Fantastic! I had a sensational time! The guy punting knew everything about the area and was wonderful to talk to! I recommend this to everyone!

Awesome afternoon entertainment, enjoyed it so much more than we thought we would. Staff are ultra friendly and so knowledgeable. Well worth doing.

I went punting on the lake with my partner during our holiday. We came way earlier than our booking but Wesley was very accommodating. He gladly took us on our ride earlier and it was one of the most enjoyable activity we did during our holiday. We learned so much about birds from Wesley and how the ecosystem of the lake works. It was a tranquil punt along the lake and a great way to enjoy nature. They were very friendly and took good pictures that we can use as a postcard!

What a great way to spend a Sunday morning, relaxing, well organised and awesome to see the botanical gardens from the lake. Captain was friendly, boat comfortable, they even provided blankets for your knees. Highly recommended

It was a peaceful way to see the lake. A friendly and knowledgeable guide made it a memorable experience.

After reading the amazing reviews, I decided to organise a private punt tour for my family from Perth. It was the highlight of the trip!! I can't praise the staff enough they were so lovely, bubbly, engaging and just made the experience so much fun! Wesley is very knowledgeable we learnt so many interesting things, all whilst sipping on some bubbles, relaxed as you can be. HIGHLY RECOMMEND - please treat yourselves!

Brilliant! Had a great relaxing ride. Amazing that you are even in the city as the surroundings are so tranquil. Ton gave a great informative punt about the area, wildlife and some structures nearby. Next time I am taking champagne to top off the experience. Thanks Kimmy for organising and shouting the punt!!

My new favourite thing to do in Melbourne!!! This was just a beautiful way to enjoy a sunny afternoon at the Royal Botanical Gardens, so relaxing and such a different outlook from on the water, it was thoroughly enjoyable.

Great punting on the lake experience followed by awesome high tea. Recommended.

What a superb package! Punting on the lake and delicious afternoon tea. We were so impressed by the picturesque scenery of the oriental gardens, sustainable islands using recycled containers and the impressive staff. It was a fun way to spend the afternoon for a hen do. Affordable escapism that makes a perfect way to spend your afternoon in the busy city!

An awesome way to end our day in the Botanic Gardens. Lovely staff and a relaxing cruise around the gardens. Would definitely recommend for people of all ages.

Lovely cruise, scenery, and service. Our punter Joe was super friendly and insightful! Would recommend to anyone.

Absolutely lovely tour. Amazing to see the gardens from a different perspective, and our tour guide Joe was super friendly!

I would highly recommend punting on the lake, it is so peaceful and serene, and there's plenty of wildlife to see. The punters are very friendly and knowledgeable. This is a great way to see the Botanic Gardens

Did a evening cruise with my now fiancé in early February. From booking to ride and even after the ride everything was smooth and easy.. Fantastic ride and what a great company. They were very accommodating and shared so much knowledge and history of the gardens as well. They were also great with taking all sorts of photos Made a special day even more special - can’t recommend enough. So much so we’re doing a double session for our family today. Which is what reminded us we forgot to leave a review for this awesome company.

Ayami was a fantastic guide. A wonderful experience. Thank you. Highly recommend this relaxing and educational adventure. Heidi & Darryn

Punting out on the lake was so tranquil. The surrounding bird and plant life was absolutely gorgeous and provided a whole new perspective on the beautiful botanic gardens. Our punter was very knowledgeable about the history of the gardens and gave a fantastic tour. This is a great activity for the whole family. Highly recommend!

Such a fun unique way to spend the afternoon, we got to see some wildlife around the lake and learn the history of the gardens. Boats are sturdy and safe. Staff are very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful! Thank you!

Wonderful lunch trip with an very informed guide .highly recommended Glen

Had an amazing time on the lake boat tour! The scenery was breathtaking, and the tour was both enjoyable and entertaining. Staff were very friendly and kind.

Had a magnificent afternoon punting at the botanical gardens with my family. Wesley was very informative and friendly and made the experience so memorable. Listening and looking at the wildlife was so peaceful and so very surprising to find in the middle of the city. Thanks for the lovely time we had.

A lovely activity to do in this weather. The staff were kind and very organized. I love that you can carry your own food to the boat and the staff will help you setup a picnic look on the boat.

