"We had an excellent time taking the GoBoats. We rented them during the sunset “Golden Hour” and had a nice leisurely one hour tour up and down the Yarra River. We brought our own music (a little Dean Martin) to set the stage and gently cruised. The boats are well maintained and the guide gave us a good overall briefing that told us all we needed to know for a fun excursion. The engines have a Governor on them so there’s no chance you’ll go too fast."
GoBoat Melbourne · 2 Banana Alley · up to 8 · 1 to 3 hours
Electric Picnic Boat Melbourne: Hiring a GoBoat on the Yarra River
Drive GoBoat's quiet electric boat yourself on the Yarra, no licence needed: your own route, your own picnic. From US$69 per boat for one hour, up to 8 people, as of October 2026.
From
US$69
per group up to 8
Free cancellation
- 4.7 / 5 242 Reviews
- 1 to 3 hours From US$69 for One Hour
- Up to 8 people No Licence, Pets Welcome
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What the Electric Picnic Boat Hire Includes
The boat is yours for the hire; the food, the drinks and the sun hats are up to you.
Highlights
- Be the captain of your own adventure on an electric boat experience in Melbourne
- Bring your group onboard (Up to 8 people) for a fun day out on the Yarra River
- Pack a picnic basket and an esky with the essentials to take along for the ride
- See Melbourne City at your own pace while captaining your own boat on the river
- Minimize your environmental impact on a unique boat made of recycled PET bottles
What's Included
- Electric picnic boat rental
Good to know: Customers are to supply their own food, beverages, sun protection and other necessary items for the duration of the Hire Period · Not Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks, Guide
How a GoBoat Hire Works
From the dock at Banana Alley to the river and back.
Choose One, Two or Three Hours
Pick the length and the date in the calendar below; GoBoat prices the boat, not each person, and you can cancel free up to 24 hours ahead.
Meet at Banana Alley
GoBoat Melbourne is at 2 Banana Alley on the city bank by Queens Bridge. Bring ID and a credit card: GoBoat places a hold of up to A$200 until the boat is back.
Learn the Controls
The crew shows you how to steer and how the electric motor works. No licence or boating experience is needed, and the Yarra's 5-knot limit keeps the pace gentle.
Picnic on the River
Head upstream past the Botanic Gardens and the MCG, or downstream toward Docklands. Up to two standard drinks each, and the skipper stays sober.
Photo Gallery
On an Electric Picnic Boat in Melbourne
Scenes from the tour.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
The Electric Picnic Boat Against the Other Boats You Can Have to Yourself
GoBoat Melbourne's picnic boat, Boat-4-Hire's BBQ pontoon and Aqua Donut, and Melbourne Boat Hire's skippered cruise. GetYourGuide's prices in US dollars, as of October 2026; every one is priced per boat or group, not per person.
| Feature | THIS PAGE GoBoat Picnic Boat, 1 to 3 h | BBQ Pontoon, 2 h | Aqua Donut, 2 h | Skippered Cruise, 1.5 h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What You Pay | From US$69 per boat for one hour, up to 8 | From US$263 per group of up to 12 | From US$209 per group of up to 10 | From US$308 per group of up to 6 |
| Rating | 4.7 from 242 reviews | 4.8 from 5 reviews | No reviews yet | 4.9 from 19 reviews |
| Who Drives | You, after a demonstration | You, or an optional skipper | You | A skipper |
| Where You Can Go | The Yarra, from Docklands to Melbourne Park and beyond | The Yarra (the Bay only with a driver who holds a marine licence or the skipper) | Victoria Harbour and Docklands only | Docklands, Southbank and the city bridges |
| Leaves From | 2 Banana Alley, Melbourne | Given with your booking | Melbourne City Marina, Docklands | Docklands |
| Food and Drink | BYO picnic; up to 2 standard drinks each | Onboard BBQ; BYO drinks; platters to pre-order | BYO food and drinks; BBQ pack extra | Cheese platter and a bottle of wine included |
| Shade | None | Shade on the boat | Umbrella | Not stated in the listing |
| Pets | Welcome, and they do not count toward the 8 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Check Availability | See the BBQ Boat | See the Donut | See This Cruise |
Other Boats You Can Have to Yourself
If the Picnic Boat Is Not the Right Size
BBQ boats for 10 or 12, skippered private cruises for 2 or 6, and the cruises and paddles that suit the same groups.
