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  • A scenic night cruise on the Yarra River, Melbourne, showcasing the city's skyline.
  • Melbourne's cityscape at night featuring a brightly lit skyline reflecting off the wide Yarra wide river in the foreground.
  • A misty art installation on the Evan Walker Bridge, part of the Now or Never festival, with a view of the Yarra river and Melbourne city skyline at night.
  • Blue laser beam with a red circle on top are reflected across the water’s surface.
20 – 30 Aug

Now or Never: River of Light Cruise

  • Entertainment
  • Events

Experience the Now or Never festival from a unique perspective on the Yarra River with a 20-minute sightseeing cruise, offered as part of the City of Melbourne's festival program.

Cruise through the heart of the festival precinct and take in spectacular views of the Birrarung Marr laser show, the Evan Walker Bridge activation, the Hamer Hall projections and Melbourne's illuminated skyline from the water. With a licensed bar on board, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the festival from a truly unique vantage point. With the boat's outdoor viewing decks, it's a photographer's dream, offering the perfect opportunity to capture the festival's incredible installations.

Departing approximately every 30 minutes from Southbank and Federation Wharf, it's an easy and enjoyable way for families, friends and visitors to experience Melbourne after dark.

Hours

Date Times
Thu 20 Aug
  • 6.30pm - 9.30pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Fri 21 Aug
  • 6.30pm - 9.30pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Sat 22 Aug
  • 6.30pm - 9.30pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Sun 23 Aug
  • 6.30pm - 9.30pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Thu 27 Aug
  • 6.30pm - 9.30pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Fri 28 Aug
  • 6.30pm - 9.30pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Sat 29 Aug
  • 6.30pm - 9.30pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Sun 30 Aug
  • 6.30pm - 9.30pm 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Location

Berth 2
2 Southbank Promenade
Southgate 3006

Open in maps location for

Price and bookings

From $10 to $20

Free for children under 2

Book online for Now or Never: River of Light Cruise

Contact details

  • telephone number: 03 8610 2600
  • email address: info@melbcruises.com.au
Facebook page for Now or Never: River of Light Cruise Instagram page for Now or Never: River of Light Cruise

Accessibility

  • Service animals

All accessibility information is self-reported by the listing owner. It has not been verified by the City of Melbourne.

Also part of Now or Never

Red laser beams dance across the water’s surface,
20 – 30 Aug

Multimmersion: Upside Down V2

A contemplative exploration of light, space and reflection transforms the Yarra River – Birrarung.

  • Free
  • Family and kids
Anna Goldsworthy, a middle-aged woman wearing a black top, her arms are resting on a bench in front of her, she has shoulder length brown hair.
27 Aug

Melbourne Conversations: The God We Made

Author and musician Anna Goldsworthy discusses the threat and promise of artificial intelligence.

  • Free
  • Talk
Two members of Octave One, a Detroit techno music group, both wearing black clothing and looking directly at the camera.
29 Aug

Finding Figaro: Octave One/Sleep D x Hybrid Man/JNETT/Baby G

An all-night journey through electronic music’s past, present and future.

  • Music
  • Nightlife
DJ and producer Zalina, her hands resting on either side of her head, wearing a strapless top, her long dark hair falling past her shoulders.
28 Aug

Chuleo Club: A.Chal/Slim Soledad/LIZZ/Dinamarca/Zalina

Rooted in Latinx club sounds, community and underground energy: loud, intimate, unrelenting.

  • Music
  • Dance

Only In The City

Winter Only in the City - Checkout the cold list

Discover more

The Yarra River and city centre viewed from onboard a cruise boat.
Until 31 Dec

Melbourne Highlights Cruise

Take a relaxing 2.5-hour Yarra River cruise, taking in both the River Gardens and Docklands.

  • Tour
  • Events
View of Melbourne skyscrapers from Yarra River.
Until 31 Dec

Parks and Gardens Cruise

Enjoy a one-hour cruise on the relaxing River Gardens sightseeing tour.

  • Tour
  • Events
People enjoying a cruise on the Yarra River.
Until 31 Oct

City Highlights Express Cruise

Explore Melbourne in just 45 mins with this express Yarra River cruise.

  • Tour
  • Events
Cruise boat on Yarra River with buildings and bridge.
Until 31 Dec

Ports and Docklands Cruise

Experience Melbourne's best scenery in Docklands on a sightseeing cruise.

  • Tour
  • Events
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Australian Aboriginal Flag Torres Strait Islander Flag

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future. For more information, visit Aboriginal Melbourne.

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