We are open for business!
8th July 2020 Update to our operations, with stage 3 restrictions coming into effect again in Melbourne and for the safety of all, we have reduced our operating capacity to only our self-drive hire op
Wine and Cheese on Your Private Boat Charter with Melbourne Boat Hire
Who wouldn’t love a bit of wine time on a private boat cruise, right in the heart of Melbourne?
Along with a selection of quality Australian-made wines and local cheeses, you can admire the city right in
Arrive in style for the Spring Racing Carnival
Attending the Spring Racing Carnival is so much fun, but overcrowded public transport, heavy traffic and parking nightmares all detract from a great day out. Why not forego the hassle and use a different mode of trans
Plan the Best gift for Your Dad this Father’s Day with Melbourne Boat Hire
It’s not too soon to start thinking about the best way to treat your Dad this Father’s Day. Why not try something different this year and consider a special day on the water with a Yarra River Cruise?
Capture The Best Views of Melbourne with Photography Cruises
Lush gardens, spectacular architecture and a glittering skyline…the perfect backdrop for a true Kodak moment.
Take in the beautiful sights around the Yarra River with a photography cruise via Melbourne
Celebrate End of Financial Year With Luxury Boat Cruises In Melbourne
The end of financial year (EOFY) can be a challenging time for some businesses. You end up working late in nights to get everything done. Along with you, your colleagues put in so much effort to make things happen for
Planning the Best Birthday Celebrations
People often take birthdays for granted and don't plan for the special day. It doesn't matter if it's your birthday or your loved one's birthday - you can always make it special by planning the day carefully.
Show Mum Love on Mother’s Day with Melbourne Boat Hire
The world has realised the importance of mothers and has dedicated the second Sunday in May as the Mother's Day. Plan well for this day to make your mum feel special. There’s no better way to celebrate the Mot
Looking for the best Melbourne party boat?
Special occasions deserve a special venue. So if you want to throw a shin-dig with a real twist, look up Melbourne river cruises. No matter what the reason for your part
Top 5 Tips for a Memorable Valentines Day
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time of the year for couples new and old. Every year we’ve found happy couples have joined us on our boats to as they share their love with each other. We love being a part of these jou
Arrive at the Australian Open in Style This Summer
Every year, people flock to Australia to see the best men and women in tennis play off against each other. Sports fans from all over Australia and the world fly in to Melbourne to see the games and experience historical
8 Tips For a Successful Self-drive Boat Hire
Ready to hire a boat as a self-drive vessel? Enjoy the cruise more. read our helpful tips which cover safety, preparedness and entertainment- as well as few insider secrets! Suggestions make the experience more complete and enjoyable for new and expereinced skippers.
Sunset, Sunrise Photography Cruises
Melbourne Boat Hire and Benjamin Eriksson Photography announce the launch of their new photography cruises on Melbourne’s Yarra River. Matt Gannon - owner of Melbourne's leading luxury Yarra River cruises, and Melbourne
Southbank River Boat Tours
Southbank Melbourne is home to many sights and restaurants. Walking reveals only one perspective. The best and most Insta-worthy sights along the water can only be appreciated from a boat. We have immersive tours and experiences on the Yarra River, aboard our luxury fleet of boats. Skippered, self-drive and guided options exist- with catering.
Back to School River Cruises Melbourne
It's time to reward yourself for surviving another Christmas and school holiday with the kids at home! Enjoy some time to yourself- or just you and your partner- as you go on a relaxing Yarra River cruise when the children are back at school.
Yarra River Boat Tours to Celebrate Australia Day
Celebrate Australia Day and take a Yarra River cruise. Self-drive or fully skippered boat tours available on the waterways of Melbourne. Catering and drinks can be booked. Select from a two hour, four hour or half day cruise and enjoy this wonderful holiday.
2017 Spring Racing Carnival
The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is over for another year. Rekindling was the lucky winner! Were you at the Cup? We were busy with many people realizing that the best way to get to Flemington without the crowds, congestion or delays- was to use our water taxi service. We've rounded up some of the pictures our photographer took, during the trips down the river.
Office Christmas Party Boat Hire
Planning your work function for Christmas? If you have been tasked with bringing the annual office party to life and need some inspiration, we've got just the thing! You can hire a boat for your next work social event. Our luxury boats can be hired for private skippered parties, functions, corporate days out and lots more. Catering is available- and so is a licenced bar. With one call, you can have everything taken care of, leaving you free to concentrate on the presents.
