Williamstown Bay and River Cruises
Williamstown Bay and River Cruises
Williamstown Bay and River Cruises
3.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
The Original Williamstown ferry cruises through Southbank, Docklands, through the Port of Melbourne, under the Westgate Bridge to the Historic Seaport of Williamstown and return. We also offer private functions with a personalised package; Schools, Senior Group tours - call us!
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Williamstown Bay and River Cruises
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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3.5
78 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
23
Average
15
Poor
5
Terrible
15
Don J
12 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This was a one hour cruise to Williamstown with a lot of shipyard warehouses along the way. Williamstown was a quaint place to visit with several restaurants near the water. We did a 20 minute walk to the Botanical Gardens and walked along the boardwalk. It was okay but Central
Melbourne’s Southbank was more enticing
Melbourne’s Southbank was more enticing
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BOB V
Phoenix, AZ107 contributions
Jan 2020
Once you leave the downtown area it's pretty much just industry on both sides until you reach Williamstown. If you have lunch in Williamstown and want to walk around you will want 2 or 3 hours before your return trip. Unless you want to go to Williamstown I would skip the 2 hour cruise. Also the boats aren't all the same. Our boat on the way out had seating for about 30 on the outside but the boat on the way back only had about 10 chairs outside.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review Bob. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy cruising through the Port of Melbourne and under the Westgate Bridge once we are past the immediate City views - some people find it interesting seeing the "big ships" at work! The Seeker does have 15 seats outside - tho being smaller has advantages navigating the low bridges in higher tides. Despite your comments, I do hope you enjoyed your day out with us.
Written 2 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Boyd1504
Brisbane, Australia84 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
We’ve just spend a cracking day exploring Williamstown and travelled there with this crew and found them to be friendly and welcoming.
The boat was comfortable and as we’ve had a beautiful day the return journey was very enjoyable.
We really enjoyed sitting outside in the cool crisp weather and would therefore recommend you bring some warm clothing.
The boat was comfortable and as we’ve had a beautiful day the return journey was very enjoyable.
We really enjoyed sitting outside in the cool crisp weather and would therefore recommend you bring some warm clothing.
Written 12 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Boyd1504, I'm pleased you enjoyed your cruise!
Regards Ammie (Operations Manager).
Written 13 September 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
brentstevens
UK157 contributions
Avoid this boat trip like the plague! It was terrible.
Apart from setting off 20 minutes late, there was no safety briefing re life jackets (or even mention of where they were located), passengers had to unstack chairs themselves from a pile, there was a foul smell from the toilets for the duration of the cruise (they had obviously not been emptied), there was no commentary so we had no idea what we were looking at and the Captain often left the wheel while he restocked chairs during the return leg of the cruise.
I sent an email to the owners that night voicing our concerns but received no response. Accordingly, I have sent an email to the Victoria Tourist Authority and have posted this message so that others will avoid this shoddy cruise vessel.
Apart from setting off 20 minutes late, there was no safety briefing re life jackets (or even mention of where they were located), passengers had to unstack chairs themselves from a pile, there was a foul smell from the toilets for the duration of the cruise (they had obviously not been emptied), there was no commentary so we had no idea what we were looking at and the Captain often left the wheel while he restocked chairs during the return leg of the cruise.
I sent an email to the owners that night voicing our concerns but received no response. Accordingly, I have sent an email to the Victoria Tourist Authority and have posted this message so that others will avoid this shoddy cruise vessel.
Written 7 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
avromark
Caboolture, Australia107 contributions
What a disappointment. If there was a way to give a minus rating I would. No commentary of any kind. The boat is old and decrepit. The captain made a piece of wood appear talkative. After a quick smoke he entered the boat without acknowledging any passengers and never uttered a single word till we reached Williamstown where he kindly (sic) advised us that there was no time for coffee. 5 mins or 2 hrs was the choice. He looked like he had been wearing the same disgusting clothes for a month. During the trip he looked so bored he looked like he was ready to kill himself, really needs to look for a new job. This would be the worst tour ever. DO NOT DO THIS TOUR!!!!!
