Our 12 Favourite Two-Hour Experiences in Melbourne

1.2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,804 reviews · 2 hours · from $49Our pick

Cruise both downstream and upstream on the Yarra, passing Docklands, Polly Woodside, the MCG, Herring Island and the Royal Botanic Gardens. GPS-triggered English commentary sets the scene, while an open rear deck gives you a place for photos. Tea and coffee are included; snacks and other drinks cost extra. Allow for a possible pause or boat change mid-cruise.

“I loved the wonderful lady at the ticket booth Fay. She was super nice, helpful even on a sweltering hot day!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.2-Hour Bottomless Brunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 297 reviews · 2 hours · from $90

Join Melbourne River Cruises at Southgate for a two-hour brunch aboard the Spirit of Melbourne. Expect sweet and savoury food, unlimited beer, wine and Prosecco mimosas, plus tea and coffee as the boat passes riverfront parks, gardens, sports stadiums and city views. Check in at Berth 1 at 12:50 PM.

“OMG. The crew have been the absolute dream team!! please give them a pay rise 🙏 😍 food was great, drinks flowing, it was the best afternoon in Melbourne on the river 😎🙌 thank you so much to all the amazing crew ❤️”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.2-Hour Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 160 reviews · from $106

Spend a two-hour session at Deep Blue Hot Springs in Warrnambool, with access to 18 geothermal pools, sensory caves and a cold plunge. Choose a daytime session for ages five and up, or an adults-only Twilight session for ages 16 and up. Robes, towels and lockers cost extra.

“Pools are set in beautiful surroundings and setting. Was well organised, not overly crowded. Staff were super friendly.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Two Hour Surf Lesson in Torquay on the Great Ocean Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $47Best value

Meet Torquay Surfing Academy at 34A Bell Street, then head to a beach near Torquay chosen by your instructor for the day. You’ll get a wetsuit and board, a safety briefing, and coaching in ocean basics, wave catching and standing up. Kev and Molly have led lessons here. No surf experience is needed; groups can include up to 16 people.

“Had a great time with surf lessons run by Kev and Molly. Good teacher to student ratio to ensure everyone was looked after.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.2 Hour Surf Experience on the Great Ocean Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 113 reviews · 90 minutes - 6 hours · from $59

At Torquay Beach, a Level-1 qualified coach teaches you surf safety, board control and the pop-up before helping you practise on small waves. Your wetsuit, softboard and sunscreen are included, along with hot showers and changing rooms. Allow two hours for the lesson, arrive 15 minutes early, and bring swimwear and a towel.

“An amazing surfing lesson with great friendly instructors!! We were both able to catch many waves and stand up on them too. Would highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.2-Hour Private Surfing Lesson in Torquay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · from $132Top rated

Meet your private coach at 34A Bell St in Torquay for two hours of surf instruction tailored to your ability, from first wave to advanced technique. Equipment is included, and your coach chooses the surf conditions for the session. Coaches named in lesson accounts include Rob, Kev, Tony, and Alexandro. Finish back at the meeting point, with a hot shower available after your surf.

“I bought 2 surf lessons for my 2 grandchildren 9&11. They had a wonderful day time learning and both wee able to stand by the end of the lesson”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Anglesea: 2 Hour Surf Experience on the Great Ocean Road

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 90 minutes - 6 hours · from $59

Meet Go Ride A Wave at its Anglesea shop, get fitted with a wetsuit and soft-top board, then learn surf safety and basic techniques on the sand before heading into the water. A Level 1 instructor coaches you as you practise catching small waves and standing up. Lara has been praised by name, though instructors may vary.

“The lady was very kind and helped us change to an afternoon class. We had a wonderful experience and made many good memories.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Seal and Sea Dragons 2-Hour Snorkel Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 31 reviews · 2 hours · from $92

Leave Sorrento Pier for a two-hour cruise on Port Phillip Bay, with guided snorkelling among Australian fur seals and a search for weedy seadragons over kelp beds. Full-length wetsuits, snorkel gear, lunch and hot drinks are included. Departure times vary with the tide, and no guide names are provided.

Check availability →Read our full review

9.2-Hour Self-Drive Boat Hire on the Yarra River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $115

Take the wheel of a private electric boat from Docklands for a two-hour Yarra River cruise with up to 10 people. No boating licence is required. Pass Southbank, the Royal Botanic Gardens and other city sights, and consider Herring Island if your route and timing allow. The boat has a fridge, stereo and enclosed-cabin option.

“What an amazing experience! We had booked a boat for 12 but only 6 people ended up coming which meant lots of space. We packed our own lunch and it was a blast, there was Bluetooth to play music. Husband said the self drive was quite easy and it's very slow so nevRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.2 hour Seals & Seadragon Swim

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $125

From Sorrento Pier, a naturalist guide takes you by covered, bathroom-equipped boat to Chinaman’s Hat for a snorkel with curious Australian fur seals, then to kelp gardens in search of the rare weedy seadragon. Wetsuit and snorkel gear, lunch, snacks, drinks, and marine park fees are included. You need to be able to swim and feel confident in the water.

“Very well run operation, staff friendly and helpful. The wetsuit and snorkel gear was in good condition. The seals put on a great show, swimming right up to us and playing. The stingrays, banjo sharks and port Jackson sharks visited as well. An excellent experience, well worth the money.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.2 Hour Adults Only, Learn to Surf Lesson in Torquay/Anglesea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $57

Dawn Surf Co.’s two-hour lesson introduces adults aged 18 and up to ocean safety, wave reading, board control, and the pop-up. Groups are capped at five, with a wetsuit, surfboard, and lesson photos included. The beach is chosen for the day’s conditions. The meeting point is Point Addis Beach Lookout.

“Henry was fantastic. I've done a handful of surf lessons in my time, but never really got the hang of it. Henry was incredible patient and super helpful with getting me up on the board! Can't wait to come back next time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.2 Hour Surf Experience on the Great Ocean Road

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 3 reviews · 90 minutes - 6 hours · from $59

At Lorne Beach, Go Ride A Wave provides a two-hour group surf lesson for beginners and intermediate surfers. A Level-1 qualified coach supplies your wetsuit and soft board, covers safety and basic technique on the sand, then helps you practise in the water. Bring swimwear and a towel, and arrive 15 minutes early at the trailer near Cyprus Avenue and HAH Cafe.

Check availability →Read our full review