panoramic views of Melbourne city. These tickets include a full 4-course meal, with dessert and unlimited drinks.
Recommended experience:
Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise with Drinks on Yarra River
Combo tickets
Ideal for: exploring Melbourne on a budget
Experience a good mix of adventure and sightseeing with combo tickets. Get access to attractions like SEA LIFE Aquarium and IceBar Melbourne for some adventure, and also take a cruise down the Melbourne river to catch great views of landmarks like The Langham and National Gallery of Victoria.
Recommended experiences:
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Skip-the-line Tickets + Yarra River Cruise
IceBar Melbourne Tickets + 2-Hour Yarra River Cruise
Discounted Spirit of Melbourne cruise tickets
Children between 13 and 17 years are eligible for discounted Youth tickets starting at AU$110.
Views from the Spirit of Melbourne cruise
Crown Casino
The first ever casino of the Crown brand, this landmark is known for its glitzy hotels, arcades, and restaurants.
Know before you go on a Spirit of Melbourne cruise
The Spirit of Melbourne cruise starts at 7:30pm and ends by 10:30pm.
The cruise operates from Wednesday to Sunday, every week. The cruise is generally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Being a dinner cruise, the Spirit of Melbourne always starts after sunset, meaning the temperature will always be cooler than during the day. You should plan your cruise based on how cold you like your evenings.
Peak summer in Australia is between December and February. So, if you visit Melbourne during this time, a dinner cruise is perfect to avoid hot days and enjoy pleasant evenings.
Temperatures are the lowest between June and August, which is peak winter in Australia. Expect it to get chilly throughout the day, especially at night, so dress in warm layers to keep yourself cozy.
The boarding point to Spirit of Melbourne is at Berth 1 of Melbourne River Cruises at Southbank Promenade.
You can reach the boarding point via public transport, car, or on foot.
Reaching via tram: Closest station:Arts Precinct/St Kilda Rd Starting from the Shrine of Remembrance, get on tram #72 (Melbourne University). Get down after 2 stops, at the Arts Precinct station.
Reaching via car: Get on Anzac Ave and head towards St Kilda Road. Follow the signs to Yarra Bank Highway and Southgate Ave to reach Melbourne River Cruises.
Reaching on foot: If you choose to walk, you can reach the Spirit of Melbourne boarding point in approximately 20 minutes via St Kilda Rd.
Avoid casual attire: While there is no strict dress code, avoid wearing super casual clothes to your dinner cruise. Smart casuals are the way to go.
Listen to safety instructions: Make sure to pay attention to the safety instructions provided by the crew while boarding. In case of an emergency, you will want to know exactly what the safety protocol is.
Keep your kids close: Given that this is a dinner cruise, you will spend most of the time seated at your table. Make sure to have your children under your supervision at all times, while you are on board.
Indoor seating: Spirit of Melbourne is a completely covered, indoor dinner cruise, with floor to ceiling glass panels that give you unobstructed views of the Yarra River and all the attractions along the way.
Diverse menu: The menu for the dinner cruise is curated based on freshly grown, seasonal produce. They cater to special dietary needs, so if you have any special requests, let them know in advance.
Kid-friendly seating: There are high-chairs available on-board, for infants and toddlers. Just ask the staff for assistance, if required.
Stroller-accessibility: While the cruise is not wheelchair-friendly, you can use strollers aboard.
Arrive early: Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure, so make sure to arrive at the boarding point early to avoid delays or worse, missing your cruise.
Motion sickness meds: Carry nausea medication with you if you tend to have motion-sickness.
Carry a camera: It's hard to forget this one, but keep your camera at the ready, for some great nigh time shots of iconic attractions like the Langham, Crown Casino, and more!
Yarra River Cruises: Take a daytime, sightseeing cruise along the Yarra river. If you're up to it, you have the option to make it a boozy brunch on the river!
SEA LIFE Melbourne: Explore this iconic aquarium in Melbourne, and learn about its 10,000+ aquatic residents.
Melbourne Cricket Ground: Visit the second largest cricket ground in the world, right here in Melbourne. You'll learn about several historic moments in cricket while you're there.
IceBar Melbourne: Cheers to the good times and make memories with your group at this ice paradise in the middle of the Garden City.
