Media Release |
|
Thursday, 23 May 2013 13:44

Left: Joshua and James, avid football followers from Point Cook, officially launch the
Float to the Footy service at Fed Square on board the Elizabeth Anne Royal Barge.
Kicking off from Friday
24 May for Collingwood vs Sydney at the MCG, the shuttle services will
also berth at Federation Square and for all future Friday Night Games,
providing fans with an easy way to get the game and avoid the traffic.
On Friday nights, fans arriving at Fed Square can also enjoy screenings of Classic AFL Matches before the game.
Philip Hill, Corporate
Affairs Manager,
WTC Wharf discusses the Float to the Footy service
Philip Hill, Corporate Affairs Manager for WTC Wharf said, "Following the launch of the Yarra Loop water taxi service in December 2012, WTC have been building their Float to the Footy service, with shuttles departing from WTC, to all MCG games, from two hours prior to the game - every 30 minutes."
Throughout Melbourne's history the Yarra River has provided the common link through the city. It's now increasingly being used to link public facilities such as WTC Wharf, Fed Square and the MCG - which provide community activity and events and collectively attract more than 20 million visits a year.
Kate Brennan, CEO of Fed Square said "Float to The Footy will provide footy fans and families with a unique experience that's also a low cost and practical way to arrive and leave the G.
"Federation Square was the most popular drop off point for the Yarra Loop water taxi service over summer and it makes sense to extend this novel and convenient service during the winter months, especially when we have a large number of footy fans meeting up at Fed Square before the match," Ms Brennan said.
For fans the ability to be picked up before the game and dropped off at either Fed Square or WTC Wharf where there are a range of restaurants and bars at both locations makes it easy to add a dining experience to attending the footy at the G.
Float
to the Footy Details
When: Services run for all MCG Games
WTC
Departure Times: Services commence 2 hours prior to the game (every 30 minutes)
and returns up to 1 hour after the game
Fed Square Departure Friday Night
Federation Wharf (next to Riverland)
Cost: $10 return / Kids under 13 years
free
Bookings required for 12 passengers or more
Phone: 9620 4430
Website: melbournewatertaxis.com.au
The
Elizabeth Anne Royal Barge is a beautifully maintained timber vessel, built in
1946.
Almost 60
years after she was first commissioned, the Elizabeth Anne is once again plying
the waterways.
About
The Elizabeth Anne Royal Barge
This
14-metre (44 foot) Motor Vessel is air conditioned with plenty of deck space,
and is licensed to carry up 40 guests. But it's her glamorous history that really
sets the Elizabeth Anne apart and makes her unique.
Originally built for the
navy in 1946, the Elizabeth Anne was taken over by the Port of Melbourne as their
VIP Boat in the early 1950's. During the Queen's visit to Australia in 1954, the
Elizabeth Anne was used to transport Her Majesty along the Yarra River because
her own boat was too tall to pass under the bridges.
And in 1956 during the
Melbourne Olympics, Prince Phillip used the Elizabeth Anne to go out on Port Phillip
Bay to watch the sailing.
Princess Mary used the Elizabeth Anne on the Yarra
when she was visiting; it also carried the baton for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth
Games.
Media
Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications, Fed Square - Mobile:
0417 329 201