Arrive in Style at Flemington Races
If you're looking to attend this year's Spring Racing Carnival, which is held at Flemington Racecourse and you want to make a stylish entrance, then Melbourne Boat Hire have exactly what you're looking for, we provide
Observe Salvatore the seal
If you've ever had the chance to visit the Yarra river for a boat trip or a picnic, or just happened to pass it by, then there's a chance that you maybe already familiar with Salvatore, the fur seal.
Certificate of excellence 2017
We are pleased to announce that Melbourne Boat Hire has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Tripadvisor in 2017. This accolade, which honours tourism excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on the popular site, TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide.
Skippered and Self-Drive Boat Cruises to see Lighthouse Docklands
Light House is Melbourne’s first real-time weather display. Located at 888 Collins Street which is at the junction of Bourke and Collins Streets, the state-of-the-art lighting installation which is the design of Bruce Ramus, a Canadian-born, Melbourne-based lighting designer, illuminates a 15-storey residential building façade, forecasting the weather and displaying how the weather feels in a visually spectacular manner each night – 7 days a week.
Enjoy A Winter Cruise on the Yarra River
Summer may have come to an end and the good weather of late will finally come to an end, but that doesn’t mean that the 2017 cruising days are behind you until the next Spring/Summer. It just means that you get to experience one of the river’s best kept secrets – cruising during Winter! We asked our staff what makes cruising on the Yarra River during the Winter month’s so amazing.
Luxury Boat for Weddings in Melbourne
What a way to celebrate a wedding in style! Starting off by picking up the groom and his family from Docklands, we proceeded on-board Birrarung to Crown Casino Floating Landing on the Yarra River to collect the bride and her parents from Crown Towers Hotel.
Red Flag: The Australian Red Ensign
Here at Melbourne Boat Hire we are often asked about the Red Australian Flag –known as the Australian Red Ensign, that is flown on all our hire and private charter boats.
History of the Yarra River
The Yarra River runs for approximately 242kms from Mt Baw Baw, in the Yarra Ranges National Park to its mouth at the entrance to Port Phillip Bay at Newport. Of the 242km length of the river, just 22km is navigable by b
Luxury Cruises, Mother's Day
A luxury boat luncheon cruise is something unique- and our selection of Yarra River cruises are the answer when you want to treat your mum or grandmother to something really special.
Easter Boat Hire Melbourne
Don’t be a bunny this Easter! If you’re looking for something novel and exciting to do in Melbourne over the Easter holidays, things don’t get much better than a private egg hunt on board one of our amazing hire boats on the Yarra River! You can have a self-drive boat trip where you are your own captain.
Luxury Yacht Pia Mae for Hire
Melbourne Boat Hire’s fleet has recently expanded with the unveiling of the newest vessel in the fleet, the Pia Mae. Adding to the company’s current offering of the 10-seater Harvey A, 12-seater Eliza J and the 3
Hire a Boat- Without the Stress of Ownership
With the initial and then ongoing expense of owning a boat and the little amount you actually use, why bother with owning and why not start hiring?
With the option to hire our boats 365 days a year, it makes
Visit the Old Pipeworks by Boat
Pipemakers Park is situated on the Maribrynong River approximately 1hr and 10 mins by boat from Docklands and accessible by a wharf that has been built so you can berth and go ashore and venture through the park. Take e
Melbourne Based Birrarung- a Luxury Party and Cruise Boat for Hire
Melbourne Boat Hire’s fleet has recently expanded with the unveiling of the newest vessel in the fleet, the Birrarung. Enhancing the company’s current offering of the 10-seater Harvey A and the 12-seater Eliza J, Melbourne Boat Hire’s latest vessel is fully crewed and offers greater opportunities for private functions, special event transfers and festive cruises down the Yarra.
Maribyrnong River Cruises
We offer a range of cruising options on the Maribyrnong River. You can select from skippered cruises for the day, half day or evening- complete with catering! Your trip along this iconic Melbourne waterway can be as leis
Romantic Cruising on the Yarra River
If you’ve ever wanted to create the perfect experience for you and your partner to get closer together, while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Yarra River
End of Financial Year Celebration Melbourne
End of Financial Year Celebration Melbourne. The end of the financial year looms, and so to does the inevitable need to find the perfect end of financial year function venue. Luckily for all involved, Melbourne Boat
Melbourne Boat Hire short listed for Luxury Travel Guide Awards 2016
Melbourne Boat Hire is pleased to announce it has been short listed as a potential winner of the “2016 Luxury Travel Guide Awards” as Holiday & Tour Specialist. The Luxury Travel Guide Awards is an international
Proposal on board Harvey A
Congratulations to Nathan and Stef on their recent engagement on board Harvey A, whilst cruising on the Yarra River. Nathan planned the perfect proposal, flying into Melbourne with his then girlfriend and now fiancée Stef.