Frequently asked questions about the Spirit of Melbourne dinner cruise
A standard Spirit of Melbourne cruise ticket will cost you AU$185. This includes entry, food, and drinks, throughout the cruise.
Your ticket will include a 3 hour dinner cruise along the Yarra river, a 4-course meal with unlimited drinks, and commentary on passing attractions from the crew.
Yes. Children between the ages of 13 and 17, qualify for a Youth ticket, which will cost you AU$110. You may also get special discounts online, during public holidays or special events.
You can cancel your Spirit of Melbourne cruise ticket for free, up to 3 days before the start of your experience. Anything later than this may result in you having to pay a cancelation fee.
Your ticket is valid for 3 hours from the start of your dinner cruise, on the date chosen.
Given that the Spirit of Melbourne is a dinner cruise, there is no guided tour as such, on the cruise. However, the staff will be happy to share interesting commentary about passing attractions, should you ask.
You do not have to carry any outside food or drinks to the dinner cruise. All you would need is some sea sickness medication, if you tend to get nauseous.
There is only one main boarding point for the Spirit of Melbourne cruise, which is at the Melbourne River Cruises office at Southbank Promenade. Find on maps.
The Spirit of Melbourne is definitely worth experiencing, if you are looking for a unique dining and sightseeing experience in Melbourne. The city has a different charm in the nighttime, which is great for an intimate dinner with your loved ones.
Unfortunately, Spirit of Melbourne is not wheelchair accessible. You can request the staff for assistance while boarding and disembarking the ship, if you are partially able to move on your own.
Yes, the cruise is kid-friendly. You can get high-chairs for your toddler or infant, on board. All kids on board need to have adult supervision at all times.
While there is no strict dress code enforced, it is best to dress in smart casuals, since it is an upscale experience, enjoyed by families and couples alike.
From happy customers
Loved by 49 million+
Trustpilot rating: 4.5 out of 5
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Lynn J
AustraliaCouple
5/5
Jan 2026
+1 more
The whole experience was amazing, the staff is also beautiful. We enjoyed and learnt more about marine animals oh my God i never knew there could be so may fishes. Also loved the environment its so clean and my little one was having a ball. Thank you so much it waa such a beautiful day with a lovely experience. I was also happy with the staff at the virtual reality experience she is such a beautiful human being and made the whole experience amazing, she takes her time explaining and make sure you will be satisfied. Such a well looked after place, so peaceful and perfect for both adults and little kids. Thank you will definitely visit again with bub!
A
Arline G
CanadaCouple
4/5
Jan 2026
We enjoyed hearing about the history and growth of Melbourne and seeing the city from a different vantage point. The crew were friendly and informative.. A pleasant way to spend a couple of hours and save our energy for shopping excursions.
P
Paul H
New ZealandCouple
5/5
Jan 2026
Was so relaxing just gliding down the river enjoying the views. Delicious food and friendly service made the whole experience a pleasure. Would do it again!
N
Nerissa B
AustraliaFamily
4/5
Last week
The 2-Hour Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise was a fantastic way to see Melbourne from the water. The commentary was informative, the pace was relaxed, and the views along the river, especially of the city skyline, were beautiful. The staff were great; friendly, welcoming, and attentive throughout the cruise.
The only downside was that the toilet facilities are very outdated and could really use a renovation. Aside from that, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and I would definitely recommend it.
D
Deepti A
IndiaSolo
4/5
Dec 2025
#Overall a good experience- weather was nice today, caption was funny and welcoming. Trip started late and had to wait. Pre recorded explanation could have been a little more than just turning right and left to understand what's been spoken. May be custom headsets with a visual
View will be helpful. Someone who would
Want to stand outside and take pics can't listen to recorded explanation as it's not audible outside the seating area. Tea/ coffee was good addition. Time of the ride was more than enough to soak in the beauty of yaara river and all that follow along the way.
K
Kim G
AustraliaCouple
5/5
Mar 2026
Delicious food, excellent service, friendly staff and captain! Highly recommend and will do it again next time we're in Melbourne!! 🤩
D
David W
New ZealandGroup
5/5
Feb 2026
Amazing food, fantastic service and stunning views of the city , especially at night with the city lights. An awesome experience! Thank you!