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Sightseeing Cruises

Ferry Transfers between Melbourne and Williamstown

Cruise captain checking tickets of guests on Yarra River sightseeing cruise.
Melbourne skyline and docked boats on the Yarra River during Williamstown ferry cruise.
Guest viewing Melbourne skyline from a river cruise.
Ferry cruising on Yarra River with Melbourne Cricket Ground in the background.

Duration

1 hr - 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.

Transfers available

Meals included

Indulge in a sumptuous meal as a part of your experience

Ferry between Melbourne City and Williamstown on the Yarra River, taking in spectacular views and iconic landmarks along the way.

4.5/5(325)

Kath E

Group
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
What a lovely way to visit Williamstown instead of battling traffic. A beautiful sunny day, and commentary on the history and current news and use of the areas we were passing was bonus. Would have helped to be able to link in to the commentary with my head phones, so I could hear it over the chatter of excited people; but other than that, a charming day out.

Alan W

Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
I find that hard to answer after our problems getting tickets, getting wrong information from the guide at the Williamstown Wharf, sitting on seats in the ferry that were not attached to the floor and slid around and didn't provide adequate leg room, not being able to hear the commentary because it wasn't loud enough.

Joanna D

Couple
Verified booking
Jan 2026
I booked a ferry river cruise from Melbourne Southgate to Williamstown. I absolutely loved it. Definitely recommend if you want to soak up some sunshine and enjoy splashes of water all while travelling to Williamstown, which was amazing too! The ferrymen were welcoming and friendly as well.
    • Hop on a comfortable and convenient ferry that shuttles you between Williamstown and Melbourne City, taking the most scenic route there is.

    • Greet Melbourne's gems along the way, including the Melbourne Skydeck, Crown Casino, Polly Woodside, Finders Street Station, and more.

    • Hop off at Williamstown to soak in the small-town charm. From cute cafes and beaches to historic landmarks, there's something for everyone.

    • Or, ferry right back the way you came, by opting for a round trip, and fall in love with Melbourne from the riverside all over again.

    • Fun fact: Williamstown is popular for its ghost tours, worth checking out when you're there. You'll be returning in high spirits for sure.

    • One-way ferry transfer between Melbourne City and Williamstown

    • Round-trip (optional)

    • Complimentary tea/coffee

  • TOTAL DURATION55 minutes - 70 minutes
    FREQUENCYSat & Sun, 10:30am, 12:30pm & 3pm
    MODE OF TRANSFERBoat

    2 Boarding points

    Melbourne River Cruises

    Get direction

    Gem Pier

    Get direction

    Sights covered

    Crown Melbourne

    Crown Melbourne

    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

    Polly Woodside

    Polly Woodside

    Crown Entertainment Complex

    Crown Entertainment Complex

    World Congress & Trade Centre

    World Congress & Trade Centre

    Bolte Bridge

    Bolte Bridge

    West Gate Bridge

    West Gate Bridge

    TOTAL DURATION55 minutes - 65 minutes
    FREQUENCYSat and Sun, at 11:30am
    MODE OF TRANSFERBoat

    1 Boarding point

    Gem Pier

    Get direction

    Sights covered

    Crown Melbourne

    Crown Melbourne

    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

    Polly Woodside

    Polly Woodside

    Crown Entertainment Complex

    Crown Entertainment Complex

    World Congress & Trade Centre

    World Congress & Trade Centre

    Bolte Bridge

    Bolte Bridge

    West Gate Bridge

    West Gate Bridge

    TOTAL DURATION1 hour 55 minutes - 2 hours 5 minutes
    FREQUENCYSat and Sun, at 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 3pm
    MODE OF TRANSFERBoat

    2 Boarding points

    Melbourne River Cruises

    Get direction

    Gem Pier

    Get direction

    Sights covered

    Crown Melbourne

    Crown Melbourne

    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

    Polly Woodside

    Polly Woodside

    Crown Entertainment Complex

    Crown Entertainment Complex

    World Congress & Trade Centre

    World Congress & Trade Centre

    Bolte Bridge

    Bolte Bridge

    West Gate Bridge

    West Gate Bridge

    Gem Pier

    Gem Pier

    TOTAL DURATION2 hours
    FREQUENCYSat and Sun, at 11:30am and 1:45pm
    MODE OF TRANSFERBoat

    1 Boarding point

    Gem Pier

    Get direction

    Sights covered

    Crown Melbourne

    Crown Melbourne

    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

    Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

    Polly Woodside

    Polly Woodside

    Crown Entertainment Complex

    Crown Entertainment Complex

    World Congress & Trade Centre

    World Congress & Trade Centre

    Bolte Bridge

    Bolte Bridge

    West Gate Bridge

    West Gate Bridge

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

  • 325 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.

    231
    58
    10
    4
    22

    What our guests say

    Kath E

    Group
    Verified booking
    3 weeks ago
    What a lovely way to visit Williamstown instead of battling traffic. A beautiful sunny day, and commentary on the history and current news and use of the areas we were passing was bonus. Would have helped to be able to link in to the commentary with my head phones, so I could hear it over the chatter of excited people; but other than that, a charming day out.

    Alan W

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Apr 2026
    I find that hard to answer after our problems getting tickets, getting wrong information from the guide at the Williamstown Wharf, sitting on seats in the ferry that were not attached to the floor and slid around and didn't provide adequate leg room, not being able to hear the commentary because it wasn't loud enough.

    Elizabeth C

    Family
    Verified booking
    Apr 2026
    The friendly staff The informative comentry The complementary tea coffee and water

    Joanna D

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Jan 2026
    I booked a ferry river cruise from Melbourne Southgate to Williamstown. I absolutely loved it. Definitely recommend if you want to soak up some sunshine and enjoy splashes of water all while travelling to Williamstown, which was amazing too! The ferrymen were welcoming and friendly as well.

    Sonja P

    Group
    Verified booking
    Jan 2026
    During boarding, we were told that our mobile ticket is not enough and that we should have them printed out at the kiosk
  • You'll not want this ferry to hurry

    Some ways to travel are simply better. This stands especially true for the 1hr ferry transfer between Melbourne and Williamstown. Apart from being super convenient and comfortable, the ferry transfer offers spectacular views of Australia's favorite coastline. You'll come across the mighty, like the Westgate Bridge, and the cool, like the 135+-year-old ship Polly Woodside.

    If you're overdue on a relaxed day out, exploring an old coastal town, Williamstown might just be what you need. You could take a self-guided heritage walk to visit iconic spots like the Timebell Tower or the old Customs House or relax at the beach. Chill at the waterfront cafes and slowly head to Port Philip Bay. Pause to admire the sunset, before you hop on a ferry back to Melbourne City.

    In too much love with the river?

    It's perfectly okay if you just want to relive the hour immediately afterward and skip exploring the lands. Opt for a round trip and make this a 2-hour cruise. And hey, click all those photos you might have missed the first time around because you were awestruck.

  • Additional information

    • The ferry is not accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooters.

    • Children will have to remain seated at all times.

    • Cruises may be delayed or rescheduled due to weather, tidal conditions, or shipping traffic.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Please arrive 15 minutes before the start time of your cruise to avoid delays.

    • Please display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

    Boarding points

    Melbourne-Williamstown

    • Board your cruise at Melbourne River Cruises.

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

    • Landmark: Near the Southgate Restaurant.

    Get directions to the boarding point

    Williamstown-Melbourne

    • Board your cruise at Gem Pier.

    • Address: 1 Syme St, Williamstown VIC 3016, Australia.

    Get directions to the boarding point

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