15 Boat Tours in Brisbane That Survive a Second Look

1.Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,522 reviews · from $82Our pick

Cruise from Southbank to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with live commentary, then spend about three hours among koalas, kangaroos, platypus, birds, and reptiles. The boat has a cafe, the sanctuary offers animal talks and shows, and the return cruise brings you back to Southbank. Dennis and the crew are praised for friendly service.

“Very friendly and professional staff. Great trip! We enjoyed the history of the Brisbane River and the Koala experience was a dream come true!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,397 reviews · 5h 30m · from $81

Cruise from South Bank to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary aboard Mirimar II, with live English commentary, river views, and three hours among koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, platypuses, birds, and reptiles. Captains such as Robbie and Robert are praised for their warm, entertaining hosting. Food is available onboard, while koala encounters cost extra.

“Really enjoyed this trip. We wanted to go to the sanctuary anyway but this cruise combination was an added bonus. Really friendly and helpful crew, beautiful trip up the river with informative commentary and a lovely couple of hours at the sanctuary itself.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Moreton Island: Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,039 reviews · 1 day · from $152

Spend a full day aboard the Spirit of Mulgumpin, cruising from Brisbane to Moreton Island for guided snorkeling at the Tangalooma Wrecks, fish feeding, beach time, paddleboarding and wildlife viewing. Guides such as Jess, Georgia and Brooke have helped nervous swimmers feel safe. Lunch, equipment, marine park fees and morning refreshments are included.

“From the moment Callum picked us up, we were greeted warmly and had a smooth trip to the marina. The vessel as gorgeous. We had the best day and Callum was a huge part of that! He’s a great bartender too!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 997 reviews · from $114Top rated

Set out from Redcliffe aboard the purpose-built Eye Spy for a five-hour Moreton Bay whale-watching cruise. Captain Kerry and the crew provide live commentary while you look for humpbacks, calves, breaches, dolphins, and turtles. A fresh picnic lunch is included, with hotel pickup from selected Brisbane and Sunshine Coast locations.

“This company is really well organised. They’ve got an excellent boat which is designed for watching whales up close. The staff are friendly and a lot of information about whales is relayed. We saw many of these magnificent animals up close - it was truly awesome.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 973 reviews · from $37

Spend 90 minutes cruising from South Bank along the Brisbane River and back. You’ll see Customs House, Story Bridge, Brisbane’s central skyline, South Bank, and Kangaroo Point Cliffs while hearing onboard commentary. The 10:30am departure includes tea or coffee with scones, jam, and cream. A bar, café, restrooms, and a souvenir river map are also available.

“A leisurely trip along the Brisbane River. Staff were friendly and drinks could be purchased. Small sweet treats were provided. Great views and interesting information.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 521 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34Best value

Board the MV Neptune at South Bank for a 90-minute English-language cruise along the Brisbane River. Hear stories about Brisbane’s past and future, pass Kangaroo Point, the city centre, and Story Bridge, and enjoy tea with scones. The covered upper deck offers open views, while a licensed bar and bathrooms are onboard.

“So much to see along the river, it was amazing. Very pleasant weather too. We barely made boarding time, crew was very nice.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Cruise to Lunch Package: 10:30am – 2pm (3.5hr)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 487 reviews · from $68

Cruise Brisbane River aboard the MV *Neptune*, with commentary on the city’s bridges, cliffs, and river development. You’ll receive tea or coffee with scones, then walk about 400 metres to the Breakfast Creek Hotel for lunch, a timber-keg tapping, and beer tasting before returning by boat. James is one of the guides mentioned by name.

“A well-organized experience. Enjoyed the lunch & history at the pub. The crew were very friendly and helpful.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 448 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $113

Spend about five hours on Moreton Bay aboard the multi-million-dollar MV Eye Spy, watching humpback whales in the wild. Captain Kerry Lopez and her crew guide you toward the action, while a fresh picnic lunchbox is served onboard. Brisbane pickup is optional, and every ticket helps fund whale research.

