6 Best Cruises and Boat Tours in Brisbane

Awaken your spirit of adventure with featured cruises from Queensland's capital city, one of the best things to do in Brisbane. From the famous Moreton Island tour, home to the eco-friendly Tangalooma Island Resort, to cruises along Australia's east coast, the best things to do and see in Brisbane include the adventure of discovering it by water.

Admire the city's landmarks before exploring the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a wildlife paradise. Dive or snorkel around the Tangalooma Wrecks or discover the island by quad bike or helicopter. Brisbane invites you to an unforgettable experience, and here you will find prices, advantages, disadvantages, tips and options you shouldn't miss.

Grab your sunglasses, hat and sandals and embark on a sightseeing cruise on the river in Brisbane. The tour allows you to capture the best views of the city from the unique perspective of the sightseeing boat.

This is a 90-minute experience designed to help you relax with the Australian sea breeze on your skin. Listen to live commentary from an expert guide who will share the fascinating history of the places you will see, such as Kangaroo Point Cliffs, part of Brisbane's northern and southern suburbs, and Story Bridge, a historic landmark not to be missed in the city.

Choose between morning or afternoon tours, which include tea, coffee and water. As you gaze at the stunning Brisbane skyline, you can savour your drink, which is why this cruise is listed as one of the best cruises on the Brisbane River. A city map is provided to help you find your way around during and after your tour.

Details of interest

• Price: from £34 per person.
• Duration: approximately 90 minutes.
• What you need to know: this is an ideal boat trip for a quick look at Brisbane's landmarks. At the end of the tour, having listened to the commentary and with your map in hand, you can visit the places that caught your eye and discover them in more detail.
• What the tour may include: catamaran or ferry ride. Live commentary from an expert guide. Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. Map.

Embark on a whale watching cruise in Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island. The trip is usually divided into two parts. After boarding at Holt Street Pier, the boat sets sail to take you to meet the cetaceans, especially the majestic humpback whales in their natural habitat.

Watch the whales from an excellent vantage point on the deck of the ferry or catamaran, while receiving detailed commentary on the habitats and behaviour of these impressive creatures. Afterwards, enjoy a light lunch and refreshments prepared for you on board.

Later, the boat usually docks at the third largest sand island in the world, Moreton Island, where the resort is located. There you will have full access to the pool, beach, restaurants and bars.

At the end of the day, you will be taken back to the Brisbane wharf, providing you with an unforgettable experience with whales off the coast of Australia.

Details of interest

• Price: from £90 per person.
• Duration: between 10-12 hours.
• What you need to know: although whales can be seen all year round in Brisbane, you will increase your chances of sightings if you travel between June and November, which is the best time to see humpback whales.
• What the tour may include: Catamaran or ferry cruise. Highlights about the crustaceans that live around Australia. Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks such as water, soft drinks, coffee or tea on board the boat. Access to the facilities at Tangalooma Island Resort. Quad bike ride through the desert. Snorkelling and diving activities.

Take a boat trip from Brisbane and visit the famous shipwrecks that were deliberately sunk off Moreton Island, known as the Tangalooma Wrecks. As the icing on the cake to this interesting visit to the shipwrecks, you will swim among the dolphins that live in the area.

During the dolphin feeding cruises from Brisbane, you will be accompanied by experts, often marine biologists from the Tangalooma Island Resort ecological centre, who will take you to explore this artificial breakwater created around 1963 to allow other ships to reach safe harbour. As a result, in addition to the benefits for humans, marine life has also been attracted to this refuge.

Dive or snorkel on Adventure Island with all the equipment provided during these tours. It is common to spot trevally, dolphins, sea turtles, dugongs, wobbegong sharks and many other fish found in shallow tropical waters.

After your water activities, relax on a white sand beach and delight your palate with lunch accompanied by local wine or frozen cocktails.

Details of interest

• Price: from £120 per person.
• Duration: from 10 hours onwards.
• What you need to know: you can usually choose an additional activity on the island, such as a quad bike tour of the desert, or enjoy the hotel facilities, including the swimming pool.
• What the tour may include: boat trip from Brisbane to Moreton Island. Snorkelling. Diving. Lunch. Drinks. Visit to the Tangalooma Island Resort eco centre. Professional marine guide service.

Embark on an exciting journey with the Moreton Island cruise, an unforgettable trip that begins just 20 minutes from the lively heart of Brisbane's Business Centre. From Holt Street Pier, a catamaran or speedboat will take you to the majestic Moreton Island. The journey takes about 70 minutes, after which you can dive into the crystal-clear waters and explore the marine wildlife around the Tangalooma Wrecks.

