The Yarra, From Our Pontoon
The house boat leaves from the estate's private pontoon — sunset circuits with champagne, dinner cruises under the bridges, and the occasional arrival by water that makes the whole hotel feel inevitable.
Sunset circuit A$140pp · Private charter from A$2,400 · 2–18 guests
Melbourne Reads Better by Water
The river is the city's honest tour — past the docks' working heritage, under the bridges the skyline was built around, out toward the bay as the light goes gold on the towers.
The house boat runs scheduled sunset circuits for residents and full private charters: dinners catered by the floor kitchen, transfers to riverside events, and the quietly legendary New Year's position mid-river.
18
Guests aboard, comfortably
New Year's by Water
The single most-requested charter of the year — the boat holds mid-river for the fireworks, dinner served, back at the pontoon by one.
Books out by September · enquire early
What Sets It Apart
Private Pontoon
Board directly from the estate — no public wharf queues, no schedule but yours on private charters.
Catered Onboard
The floor kitchen packs the galley — canapés on sunset runs, full dinners on charters, always the cellar's champagne.
The Sunset Circuit
Ninety minutes timed to dusk — the signature cruise, priced per person, running whenever the weather agrees.
Event Transfers
Arrive at the Arts Precinct or a riverside wedding by water — the boat docks where the evening starts.
The river is the driveway most guests forget exists
Getting Aboard
Three quiet steps — the desk handles everything between them.
Choose Circuit or Charter
Scheduled sunset runs are booked per seat; charters take the whole boat with itinerary and catering to your spec.
Meet at the Pontoon
The concierge walks you down — boarding takes minutes, the crew knows your names by the gangway.
Let the City Unfold
The skipper narrates only if asked — otherwise it's water, skyline and whatever the galley sends up.
Every Cruise Includes
Weather calls are made at noon on the day — a cancelled circuit rebooks or refunds without argument.
- Private pontoon boarding
- Skipper and crew of two
- Onboard galley service
- Blankets and weather cover
- Route narration on request
- Suite-billed convenience
Guests always photograph the skyline. The locals photograph the boat.
Skipper R. Andersson
House Boat Captain
Before You Book
The three questions the desk hears most — answered plainly.
Nightly when weather allows — departure shifts with the sunset, roughly 18:30 in summer and 16:45 in winter. Seats release each morning.
Yes — charters carry plated dinners to eighteen guests or cocktail service to thirty, all from the estate kitchen.
Very — children ride free under ten on circuits, and charters can be configured with early dinner timings and a safer lower deck.
Also From the House
Take the River In
Tomorrow's sunset is already on the manifest — a seat can be too.