The 10 Best Kayak Trips in Melbourne

1.Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 214 reviews · 3 hours · from $84Our pick

Set out from Victoria Harbour with Kayak Melbourne guides for a three-hour paddle past the Bolte Bridge, Crown Casino, Southbank and Flinders Street Station. You’ll get a land-based safety lesson, stable two-person kayaks, and dinner served while you’re tied up in a marina. Finish near Federation Square as the city lights come on.

“Ben and Ethan were very friendly and good guides / instructors. No prior knowledge needed, all explained before we set off. The kayaks have rudders so no need to panic about steering if you’re new to kayaking. Plenty of opportunities to take photos, ask questions and learn a bit more about the city, and the food was decent. Water bottles were also provided. It was someone’s birthday so Ben and Ethan were kind enough to get them a birthday cookie with a candle as a surprise, after one of the other participants mentioned it. I travelled solo and this was not an issue - I paired up with someone who…”

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2.Melbourne Sunset Kayaking Experience with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 188 reviews · from $86Top rated

Set out from Docklands with a guide, basic paddling instruction, and a stable Sea Bear kayak. Follow the Yarra past Victoria Harbour and Southbank, pause for fish and chips or another dinner choice on the water, and look for Crown Casino’s fire display. The tour takes about three hours and ends near Federation Square.

“Great trip, run my experts. Dinner on the yarra was awesome. Guides made you feel really welcome and showed you the basics of kayaking. Would highly recommend”

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3.Melbourne City Sights Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $58Best value

Paddle the Yarra through central Melbourne with a guide, passing Princes Bridge, Flinders Street Station, Crown Casino and Docklands. The roughly 1-hour-45-minute outing includes a marina break, city history and paddling equipment. It suits beginners aged 10 and up, but expect to do some work: this is a kayak trip, not a sightseeing cruise.

“This was the perfect way to start our Australian adventure & beat jet lag! We arrived in Melbourne at 0600 and hopped on the river at 1430. Our guide Austin was patient with all levels of experience on the tour. We stopped at various points along the Yarra & learned some history as well as some recommendations of places to check out. Highly recommend this unique way to view a beautiful city!”

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4.Melbourne City Twilight Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · from $78

Paddle a double kayak from Richmond Rowing Club for about two and a half hours, with instruction, gear, snacks and a guide’s city and river commentary. Choose an upstream or downstream route; evening trips may include Crown Casino’s pyrotechnic show. Guides Rowan and Connor have led some departures.

“After a 37 degree day in Melbourne kayaking on the Yarra was a refreshing way to see the sights and cool down.”

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5.Iconic City Sights Kayak Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 76 reviews · 1h 45m · from $58

Kayak from Boathouse Drive beneath Princes Bridge, past Flinders Street Station and Polly Woodside to Docklands, then return by Southbank. Your guide gives a short lesson, shares local stories and helps beginners along the way. Guides on past trips have included Daniel, Aidan, Adam and Kent, though your guide may differ.

“It was definitely amazing experience . It is one of the thing we should do it.Thank me later 😊”

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6.Ultimate Peninsula Adventure: Stand Up Paddle, Hot Springs, Hike, Lunch & Winery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $207

Spend nine active, small-group hours on the Mornington Peninsula with a SUP lesson on Port Phillip Bay, a guided coastal walk, picnic lunch, bathing at Peninsula Hot Springs and a winery tasting. Guide Nick, also called Nic, leads the relaxed outing. Towels, reef-safe sunscreen, reusable bottles and transport are included.

“A lovely day. Well paced and very professional with attention to detail. A great way to experience the Mornington Peninsula in a sustainable way and support like minded local businesses. Will be booking all my visitors In future!!!!”

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7.Small-Group Murray River Adventure – Paddle Steamer & Wildlife

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $164

Leave Melbourne at 7:30 am in a small group of up to 15, with coffee, WiFi and a window seat included. Your day brings a koala keeper talk at Kyabram Fauna Park, a one-hour PS Canberra cruise in Echuca, Rochester’s painted silos and a guided tasting at a Heathcote winery. Guides on past trips have included Mike and Jordan.

“What a great tour, Jordan was a delightful host, paddle steamer was the highlight, and Echuca was a great town to explore. Gave us a taste of Victoria, and we will definitely be back. Thank you, Jordan, for a great day.”

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8.Murray River Paddle Steamer, Wildlife & Silo Art

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 5 reviews · 1 day · from $119

Travel from Melbourne to Kyabram Fauna Park, Echuca, Rochester and Pink Cliffs Reserve by coach. The day includes a one-hour heritage paddle steamer cruise and time to see kangaroos, koalas, local silo murals and colorful clay formations. Guide Lachie has led the route, sharing local history and scenic stops.

“Het was een fantastische excursie, mooie omgeving, koala's, kangoeroes en andere mooie dieren gezien in de dierentuin. paddle steamer was ook mooi, solo art indrukwekkend. Rotsen bij de goudmijn ook mooi. De gids Lachie was geweldig, nam de tijd en reed rustig. Vertelde veel geschiedenis en wees de mooie plekjes aan. Kon voor ons niet beter. Top!”

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9.2 Day Great Ocean Road Tour and Platypus paddle

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $484

From a 6:15 am Melbourne start, this two-day tour visits Great Ocean Road landmarks, rainforest and waterfalls, then stays overnight in Forrest. Day two brings a dawn kayak paddle on Lake Elizabeth in search of platypus. The group is capped at seven. Walter is a named guide associated with Around and About Travel, though your guide may vary.

“It was all great, tour guide, Walter from Around and About, the content and the accomodation. Highly recommend.”

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10.Kayaking with Seals Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $70

Paddle from Marengo with a qualified guide to a reef that shelters more than 150 Australian fur seals. You’ll get a safety lesson, a sit-on-top kayak, wetsuit and life jacket, plus views of the Otways and Great Ocean Road. Guide Shawn is praised for helping with the gear, spotting seals and explaining their behaviour.

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