The experience is a true paradise for diving enthusiasts, regardless of their level of experience, and this is just one of the activities offered by the resort. You can also go snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, the latter of which is listed among the best day experiences in Australia by Australian Geographic.

The setting is enchanting, and the cruises to Moreton Island are full-day trips packed with extra activities. How does that sound? Regardless of the type of cruise you choose, you can enjoy the resort's facilities — including the bar, showers, toilets and swimming pool — at no additional cost. Choose between the adrenaline rush of water sports or a relaxing day by the pool.

Details of interest

• Price: from £144 per person.
• Duration: from 10 hours onwards.
• What you need to know: when it comes to boat trips to Tangalooma, you can choose between marine exploration cruises, snorkelling tours or spending the whole day at the resort facilities.
• What the tour may include: Return transport from Brisbane to the port. Cruise on a motorboat or catamaran. Snorkelling equipment. Paddle surfing equipment. Kayak tour of Brisbane. Access to the Tangalooma Island Resort facilities. Introductory diving session. Non-motorised sports on the resort's courts.

This is one of the most popular activity packages at Tangalooma Resort because it allows you to capture the best views of Moreton Island while getting up close and personal with marine wildlife.

This type of day tour takes you to discover the underwater magic while snorkelling on the shipwreck reef known as Tangalooma Wrecks, home to an amazing diversity of marine life, including sea turtles, dolphins, trevally and coral formations. Afterwards, move on to your next activity: a helicopter ride.

The experience offers breathtaking views of Tangalooma and Moreton Island, from its shallow beaches to the shipwrecks. From above, you can see brown and grey brushstrokes appearing in the blue sea. These are pods of dolphins and schools of fish! The ride is picturesque, lasting about 15 minutes with panoramic views of this must-see destination in Oceania.

Once the guided activities are over, you will have time to explore the island at your own pace. Swim in the pools, walk along the beach, visit the eco-tourism centre, have a drink at the resort bars, or sign up for one of the other activities such as a desert safari. In the late afternoon, you will be taken back by boat to your point of departure in Brisbane.

Details of interest

• Price: from £240 per person.
• Duration: approximately 12 hours.
• What you need to know: this type of tour is not suitable for children under 5 years old.
• What the tour may include: Cruise to Moreton Island. Helicopter ride. Eco Ranger experience. Access to Tangalooma Island Resort facilities. Snorkelling around the Tangalooma Wrecks. Lunch. A cocktail. Non-alcoholic drink on board the boat. Professional guide service for the activities included.

Discover Australia's fascinating biodiversity with a cruise on the Brisbane River and admission to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, home to hundreds of these adorable marsupials. Departing from Southbank, this relaxing tour takes you along the capital's main waterway. The activity could be described as a city tour by boat, where you will hear live commentary while you admire some of the landmarks of Queensland's capital until you reach the world's largest koala sanctuary.

Explore the sanctuary at your own pace and discover the Platypus House, home to these elusive creatures. Marvel at the Birds of Prey show, where owls, kites and a variety of birds display their talents (sorry, Harley Queen won't be there, but the close encounter with the animals is worth the visit). Watch wild lorikeets feeding and admire eastern water dragons, snakes and huge lizards.

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary adds excitement as you witness a group of sheepdogs in action, herding sheep with mastery. After exploring Lone Pine, return to your boat for the trip back to Southbank, ending a day full of natural wonders and unforgettable experiences.

Details of interest

• Price: from £60 per person.
• Duration: 3-4 hours.
• What you need to know: the cruise is narrated live, while the visit to the sanctuary is on your own; this activity includes admission only.
• What the tour may include: cruise on the Brisbane River on a ferry or sailboat. Commentary from an expert guide. Admission to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Lunch. Non-alcoholic beverages such as water, tea and coffee on board the boat.

• Language. All tours are usually offered in English only.
• Activities on Moreton Island. Cruises to this popular resort allow you to choose at least one activity from those offered at the resort. What are the options? Desert safari on quad bikes, Segway rides on the beach, scenic helicopter flights, snorkelling trip to shipwrecks, sunset kayak tour with glass-bottom boat, underwater scooter safari, parasailing and more.
• Cruise duration. Cruises from Brisbane are usually one day long. On the other hand, city tours are usually half-day, leaving enough time to explore the places that caught your eye for the rest of the day.
• Transport from your accommodation. The usual meeting point is at Holt Street Pier. You will often have to make your own way to the pier to catch your cruise. Return transport to your accommodation is not usually included.