melbourne river cruises

YARRA RIVER

Experience the true charm of Melbourne with Yarra River Cruises. Beautiful Melbourne, voted the Worlds’ Most Liveable City 2014, is best seen from the vantage point of its jewel in the crown The Yarra River.

BOTTOMLESS COCKTAIL CRUISE

Are you ready for an experience on the river like no other? Come join us on a 2 hour cruise down the Yarra River. Perfect for big groups, birthday parties , hens parties , girls and guys night outs,  and   special occasions.

Melbourne to Williamstown Return Shuttle Cruise

Spend a lazy few hours exploring the historic town of Williamstown, Gem Pier, or visit one of the great cafes for coffee, cake or lunch.

SIGHTSEEING CRUISES

Experience the true charm of Melbourne with Yarra River Cruises.

PRIVATE FUNCTIONS

Yarra River Cruises offer private boat charters in Melbourne for your family occasion and special celebration.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land and rivers on which we operate and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging

Copyright 2024 | Yarra River Cruises | All Rights Reserved | Andro Media

• Romantic Cruises
• Proposal Cruises
• Progressive Dinner Cruises
• Skippered Cruises
• Private Charter
• Corporate Function Hire
• Wedding Transfers
• Hens Parties
• Self-drive Hire
• New Year’s Eve Private Cruises
• Boutique Wedding Venue
• Private River Tours
• Spring Racing Transfers
• EOFY Celebrations
• Yarra River Dinner Boat Cruise
• Itineraries

Cruise Itineraries

Melbourne is not only the world’s most liveable city, but it is also one the world’s most beautiful cities. To truly appreciate the beauty along with the scenery and landmarks of Melbourne, a Yarra River cruise is ideal. The Yarra River, no doubt is the iconic heart of Melbourne as it meanders through the heart of Melbourne City. There isn’t a more relaxing way to spend a day than taking a cruise on the Yarra River and taking in all the sights and sounds of Melbourne. Whether you’d rather your cruise to be chartered by an expert Skipper on our luxury cruises, or take the helm yourself with our self-drive boat hire option, Yarra River Cruises is your platform to explore the best that Melbourne has to offer. No Boat license is required. No matter how you choose to embark on your cruise, your experience will be exemplary, and your view of the city will be awe-inspiring. Melbourne awaits. See it all. See below our Yarra River cruise map with cruise itineraries.

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Melbourne's Iconic Views

Memorable & Unique

Our unique river sightseeing tour offers an extraordinary way to explore the city, unlocking its hidden treasures..

Seamless Booking

Now, you have the convenience of effortlessly handling your bookings online, allowing you to cancel or reschedule without incurring any additional costs.

Rich Cultural History

Discover Melbourne's cultural history like never before. Immerse yourself in the vibrant tales and deep-rooted heritage as you cruise along...

Spectacular River Scenery

The Yarra River flows through the heart of Melbourne, and its banks are adorned with a blend of natural beauty and modern architecture...

Sightseeing Cruises

Discover Melbourne from a whole new perspective with one of our Yarra River boat cruises. Melbourne River Cruises offers a selection of day cruises to choose from; select one or the other, or you can combine them both for maximum value! Whether you’re looking for something to do with the kids on school holidays, or you’re here on holiday and looking for a fun way to discover the city, a cruise on the Yarra is a great way to learn more about Melbourne. Our Yarra River cruises start at Southbank and travel in one direction or the other, so select the Melbourne Yarra cruise that best meets your requirements and read further on.

Give an experience they'll remember!

• Welcome Aboard
• Full Cruise One Hour (Public)
• Upstream Half Hour Cruise (Public)
• Down Stream Half Hour Cruise (Public)
• Wedding Boat Hire
• Private Charters
• Testimonials
• Water Taxis Melbourne
• Boat Cruise Melbourne
• The History
• Arrive in Style

Sightseeing Tours

Scenic River Cruises

Book online today!

"escape the busy city streets and let the unique perspective of our scenic river cruises captivate and inspire".