“An absolutely unforgettable experience seeing these beautiful creatures!! The Guide was extremely knowledgeable and showed so much compassion for these animals. I 100% will be doing this again next year! A must do if visiting or passing through Brisbane!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Sunset City Lights Cruise 5.30pm or 6pm *seasonal

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 387 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41

Board at South Bank’s Cultural Centre Public Pontoon for a 90-minute Brisbane River cruise timed around sunset and the evening lights. You’ll pass Story Bridge and Kangaroo Cliffs, listen to background music, enjoy a complimentary charcuterie share board, and buy drinks from the licensed bar. There is no formal commentary, so this is a scenic, easygoing outing rather than a guided sightseeing tour.

“It was a beautiful evening to enjoy the lights of the city. Music and appetizers rooted it off.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Midday 1.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise 12.30pm-2.00pm

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 384 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34

Cruise Brisbane’s river from South Bank for 90 minutes, passing the city centre, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, New Farm Park, and Story Bridge. An English-speaking guide provides light commentary on Brisbane’s past and future. The boutique boat carries up to 65 people and includes covered upper-deck views, indoor seating, a bar, bathroom, and complimentary tea, coffee, and small cakes.

“Commentary interesting and not too intrusive. Music background perhaps a bit more than necessary but quite a good soundtrack (ie no wailing songs or beating backing or overused popular stuff and not too loud!). Refreshments and the bar were welcome too. Crew were friendly and efficient. The route was excellent and we were impressed with the riverside developments.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Cruise to Lunch Package: 10:30am-2pm (3.5hr)

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 326 reviews · 3h 30m · from $63

Spend 3.5 hours cruising from South Bank to Breakfast Creek Hotel and back. A live English-speaking guide points out Brisbane landmarks and shares Indigenous, colonial, and modern history. Morning tea, lunch, a keg-tapping demonstration, beer tasting, and free time at the historic hotel are included. Bring sun protection and allow for a 400-metre walk with stairs.

“Lovely cruise, Breakfast Creek Hotel, excellent food - great value. Everyone looked after us well.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Midday Sightseeing Cruise: 12.30pm-2pm (90min)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 132 reviews · from $35

Cruise Brisbane River from the Cultural Centre Public Pontoon at 12:30pm for 90 minutes. Expect live commentary, views of South Bank, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Story Bridge, the city center, and the old shipping docks. Tea, coffee, and light afternoon snacks are included, while wine, beer, and other drinks cost extra.

“Great way to get your bearings in Brizzy and see the sights. Just a taster so need to do something else if you want full on history.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Sunset City Lights Cruise: 5.30pm or 6pm *seasonal (90min)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 128 reviews · from $42

Set out from the Cultural Centre Public Pontoon for a 90-minute Brisbane River cruise at sunset. You’ll see bridges and city lights, enjoy a complimentary cheese platter, and buy drinks from the licensed bar. This is a relaxed music-and-views cruise, not a narrated sightseeing tour, with winter and summer departure times.

“What an amazing experience no better one that the twilight sail off to the nights lights show to see the beautiful Brisbane”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $109

Travel by ferry from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort, then join a 3-hour whale watching cruise with an Eco Ranger, commentary, light lunch, and refreshments. You also receive resort access, one boat-transfer drink, and a dolphin presentation. The main focus is the whale cruise, since free time on land is short.

“Simply Amazing! We were surrounded by about 20 whales, all breaching and blowing. It was one of the best things I have ever seen and the tour guide was very knowledgeable”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Mid-Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise: 2:30pm-4pm (90min)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $37

Spend 90 minutes aboard River City Cruises, departing at 2:30pm from the Cultural Centre Public Pontoon. Enjoy live commentary, views of Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane’s city center, and Story Bridge, plus afternoon tea, tea, coffee, onboard restrooms, and a licensed bar. The cruise returns to its starting point.

“River cruise was relaxing and informative. Nice way to see a bit of Brisbane from the river. Crew was friendly!”

Check availability →Read our full review