Sightseeing Cruises

2-Hour Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

Sail the Yarra River for 2 hours, exploring Melbourne’s top landmarks like Federation Square, Docklands, the MCG, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

4.5/5(987)

Jo F

Solo

Verified booking

Last week

It was a nice relaxing way to see Melbourne from the water, on a beautiful sunny day and the crew we had were very welcoming. Highly recommend doing the 2hr combined river tours.

Belinda P

Couple

Verified booking

4 days ago

Meandering along the Yarra River and gaining some knowledge about the flora and culture of the First Custodians of our land the Ngunnawal People. Followed by learning the history of the bridge designed by Monash and discovering the Monash University was designed by him. Finding out the Yarra River could rise to 14 metres during a rise in rain fall. Enjoying a cup of tea on the Melbourne river cruise,on a freezing, rainy and windy day in Melbourne and finally spending time creating memories with my husband.

Zoya K

Group

Verified booking

Aug 2026

South Yarra River Cruise was amazing in terms of prompt Customer support and guidance. The staff on board was quite friendly and appreciative. Onboard coffee, live commentary and cleanliness made the experience more memorable. A must for all visitors in Melbourne.

Cruise the Yarra River for 2 hours, passing iconic landmarks like Federation Square, Docklands, and the Crown Entertainment Complex.

See Melbourne’s natural and urban beauty, from the Royal Botanic Gardens to Melbourne CBD views and the striking Bolte Bridge.

Discover history with views of the 19th-century “Polly Woodside” sailing ship and Melbourne’s bustling shipping channels.

Enjoy live commentary, revealing fascinating stories about Melbourne’s landmarks, from sports arenas to world-class cultural hubs.

Fun fact: Many animals call Yarra River home, including 18 different species of frogs and 170 bird species!

2-hour Yarra River sightseeing cruise

Live commentary

Complimentary tea/coffee

Beverages (can be purchased on the cruise)

TOTAL DURATION1 hour 55 minutes - 2 hours 5 minutes
FREQUENCY70-90 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
Timeline
Map
1 Boarding point
Melbourne River Cruises
Get direction
Sights covered
Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Polly Woodside
Crown Entertainment Complex
World Congress & Trade Centre
Bolte Bridge
Westgate Bridge
Docklands Stadium
Melbourne CBD
Federation Square
Royal Botanic Gardens
Government House
AAMI Park
Melbourne Arena
Margaret Court Arena
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Rod Laver Arena
Herring Island

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

987 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United Kingdom, New Zealand, Germany and over 12 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Belinda P
Couple
Verified booking
4 days ago
Meandering along the Yarra River and gaining some knowledge about the flora and culture of the First Custodians of our land the Ngunnawal People. Followed by learning the history of the bridge designed by Monash and discovering the Monash University was designed by him. Finding out the Yarra River could rise to 14 metres during a rise in rain fall. Enjoying a cup of tea on the Melbourne river cruise,on a freezing, rainy and windy day in Melbourne and finally spending time creating memories with my husband.
Jo F
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
It was a nice relaxing way to see Melbourne from the water, on a beautiful sunny day and the crew we had were very welcoming. Highly recommend doing the 2hr combined river tours.
Stuart B
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Doing nothing. Watching Melbourne go by and enjoying a gorgeous Sunday after a Saturday of watching the Lions crush the Wharfie dream...bliss...
Katia I
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
Seeing everything up the river and down is really cool. The commentaries too
Lisa P
Solo
Verified booking
Sep 2026
Very peaceful & the local knowledge was useful. The Staff abord the boat were very friendly & helpful, great hospitality.

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

Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

19th Century sailing ship “Polly Woodside”

Crown Entertainment Complex

World Congress & Trade Centre

Bolte Bridge & Westgate Bridge

Shipping Channels and dock area

Docklands and Docklands Stadium

Melbourne CBD views

Federation Square

Royal Botanic Gardens

Government House

Melbourne & Olympic Parks including AAMI Park, Melbourne Arena, Holden Centre, Margaret Court Arena | MCA, Melbourne Cricket Ground | MCG, and Rod Laver Arena

Herring Island

What's not allowed

Guests appearing intoxicated may not be permitted onboard.

Accessibility

Wheelchairs and mobility scooters cannot be accommodated due to boarding restrictions. As the venue is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

The 2-hr Melbourne Highlights Cruise may include a pause between the two-hour ride and require switching between boats.

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.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Please arrive at the boarding point 15 mins before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

Boarding point

Board your cruise at Melbourne River Cruises.

Address: Berth 2, Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia.

Get directions to the boarding point