If you’re thinking about doing this - absolutely do it! The punts are so beautiful and comfortable and the hosts are so friendly and knowledgeable. I went with my family and we all had so much fun. Absolutely the best thing to do at the gardens and so magical in the springtime with the wildlife and greenery. We took my 82yo grandmother for her birthday and she loved it. The hosts made it very special for her and made it engaging by answering her questions and sharing their knowledge. We will be back for another special occasion.

As a birthday treat I had a ride on a punt. It was such fun. With the parasol’s, the little tie and boater hat for the pooch and an interactive bird watching sheet for our 4 year old. The whole experience was informative as the Punter pointed out birds, flora and places of interest. Relaxing and exciting. Highly recommended. 🌸🌸

Exceptional customer service, prompt responses, and top-notch quality. Specifically Tom and the other team member ( sorry I can’t remember her name) Tom was very knowledgeable about the lake and friendly. I highly recommend Punting on the lake to anyone who needs a relaxing enjoyable activity - you won't be disappointed!

We tried Punting on the Lake for the first time and we truly loved it. Wesley and his wife were very pleasant and made the experience very special. It literally allowed me to relax and take my mind off the hustle and bustle of every day. Thank you guys and will see you again very soon!

Highly recommended.

A very nice and quiet place within the centre of Melbourne, Hidden in the beautiful botanic garden. You can spot different birds on the lake and hear birds singing. It is sweet that they prepared rain umbrella and sun umbrella for you. It is quite cold in autumn they even have blanket prepared. Plus , The punter is very friendly!

Memorable experience riding the boat. Loved the peaceful atmosphere. Mr. Wesley has immense knowledge and was nice to talk too.. Highly recommended!! 😄

Amazing experience and tour guide around the lake, grab a parasol for some shade!

Had a lovely little ride on the lake. Our guide was very nice and we had a great conversation. Did not realise there was so much wildlife in the Botanical Gardens. A lovely activity to do during the day which we followed with a walk around the gardens.

One of the best experiences we have had in Melbourne. The ride was really soothing and totally safe. Archie was our guide who pushed the boat. He was really friendly and so considerate. There was a bubly girl who took our photos, but I couldn't catch her name. A big shout out to both of them for making our ride memorable. They take nice photographs from your phone. Prior bookings are recommended. Will definitely visit again and try out the one hour private charter tour.

What a fantastic experience!! The punt moves in a surprisingly slow and steady motion. Whilst gliding around the lake, you get gorgeous, unique views of the botanic gardens, trees and bird life. Wesley and Yami are clearly passionate about the service they provide- happy to share their knowledge, flexible with bookings and they even took photos for us. Highly recommended!!

This tour is wonderful.

Always a pleasure to see Wesley. Fantastic activity to take visitors to Melbourne on. We miss you in Chch Wesley?

Lovely owners. Really enjoyed the gentle cruise around the lake and seeing the local birds.

We had a great trip around the lake in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Ayami was excellent, very knowledgeable about the gardens, and exhibited real care and love for her work. I would definitely recommend Punting on the Lake!

Exceptional experience! I took my Dad, and although it was a very busy day at the Botanical Gardens, the service was excellent and organised! Andy was our 'tour guide' and offered up some great history as we sat in the back. My Dad had a lot of questions so it was wonderful to have such a knowledgeable guide. Also, as my Dad is a bit older, Andy helped my Dad in and out of the boat and that was so appreciated! My partner and I live in the area and look forward to treating ourselves to a Twilight experience.

The best thing to do in Melbourne. Run by the two most lovely people you will ever meet. 10 out of 5 stars!

A walk through the Royal Botanical Gardens and I was so glad I came across Punting on the Lake. Such a delightful experience. I was lucky enough to have the ride to myself with Wesley taking me around Ornamental Lake. We had a lovely chat over the 30 minute picturesque ride which left me feeling very relaxed. A must if you want to escape the hussle of the city without leaving the city. Will definitely be back again! Thank you for such a memorable experience!

Nice experience.

Had a really nice time. Ayami was lovely. Worth the trip down to Royal Botanical Gardens and Punting on the Lake

Great relaxing experience for kids and adults!

Very relaxing and great for kids. Exceptionally welcoming staff too.

