It’s no secret that Australia is bursting at the seams with adventure and excitement, but there are plenty of serene opportunities that lie within its natural landscapes.
If you’re in Brisbane and want an excursion that will take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, offering lush riverside scenery and amazing skyline views, you’re in for a real treat.
Going on a Brisbane river cruise is one of the best activities you can partake in, and it’s great for people of any age or background! I’ve carefully curated this guide with the 5 top Brisbane river cruises available that are well worth your time and money. Let’s get started!
Best Brisbane River Cruises
| Brisbane River Cruise with Entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary | 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour | Brisbane Sunset River Cruise | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Location: | Cultural Centre Boardwalk, South Brisbane QLD 4101 | Cultural Centre Boardwalk, South Brisbane QLD 4101 | Cultural Centre Boardwalk, South Brisbane QLD 4101 |
| Start: | 9:00 AM | 10:30 AM, 12:30 & 2:30 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Duration: | 5.5 hours | 1.5 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Includes: | Round-trip cruise, general admission into Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary | 1.5-hour Sight Seeing Cruise, Live commentary, Morning Tea, Souvenir Map of Brisbane | In-person guide with live commentary, restroom on board |
Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Brisbane River Cruise Tours for 2024
- Brisbane River Cruise with Entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour
- Sunset River Cruise
- Brisbane River Cruise
- City Lights Dinner Cruise in Brisbane with Dinner
Brisbane River Cruise Tour Reviews
1. Brisbane River Cruise with Entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
- Duration: 5.5 hours
- Departure: Cultural Centre Boardwalk, South Brisbane QLD 4101
- Departure Time: 9:00 AM
- Includes: Round-trip cruise, general admission into Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
There’s no way you can explore Brisbane without taking advantage of the amazing flora and fauna that awaits. With the Brisbane River Cruise with Entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, it combines both seamlessly, offering a fun and educational adventure.
I know it sounds a bit cliche, but I’ve always wanted to see koalas in real life, and was so excited that I was able to on this tour!
We started out by meeting with our guide at the Cultural Centre Boardwalk in the morning, where he greeted us and offered us a briefing of what to expect for the morning and afternoon.
We then boarded our vessel, which was a clean and comfortable boat that offered plenty of food and drinks for purchase (the pastries in particular are a must-try).
The cruise was quite leisurely and relaxing, offering amazing views of the city skyline and iconic landmarks like the Story Bridge and South Park Parklands.
As we cruised along, our guide did a fantastic job at offering interesting commentary, including historical and cultural knowledge, as well as some funny anecdotes.
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After about an hour on the boat, we arrived at the Lone Pine Koala Sancturary, which is nearly 100 years old! We learned that it’s used today as a refuge for ill, injured, and orphaned koalas who cannot support themselves in the wild.
Back when it opened in 1927, it was a time where koalas were in grave danger of being culled for the fur trade, but it’s still very important to have around today.
The sanctuary itself is quite beautiful, as a haven of natural beauty, with plenty of shade provided by the eucalyptus trees, where these furry little guys laze in the branches above.
It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about the importance ofkeeping them safe with a wide range of exhibits, learning not only about the cute marsupials, but the local birds of prey, too.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
Other Experiences You May Enjoy:
2. 90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Departure: Cultural Centre Boardwalk, South Brisbane QLD 4101
- Departure Time: 10:30 AM, 12:30 & 2:30 PM
- Includes: 1.5-hour Sight Seeing Cruise, Live commentary, Morning Tea (10:30am cruise), Souvenir Map of Brisbane City
If you already have a packed itinerary and are looking for the opportunity to add in something a bit more relaxing in Mother Nature, this next tour should be up for consideration.
90min Brisbane River Cruise/Tour is a fantastic way to get a lay of the land (and water?) in a way that allows you to experience the allure of Brisbane in a rather compact journey.
With great customer service and excellent organization, it’s one of my top recommendations if you’ve just arrived in the city and want to see and learn a lot, quickly.
With many different start times available throughout the morning and afternoon, it’s that much easier to fit into a busy schedule. Arrive at the boardwalk at least 10 minutes before your cruise time, stepping aboard the sleek vessels to be greeted by the friendly staff.
I’d be willing to say that the staff won’t above and beyond to make us feel welcome, ensuring a fantastic experience for everyone.
As soon as we all got settled in, they provided us with some delicious scones to accompany our morning tea to enjoy as we soaked in the beautiful views on the river.
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The captain was very funny and did a great job at making everything interesting, regaling us with anecdotes and historical background on each site.
Taking the tour for me was incredibly useful in getting to know Brisbane fast, and I made sure to explore certain places further after them catching my interest while on the river.
Southbank beaches and lagoons, Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, bridges, etc. were all interesting to see from this perspective, and made me realize just how interesting Brisbane really is. If you’re looking for a nice, relaxing cruise that isn’t crowded or noisy, definitely consider this one.