Classic Steamboat Cruises are available 7 days a week for private charters, including but not limited to riverfront event spaces, Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, birthday parties and  wedding  events.

Exciting Melbourne River Cruises

Would you like to explore the Yarra River views of Melbourne aboard a Classic Riverboat? 

At Classic Steamboat Cruises, our goal is to craft an unforgettable experience using vessels made by hand using traditional skills and materials. Today’s world is moving at a tremendous pace and occasionally it’s important to experience the simple things in life! We all enjoy a trip out on the water and this proven past time over hundreds of years is today with Classic Steamboat Cruises. Your experience starts as soon as you step aboard soaking up the boat’s visual surroundings and smells. Oiled timber and polished brass feature throughout. A fascinating journey awaits you.

Our  Yarra cruises  are a great way to travel and explore new places. Not only do you get to do a lot of fun activities but you also get to meet new people and gain new experiences you would cherish for a lifetime. 

Book your tickets  online today! 

Yarra River Cruise in Melbourne

Our mission is to make every cruise experience the best we can, be it a 1hour public cruise with commentary or a longer Private Charter. Our boats have a maximum of 35 passengers, so a more personal outing is easily catered for. We have different cruise packages to choose from, giving you the flexibility to explore the City’s waterways on your own terms. You can select from any of the following cruises based on your preference.

• Full Cruise One Hour upstream and downstream
• Upstream Half Hour Cruise
• Down Stream Half Hour Cruise
• Wedding/Event Boat Hire
• River Taxi/Transfer 

Get the best  riverboats  in  Yarra  and get multiple travel options from us. Our staff is happy to help you at every stage of your journey. Come and travel with us today! 

A Unique Experience Awaits You Aboard Our Cruise

Classic Steamboat Cruises has been operating from South Gate since 2002 and is family owned and operated. Hamish loves his boats and will answer the phone and your questions, he may even be your Captain! Classic Cruises has a relaxed style that people appreciate and enjoy so whether you are a local or from abroad, there are various reasons to choose our River Cruise Experience. 

• Easy Option
• Style and Type of vessel
• Emphasis on the Safety and Comfort of our guests
• Various cruise options to choose from
• Departure from different locations
• Meandering cruises to give you the best look at Melbourne
• BYO welcome
• Our rates are hard to beat

Choose Classic Steamboat Cruises’  Yarra Riverboat cruise   and enjoy a variety of onboard activities. We organise everything for you and make sure you and your loved ones have a great time. 

Why Choose Our Service?

Classic Steamboat Cruises has been operating from South Gate since 2002 and is family owned and operated. Hamish loves his boats and will answer the phone and your questions, he may even be your Captain! Classic Cruises has a relaxed style that people appreciate and enjoy so whether you are a local or from  abroad , there are various reasons to choose our  River Cruise Experience .

• Emphasis on Safety and Comfort of our guests

Book a Cruise With Us Today!

Keeping it simple is sometimes best and that’s what we are all about at Classic Steamboat Cruises! We are here to make every experience special because we understand word of mouth and would like you to tell friends and return in the future. Whilst out on the river you can make the most of your time onboard and consider the boat yours! 

We are aware that there are many operators on the river system to choose from, but our style of boat and operation is a little different and we would be delighted to help you choose the best package or public cruise. With our  Yarra cruises , we will make sure you get to experience the best of nature and world-class amenities. 

Get in touch with us today to discover and book one of our cruise options. Hope to see you on the river!

Call on  0425 779 473  or use the form on the Come Alongside page within this website.   

FAQ ( Frequently Asked Questions)

Are kids allowed onboard.

Yes kids are allowed onboard, our boats are very safe and ideal for kids. When booking arrange for a drive of the boat to receive a certificate as Helmsman.

Do you have children's life jackets?

Yes children’s life jackets are available upon request, just ask for these when boarding. Adult life jackets are always stowed onboard.

Can reservations be rescheduled or cancelled?

Reservations can be rescheduled free of charge up until 48 hours before trip, though cannot be cancelled without loosing your deposit. You can often extend your booking whilst underway and we will accomodate your request if we can.