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

What's Included

Commentary
Drinks (tea and coffee)
Yarra River Cruise

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.

Snacks and beverages are available to purchase on board.

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)

Yarra River (Pass By)

Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) (Pass By)

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (Pass By)

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (Pass By)

Docklands (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate

Please note the travel date is only required as an indication within 3 months from booking confirmation date
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
The Melbourne Highlights Cruise may include a pause between the two tours and may require switching to a different boat.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 78 travelers

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 canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Lindy_W

The experience was so enjoyable as the crew members were very friendly and informative, the views of Melbourne were outstanding!

Reviews

4.0

537 reviews

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

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 537 reviews

Good views of the port from the water

Will_M, Apr 2024

Trip down to the port was very interesting. Good commentary. Downriver more interesting than upriver for me

When purchasing the...

Anonymous, Apr 2024

When purchasing the tickets on Viator, we chose our tickets according to the age ranges specified and thereby selected 4 seniors tickets for those in our group above age 65. However, on picking up the tickets from Berth 2 at Southbank, I was informed that a senior is one who must hold a senior card in Au and NZ. After much "discussions", the person at Berth 2 let the matter go. I feel this point should be clear and not be an unhappy start to the cruise. The river cruise, though pleasant, is in itself not memorable and it comes with a 15 mins wait time in between to pick up passengers. Basically the 2h cruise is made up of a one hr return cruise sailing east in direction of Sth Yarra and a second one hr return cruise sailing west towards Docklands.

Too long.

Santosh_N, Apr 2024

The ferry is terribly slow. 2 hrs is way too long. And honestly, it’s not worth going for one complete hour upstream (where there’s no architecture). And if we choose a 1 hr trip, it took us upstream where’s there’s nothing to see other than the MCG. This trip can easily be done in 45 min max with slightly a faster moving ferry. And why’d you have a ferry with a closed (opaque) top. People sitting inside away from the windows cannot see the skyline.

Great way to see...

Lara_M, Apr 2024

Great way to see Melbourne. Service was super, everyone was so friendly and helpful. Had a great time, great value for money!

Great river tour

Keith_S, Apr 2024

There wasn't much to see down river except many trees We took the 2 hour cruise. The up river was great. We liked all architectures of the different buildings. No two buildings looked the same. The staff was great .

Highlights of Melbourne

Marie_R, Apr 2024

It was awesome. The toilets are clean. The experience was smooth. My daughter loved it soooooooo much!

A Great time on the Water

Bob_W, Apr 2024

Great tour of the river and the harbour. The crew explained everything well and the recorded history was perfect. Even the choices for background music was pleasant for everyone. We took lots of great photos and videos due to the large open windows. A very pleasant tour on the water.

Worthwhile!

Nancy_R, Mar 2024

We learned so much about the history and development of different parts of Melbourne. The information was presented very clearly and was full of detail. Very worthwhile experience. We cruised both upstream and downstream.

Cruise into Melbourne’s history & landmarks.

Ursula_J, Mar 2024

Ferry on time, good commentary, friendly staff. A good glimpse into Melbourne’s history & landmarks. Good when you just want something more low key. Two slight negatives: we booked 2 cruises, one upstream & one downstream, & found that there was a half hour wait between the 2, which we did not anticipate. Also the tea & coffee on the ferry was very ordinary. But overall would recommend.

Seeing the Melbourne...

Helenmary_S, Mar 2024

Seeing the Melbourne Docklands. Having spent the first 25 years of my life in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne I never went to the docklands. Too scary in those days when it was run by the unions and had a reputation of criminal activities. (I suppose nothing much has changed really). Anyway it was not accessible to the general public but it was an eye opener and the skipper added to the highlights.

Informative

Beverley_L, Mar 2024

Thoroughly enjoyed this experience, was a great way to see the city from another perspective. Relaxing afternoon

Melbourne Hi-Lights River Cruise

Brenda_F, Mar 2024

It was a beautiful day for a river cruise. A wonderful vantage point from the river to explore the Melbourne skyline!

Too long only do half of trip

Ken_S, Mar 2024

We did upriver and downstream this was too long. Recommend you only do downstream it gives good overview of city. Upstream was also ruined by group that was having loud discussion couldn’t hear river narrative over them. Not sure why they did boat ride.

Ripped off and rude

Nathan_M, Feb 2024

We booked a 2 hour cruise where only the first hour could be completed. We were not told the tour would be cut short until we returned to the jetty. Then we were told the tour would not proceed further. We were told we would get a refund. We had to line up for a refund at the booth only to be told no refund could given as we had to go via Viator. The employee was aggressive and very rude. He would not put anything in writing about the cancelation saying he would contact Viator by email so they would process the refund that day. Viator say they did not get a message from him.... days later we still are waiting for the refund. I doubt we will get the refund. Commentary on boat was poor and pre recorded. Not worth it.

Enjoyable informative leisurely

alan_p, Feb 2024

Very informative trip up and down the RIver at a leisurely pace very enjoyable give great views of Melbourne

Highly recommend

Mariette_W, Feb 2024

The scenery. The staff were professional and friendly and the boats were clean. This was such a good view of Melbourne.

Relaxing

Robin_A, Feb 2024

Very nice to be out on the water and viewing the variety of buildings. Both north and South Bay were interesting to see. Good chance to relax and enjoy the river. 2 hours. Hopped off and went to the Riverland Bar and had a fabulous salad and meatball sandwich.

Sailing up and down The Yarra

Wendy_W, Feb 2024

The commentary when we were sailing up the river. It was really interesting. The crew and pilot were excellent

Yarra Boat Trip

Mathew_P, Feb 2024

Great way to see Melbourne from the River Yarra. Friendly and informative trip which enhanced our overall visit

The different contrast

Robert_O, Feb 2024

The different perspective of the City from the river. The enormity of Port Melbourne. The history of the Yarra River was interesting when you could hear the commentary

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