Party Boats in Melbourne

What to Ask Before Booking a Boat

Melbourne's party boats work two different kinds of water. River charters glide through the city on the Yarra from Southbank and Docklands, while yachts based at Docklands and Victoria Harbour can head out onto Port Phillip Bay. Which suits you depends mostly on group size and whether you want a floating function or a small private sail.

At the small end, Sail Melbourne Charters takes up to nine on a Catalina 320 yacht from Docklands, From $290 per hour, minimum 2-hour charter, and ON A BOAT runs Dutch-style river boats for 8 to 30 from Southbank Promenade. Classic Steamboat Cruises charters restored timber riverboats on the Yarra for up to 30, From $523 per hour, and Melbourne Boat Hire runs quiet electric boats for up to 35, From $880 per hour, minimum 2-hour charter.

For bigger numbers, Boat4Hire has skippered yachts for up to 24 plus party pontoons, MV Pearl is an 80-foot crewed motor yacht for 67 with a chef aboard, Melbourne River Cruises takes 28 to 170 on its Yarra function boats, and Party Boat Cruises runs two licensed boats for 20 to 180, From $300 per hour.

Narrowing down a Melbourne boat:

Yarra River only: Classic Steamboat Cruises, Melbourne River Cruises and ON A BOAT
Docklands and the bay: Sail Melbourne Charters, MV Pearl and Boat4Hire
BYO-friendly: Sail Melbourne Charters, Classic Steamboat Cruises, Melbourne Boat Hire, Boat4Hire and ON A BOAT
Bars and dance floors on board: Party Boat Cruises

Celebrating someone about to marry? See hens party boats and bucks party boats.

Docklands & Victoria Harbour: MV Pearl, Sail Melbourne Charters, Melbourne Boat Hire, Boat4Hire and Party Boat Cruises
Yarra River: every operator here except Sail Melbourne Charters
Port Phillip Bay: MV Pearl, Sail Melbourne Charters and Boat4Hire

Food and drink on the water

A chef comes aboard every MV Pearl charter
Melbourne River Cruises gives each private cruise its own event coordinator, with menus designed by a chef and drinks packages on offer
ON A BOAT takes grazing platter and drinks orders three days before you sail
Melbourne Boat Hire has fridges, food warmers and an ice maker for BYO groups, or catering packages

Questions for the charter company

Minimum charter length – two hours with Sail Melbourne Charters and Melbourne Boat Hire, four hours or more on MV Pearl
Boarding point – Southgate, Federation Wharf, Southbank Promenade, Harbour Esplanade or New Quay Promenade
Access needs – ON A BOAT's Summer is fully wheelchair accessible
Set-up time – Melbourne Boat Hire allows 30 minutes to get ready before departure

Everything You Need to Know About Boat Hire

Which Melbourne party boats leave from Southbank?

Classic Steamboat Cruises and ON A BOAT both depart from Southbank, and Melbourne River Cruises boards at Southgate and Federation Wharf.

Can a Melbourne party boat take us out onto Port Phillip Bay?

MV Pearl, Sail Melbourne Charters and Boat4Hire all list Port Phillip Bay among their waters, each setting out from Docklands.

Is there a wheelchair-accessible party boat on the Yarra?

ON A BOAT's Summer, which takes 20 guests, is fully wheelchair accessible and cruises from Southbank Promenade.

What does a small skippered yacht from Docklands cost per hour?

Sail Melbourne Charters lists From $290 per hour, minimum 2-hour charter, for exclusive use of its Catalina 320 for up to nine guests.

Which Melbourne boats can take a group of 150 or more?

Party Boat Cruises takes up to 180 across its two boats from Harbour Esplanade, and Melbourne River Cruises takes up to 170 standing or 130 seated on the Yarra.

Can we steer a party pontoon ourselves in Docklands?

Boat4Hire's Spaceship pontoons take up to 12 and need no boat licence, with a BBQ available as an extra.

Party Boats Melbourne

Melbourne Boat Suppliers, Compared