Great service. Great guide

We had the best time on our trip around the Botanic Gardens. The team made us feel so special. It was a great trip filled with heaps of information about the gardens. We got to see lots of bird life and even turtles!

Had a very relaxing afternoon with the family.Customer service was excellent Dan and the girl(forgotten her name).Scenery was great and the boat ride was peaceful and relaxing.

Connor and the team made the experience fun and special. My friends loved celebrating my birthday on the boat.

We did a 30 minute private boat ride at Punting on the Lake as a group of four and it was such a lovely experience! We loved how relaxing the punt was and the commentary from Ton was perfect, super interesting but not overly long so that we were able to chat amongst ourselves as well. Jess and Ton were so friendly and professional! Highly recommend this experience in Melbourne.

Wonderful experience

Memorable wonderful experience with Punting on a Lake. Ayami - the Manager was very professional and friendly providing us with commentary, as we were glided magically in the scenic environment! There was a special guest, Max (the cute Shih Tzu) accompanying Ayami. We saw beautiful trees, a black swan & long neck turtles sunbaking on the rocks. Such an amazing day!! Thank you Ayami, Jess and Punting on the Lake staff.

This was one of our favourite Melbourne experiences ever!! Jess was very lovely and friendly getting us set up for our tour. And Ayami was the best tour guide ever! Very funny and very informative, will absolutely be coming back again with family!

Small but beautiful garden

I rarely leave reviews but this experience deserved one. I had come in and realised that I had booked for the next day and I was kindly accommodated for a boat ride the same day. Although we were late for the booking and the last booking for the day also, we were treated with so much kindness and patience (more than we deserved for the inconvenience)! Wesley looked after us and didn’t rush the beautiful boat ride at all. I was so touched by the loveliness of it all. So glad I booked this over a boat ride on the Yarra. Nothing compares to kindness. Thanks so much!

My mum and I had the best time on the lake! Wesley was great and so was their cute dog :D

What a great experience! And we were lucky enough to see newly hatched ducklings! A great way to see the gardens, fantastic knowledgeable staff, absolutely recommend.

A nice respite from the CBD. Great commentary and conversation while surrounded by beautiful scenery and wildlife. Saw 13 turtles!

My partner, parents and I did punting on the lake for my birthday. It turned out to be a beautiful day full of sunshine weather wise when it had been cold and raining only the day before. We had an absolutely wonderful time, loved every minute of our one-hour ride. It was both relaxing and informative. Ayami was so lovely, telling us about the animal, fish and bird life in and around the lake and how she and her husband have been running the business for about 10 years. Ayami asked if Captain Max could come with us to which we said YES! as we are dog lovers. He is gorgeous. Having had two rescue dogs myself until recently, we also spoke about our love of animals. It was just a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Ayami was very friendly and accommodating and just a lovely person to interact with. We thoroughly enjoyed punting on the lake and we'll be back again. I highly recommend the experience.

We went for this punting tour with 3 kids - loved it so much. We got to see the Royal Botanical Garden from a different perspective. The guide was very friendly and kind. They provided blanket and umbrella just in case the weather got chilly or wet for a few minutes. They also had tables inside the boat - so do bring some snacks to eat while enjoying the ride.

What a fabulous little adventure, great location and such friendly knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend.

Amazing experience with the two of the nicest owners you will ever meet!

A delightful and magical way to see the Botanic Gardens - for a first time visitor, or a regular like me. We glided amongst the water birds and got quite close to their nests without ruffling any feathers. Wesley, Ayami and the rest of the Punting on the Lake team make it seem effortless. But their knowledge and skills are top notch. We would certainly do this again!

If you want a tranquil and serene experience surrounded by glorious nature treat yourself and your loved ones to Punting on the Lake! Ayami took us around the Lake & gave us great insight into the history of the Royal Botanical Gardens, the plants and the wildlife. She was delightful! We look forward to returning with friends and family soon!

Gr8 stadium

Best thing to do at the gardens

Beautiful lake wonderful weather Mr Tony made super special with his jokes Plus very Informative

Relaxing and informative, kids were kept entertained by knowledge of the fauna and flora

Oh, that was a nice day out. Admittedly, this was a gift, coz it's a little pricey. A gorgeous day, a very likeable puntsman, a well behaved dog, lunch and a cheeky G&T we brought with us.