BBQ PONTOON FOR 12Melbourne: Boat Rental with BBQ and Drinks
Boat-4-Hire's BBQ pontoon for up to 12: drive it yourself or add a skipper, cook on the onboard BBQ, bring your own drinks or pre-order platters, and cruise the Yarra for two hours.
ROUND BBQ BOAT, DOCKLANDSMelbourne: Aqua Donut Self-Drive BBQ Boat Rental
Boat-4-Hire's round Aqua Donut for up to 10 from Melbourne City Marina in Docklands: a self-drive floating lounge with a central table and umbrella, kept to Victoria Harbour and Docklands, BBQ pack optional.
PRIVATE, SKIPPER, CHEESE & WINEMelbourne: Private Yarra River Cruise w/ Cheese & Wine
Melbourne Boat Hire's private 1.5-hour cruise for up to 6 from Docklands on a quiet electric boat with a skipper, past Crown, Southbank and under the low bridges, with a cheese platter and a bottle of wine.
PRIVATE DINNER FOR TWOLuxury Private Romantic Dinner Cruise For 2
Melbourne Boat Hire's private dinner cruise for two from Newquay Promenade in Docklands: a skipper, a three-course dinner and drinks on a small electric boat on the Yarra.
SUNSET, CROWN FIRE SHOWMelbourne: Luxury Sunset Cruise on Yarra River
ON A BOAT's sunset cruise from Southbank on a covered boat through the city and Docklands, with Crown's fire show on the way back.
MOST REVIEWED ON THE YARRAMelbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise
Melbourne River Cruises' two-hour City Highlights cruise downriver past Docklands, Crown, the convention centre, the Polly Woodside and Southgate, with commentary.
SUNSET KAYAK, FISH & CHIPSMelbourne: Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner
Kayak Melbourne's sunset paddle from Victoria Harbour in Docklands, fish and chips served in your kayak in a marina, then up the Yarra past Southbank to the Rowing Sheds.
PEDAL THE YARRAYarra River, Melbourne Waterbike Tour
Waterbikes Australia's guided waterbike ride from VRA Landing on Boathouse Drive, up past the MCG and Rod Laver Arena, then down past Federation Square and Southbank to South Wharf.
Electric Picnic Boats on the Yarra
What an Electric Picnic Boat Hire in Melbourne Is Like
The boat, the three routes, what it costs a head, the rules on drinks and dogs, what to bring, and when another boat suits better.
An electric picnic boat in Melbourne is GoBoat’s small, quiet self-drive boat for up to eight, which you take out yourself from 2 Banana Alley on the Yarra with no boat licence and your own picnic. On GetYourGuide it starts at US$69 per boat, not per person, as of October 2026, and its 242 reviews average 4.7. You pick one, two or three hours, the crew shows you the controls, and the river between Docklands and the MCG is yours at a gentle 5 knots or less.
The boat
GoBoat’s boats are open electric boats with a picnic table in the middle, cup holders built in, and seats around it for eight. They are designed for relaxed cruising rather than speed, and GoBoat says nobody needs a licence; Safe Transport Victoria only requires a marine licence for hire-and-drive boats capable of more than 10 knots, and the Yarra through the city has a 5-knot limit anyway. GoBoat’s GetYourGuide listing describes hulls made with recycled PET bottles in the fibreglass and an electric motor from Germany.
One thing differs from GoBoat’s other Australian locations: the Melbourne boats have no shade. GoBoat says this is because of the bridges, which sit too low on the Yarra for a canopy to pass under.
Three routes, three lengths
GoBoat suggests a route for each length of hire, all starting and ending at Banana Alley:
- One hour, “The City Spritz”: upstream past the Royal Botanic Gardens, AAMI Park, Melbourne Park and the MCG, the quick look at the sports precinct from the water.
- Two hours, “The Skyline Sail”: GoBoat’s most popular, toward Docklands downstream or Herring Island upstream. Herring Island has a sculpture park, reached by a punt.
- Three hours, “The Yarra Explorer”: time to take in the city’s riverside sights at your own pace, picnic included.
The boats are slow, so plan the turnaround: whatever you reach at the halfway mark, you have to come back from.
