2026 season ran 3 January to 6 April 2026; no punt is running now and 2027 dates are not yet published · Services shown by frequency — exact times from the operator. · Representative services only — check the operator for today's full timetable
Departures 1–10 / 10
Departures 1–10 / 10
Operator
Parks Victoria
Map – Herring Island Punt
| Fare type | Price |
|---|---|
| Punt crossing (free) | Free |
Free. Parks Victoria calls it a free punt service, and its 2026 signage is headed 'Free punt service to Herring Island'.
Herring Island is a 3.2 hectare artificial island in the Birrarung (Yarra River) at South Yarra, about 4 km from Melbourne's centre, and Parks Victoria runs a free punt to it from Como Landing. Parks Victoria's park page and punt signage name Como Landing as the departure point, not Burnley.
The punt is a seasonal service, not a daily ferry. Parks Victoria says it runs on weekends and public holidays from the first weekend of January until the Easter long weekend, Easter Monday included. The 2026 signage gave Saturday 3 January to Monday 6 April 2026, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, with no service from 12:30 to 1:00 pm and a limit of 12 passengers a trip. It is not running on 15 October 2026. Applying the same wording to 2027 gives Saturday 2 January to Monday 29 March 2027, but those dates are not yet published.
Parks Victoria's own pages disagree on two details. The park page says the punt leaves about every 10 minutes, with the last departure from Como at 4:30 pm and the last return from the island at 5:00 pm, and that it uses the south or north landing depending on tides. The signage says about every 15 minutes and names the south landing. The page here shows both rather than choosing.
The island was made in 1928 by cutting a river channel through the disused Richmond quarry, and the Scouts renamed it in 1952 after their president, Sir Edmund Herring. Parks Victoria developed the sculpture park concept with Maudie Palmer from 1996 and now lists nine environmental sculptures on the loop trail. Near the southern landing there is a picnic area with free electric barbecues and toilets.
Rules matter for planning a trip: pets, bicycles and camping are not permitted, swimming is not allowed, and the paths are gravel and undulating, so Parks Victoria says they are not easily accessible for wheelchairs or prams. Outside the punt season the island is still open, but only by boat, canoe, kayak or paddleboard, or with a licensed tour operator.
- Arrive at the terminal a few minutes before departure; vehicle boarding usually closes earlier.
- Check the operator's service alerts before travelling — weather, tides and river levels affect services.
- Confirm accepted payment methods and whether a booking is required for vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
No. The punt runs only on weekends and public holidays from the first weekend of January to Easter Monday. The 2026 season ended on Monday 6 April 2026, and Parks Victoria had not published 2027 dates when checked on 15 October 2026.
Yes. Parks Victoria's 2026 signage is headed 'Free punt service to Herring Island'. There is no fare, and each trip is limited to 12 passengers.
No. Parks Victoria's park page and signage name Como Landing in South Yarra as the departure point, and the punt runs between Como Landing and the island's landing.
In season, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, with the last punt to the island leaving Como at 4:30 pm and the last return leaving the island at 5:00 pm. There is no service from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. Frequency is about every 10 minutes on Parks Victoria's park page and about every 15 minutes on its 2026 signage.
By boat, canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or with a licensed tour operator. Parks Victoria says the southern landing suits unpowered craft because of shallow water, and the northern landing suits powered vessels with a 4-hour berth limit.
No. Parks Victoria says no dogs, cats or other pets, no bicycles and no camping are allowed on the island. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Only partly. Parks Victoria says the gravel paths are not easily accessible for wheelchairs or prams. From the southern landing a sloping path leads to the picnic area, gallery and a shortened sculpture trail.
No. Parks Victoria does not allow diving, jumping or swimming from either landing or in the Yarra River, because the river is a boating channel with heavy vessel traffic.