Guide to Boat Tours and Cruises in Melbourne and Regional Victoria
There are a wide range of scenic and wildlife sightseeing boat tours and cruises available in Melbourne and regional Victoria. We have compiled an extensive list of tours with a summary of the experiences offered and prices. Click on the links for more detailed information.
Sightseeing Boat Tours and Cruises
Highlights of Melbourne Cruise (Central Melbourne)
Services: Two hour narrated city cruise which includes both the down and up river routes, encompassing the scenic river gardens and Herring island with the contrasting port and former-industrial Docklands area.
Prices: Adult (13-64 years): $54, senior (65+ years): $48, child (3-12 years): $27, infant (0-2 years): Free
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Facilities: Toilet on board, commentary and tea & coffee provided.
Melbourne City and Williamstown Ferry Cruise (Central Melbourne)
Services: Cruise from Melbourne to the historic seaport city of Williamstown while enjoying 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 cafes. Customize your cruise options and travel one-way in either direction or take a round-trip cruise for a delightful day trip.
Prices: Adult (13-64 years): $37, senior (65+ years): $32, child (3-12 years): $22, infant (0-2 years): Free
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Facilities: Toilet on board, commentary and tea & coffee provided. Possible departure from either Southbank or Gem pier in Williamstown. The boat is completely enclosed and windowed so that passengers won't be subject to the elements.
River Gardens Melbourne Sightseeing Cruise (Central Melbourne)
Services: Spend a delightful hour aboard a riverboat as you glide under the Princes Bridge and past beautiful river gardens, Herring Island, the Melbourne Cricket Ground and other top cultural attractions.
Prices: Adult (13-64 years): $32, senior (65+ years): $30, child (3-12 years): $16, infant (0-2 years): Free
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Facilities: Toilet on board, commentary and tea & coffee provided. The boat is completely enclosed and windowed so that passengers won't be subject to the elements.
Port of Melbourne and Docklands Sightseeing Cruise (Central Melbourne)
Services: Enjoy a new perspective of Melbourne's port and Docklands area as you cruise down the Yarra River toward Hobson's Bay for 1 hour.
Prices: Adult (13-64 years): $32, senior (65+ years): $30, child (3-12 years): $16, infant (0-2 years): Free
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Facilities: Toilet on board, commentary and tea & coffee provided. The boat is completely enclosed and windowed so that passengers won't be subject to the elements.
Melbourne Tramboat Scenic Cruises (Central Melbourne)
Services: 3.5hr Herring Island cruise (stops at Herring Island for 30min), 3.5hr Next Stop the Pub cruise (Along the Maribyrnong River to the Anglers Tavern where disembark for included lunch), 2.5hr Sunset Fish' N 'Chips cruise (to Williamstown with fish 'n chips delivered on-board), 3.5hr Next Stop Williamstown (stop at Williamstown), 3.5hr Next Stop The Nursery (to Poynton's Nursery in Essendon with gourmet Sandwiches for lunch).
Prices: Cruises are typically adults: $55, seniors: $55, child: $40
Facilities: A floating tram which is fully enclosed and has an open upper deck. Has a male and female toilet.
Blackbird Cruises (Footscray)
Yet to start operating again after Covid.
Classic Steamboat Cruises (Southbank)
Services: 30min Upstream cruise (to Church Street, Richmond), 30min Downstream cruise (to Bolte Bridge), 1 hr Full upstream and downstream cruise
Special Services: 3hr private charter, wedding boat hire
Prices: Half-hour cruises - adults: $12-14, children (4-16 years): $6-7, family: $35-39. One hour cruise - adults: $24, children (4-16 years): $12, family: $60. One hour private charter is $425 and for more than one hour is $395 per hour. Reservations can be rescheduled free of charge up until 48 hours before trip, though cannot be cancelled without losing your deposit.
Facilities: Historic MV Grower riverboat.
Notes: Pets are welcome. Food and drink can be brought on board.
Tidemaster Charters & Cruises (Tooradin)
Services: 1.5hr Morning tea cruise, 2.5-3hr lunch or twilight scenic cruise, private charter cruise.
Prices: Morning tea cruise: from $40pp, lunch or twilight scenic cruise: from $60pp, private charter cruise: from $60pp
Facilities: The Tidemaster is a 12 metre cruise boat licensed to carry 40 passengers.
Notes: Scenic cruises are only available for groups (15-40 people). Facilities on board include a licensed bar, barbecue, toilet and deck area with comfortable tables and chairs. Fishing trips are also offered.
Wildlife Sightseeing Boat Tours and Cruises
Phillip Island Seal-Watching Cruise (Cowes, Phillip Island)
Services: 2 hr cruise which gets up close to the wildlife of Phillip Island and Australia's largest colony of Australian fur seals.
