Melbourne's Floating Restaurant on the Yarra
Step aboard the Spirit of Melbourne, a beautifully appointed cruising restaurant gliding past the city's iconic landmarks. Locally sourced menus, free-flowing drinks and skyline views through panoramic windows. Every voyage is a celebration.
“One of the best things we did in Australia.” Tripadvisor guest review
Prefer to book by phone? Call 03 8610 2600
The Experience
Settle into your table and prepare for a culinary journey. Every dish is meticulously prepared on board using the freshest produce and seafood from Victoria, presented simply to accentuate its natural flavours.
As you savour each course, the ever-changing scenery unfolds beyond the glass: the Royal Botanic Gardens, the sporting precinct, and Southbank's glittering skyline. An enchanting backdrop no restaurant on land can match.
The Yarra is calm and flat, so the ride is gentle. Dress code is smart casual, the bar is generous, and there is no bad table on the boat.
Choose Your Cruise
Dining Cruises
Every cruise is all-inclusive: chef-prepared courses, free-flowing drinks and Melbourne’s landmarks drifting past your table.
Signature
Four tantalising courses (entrée, main, dessert and a cheese board) with a premium bar including spirits, as the city lights slide past.
Fridays
A graceful two-hour journey with a three-course banquet and premium bar included. The city by daylight, from gardens to skyline.
Weekends
Sharing platters on two-tier stands with bottomless mimosas, prosecco, wine and beer, and a barista on board. Melbourne's most scenic boozy brunch.
Genuinely all-inclusive: your fare covers every course, every drink and the voyage itself. No surcharges on the day, and no tipping expected.
The Vessel
As dusk settles, the Spirit of Melbourne glows on the water, gliding beneath the city's bridges and past Southgate's lights, with the whole skyline mirrored in the Yarra.
There is no bad seat on board: panoramic windows wrap the dining saloon, and the open decks put nothing between you and the view.
See Sailing TimesThe Voyage
Gardens and parklands upstream, the glittering skyline downstream, and your table faces it all through panoramic windows.
Step aboard from Southbank Promenade. Check-in opens 15 minutes before sailing.
Glide beneath Princes Bridge as the city's most famous landmarks line the banks.
Green riverbanks and parklands roll past on the garden reach of the Yarra.
Melbourne's sporting cathedrals rise at the water's edge.
Turn for home with the towers mirrored on the water, glittering after dark.
Departures
All cruises depart Berth 1, Southbank Promenade, Southgate, on the river's edge opposite the Langham Hotel. Cruises leave sharp and cannot wait for late guests.
Cruise path is subject to weather and tidal conditions. Alternative days can be arranged for groups of 30 or more.
Special Events
Mother's Day · 12-3pm
A three-course lunch with drinks aboard the Spirit of Melbourne and Yarra Countess. A luxurious way to spoil Mum. From $155 per adult · $99 child 13-17 · $79 child 2-12.
Full details & booking
14 February · 3 hours
Four courses, beverages included and an intimate atmosphere under the city lights. From $240 per person.
Full details & booking
31 Dec · 8:30pm-12:45am
Four tantalising courses with premium beverages, ringing in the new year from the water. Strictly an 18+ event. From $495 per person.
Full details & bookingPrivate Celebrations
Planning something special? Our team will help you build the perfect celebration on the water, from intimate anniversaries to full-boat gatherings.
Fares
All-inclusive pricing per person. Main course selection is required when booking, view the menus.
| Guest | Price | Menu |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $210.00 | Main course selection |
| Children 13-17 | $130.00 | Main course selection |
| Children 2-12 | $105.00 | Children's menu |
| Under 1 | Free | No meal provided |
Four courses (entrée, main, dessert and cheese board) with premium bar including spirits.
| Guest | Price | Menu |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $145.00 | Main course selection · drinks included |
| Children 13-17 | $90.00 | Main course selection |
| Children 2-12 | $75.00 | Children's menu |
| Under 1 | Free | No meal provided |
Three-course banquet with premium beverages included. Please reconfirm reservations at least 72 hours before sailing.
| Guest | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $135.00 | Brunch + bottomless drinks |
Bottomless applies to drinks only: mimosas, proseccos, red, white & sparkling wines and beers. Melbourne coffee included. Cocktails and spirits available for purchase.