School Holidays fun with the Kids
Looking for things to do these School Holidays? Get the kids out of the house during the school holidays and take them for a cruise on Melbourne's waterways with our self-drive boat hire options. Our luxury eco fri
Easter fun with the Family
Looking for fun activities to do with the family over Easter? Why not jump on a boat and go for a cruise on the Yarra River, self- drive hire opti
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival - River Graze 2016
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival - River Graze 2016 A weekend culinary adventure for big and little foodies alike Kicking off the 2016 Festival’s Opening Weekend, the Yarra River transforms into a food and wine l
Australian Open Tennis 2016
Heading to the Australian Open Tennis, 18th to 31st January 2016? Make your journey to Melbourne Park that extra special and book a private transfer by our luxury boats. Various pick up locations available along the
Summer has arrived!
Summer has arrived in Melbourne! Get out and enjoy Melbourne's waterways, hire a self-drive boat and take your family or friends for a cruise on the Yarra River, cruise through the heart of Melbourne in style and see Mel
Office Christmas Parties
Looking to put on the best office Christmas party this year? Why not book one of luxury self-drive hire boats and enjoy an afternoon cruising on the Yarra River t
Spring Racing Carnival Luxury Transfers
Are you heading to Flemington racetrack for a fun day at the races? Why not make your day extra special with a luxury transfer to and from Flemington racecourse. Depart from Docklands, and cruise through the Port of M
School Holidays fun for the kids
Looking for fun activity to get the kids out of the house these school holidays? The kids will love cruising up the Yarra River on one of our
Why are our hire boats so easy to drive?
We are constantly being asked by our customers on return after their hire period, why are our hire boats so easy to drive? We have a modern fleet of Duffy electric boats which are powered by a power rudder. The power
Fathers Day Gift Ideas
Melbourne Boat Hire has Fathers Day Gift Ideas, for the dad who has everything! With less than one week to go, we are offering 15% off all our Gift cards. Our + Read More
Melbourne Regatta 2015
Melbourne is the most liveable city in the world for the 5th year running and we have all played a part. We are one of the few cities who can pin point the time, date and the people whom founded our city. The Melbourne R
Check out Melbourne Boat Hire on Tripadvisor
Did you know that Melbourne Boat Hire is listed on Tripadvisor? Check out our Tripadvisor page and reviews here - + Read More
Win back your hire fee or luxury cruise fee!
Win back your hire fee or luxury cruise fee!
We are offering one lucky person per month to win back 100% either their self-drive hire fee or luxury cruis
1hr Luxury Yarra River Cruise
We have added Luxury Yarra River cruises which are available in 1hr spots for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for the following times: 05:00pm to 06:00pm 06:30pm to 07:30pm 08:00pm to 09:00pm 09:30pm to 10
Win a photographic cruise on the Yarra River!
Are you a photographer, continually striving to capture the ultimate photo? WIN a luxury 2 hr photographic sunrise cruise on the Yarra River, Melbourne, to capture Melbourne from the best angle.
Now Open for Business
Locals and tourists are flocking to Melbourne’s newest premium eco-friendly self-drive boat hire and tour operator – Melbourne Boat Hire. The tourism operator offers electric powered noise and fume free boating so gu
Easter availability
We still have a few hire spots available over the Easter long weekend. Perfect way to spend with the family by cruising on the Yarra River. Hurry as spots filling fast, + Read More
Inflatable Regatta 2015
Disappointed in missing out on the Inflatable Regatta 2015, due to being canceled? We are offering all people that had planned to attend the inflatable regatta the chance to still cruise on the Yarra River, but do it
Australian Open 2015
Heading to the Australian Open Tennis 2015 at Melbourne Park between 19th January and 1st February? Whilst in Melbourne, why not book one of our luxurious boats and cruise up and down the Yarra River in style. View
Win a Skippered Cruise for 8 people
Would you like to win a private skippered cruise for you and 7 of your friends? Cruise the Yarra River in style with our 4 hour cruise, simply
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New Years Eve 2014
What a great way to end 2014 and bring in 2015 Harvey A was the perfect option for a cruise up the Yarra River past Chapel Street and return to Docklands to have the best view of the fireworks.