Brisbane

15 Best Brisbane River Cruises

The river cruises through the city’s brown-water spine: morning-tea runs under the Story Bridge, lunch sailings and the koala-sanctuary route that arrives by water. Brisbane bends around its river; the boats read every curve.

2.Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

Experience Brisbane’s wildlife and city sights with a scenic river cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Enjoy up-close animal encounters and stunning views.

★ 4.7

“The river boat was easy to find in a great central location in front of the Queensland Art Museum and State Library. Everyone was friendly and accommodating. They also had a nice array of drinks and snacks available for sale. We traveled up river several…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

3.Morning Tea River Cruise/Tour

Enjoy a 1.5-hour Brisbane River cruise with live commentary, morning tea, and iconic sights like Story Bridge and Southbank. Perfect for a quick city overview.

★ 4.5

“Very good and relaxing tour with good commentary. Scones and tea and coffee provided, which was lovely”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

5.Brisbane Cruise To Lunch Package

Discover Brisbane’s sights with this relaxing river cruise and lunch at a historic pub, combining scenic views, local history, and tasty food for a great value day out.

★ 4.5

“The cruise was the best way to see a lot of the city and learning about local history. The lunch was great and the historic restaurant served an amazing lunch”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

6.Brisbane: Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

Experience close-up whale encounters and enjoy a delicious onboard lunch on this 5-hour Brisbane whale watching cruise, guided by knowledgeable locals.

★ 4.8

“The whales were truly amazing, and at one point I was confused about which way to look. But, it was shorter than the specified time. You only get to watch the whales for an hour. Lunch should be served after you've fully returned. It's not…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

9.Brisbane: River Cruise with Lunch

Discover Brisbane from the water with this 3.5-hour river cruise, including live commentary, morning tea, and a delicious lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel.

★ 4.6

“We took overseas visitors on this river/lunch cruise . We all had a wonderful time & enjoyed the experience immensely. Highly recommend”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

10.Brisbane River Cruise 12.30pm

Experience Brisbane's highlights on a 1.5-hour river cruise with live commentary, stunning skyline views, and a relaxed atmosphere for just over $33.

★ 4.5

“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 →

11.Sunset City Lights Cruise

Experience Brisbane at night on a 1.5-hour Sunset River Cruise with city lights, snacks, and friendly guides. Perfect for relaxing evenings and scenic views.

★ 4.5

“A nice relaxing sunset cruise, with friendly staff. Went with mom and it was a good experience. Good for taking families”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

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

Discover the highlights of the Tangalooma Day Trip & Whale Watching Cruise, including whale sightings, resort access, and eco-guided experiences—perfect for nature lovers and beachgoers.

★ 4.5

“We had a great day the crew were very attentive and plenty of information on the whales. Just a shame it was so rough which made walking around the vessel very difficult.”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

13.2.30pm Mid Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise

Enjoy a 1.5-hour Brisbane River cruise with live commentary, iconic views, afternoon tea, and a relaxed vibe—perfect for a summer afternoon.

★ 4.5

“We had a great time on the boat ride. They gave us all the history of everything we saw, & the boat layout made it easy for all on board to see. They also had refreshments available- some for purchase. We would recommend this excursion…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

14.Moreton Island: Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Feeding

Discover Moreton Island with a day of marine adventures, dolphin feeding, and relaxation at Tangalooma Resort, all from Brisbane for $151.

★ 4.0

“The ferry across was good & the staff were great. We arrived to a very windy day but it still didn’t take away how beautiful the island is. The marine discovery was disappointing as we Only saw the shadow of a few turtles and some…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

15.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip Marine Discovery Cruise

Discover Moreton Island with a full-day Tangalooma Marine Discovery Cruise, including resort access, wildlife viewing, and a scenic boat ride from Brisbane.

★ 3.9

“The tour was over-rated and expensive. The Marine Discovery cruise was a waste of time and money. We hardly spotted any marine life except for some fishes during fish-feeding. The commentary on the boat was hardly audible n clear as there was no speaker system…”

Check Availability →Read our full review →

More Brisbane River Cruises

Explore Brisbane

Sand-island wrecks, the oldest koala sanctuary and a climbable bridge.