Yarra Empress
Southbank Promenade, Berth 5, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
The Yarra Empress is one of the many boats on offer at Melbourne River Cruises, many of which would be a familiar sight upon the Yarra River, trundling past Southbank and past the Botanic Gardens.Combining sightseeing (even in your home city) with a truly unique setting, they’re as popular with private events like weddings and birthdays as they are with the many tourists who flock to Melbourne all year round.
All vessels by Melbourne River Cruises are fully enclosed, each with their own viewing deck, on board amenities, and an eager and helpful crew. The cruises themselves make their way past the iconic panoramic view that is Melbourne; from the twinkling skyline at night, to bustling Southbank, from the Botanic Gardens to the Docklands, and even further afield to Williamstown.
The Yarra Empress comfortably fits up to 145 guests standing in a cocktail setting, or 85 seated for a dinner event. Find Melbourne River Cruises at Federation Wharf below Federation Square, or at Southgate, Berth 5 Lower Promenade.
Yarra Empress Function Rooms
Yarra Empress
One of the many vessels available for functions and events. And yes, it does glide up and down the Yarra, and even further afield to Williamstown. This can fit between 85 - 145 guests, making it perfect for milestone celebrations, weddings,...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an event cost at Yarra Empress?
Events at Yarra Empress start from 0.
This may be subject to change due to seasonality, day of the week, duration and your specific requirements. For an accurate quote for your event please send an enquiry or contact one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts.
What type of events can be hosted at Yarra Empress?
The following types of events can be held at Yarra Empress:
- Function
- Gala Dinner
- Networking Event
- Wedding
- Engagement Party
- End of Financial Year Party
- Corporate Function
- 18th Birthday Party
- 21st Birthday Party
- 30th Birthday Party
- 50th Birthday Party
- Bar Mitzvah
- Birthday Party
- Christmas Party
- Cocktail Party
- Corporate Offsite
- 40th Birthday Party
- AGM
- Bat Mitzvah
- Workshop
- Meeting
- Product Launch
- Conference
- Awards Dinner
If your specific event type is not on the list, contact one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts and they will check if Yarra Empress is able to facilitate your event or will help you find an alternate venue.
How do I find out if Yarra Empress is available for my event date?
The best way to find out if Yarra Empress is available for your event date is to send an enquiry through or get in contact with one of VenueNow's Event Booking Experts.
Availability at many venues around the country is limited so if your date is flexible, please let the VenueNow team know and the venue may be able to provide a range of dates that suit your needs.
What catering / food and beverage options are available at Yarra Empress?
The following food and beverage / catering options are available for guests at Yarra Empress:
- Filtered Water
- Coffee / Tea
- Inhouse Catering
- Bar Tab
For more information regarding food and beverage / catering options, please contact a VenueNow Event Booking Expert.
What steps are involved in booking an event at Yarra Empress?
There are a few steps involved in booking an event at Yarra Empress and the VenueNow team are here to do the heavy lifting for you.
Firstly, contact the VenueNow team by submitting an enquiry or speaking to one of our team members online or over the phone. We'll need to collect a few details from you, such as your:
- Event type
- Number of people attending
- Preferred event date & time (and if this is flexible)
- Budget (per person or total)
- Room layout
- Food and beverage / catering requirements
- Any other requirements
Once we've gathered these details, the VenueNow team will contact the team at Yarra Empress to check:
1) Can they host the event on your preferred date / time? If not, what are some alternate dates / times?
2) What is the estimated cost based on your event requirements?
This process tends to take around 1 business day on average to receive a response from the venue. Once we've received a response, the VenueNow team will contact you as soon as possible.
If you're happy with the proposed price and dates / times, the VenueNow team will connect you with Yarra Empress to finalise your booking (which may include a site visit if you choose to do so).
VenueNow provides this service free of charge to you as we are paid a small fee by Yarra Empress if you book via us.
I have more questions. How do I get in contact?
There are a number of ways you can get in contact:
1) Call the VenueNow team on 1300 647 488 during business hours AEST
2) Contact the VenueNow team via our online chat in the bottom right of the screen
3) Submit an enquiry via the form on the page
The VenueNow team usually reply within a few hours during Australian business.