Fairfield Park Boathouse Boating - Melbourne - Review
Kate and her little ones are always on the lookout for fun new adventures around Melbourne and their latest adventure at Fairfield Park Boathouse took them boating across the Yarra River on a hand-made Thames-replica rowing skiff - how wonderful! After a nice trip down the river, the kids enjoyed feeding ducks, riding giraffes and fire trucks rides, eating scones & jam and a milkshake and looking out to the river. What a lovely day out. To follow Kate’s adventures, head to her Insta page @kateflatman x Catherine
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Located just seven kilometres from the Melbourne CBD, Fairfield Boathouse is a picturesque, riverside spot offering traditional English boats and an historic tearooms in a stunning, inner-city bush setting.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Whether it’s kayaking, canoeing or a simple row boat, there are plenty of boating options for you to explore the Yarra River.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Designed by a shipwright from Portsmouth, United Kingdom the hand-built, Thames-replica rowing skiffs are the only ones in the Southern Hemisphere and seat a maximum of five people - perfect for families.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
The poppets loved putting on their life jackets (required for all little people under 14 years old) and choosing a skiff from the row of boats tied up on the platoon. After we all navigated climbing aboard (I am sure I personally provided ample entertainment to the people watching from the café deck!), we enjoyed a 30 minute trip up stream, paddling along with the ducks and taking in the sights of the surrounding Yarra Bend Park, including a cheeky stickybeak at the houses along the banks!
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Children, big and small, will love having a turn on the old fashioned rides. Hop on Pharlap or the resident giraffe and zebra or ride in a bright red fire truck. At only 40c a ride why not try them all…?! On busy weekends they sometimes even roll out a fairy floss machine too!
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Cap off your adventure with a visit to the Fairfield Boathouse's historic tearoom, where you can reward yourself with a traditional Devonshire Tea or maybe a cold milkshake. You can even purchase a bag of duck food to feed the hungry ducks!
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Our tips:
Fairfield Park Boathouse is located at Fairfield Park Drive, Fairfield.
They are open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday & Sunday and public holidays 8.30am to 6pm.
Boating open from 8:30 am to close of business.
Boating hire cost and duration vary (30 mins or 1 hour or more) and a full list of prices can be found here.
They also do functions and meetings at various times.
Bring some change for duck food (which is available at entry desk) and for rides at only 40c.
They also have a sister venue in St Kilda at West Beach Bathers Pavilion.
Photo credit: @kateflatman for @busycitykids
Busy City Kids were invited to experience boating at Fairfield Park Boathouse for the purposes of a review. All opinions & feedback are genuine & truthful. Travel and food was self funded.
For more ideas of what to do with the kids in Melbourne, checkout our Website, our Daily Spots List, CBD Spots or Blog.