To assist with your Melbourne Boat Hire query, please view our frequently asked questions below. Browse the category suited to your desired hire selection and click the question to reveal more information. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact us to talk to one of our experts, or send us an email at info@melbourneboathire.com.au(opens in a new tab).
General
Yes kids are allowed onboard, our boats are very safe and ideal for kids. When booking ensure to let us know the age of children and size so we can ensure that the correct fitting lifejackets are onboard to suit.
Unfortunately we do not allow any form of BBQ or cooking device onboard our boats. If you are keen to have a BBQ there are spots along the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers that have BBQ facilities onshore. Most people will bring cold platters or order from our catering options.
Yes, our boats are available by booking only. We do not accept walk-ups. Booking is easy online by clicking the Book Now buttons or contact us to arrange your booking.
No, a boat license is not required as our boats are under 10hp. We will instruct you on how to drive and the rules before you depart.
Boarding is completed at New Quay Promenade Docklands, at the public berth at 45 New Quay Promenade Docklands. For more information view our location page.
Ensuring the security and protection of your personal information is important to us.
We will endeavour to take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information you may transmit to us or from our online products and services, including credit card information. We will also make our best efforts to ensure its security on our systems.
In addition, our employees and the contractors who provide services related to our information systems are obliged to respect the confidentiality of any personal information held by us.
All transactions are secured by 128 bit SSL encryption. SSL technology encodes information as it is being sent over the Internet, helping to ensure that the information transmitted remains confidential.
Our servers are deployed to Amazon Web Services (AWS), which is a PCI DSS Level 1 compliant provider and provides a certified infrastructure for storing, processing, and transmitting credit card information.
If you wish to know more please contact us.
Our vessels for hire include Harvey H, Eliza J, Felix G and more. For more information please visit our boats page.
Booking can be done securely online. Alternatively you can contact us to arrange your booking.
No, we do not allow fishing or swimming (its actually illegal to swim in the Yarra River) to be conducted from our hire boats.
Self-Drive Boat Hire
Yes, a $500 security bond is taken as a pre-authorization via debit or credit card. This is part of our online hire agreement. When the boat is returned in the same condition as you received and without any incidents than the pre-authorization of $500 will be removed from your account. This can take up to 7 days.
Click HERE to download our Self-Drive Boat Hire map.
The person driving the boat is required to fill out the hire agreement, they will become the hirer and driver and be responsible for the boat and passengers during the hire period. Any of the passengers can supply their debit/credit card for the $500 security bond.
Click HERE to view our online hire agreement.
Yes! Kids are allowed onboard. Any person under 10 years of age must wear a lifejacket at all times. Upon booking please let us know how many kids attending and the lifejacket sizes required.
No, the person driving the boat must remain sober and have .00 BAC at all times. Victorian Water Police patrol our waterways regularly and it is a serious offense.
Yes, all out boats have roofs to provide shade from sun or protection from rain. Also have clear windows that can either be up or down to allow for all year round cruising no matter if hot or cold and raining.
Yes, all out boats have roofs to provide shade from sun or protection from rain. Also have clear windows that can either be up or down to allow for all year round cruising no matter if hot or cold and raining.
Harvey A is licensed for a maximum of 10 passengers and Eliza J is licensed for a maximum of 12 passengers
You will be sent a confirmation email confirming the booking (please check your junk email) and attached will be our instructions with information regarding the hire.
You can also download HERE.
Unfortunately we do not allow any form of BBQ or cooking device onboard our boats. If you are keen to have a BBQ there are spots along the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers that have BBQ facilities onshore. Most people will bring cold platters or order from our catering options.
Skippered Cruises
Yes kids are allowed onboard, our boats are very safe and ideal for kids. When booking ensure to let us know the age of children and size so we can ensure that the correct fitting lifejackets are onboard to suit.
Unfortunately we do not allow any form of BBQ or cooking device onboard our boats. If you are keen to have a BBQ there are spots along the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers that have BBQ facilities onshore. Most people will bring cold platters or order from our catering options.
Our boats are electric powered and have 16 batteries to provide the power for cruising continuously for 10hrs without recharging.
Yes, our boats are available by booking only. We do not accept walk-ups. Booking can be done easily online. You can also contact us to arrange your booking.
Booking can be done securely online. Alternatively you can contact us to arrange your booking.
You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages to enjoy onboard. We also offer food and beverage packages but booking for this is required 24hrs in advance.
No smoking is not allowed onboard our boats.
The maximum capacity is 10 persons
Private Charter
Yes, we allow you to bring your own food and drinks onboard (BYO) we do have a $200 surcharge for this as we are a licensed premises.
Yes, decorations are allowed, we only allow decorations to be installed with blu-tac or string. No sticky tape is allowed. We also do not allow confetti, confetti balloons, or sparklers.
Decorations can be installed 30 mins prior to the cruise – This is the boarding/setup time.
Yes, we have a SONOS sound system onboard. You can connect your phone to our system via our onboard wi-fi networks and airplay from music platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Yes, kids are most welcome onboard.
Yes, we have a spacious bathroom with toilet onboard Birrarung and Lady M
Boarding is completed at 45 Newquay Promenade Docklands, the boarding location is in front of Cargo and Berth Restaurants. We return to the same location.
Yes, this is possible, the travel time from Docklands to your chosen pick up point will be included in the charter time
We normally cruise on the Yarra River, we can also cruise the Maribyrnong River and out to Williamstown
Our boats are designed for all year round cruising and can be fully enclosed from the rain and cold.
We have a heater onboard Birrarung
The maximum capacity of Birrarung is 35 guests. The maximum capacity of Lady M is 25 guests.
Yes, our boats are available by booking only. We do not accept walk-ups. Booking can easily be done online or contact us to arrange your booking.
Booking can be done securely online. Alternatively you can contact us to arrange your booking.
No smoking or vaping is not allowed onboard our boats.
Unfortunately not, the maximum capacity for both Birrarung (35) and Lady M (25) cannot be exceeded
Yes, we provide glassware onboard. We have champagne flutes, wine glasses and tumblers. Please note this is all polycarbonate glassware.
No, we do not have any plates or cutlery onboard.
Unfortunately we cannot allow food to be dropped off earlier than your cruise time due to food safety.
Yes, we do allow male entertainers onboard, please remember that they are included in the maximum passenger capacity and ensure they arrive on time for departure.