Prices: Adult (16+): $92, child (4-15 years): $64, infant (0-3 years): Free. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
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Facilities: Catamaran with indoor and outdoor viewing decks, live commentary on board and afternoon tea.
Dolphin and Seal Watching Eco Boat Cruise (Sorrento)
Services: 1.5hr eco boat tour off the coast of Mornington Peninsula looking for gannets, cormorants, seals, dolphins or whales depending on the season.
Prices: Adult: $80 (13+ years), child (5-12 years): $65. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
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Facilities: Purpose built high speed eco vessel which is open for unobstructed views but has a roof, small groups of 12 guests, live commentary on board.
Mornington Peninsula Dolphin and Seal Cruise (Sorrento)
Services: 1.5hr boat tour off the coast of Mornington Peninsula looking for seals, dolphins, gannets, albatrosses or whales depending on the season.
Prices: Adult (16+ years): $65, child (4-15 years): $35, infant (0-3 years): $10. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
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Facilities: Luxury purpose built boat
3 hour Dolphin and Seal Swim (Sorrento)
Services: 3hr trip to swim with Australian Fur seals and Bottlenose dolphins. The service provider is a two time winner of Australia's best eco-tourism attraction.
Prices: Adult: $185 (16+ years), child (5-15 years): $145, infant (0-4 years): Free. There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
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Facilities: Morning or afternoon departure times, onboard cafe and bathroom facilities, snorkelling equipment is provided
Notes: If you don't spot dolphins, you can repeat the tour free of charge within three months.
9 hour Wilsons Prom Full Day Cruise (Wilsons Promontory)
Services: Cruise around Wilsons Prom lighthouse and Skull Rock. Visit Kanowna Island seal colony and see pods of dolphins. Swim or paddleboard at Refuge Cove. Tours generally run daily from mid Nov to mid April.
Prices: Adult: $320 (16+ years), concession: $288, child (4-15 years): $224, infant (0-3 years): Free.
Facilities: Leaves from Port Welshpool. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided. Licensed bar.
6 hour Wilsons Prom Whale Cruise (Wilsons Promontory)
Services: Regular whale and dolphin sightings (expected 90%), see fur seals in their natural habitat. Tours generally run daily from late August to late October.
Prices: Adult: $195 (16+ years), concession: $175, child (4-15 years): $135, infant (0-3 years): Free.
Facilities: Leaves from Port Welshpool. Lunch, morning and afternoon tea provided. Licensed bar.
Seals By Sea Tours (Cape Bridgewater)
Services: 45min cruise to observe a colony of over 2000 Australian and Long Nosed Fur seals. Dolphins, blue whales, killer whales, penguins and many kinds of fish are regularly spotted.
Prices: Adult: $50, concession: $45, child (3-15 years): $25, 2 and under: free.
Facilities: Open boats. The tour begins with a short walk along the Great South West Walk to an iconic boat shed where the tour boats awaits. Then there is an exhilarating three-minute-journey across the sea to the colony.
Regional Cruises
Paddlesteamer Cruise (Echuca)
Services: One hour cruises on fully restored paddlesteamers (PS Pevensey and PS Alexander Arbuthnot). Cruises operate multiple times per day.
Prices: Adult: $28, concession: $25, family package (2 adults + up to 4 children 4-14 years of age): $72, infants up to 3 years of age are free.
Facilities: Pets are welcome.
Murray River Paddlesteamers (Echuca)
Services: Offer daily short cruises, morning and afternoon tea cruises, Wharf-To-Winery, 1 and 2 night heritage cruises, lunch and dinner cruises.
Prices: 1 hr cruise - Adult: $31, child (4-14): $14, family (2 adults + up to 4 children): $86, infants up to 3 years of age: free.
Facilities: Operate three paddlesteamers, the PS Canberra, Pride of the Murray and PS Emmylou.
Lonsdale Cruises (Lakes Entrance)
Services: 3hr eco cruise aboard the historic 'Lonsdale' to view dolphins, seals, birds, wildlife flora and fauna. Departs daily (except Wednesdays) at 1pm.
Prices: Adults: $60, pensioner: $55, children (1-16 yrs): $35, under 1 yr: free
Facilities: Includes afternoon tea, coffee & homemade scones.
Peels Cruises (Lakes Entrance)
Services: 30-70km nature and wildlife cruises on the Gippsland Lakes on the Thunderbird. 30km nature sightseeing and luncheon cruise on the Stormbird with a couple of hours in the lakeside village of Metung.
Prices: Not provided.
Facilities: The Thunderbird has a commentary, fully stocked kiosk and bar and is wheelchair friendly. The Stormbird also has a commentary from the Skipper.