Written 3 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarahgunning
1 contribution
July 2014
Purchased tickets and was told after we paid that we couldn't catch the ferry we were and we would have to walk down the river and to the other side to catch the ferry. Once we got there we were told there wasn't room left on the boat 'we are chock a block'. Obviously we were not happy and so asked for a refund. We were told we would have to go back to the place were we purchased the tickets to get our money back, even though they had money with them.
After a long process we were made to go back to the original spot. When the company was asked if they were on trip advisor they answered 'no'. Lies and rudeness are not the answer for a successful company.
After this we decided to go with the company 'Melbourne River Cruises' which were cheaper, and much more friendly, with compliment tea and coffee.
After a long process we were made to go back to the original spot. When the company was asked if they were on trip advisor they answered 'no'. Lies and rudeness are not the answer for a successful company.
After this we decided to go with the company 'Melbourne River Cruises' which were cheaper, and much more friendly, with compliment tea and coffee.
Written 7 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Di E
Brisbane, Australia210 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We went from Southgate to Williamstown return. It was too windy to sit in the very uncomfortable looking stackable chairs on deck so we had to sit in the cabin which reeked of oil. There are no amenities on board. You get nothing not even water & you sit on sideway facing bench seats as you travel through industrial & port areas. Nothing to look at! Not recommended at all. Find a better cruise boat. There seemed to be a few. We should have researched more.
Written 3 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy Slav
Dalkeith, UK46 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Arrived 10 mins before sailing at 12.30 and booked 2 one way trips to Williamstown. Family behind queried whether there was enough room and was given a "don't be stupid" sneer by the girl on the booking desk. Got on the boat and lo and behold, too many people booked on, as hadn't accounted for people coming from Williamstown on a round trip. Don't get me wrong, we were offloaded for safety reasons, so no complaints on that point, but their booking process is a mess with a complete lack of control. Took 2 large party bookings and took no account of others. Organisers told lies by saying that they were long standing bookings, but they had been in the queue in front of us, booking and paying instead of just fronting up to having ballsed up. Offer of a refund or go on next trip - guess which one I took. Got my cash back and hopped on the train at a third of the cost and half the time.
Written 27 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Di222
Barossa Valley, Australia332 contributions
Nov 2013 • Friends
We went to a work function on one of this company's boats. Firstly it was very shabby and felt over crowded, but this was my opinion. One bar man for over 100 people. Nearly 2hrs into the cruise before any "finger food" appeared. Very poor quality, no serving utensils, laid out in foil containers, tepid and tasteless. Just to add more insult there were many folk who went without completely. Due to the cool evening most stayed inside, no commentary, just loud music belted out of a laptop manned by a teenage DJ. Could not dance as there was no room and also a rug providing a trip hazard. Ran out of booze and sweet finger food was again lacking to provide enough for the number booked and paid for. Avoid this company if you are looking for any sort of function as you will be very disappointed.
Written 30 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James macroy
Tasmania, Australia3 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
Boat was late and staff were very rude, cruise was okay otherwise. I think ill try the other company i saw at Williamstown next time.
Written 28 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello James, I'm really upset to hear this. Could you email me please with your date and time of cruise?
info@bayandrivercruises.com.au. I would appreciate being in contact with you. If you add a phone number I will call you. Regards
Written 30 November 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Is there still a Yarra river boat to Scienceworks in the evening to visit the Planetarium
Written 27 December 2023
We didn't book the cruise, there is a man set up with a little tent beside the boat where you can buy your ticket directly, would suggest cash. You board the boat from the South Bank side of the River, not far from Federation Square. Or you can buy the tickets from the wharf at Williamstown. They also do cruises inland as well. The first cruise to Williamstown was at 10.30am.
Written 1 April 2015
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.