Locals call it the Willy Ferry
Melbourne to Williamstown, by water
Skip the freeway and the train line. Board at Southbank Promenade, cruise the length of the working Yarra, and step off at historic Gem Pier, all in 50 to 60 minutes.
Skip the freeway and the train line. Board at Southbank Promenade, cruise the length of the working Yarra, and step off at historic Gem Pier, all in 50 to 60 minutes.
The ferry route doubles as a grand tour. You leave from the middle of the city and watch it change, arts precinct, casino frontage, container cranes, bridges, then open bay, before Williamstown's masts appear off the bow.
Informative commentary plays in both directions, triggered by GPS as you pass each landmark, so the river tells its story whether you're heading to the bay or back to the city.
Board on the promenade beside the Arts Precinct
The city slides past at eye level
Marinas, Marvel Stadium and the Bolte Bridge
Container ships and cranes at the working port
Pass beneath one of Australia's great spans
The river opens into Port Phillip
Step off beside the HMAS Castlemaine
50 to 60 minutes each way. Travel one direction, or ride the full loop as a two-hour bay cruise.
Four simple options. Book online before you travel, as prepaid tickets let you walk straight past the queue on the day. Current prices are on the fares page.
Board at Southbank and disembark at Gem Pier. Make your own way back by train, or book a later ferry home once you've had your fill of the seaside.
Book This TripStart your day by the bay and finish it in the middle of Melbourne. Depart Gem Pier, cross Hobsons Bay and ride the Yarra right into Southbank.
Book This TripThe full day out. Cruise down, jump off to explore Williamstown for as long as you like, then catch a later sailing back, or stay aboard and enjoy it as a bay cruise.
Book This TripFor locals and bayside visitors: head into the city by water, spend the day in town, and sail home across the bay with the skyline behind you.
Book This TripThere are faster ways to get to Williamstown. There are none better. The ferry turns the commute itself into the outing: no traffic, no platform changes. Just a seat, the breeze, and Melbourne unrolling along both banks.
Our vessels are fully enclosed with big windows and an open rear deck, so the trip is comfortable whatever Melbourne's weather decides. On board, GPS-triggered commentary plays in both directions, telling the story of each landmark right as you pass it, plus there's complimentary tea and coffee, all crewed by people who know this river inside out.
Every sailing is operated by Melbourne River Cruises, which has been showing people the Yarra for decades from its base at Banana Alley, beside Flinders Street Station.
Melbourne's first seaport is now its favourite bayside village: coastal charm, deep maritime history and a proper day out at the end of the gangway. Everything below is a short stroll or a quick ride from where the ferry ties up.
You step off beside the HMAS Castlemaine, a 1942 minesweeper turned museum ship. Nearby, the Tall Ship Enterprize and the Seaworks Maritime Museum fill in the rest of the story of Victoria's first port settlement, and The Strand offers close-up views of container ships working the river.
Fish and chips along The Strand, a lobster roll at Gem Pier, or an ice cream in Commonwealth Reserve. For something longer, the historic pubs, breweries and waterfront dining of Nelson Place are steps from the pier.
Boutiques, galleries and specialty stores line Ferguson Street and Douglas Parade, with craft and farmers markets through the year. The shopping precinct sits just behind the waterfront.
Swim at Williamstown Beach or snorkel the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary. Walk or cycle the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail, 23km of bayside path running from the West Gate Bridge, and unwind in the Botanic Gardens, opened in 1860 and listed on the Register of the National Estate.
Three self-guided Heritage Walks wind through the old seaport; pick up a brochure at the visitor centre. Don't miss the Timeball Tower at Point Gellibrand, built by convict labourers in the 1840s, where the copper ball still drops at 1pm each day as it once did for ships setting their chronometers.
The Craft Market runs the third Sunday of each month and the Farmers Market the second, both a short walk from the pier. Seaworks adds festivals, live music and foodie feasts through the year. See Experience Hobsons Bay for what's on.
Friendly staff who can help you plan your time ashore, a two-minute walk from the pier at Commonwealth Reserve, Williamstown 3016. Call (03) 9932 3016.
Take the classroom onto the water. In under an hour students pass a working container port, one of Australia's great bridge spans, a WWII warship and the site of Melbourne's first sea port, all as it happens outside the window. Geography, history and engineering, with the wind doing the work a whiteboard can't.
Pair the journey with a visit to Scienceworks. We can drop your group off and pick them up there, around 45 minutes from Southgate, so the boat becomes part of the excursion rather than just the transport to it.
School and group rates are available on request, with one teacher travelling free for every 10 students. Tell us your group size and dates and we'll put a quote together.
Prefer the boat to yourselves? Full-vessel charters are available for schools wanting flexible timing, a tailored route, or commentary pitched to a specific year level or unit of work.
Call (03) 8610 2600 or email us with your group size, preferred dates and year level, we'll take it from there.
Planning a school excursion, a club outing or a private charter? Got a question about access, group rates or timings? Send us the details and we'll come back to you, usually within one business day.
Prefer to call or email?
(03) 8610 2600 info@melbcruises.com.auOffice hours, Monday to Friday. Either way, you'll reach the same team.
City: Berth 2, Southgate, on Southbank Promenade. A short walk over the river from Flinders Street Station. See the departure point, directions and reviews on Google.
Williamstown: Gem Pier, at the foot of Syme Street on Nelson Place.
Every Saturday and Sunday, daily through the summer school holidays, and Friday to Sunday from February to Easter. See the full timetable and fares, then book ahead to secure your sailing.
Call us on (03) 8610 2600 or email info@melbcruises.com.au. We're happy to help with group bookings, accessibility needs, and anything else.
We want every guest to enjoy the journey, and we're upfront about what the ferry can and can't do so you can plan with confidence.
Our vessels are not step-free: boarding is via approximately four steps down, with a grab rail on the right-hand side. If you can manage a few steps, our crew will assist you to board and disembark safely. Wheelchairs cannot be carried on the ferry, as Gem Pier at Williamstown does not have a floating landing and the Yarra River is tidal, so level boarding is not possible. Chairs on board can be repositioned to make space for mobility aids such as walkers.
We're a proud "Named and Famed" Hāpai Access Card provider, offering a free Essential Companion ticket on presentation of a valid card. Guests with a Companion Card, Carer Card or WeCare Card also receive one free ticket for their support person, simply show your card at the ticket kiosk. Guide Dogs and Assistance Animals are welcome under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).
GPS-triggered commentary plays over the speaker system, and earlier sailings are usually quieter. You're welcome to bring comfort aids such as noise-cancelling headphones, and sensory kits with communication cards are available at the ticket kiosk on request, subject to availability. Choose your own seat, with shaded indoor seating and an outside back deck when it's safe. All vessels have toilets on board, though bathrooms are not fitted with handrails.
Complimentary tea and coffee are offered on board, with snacks and drinks available at the bar. Outside food and drinks aren't permitted, except baby food, medical or emergency dietary items, and water bottles. To discuss any access needs before you book, call us on (03) 8610 2600, or read the full Accessibility Guide and "What to Expect" social story.
One-way and return sailings every weekend, and every day through the summer school holidays. Book online in a couple of minutes.
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