GoBoat Melbourne – Picnic Boats on the Yarra
Be your very own captain on the GoBoat Melbourne luxury picnic boats on the Yarra River. Designed to comfortably fit 8 people, it is perfect for families, couples and groups and makes a great outing for special events! You can experience Melbourne with a difference as you cruise along and enjoy gorgeous city views. Such a fun and unique thing to do in Melbourne for tourists too.
GoBoat Melbourne Sustainable Boat Hire
GoBoat provide sustainable self-drive boat hire on the Yarra River for your next outing in Melbourne. They are eco-friendly boats powered by a quiet electric motor made from recycled materials.
No boat licence is necessary, you can drive these boats yourselves with a bit of common sense and direction. Kids are provided with a life jacket on arrival, and there are those for adults in the boat.
GoBoat operate all year round until sunset, so no matter the weather, you can always enjoy a boat ride around the city.
There are different options to choose from below.
Self Drive Boat Hire Options
1hr – Cruise the Yarra River past Melbourne Park and to Richmond and return. Or head towards Docklands and turnaround before reaching the Bolte Bridge.
2hrs – River cruise all of Melbourne from Sandridge Wharf. Visit Docklands in one direction or turnaround at Herring Island in South Yarra.
3hrs – Enjoy a boat cruise up towards Hawthorn and back in your very own self-drive hire boat rental, experience all the Yarra River sights. Alternatively, check out Docklands and the heart of the city.
There are various places to anchor and park your boat if you would like to stop for a break to explore.
GoBoat Review
Mum’s Little Explorers took the 2hr boat hire option along the Yarra River, which was perfect for a family outing. We sailed towards the Docklands for half hour, turned around and sailed back towards Herring Island for an hour, then turned back again.
We didn’t dock the boat, but simply enjoyed the views from the water.
It is a slow-paced boat ride where you can really take in and appreciate Melbourne and all of its charm. Passing by well-known attractions, it is spectacular seeing them from a different view.
The GoBoats seat 8 people comfortably and feature a picnic table in the middle, so you can enjoy a DIY picnic with your own food and drinks. (Alcohol limits apply).
If you don’t want the hassle, you can order a grazing box, or stop for a meal. GoBoat also have the option to purchase drinks, and hire an eski and speakers to play your music.
We opted for a family grazing box from Mini Eats 2 U who specialise in kids catering. They provided a mix of savoury options and fresh fruit and delivered it to the GoBoat departure dock. We brought along an eski with our own drinks, it was perfect for our 2hr outing.
Go Boat is Pet Friendly!
GoBoat is also a great day out for your furry family member. Dogs of all shapes and sizes are invited to cruise along the river with you. The bottom of the boat is solid so no little paws can slip through. There are even canine sized life jackets to help keep your dog safe on the water.
Top Tips for your GoBoat Ride
- Book online and in advance, times usually book out very quickly, especially on warm days.
- Make sure you have the security deposit (you get this back after your ride).
- Arrive 15minutes early so you have time for your safety instructions from staff.
- The boats are kid and dog friendly so you can bring the whole family along.
- Visit the bathroom before you embark, there are no toilets on board.
- Make sure to bring a hat and wear sun cream on warmer days, and also bring some type of towel or blanket to sit on as they can get quite hot.
- Take a picnic or order a grazing box for the full GoBoat experience.
- Bring speakers or hire them from GoBoat if you like to listen to music while you cruise.
- Bring a camera, you won’t want to miss getting photos of these stunning views.
Details
Address:
Sandridge Wharf (Adjacent Southbank Promenade)
Southbank, Victoria 3006
Opening Times:
From 10/11am until Sunset
Website
Things to do in Melbourne for Kids
GoBoat is such a fun experience for families in Melbourne. If you are looking for more ideas check out our Melbourne for Kids page, follow Mum’s Little Explorers on Facebook and Instagram, or join our Facebook community group.
