	{"id":190279,"date":"2026-07-03T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/?p=190279"},"modified":"2026-07-01T14:43:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T04:43:35","slug":"new-double-cruise-experience-for-locals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/new-double-cruise-experience-for-locals\/","title":{"rendered":"New double cruise experience for locals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>PORT Phillip Ferries has launched a new winter experience designed specifically for local residents looking for an easy, affordable and hassle-free day out in Melbourne.<\/p>\n<p>The new Bay &amp; River: Two Cruise City Explorer combines a return ferry journey across Port Phillip Bay with a guided sightseeing cruise along the Yarra River, giving locals the opportunity to experience two of Victoria&#8217;s most iconic waterways in a single day.<\/p>\n<p>Priced at just $80 per person, the package includes return ferry travel between Portarlington and Docklands, morning tea on both cruises, a one-hour guided Yarra River cruise and free time to explore Docklands before returning home.<\/p>\n<p>Port Phillip Ferries marketing manager Brad Wright said the new package offered locals a fresh way to experience Melbourne during the quieter winter months, with guests able to stay warm and comfortable throughout the day thanks to enclosed indoor seating on both cruises.<\/p>\n<p>Guests can also enjoy hot food, drinks and a licensed waterfront bar at the Melbourne Ferry Terminal overlooking Victoria Harbour.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re always hearing from Bellarine residents looking for something different to do, particularly during winter when day trip options can feel a little limited,&#8221; Wright said.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30038\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30038\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30038\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/Two-Cruise-City-Expl_37682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30038\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Port Phillip Ferries is offering locals a new way to experience Melbourne this winter, combining a bay crossing with a guided Yarra River cruise in one day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This package takes all the hassle out of visiting Melbourne. You simply step aboard in Portarlington, enjoy a relaxing cruise across the bay, experience the city from the Yarra River and return home the same afternoon.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;At $80, including two cruises and morning tea on both journeys, we think it represents exceptional value and a great opportunity for locals to experience Melbourne from a completely different perspective.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Unlike traditional coach tours or self-drive day trips, the experience allows passengers to sit back and enjoy the journey itself. Travelling across Port Phillip Bay aboard Port Phillip Ferries before transferring directly onto a guided river cruise, guests enjoy a relaxing day on the water while taking in some of Victoria&#8217;s most spectacular scenery.<\/p>\n<p>The package has already attracted strong interest from local community groups and retirees looking for a social outing, and Port Phillip Ferries expects it to become a popular addition to its growing range of off-peak experiences.<\/p>\n<p>The next Bay &amp; River: Two Cruise City Explorer departs Portarlington at 11am on Tuesday 14 July.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/portphillipferries.com.au\/events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">portphillipferries.com.au\/events<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\/\/SPONSORED CONTENT <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PORT Phillip Ferries has launched a new winter experience designed specifically for local residents looking for an easy, affordable and hassle-free day out in Melbourne. The new Bay &amp; River: Two Cruise City Explorer combines a return ferry journey across Port Phillip Bay with a guided sightseeing cruise along the Yarra River, giving locals the [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/surfcoasttimes\/news\/new-double-cruise-experience-for-locals\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":190283,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"featured_section_post":"","home_featured_section_post":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-190279","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>New double cruise experience for locals - Surf Coast Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Enjoy a hassle-free Melbourne winter cruise. 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