4-Course Dinner Cruise on the Yarra River Melbourne

The Yarra River and Southbank

The Yarra River is the heart of Melbourne. It winds from the hills east of the city through the centre and out to Port Phillip, and its banks are lined with promenades, bridges, parks and some of the city's best-known buildings. Southbank, on the river's south side, is where Melbourne comes alive at night, with restaurants, theatres and riverside walkways glowing above the water.

Your Yarra River dinner cruise begins at the Southgate landing on the Southbank Promenade. As the boat pulls away, the towers of the central business district and the illuminated bridges reflect on the river. Seeing the city from the water at night is quite different from walking its streets: calmer, more spacious and, from your table by the window, wonderfully comfortable.

Federation Square and Flinders Street Station

Two of Melbourne's most recognisable landmarks stand side by side on the river's north bank. Flinders Street Station, finished in the early twentieth century, is famous for its golden facade, green copper dome and row of clocks above the entrance, a meeting place for generations of Melburnians. It is one of the most photographed buildings in Australia, especially when lit at night.

Next to it, Federation Square opened in 2002 as the city's cultural square, with angular buildings covered in geometric patterns of stone, glass and zinc, galleries and an open plaza for events. From the river you see both in one frame, the historic and the modern, glowing against the night sky as the boat glides past.

Melbourne Park and the riverside parklands

East of the city centre the river opens up between wide green spaces. On the north bank lies Melbourne Park, the sports precinct whose arenas host international tennis and major concerts, next to the riverside gardens of Birrarung Marr, named after the Aboriginal name for the Yarra. The south bank is lined with lawns and avenues of old trees, and rowing sheds sit along the water.

This stretch is one of the quietest parts of the cruise, a pleasant contrast to the city lights behind you. It is a good moment to enjoy your main course while the parkland slips by in the dusk, and your crew can point out the landmarks along the river.

The Royal Botanic Gardens

Further along, the river passes the Royal Botanic Gardens, founded in 1846 and spread over about 38 hectares of lawns, lakes and collections of plants from around the world. By day it is one of Melbourne's favourite places to walk; in the evening you see the outlines of its great trees from the water, with the city skyline rising beyond.

Many visitors list a visit to the gardens among the best things to do in Melbourne, and seeing them from the river is a lovely complement to a daytime walk. Together with the Kings Domain parkland next door, they form the green belt that gives this side of the city its calm character.

The 4-course dinner on board

Dinner is the centrepiece of the evening. It starts with an entrée tasting platter, such as a bao bun with roasted duck, a natural oyster with a spicy seafood dip and seared lamb loin with minted cucumber and yoghurt. Then comes your main course, chosen when you book: chargrilled chicken with porcini cream sauce, blue eye fish baked in parchment, chargrilled eye fillet with green peppercorn sauce or a slow-cooked lamb shank. Vegetarian guests can choose a ratatouille filo parcel and a filled baby pumpkin or vegetable lasagne.

A platter of mini desserts and a cheese platter of Australian cheeses with dried fruit, nuts and crackers follow, and the meal ends with tea, coffee and chocolate. Soft drinks and orange juice are served throughout. The menu changes with the seasons, and the kitchen cannot cater for meals free of onion, garlic and fructose together.