Police have praised the behaviour of the record crowd that gathered for the 18th Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Melbourne.

Only one arrest was made as about 100,000 revellers converged on the banks of the Yarra River and surrounding areas outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to watch the spectacular.

Police say a 24-year-old man was arrested shortly before 11pm (AEDT) after he swam to a fish pontoon in the Yarra River - which was part of the centrepiece of a sound and light show and marked the final route of the Queen's Baton's journey to the MCG.

He was arrested by patrolling water police east of Princes Bridge and will be interviewed in relation to being drunk in a public place and disrupting the games.

MCG venue commander Acting Superintendent Brett Guerin said was pleased with the behaviour of more than 80,000 spectators at the stadium, where no arrests were made and no one escorted from the venue.

"People arrived at the event early as asked, making use of public transport and the crowds were very orderly coming to and from the venue," he said.

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