Guest Reviews · ★ 4.8 on Google · 1,700+ Reviews on Viator
Read hundreds more on Google and Tripadvisor.
A wonderfully relaxing afternoon: outstanding food, free-flowing drinks and beautiful river views, with a warm welcome from the captain and crew.
Lunch Cruise Guest
The brunch cruise never disappoints: endless mimosas, comfortable seating and a great vibe from start to finish. We keep coming back.
Brunch Afloat Guest
Attentive staff, delicious courses and the city lights at night made it unforgettable. The boat barely moves, perfect even if you get motion sick.
Dinner Cruise Guest
Award-Winning
The Spirit of Melbourne is a three-time Silver Winner at the Victorian Tourism Awards (2023, 2024 and 2025), ECO Certified for sustainable tourism, a member of the Australian Tourism Export Council, and rated ★ 4.8 by guests on Google and loved on Tripadvisor.
Plan Your Visit
Departure Point
Berth 1, Southbank Promenade, Southgate, across from the Langham Hotel on the river's edge. Wilson Parking on Southgate Avenue offers secure parking a short walk away. Get Directions
Menus & Dietary
Fresh Victorian produce and seafood, with substitutions for vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, halal, dairy-free and gluten-free diets. Please advise dietary requirements in advance, menu selections can be changed until 1pm the day before your cruise.
Good to Know
Dress code is smart casual. Seats are assigned with window requests welcomed. Children are welcome aboard, celebration cakes may be brought along, and there's a designated smoking area on the back deck. Please note the vessel is not wheelchair accessible. See our accessibility information.
Getting Here
By Train
Flinders Street Station is directly across the river. Exit toward Federation Square, cross Princes Bridge or the Southgate footbridge, and follow the promenade to Berth 1. About five minutes on foot.
By Tram
Any tram along Swanston Street or St Kilda Road stops at Federation Square, inside the Free Tram Zone. Cross Princes Bridge to the Southbank Promenade, around six minutes to the berth.
Taxi & Uber
Set your drop-off past the Langham Hotel at Southgate Avenue, then a two minute walk down the ramp or stairs to Berth 1.
Walking
From anywhere in the CBD, head for Princes Bridge and step down to the Southbank Promenade. From Crown or the Arts Centre, simply follow the river. Look for the berth opposite the Langham Hotel.
Driving
Wilson Parking on Southgate Avenue offers secure parking a short walk from the berth.
Cruises depart sharp and cannot wait for late guests. Please allow 15 minutes for check-in. Get Directions
Questions
The Spirit of Melbourne cruises up river, passing the Royal Botanic Gardens and the sporting stadiums. The cruise path is subject to weather and tidal conditions.
Up to 90 passengers. Every booking has its own table; large groups of 30 or more may be split across two tables, and the floor plan is designed around each evening's bookings.
No, cruises depart sharp at the advertised time and cannot wait for late guests. Please arrive by the check-in time for your cruise.
Absolutely, special moments are celebrated on board all the time. You're welcome to bring a cake, though it can't be stored, and no other outside food or drink is permitted.
Unlike the ocean, the Yarra River is very calm and flat, so it's very unlikely the cruise will cause any motion sickness.
Rescheduling is determined case by case. If your cruise needs to be rescheduled or cancelled, you'll be contacted before your sailing.
Yes. Please note the vessel and its restrooms are not wheelchair accessible, and guests must be able to manage stairs to board and disembark.
Reserve Your Table on the Water
Bookings are essential, seats are limited and weekends fill quickly. Give an experience they'll remember, or treat yourself.
Book Your CruiseOr call to make a booking: 03 8610 2600
The Melbourne River Cruises Family
The Spirit of Melbourne is the flagship dining experience of Melbourne River Cruises, cruising the Yarra for over 20 years. For daytime sightseeing cruises and more ways to see the best of Melbourne from the water, explore the full fleet.
Visit melbcruises.com.au