Mallacoota Cruises on M.V. Loch-Ard (Mallacoota)
Services: 2hr pleasure cruise experiencing the pristine wilderness of the Mallacoota lakes with scenery, bird-life and local sights including feeding sea eagles. 2hr twilight sightseeing cruise on the lakes.
Prices: Adults: $50, child: $10
Facilities: The M.V. Loch-Ard was first built in Melbourne in the early 1900's from Tasmanian Huon Pine and Kauri and has been completely restored. Tea/coffee and biscuits provided. The boat doesn't has a toilet but if needed the boat can stop at a Parks jetty which all have toilets.
Mildura Cruises (Mildura)
Services: River cruises along the Murray River in Mildura. There are three vessels for charter and sunset cruises and winery cruises are operated.
Prices: Sunset cruise is adults: $30, kids: $20, family (2 adults & 2 kids): 80
Facilities: Vessels are skippered so no driving required.
Paddlesteamer Ride (Mildura)
Services: Daily 2hr cruise upstream along the Murray.
Prices: Adults: $35, student (14-17): $20, children (5-13): $15
Facilities: Air-conditioned, heated, all weather boat. A light lunch - sandwiches, cakes, tea/coffee and cool drinks are available on board and the vessel is fully licenced. A comprehensive live commentary is provided.
Goulburn Explorer River Cruiser (Nagambie)
Services: 5hr Winery cruises link two of Victoria's iconic wineries - Mitchelton and Tahbilk. Watch the sunset over Kirwans bridge and enjoy a journey along the picturesque Goulburn River on the sunset cruise.
Prices: Winery Cruise: Adult: $45, children (2 -12 yrs): $25, family (2 adults + 2 children): $99, concession (seniors/pensioners): $35, under 2 yrs: $5. Sunset Cruise: Adult: $35, children (2 -12 yrs): $20, family (2 adults + 2 children): $80, concession (seniors/pensioners): $30, under 2 yrs: $5.
Facilities: Goulburn Explorer is a 12 metre cruiser with twin open plan decks, seating capacity of 49 passengers and bathroom.
Sail Safari (Paynesville)
Services: Charters in a sailing boat on the Gippsland Lakes.
Prices: 2hrs: $330, 4hrs: $550, 6hrs: $770
Facilities: Includes an experienced skipper. Can carry up to 11 passengers. Toilet on board.
Mulloka Cruises (Port Fairy)
Services: A fun, informative and scenic half hour cruise.
Prices: Adults: $16, kids: $8
Facilities: There is no toilet on board as since operate only half hour bay cruises. There are two public toilet blocks and both are only a very short distance from the boat.
Port Of Sale Heritage Cruises (Sale)
Services: Journey from the Port of Sale along the Sale canal and Thompson River to the landmark Swing Bridge. There are two departures per day.
Prices: Adults: $35, children: $15, family: $95
Facilities: No toilets on board.
PS Pyap Paddle Steamer (Swan Hill)
Services: 1hr cruise on the paddlesteamer Pyap along the mighty Murray River past the historic Murray Downs Homestead. One departure per day during the week and two departures per day on weekends and school holidays.
Prices: Adults: $25.50, concession: $23.00, child (5 to 16 years): $18.00, family (2 adults and 4 children): $78.00 with additional child: $12.50, children under 5 years: free
Facilities: Boarding via a ramp which can be steep at low river levels. A range of snacks and beverages are served on board. Two toilets onboard.
MV Paradise Queen (Yarrawonga)
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Services: Operates 1.5hr BBQ and scenic cruises on Lake Mulwala and the Murray River at Yarrawonga. Other cruises operate at various times.
Prices: Scenic Cruise - Adult: $25, children under 15: $15. BBQ Cruise (including meal) - Adult: $35, children under 15: $20.
Facilities: All weather cruise boat carrying up to 75 passengers, wheelchair accessible, toilets, commentary, kids can enjoy the thrill of boomnetting (included in price).
P.S.Cumberoona Paddle Steamer (Yarrawonga)
Services: A variety of paddlesteamer cruises on on Lake Mulwala including lunch, afternoon, sunset dinner's, 1hr sight-see, special live music events as well as the famous 1hr "Pirates of the Cumberoona" kids school holiday fun.
Prices: Sight-See Cruise, Pirate Cruise - Adults: $25, children (4-14): $15, infants (0-3): free. Lunch Cruise - Adults: $42, children (5-14): $25, infants (0-4): free.
Facilities: Large large undercover and outdoor areas, wheelchair accessible, toilets, commentary, viewing balcony to the original steam/boiler circa 1902 engine room operations and the Captain welcomes visits to the wheelhouse.
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