What it costs a head
| Group | Boat from (US$) | Per head |
|---|---|---|
| 2 people | US$69 | about US$35 |
| 4 people | US$69 | about US$17 |
| 6 people | US$69 | about US$12 |
| 8 people | US$69 | under US$9 |
GetYourGuide’s US-dollar starting price as of October 2026, for the shortest hire; longer hires and busy dates cost more. GoBoat’s own add-ons are in Australian dollars: an esky with ice A$25, a captain’s hat A$20, the Captain’s Pack with a Bluetooth speaker A$45, a poncho A$5.
For a group of six or more, the picnic boat costs less per head than any sightseeing cruise on the river, which start at US$25 a person for a 45-minute express trip. For two, it costs about the same as a cruise and gives you the boat to yourselves.
The rules: drinks, dogs, children
Drinks. Up to two standard drinks per person, and the nominated skipper stays sober for the whole hire. If your group wants to drink more freely, a skippered cruise is the better fit.
Children and dogs. Children count toward the eight. Pets are welcome and do not count.
No swimming, no fishing. GoBoat does not allow either from its boats.
The deposit. GoBoat places a hold of up to A$200 on a debit or credit card, released when the boat comes back safely; the money usually reappears within three to five business days.
What to bring
The GetYourGuide listing is clear that the food, the drinks and the sun protection are yours to bring. Pack:
- the picnic, in an esky (or hire one at the dock),
- hats, sunscreen and water, because there is no shade,
- a jacket for the shade under the bridges and the evening chill,
- ID and the card for the deposit.
Where it leaves from
GoBoat Melbourne’s dock is at 2 Banana Alley, on the north bank by Queens Bridge, a short walk west of Flinders Street station. GoBoat used to run from Docklands; if a friend sends you there, they are out of date.
When another boat suits better
The picnic boat is not the answer for every group:
Up to 8, a picnic
GoBoat Picnic Boat
You drive, you bring the food, you choose the route.
Check dates →Up to 6, someone else drives
Skippered Cruise
A skipper, cheese and a bottle of wine; nobody stays sober.
See this cruise →Prices are GetYourGuide's US-dollar starting prices as of October 2026; they change by date, so treat them as the shape of the market, not a quote.
On a hot summer afternoon, the lack of shade is the real drawback; the BBQ pontoon has shade, the Aqua Donut an umbrella, and the sunset and dinner cruises run on covered or enclosed boats. On a wet day, move the booking: every hire here cancels free up to 24 hours ahead. For the full list of boats, see Yarra boat hire compared, and for how self-drive hire works on the river, the self-drive rules.
Guest Reviews
What Electric Picnic Boat Guests Say
4.7/5
from 242 reviews
"It was excellent. The guide explained the safety aspects very clearly. Staff were helpful & friendly. We loved that we were able to have our own private boat & could take our own drinks & snacks. Would have been nice to have had more time, as an hour went by way to quickly but it was still a relaxing and enjoyable experience."
"We thoroughly enjoyed our trip on the Go Boat. We booked two hours and felt it was just the right amount of time. We also took a picnic. The booking in process was fairly easy. The staff were very helpful with our disclosures, which we completed when we arrived at the Go Boat Office. We arrived in plenty of time to complete them. They also provided suncream, which was a nice touch. They explained how to use the boat and gave us detailed instructions with pictures of the bridges we would be going under. They were very professional and the boats were in good condition."
"It was an unforgettable trip. Our friend and us, we enjoyed every moment of it. The staff was excellent, very clear and explained how to navigate and where to go, depending on the duration of the journey. It was easy to handle the boat. Melbourne looks fantastic from the river. Definitely, we'll recommend this activity, and we'll be back with our other mates. The price is reasonable."
"So fun to explore the Yarra River on our own. Beautiful views of the city!"
"That was so much fun! Team at GoBoat is so friendly. They explained everything we need to know. Then we enjoyed the river. Love it! Recommended if you are looking for something different to do in the city!"
"It was the best family outing / kids birthday party I’ve ever had. We picnicked while seeing the beautiful sights of our city. The kid were super excited and staff were amazing. Highly recommended. A pleasant experience"
"overall, very very happy with the whole experience! Definitely a beautiful idea to enjoy with anyone !"
