Sightseeing Cruises

2-Hour Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

Cruise captain checking tickets of guests on Yarra River sightseeing cruise.

Melbourne River Cruise boat docked with city skyline in the background.

Cruise boat on Yarra River with Melbourne skyline and bridge in view.

Guests enjoying Melbourne River Cruise with city skyline and greenery.

Duration

2 hr

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

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

(946)

Richard

Apr 2025

Verified booking

4/5

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.

Abdelaal

Aug 2025

Verified booking

5/5

Excellent customer service Commentary was good and gave account of the history of Melbourne and Yara river Historical monuments and nice nature

Dewi

Aug 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Informative journey upstream, but disappointing that we couldn't go downstream because of tidal issues . However, half the costs were refunded with very little hassle.

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
FIRST DEPARTURESouthgate Arts & Leisure Precinct
LAST DEPARTURESouthgate Arts & Leisure Precinct
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.

4.5
946 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 New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States and over 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Kim
Oct 2025
Verified booking
3/5
Although it is advertised as a 2 hour cruise it is basically a 20 min ride away from your starting point, turn around, go back, drop off passengers, pick up more then go 20 min in the opposite direction. There was at least 35min of not moving.
Abdelaal
Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Excellent customer service Commentary was good and gave account of the history of Melbourne and Yara river Historical monuments and nice nature
Dewi
Aug 2025
Verified booking
4/5
Informative journey upstream, but disappointing that we couldn't go downstream because of tidal issues . However, half the costs were refunded with very little hassle.
Juliana
Jul 2025
Verified booking
3/5
The experience on Yarra river was good. The chairs were a bit uncomfortable and we had a two hour tour ticket but after an hour there was hardly any instructions what to do next.
Lorna
Jul 2025
Verified booking
3/5
We booked the 2hr river cruise but we the boat only went one way due to the high tide. We therefore only got a 1 hr cruise.

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

The cruise is wheelchair and stroller 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