It’s a wonderful way to start out any morning in this lovely city, and even more so with such wonderful hosts.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
3. Brisbane Sunset River Cruise
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Departure: Cultural Centre Boardwalk, South Brisbane QLD 4101
- Departure Time: 6:00 PM
- Includes: In-person guide, restroom on board
As the sun starts to set, Brisbane becomes a city of shimmering lights with a charming glow and vibe to it. There’s no better way to experience an evening in Brisbane than with the Sunset River Cruise tour.
If you’re looking for a romantic evening activity that doesn’t involve going to a restaurant or don’t want to deal with a fully-guided tour, this is just the ticket.
However, don’t think that it’s just ideal for couples – it’s also perfect for solo travelers, as well as friend groups or entire families. I found it was a great way to meet fellow travelers, as it kind of had a lighthearted, nighttime experience.
If you have an evening free and would also like to learn a bit more about the history and cultural background of Brisbane, this is it.
As we relaxed and cruised along the tranquil waters, I watched as the lights reflected off the river and sipped on some delicious beer while listening to the captain.
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Seeing Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point’s cliffs looked so different at night, taking on a new kind of charm under the allure of darkness. The food was also quite tasty, serving as a nice precursor to going out to eat at a restaurant, if that’s on your itinerary.
The canapes and snacks were nice and varied, from salty/savory delights to sweet treats, there’s something for everyone.
With plenty of comfortable seating, restaurants onboard, and other amenities, it’s also a quite nice place to spend some time. Oh, and then take into consideration the ultra-inexpensive price, and you seriously can’t go wrong here.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
4. Brisbane River Cruise 12.30pm
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Departure: Cultural Centre Boardwalk, South Brisbane QLD 4101
- Departure Time: 12:30 PM
- Includes: 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise, live commentary, souvenir map of Brisbane city, access to the onboard coffee shop/licensed bar
Are you someone who doesn’t want to get up early in the morning to head out to a tour, or perhaps want to break up a busy day with a bit of relaxation and comfort?
If that sounds like you at all, go ahead and check out the Brisbane River Cruise 12.30pm experience. Instead of going out to lunch, this tour is a great alternative to have some tasty food, refreshing drinks, and a pretty tour in the sunshine.
I really find this tour to be ideal for anyone of any age, activity level, background, etcetera., as it’s a very welcoming experience.
You’ll set off on a journey along the winding waters of the river, which is one of the coolest activities to partake in during the summertime. You’ll get to kick back, let the stress melt away, and appreciate the beauty of Brisbane’s stunning skyline with great company.
We started out from the South Bank, all the way through the city under the Story Bridge, until Breakfast Creek – I got to know the city quite well!
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Something I will mention, is that if you’re interested in unique suburban architecture, this is the cruise for you. I took some incredible photos and videos as we cruised along, and as there weren’t too many people on board, didn’t have to worry about my view getting interrupted.
The entertaining live commentary only enriched the experience further, and I purchased a coffee and snack from their onboard bar/cafe to enjoy as I listened.
They thoughtfully provided us with a complimentary gift of a Brisbane city map, as well as some discounts for other activities throughout the city. Overall, it was another really affordable, fun activity that I highly recommend.
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
5. City Lights Dinner Cruise in Brisbane with Dinner
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Departure: Cultural Centre Boardwalk, South Brisbane QLD 4101
- Departure Time: 6:00 PM
- Includes: Dinner, restroom on board, snacks
This is truly one of the most magical tours I’ve been on in Brisbane, and if you’re looking to indulge in an evening of tasty food and drink, check this one out.
With amazing stunning views of the glowing water, the City Lights Dinner Cruise in Brisbane with Dinner is one to impress. Instead of going to dinner at a nice restaurant, try this sophisticated, relaxing experience that you’re sure to want to repeat.
Starting out at 6pm, you’ll head to the boardwalk to meet the captain and crew, where you’ll be escorted onboard the clean and upscale vessel. The staff on this boat is undoubtedly one of the best of any I’ve encountered, answering any questions we had with a sense of expertise.
The seating was nice and comfortable, with each table offering a great view of the river, city skyline, and other interesting sites.
It was surprising that this tour was only 1.5 hours, as I simply learned so much about Brisbane’s history and culture, and experienced so many different stories and forms of entertainment.
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I enjoyed the included snacks and drinks while listening to music, with undoubtedly one of the most impressive Australian city backgrounds. The luxurious buffet dinner followed up the snacks, which was very substantial and the quality of a nice dinner.
I also appreciated the full bar on our boat, which made the tour even more cost effective – perfect for those who are on a tight budget but want to really learn about Brisbane. Using locally-sourced ingredients, everything tasted very fresh, and I felt represented the local foodie scene quite well.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or simply looking to make a memorable night out, this is the tour for you!
More Information & Tour Booking
100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience
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The Brisbane River Cruise with Entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is our Editors Choice for the best Brisbane river cruise