Read all 242 reviews
See All ReviewsBook a GoBoat Electric Picnic Boat
GoBoat Melbourne's self-drive electric picnic boat for up to 8 from 2 Banana Alley: no boat licence, your own route on the Yarra, and your own picnic. Rated 4.7 from 242 reviews; cancel free up to 24 hours ahead. From US$69 per boat for one hour, as of October 2026.
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Electric Picnic Boats in Melbourne: FAQ
The questions people ask about GoBoat's electric picnic boats on the Yarra, answered from GoBoat Melbourne's own page and its GetYourGuide listing, read in October 2026. Prices are GetYourGuide's US-dollar starting prices.
From US$69 per boat on GetYourGuide, as of October 2026, for a boat that seats up to 8. GoBoat prices the boat, not the person, and the price rises with the length of the hire (one, two or three hours) and the date. A full boat of eight works out at under US$9 a head for the shortest hire. Check today's prices
A small, slow, open boat with an electric motor and a picnic table in the middle, which you drive yourself. GoBoat's boats are built for relaxed cruising rather than speed, so they need no boat licence; the crew shows you how to steer before you leave the dock, and you set your own route along the Yarra.
At 2 Banana Alley, on the city bank of the Yarra by Queens Bridge. It is a short walk from Flinders Street station and across the river from Southbank. GoBoat moved its Melbourne boats there from Docklands. The departure map
Up to 8 people per boat, children included. Pets are welcome and do not count toward the 8. For a group of 9 to 12, Boat-4-Hire's BBQ pontoon takes 12; for 10, the Aqua Donut. The bigger boats compared
No. GoBoat says no boat licence or previous boating experience is needed, and the crew demonstrates the boat when you arrive. Safe Transport Victoria only requires a marine licence for hire-and-drive boats capable of more than 10 knots, and the Yarra's own limit is 5 knots. The self-drive rules
Yes, up to two standard drinks per person, and the nominated skipper must stay sober for the whole booking. Bring your own drinks in an esky; GoBoat hires one with ice for A$25 if you would rather not carry it.
Yes, the picnic is yours to bring. The GetYourGuide listing says customers supply their own food, drinks and sun protection, and the boat has a table in the middle with cup holders. GoBoat's Captain's Pack (a Bluetooth speaker, an esky and a captain's hat) costs A$45.
No. GoBoat's other Australian locations have a canopy, but the Melbourne boats do not, because they pass under the Yarra's low bridges. Bring hats, sunscreen and water, and book a late-afternoon slot in summer.
One hour reaches the Royal Botanic Gardens, AAMI Park, Melbourne Park and the MCG; two hours gets you toward Docklands or Herring Island; three hours lets you cover the city's riverside sights. These are GoBoat's own suggested routes. With the Yarra's 5-knot limit, leave time to get back to Banana Alley.
For a group of four to eight with a picnic, yes: from US$69 for the boat, it costs less per head than most river cruises and gives you the whole boat. It has 242 reviews at 4.7 on GetYourGuide. It is less good on a hot afternoon with no shade, in the rain, or for a group that wants to drink freely, where a skippered cruise suits better. The cruises instead
Yes. GoBoat Melbourne is pet friendly, and dogs and other pets do not count toward the 8-person limit.
No. GoBoat does not allow swimming or fishing from its boats. For time in the water, the kayak and waterbike tours are the way to get closer. Kayaks and waterbikes
Yes, a hold of up to A$200 on a debit or credit card, released when the boat comes back safely. GoBoat says the funds usually reappear in three to five business days, depending on your bank.
You can cancel free up to 24 hours ahead on GetYourGuide, and GoBoat will not send you out if conditions are unsafe. It offers to reschedule in that case, and sells A$5 ponchos for rainy days. With no roof on the Melbourne boats, a wet forecast is a reason to move the booking.
GoBoat began in Copenhagen in 2014, founded by three entrepreneurs, and the Australian locations, Melbourne among them, are listed by GoBoat Australia. The Melbourne boats launched in early 2019. GoBoat Australia's site also offers franchises, so individual locations may be run locally.
Questions about a booking, a date or a session go to GetYourGuide's customer service, which handles every booking on this site. For questions about this guide itself, email info@yarraboathire.com.