Boat Party Melbourne: Party Boat Hire on the Yarra for Birthdays and Hens

A boat party in Melbourne works one of two ways: a self-drive boat you take out yourselves, where the driver stays sober, or a boat with a skipper, where nobody has to. For 9 to 12, Boat-4-Hire’s BBQ pontoon from US$263 is the party boat on GetYourGuide; for up to 6 who want to drink, Melbourne Boat Hire’s skippered cheese-and-wine cruise from US$308. Prices are in US dollars as of October 2026, per group, not per person.

Party boats by group size

GetYourGuide’s US-dollar starting prices and ratings as of October 2026.

For more than 12, book two boats, or look outside GetYourGuide: Melbourne Boat Hire’s own site advertises lunch and dinner cruises for groups of up to 35. The shared cruises are compared in dinner cruises.

The drinks question decides the boat

On a self-drive boat, somebody is the driver, and the law treats it like driving a car. Safe Transport Victoria’s Boating Safety Handbook says anyone 21 and over operating or in charge of a vessel must not be over 0.05%, and anyone under 21 must have no alcohol at all. GoBoat adds its own cap: two standard drinks per person, with the skipper sober. Boat-4-Hire’s boats are BYO, under the same law.

On a skippered boat the crew drives. Melbourne Boat Hire’s cheese-and-wine cruise includes a bottle of sparkling, white or red, and anyone drinking must be 18 or over, with photo ID if asked. The BBQ pontoon’s optional skipper turns the same boat into a skippered one, for a night run up the Yarra.

For a hens party

A hens party usually wants everyone drinking and someone else steering, which points to a skipper. For six or fewer, the cheese-and-wine cruise is the simplest booking: the skipper, the food and a bottle are in the price. For a bigger group of up to 12, the BBQ pontoon with its optional skipper keeps the group together on one boat, with the BBQ on board and drinks BYO. Ask about the skipper when you book; the listing names the service but not its price.

For a birthday

For a birthday afternoon with a picnic, GoBoat’s boat for eight is the cheapest per head, from US$69 for the boat. For a cook-up, the BBQ pontoon or the Aqua Donut; the Donut stays inside Victoria Harbour and Docklands, so it is a party at the marina rather than a trip up the river. For a couple, Melbourne Boat Hire’s private dinner cruise for two serves a three-course meal with beer, wine and soft drinks.

Pick by group size and who should drive:

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.

How much does a party boat cost in Melbourne?

Per head, for a full boat, as of October 2026: under US$9 on GoBoat (8 people), about US$21 on the Aqua Donut (10), about US$22 on the BBQ pontoon (12), and about US$51 on the skippered cruise (6, with the food and a bottle included). Every one of them cancels free up to 24 hours ahead.

Before the party

• Book the skipper early if the group is drinking; on the pontoon it is optional, so it has to be asked for.
• Bring ID. Melbourne Boat Hire may ask for photo ID before serving alcohol; GoBoat’s hold of up to A$200 needs a card.
• Plan the food. GoBoat and the Donut are BYO; the pontoon takes pre-ordered platters; the skippered cruise includes cheese.
• Hats and sunscreen for GoBoat, which has no shade.

For the full list of boats, see Yarra boat hire compared, and for the rules on driving yourself, self-drive boat hire.