Wonderful and a very unique experience for only 90$ per boat. Wesley, the owner and our guide, was courteous and interesting and made the ride a lot more fun. We went on a cold day but Wesley had blankets and even umbrellas if it started raining. He knew a lot about the area and explained everything in a very interesting manner. We went for the sunset ride but because of the weather we didn't get to see it but it was still worth it. Can also BYO food and drink. 11/10 would ride again.

My wife and I visited for our first wedding anniversary and I haven’t had so much fun in a long time. It was so relaxing being pushed around the lovely Ornamental Lake. The boats are so stable and comfortable you could fall asleep on them. Funnily enough the owners told us that people have booked a ride for exactly that. Our guide was a young man named Ton and he did an excellent job. He was so polite and has a wonderful speaking voice, it added to the relaxation. He was also very knowledgeable about the lake along with its plant and animal life. There’s quite a bit of history out there and the amount of wildlife on display is really something to see and I suggest you do. We will definitely be going again, I just don’t think we’ll wait until the next anniversary. Highly recommend.

Fantastic, relaxing tour. Friendly & courteous staff who will help you have a great tour around the lake. Bring some snacks and enjoy a picnic on the water.

Amazing experience. So serene so relaxing. Our punter Amyami was so professional. You could sense her passion for the nature and the surroundings. Highly recommended to everyone who want to enjoy nature

Serenity and quiet fun of old Europe. The Lily or lotus garden adds to the charm of the place

Exceptional activity and the host was knowledgeable and amazing! So comfortable romantic and relaxing. BYO picnic is a must!

Very helpful friendly staff Ayami Jess and Will. They assisted us all the way and made us feel so welcome. We enjoyed every moment of the boat ride and commentry. Would recommend to all our family and friends.

Amazing experience! Felt like being in Venice😊 Wesley was very friendly, warm and welcoming. This is our second time doing this experience. This time was it with mum and she absolutely loved it!! Would love to do it again with friends.. Wesley guided us thoroughly, kept us entertained with his stories and was very kind and courteous- thank you so much, hope to see you again! Highly recommend- this feels like heaven on earth

I would like to thank Punting on the Lake for an unbelievable and special moment. Thank you to Wes and Ayumi the owners who were professional, helpful and made everything so stress free. I would also like to thank Ton as well for being superb when me and my partner went out in the water. Thank you Punting On The Lake for an unbelievable and unforgettable experience.

This resort is amazing for couples

My boyfriend and I went for a stroll at the Royal Botanic Gardens today and saw a little boat drifting across the lake. Went to take a closer look and saw their booth. Signed up on the spot and went for our 30 minute tour. Even brought tea and scones with us :) We received great hospitality by Wesley & his wife; and had an amazing tour around the lake. Wesley is extremely knowledgable and he shared tons of fun facts about this 100+ year old garden. If you’re around the area, please pay them a visit! It’s worth every penny and more.

We had a gorgeous experience with the team on a perfect Saturday afternoon. From being greeted by the friendly and genuine staff, to the serenity of the lake and the amazing bird life, to the cute picnic table, blankets and parasols it was a beautiful experience. Highly recommended.

Thanks so much to the whole team for an unforgettable day, and for accomodating my questions and requests beforehand so kindly. Ton and Andy went out of their way on the day to make it a top notch experience for my partner and I. Would highly recommend!

First time going today and will definitely be back for many more trips and recommend this to everyone. The staff were so friendly it made the whole experience perfect. Tom our captain was very knowledgeable and we all loved having him. Catered for our doggy as well, they produced the cutest little hat and tie for him which topped it off! Was a peaceful and relaxing ride, can’t wait to be back!

I wanted to leave a review and give a big shout to Tom and Jess, it was our first time going punting on the lake and it was a very memorable experience that I will never forget. Thank you Tom for making it a memorable experience while on the lake pointing out the different birds and giving us fun facts about the trees along the lake and for keeping us safe as well! Also thank you to Jess for suggesting to take photos at the very end as well and making sure we got off okay, it was very nice to see how happy everyone was on that day keep it guys!! - Jake

Such a beautiful way to take in the botanical gardens on the lake. All the staff were very friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend a trip