Melbourne City and Williamstown Ferry Cruise

Melbourne, Australia

From $23.42

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

1 to 2 hours
Offered in: English

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Overview

Cruise from Melbourne to the historic seaport city of Williamstown while soaking up the sights along the Yarra River. Spend as much time as you like in Williamstown, where you can browse art galleries, explore local seafaring history or enjoy a coffee or meal at one of the many charming cafés. Customize your cruise options and travel one-way in either direction or take a round-trip cruise for a delightful day trip.

Cruise to/from Melbourne and enjoy time at leisure exploring the charming seaport of Williamstown
Informative commentary
Panoramic windows provide unparalleled views plus protection from wind or rain

What's Included

Tea and coffee
Live commentary on board

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks, unless specified
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Select a meeting point

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End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Jutting out into Hobson’s Bay near the mouth of the Yarra River, Williamstown was an important seaport during Victoria’s early settlement days. Escape the bustle of Melbourne for a few hours or the whole day with a cruise to this historic suburb. Get a new perspective on Melbourne’s history, dine at a local waterfront restaurant and stroll among charming gardens.

On the approximately 1-hour journey each way, admire the historic landmarks and modern skyscrapers that line the Yarra River and glide past Melbourne’s busy shipping channels. Get a great perspective on the city skyline, the trendy Docklands area and the open water of Hobson’s Bay.

Listen to onboard commentary along the way, and take in the sights from a sun deck or through large picture windows. Enjoy amenities including restrooms and complimentary coffee and tea for a comfortable journey. Choose from various options — City to Williamstown, Williamston to City, or a round-trip journey to or from Williamstown.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Confirmation for this product will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
The boat is completely enclosed and windowed so that passengers won't be subject to the elements
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
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Important Note:
Near public transportation
Cruise duration times are approximate and subject to change, often due to tides and river traffic
Cruise direction and timetable subject to tidal conditions and river closures
Passengers MUST check timetable for their return trip to ensure departure times connect
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 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

CHRISTINE_B

I have great respect for the crew. Their attitude and dedication was exemplary. We had a wonderful time, and would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a very pleasant experience.

Reviews

4.0

336 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 336 reviews

A different Melbourne perspective

Joel_B, Apr 2024

It is a cute trip to enjoy the Jarra River views of the city, even though it haas barriers to enjoy the city.

Ferry

Neil_T, Apr 2024

Seeing the sights and squeezing under the bridges on way back Pleasant and informative crew Useful commentary provided

Mel to willamstown

Omkar_P, Apr 2024

Great trip Nice view and commentary all the way Beautiful complementary dreams coffee Love chilled beers and col drinks

Breathing in Fumes

ROBERTA_D, Apr 2024

The awful smell of fuel, breathing fumes and smelling like fuel until I could wash my hair again simply awful. The only outside chairs were exactly were the fuel tank was and it was so noisy that the loud speaker with the narrator explaing the view could not be heard it was just extra noise. The staff was not friendly either at the ticket booth no explanation was given at all n the guy had a dismissive attitude. I loved being so close to the water and enjoyed the view while I travelled but I think new ferries are required.

The commentary on the...

Anne_s, Mar 2024

The commentary on the boat was excellent learntvquite a lot about the river especially the early days of Melbourne and the tragedy of the west gate bridgr

Great way to visit Williamstown

Simon_A, Feb 2024

Friendly captain and crew. Good way to learn about the history of important bridges along Yarra river. We booked the round trip and have the option of returning to the city at 1:45pm or 4 pm.

33 and no wind on the Yarra

Gillian_K, Feb 2024

The commentary was interesting, but unfortunately it was 33 and in the afternoon so everyone was hot and bothered.

Different view of Melbourne

Jacqui_L, Feb 2024

Great way to see the city from a different point of view, particularly with visitors. Boat was basic and it wasn’t really clear drinks were available on board. The recorded commentary was clear but one way the captain was very difficult to understand.

Don’t bother

Jim_H, Feb 2024

Nothing. There was no tour of the city just a boat ride through a harbour full of shipping yards. No one was interested in a harbour that we saw as we were coming in on our cruise ship. A waste of time and money.

Great boat trip

HeatherK, Jan 2024

An interesting journey on the water to a lovely old seaside town. Who doesn't love travelling by boat?! Even saw a dolphin on the way.

One way to Willytown

Lia_H, Jan 2024

We stood around in the hot Sun and the ferry was about half an hour late. Once we got on board the trip was fine

Huge potential

Jenny_B, Jan 2024

It was great to go through the port areas but the onboard radio commentary was really not good enough. There were so many structures and industries along the ferry ride that we would have liked to learn about. On the smaller ferry it was difficult to hear at all because of people talking on the ferry. We would have liked a real person doing the talk so that we could ask questions and point out areas. So there was so much potential to be an awesome trip but felt it was a little letdown and just treated as a “ferry ride” by the operators. Felt that the cost would have justified an onboard “presenter” of the area.

Marvelous Melbourne

Rosemarie_P, Jan 2024

Relaxing day out enjoying Melbourne’s beautiful weather on the Yarra . Nice time in Williamstown enjoying coffee and ice cream . Friendly crew on board .

A worthwhile excursion

Faye_O, Jan 2024

The ferry trip was interesting and relaxing. We had perfect weather for being out on the water. Williamstown is a charming world of its own. The one negative was the chaos and wait before boarding the boat. This could easily be avoided if the operators had the equipment to scan the QR codes.. Instead we had to line up in a very long slow queue to swap our voucher for a hardcopy ticket. The man at the ticket office was selling ferry tickets, finding advance bookings to swap hardcopies for vouchers, answering the phone, and sometimes needing to leave the ticket box itself..

Be aware of the Karen on the ticket counter she can't stand people with online booking!

Jaspreet_S, Dec 2023

Our cruise experience started on the wrong foot with an extremely rude Karen at the ticket counter who just doesn't want to be there which ruined the whole vibe of it. We thought we were an exception however she treated everyone who booked online with the same disrespect and rude tone. I recommenced this tour but may be choose a different operator because the views are amazing and worth the time spent on the water with family.

Meh

Jaye_E, Nov 2023

It was a busy day when we tried to book tickets so just missed out on a spot. Fortunately we decided to take the train to Williamstown which turned out to be a lot faster and a fraction of the cost. We had a great meal in Willy and got the ferry back after purchasing on line to ensure a spot. To be honest I thought the ferry was over priced and we would have been better off getting the train back.

Bad Melb cruise team

Phuong_L, Sep 2023

We were waiting half an hour early at the meeting point for the 2hours trip and they did not informed that there wasn’t any cruise it was cancel last minute, we couldn’t get our refund they offered us another cruise cheaper for 1 hour trip. Again we waited for another hour time and the last minute they cancelled the cruise and we are very tired off the heating that day and I am not satisfied or recommending to anyone with the Melbourne Cruise. They have lack of experience, equipment and organisations. They take everyone for a ride and treating customers like trash with no respect.

Great Melbourne experience

Kimberley_D, Aug 2023

The cruise was such a fun way to spend a few hours in Melbourne and to see the city from a different perspective. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and share a lot of Melbourne’s history and stories along the way. The boat is comfortable and spacious which makes the trip really enjoyable. I would definitely recommend to tourists and locals alike!

An unusual view of the cityscape

Chris_L, Jul 2023

Going under the bridges. Some commentary would have been good. Would like to have some history of the development of the various industries

No way during winter

Anastasia_T, Jun 2023

You should have informed your customers that it is not suitable for winter. Nothing to see nothing to do!

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