Category Brisbane River Cruises

Brisbane · BRISBANE RIVER CRUISES

The 15 Best Brisbane River Cruises

18 reviewed

The Brown Snake is the city’s front door, and a cruise is the easiest, shadiest way to read it. Below are the best Brisbane River cruises, ranked: morning sightseeing runs, lunch and dinner boats, and the classic trip out to the Lone Pine koalas, each with its price and what is on board.

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - Lone Pine Entry: 3 Hours with Koalas, Platypus, and More

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

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

Take a Brisbane River cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, with captain commentary and 3 hours to meet koalas, kangaroos, and more.

“The boat was clean and the crew were friendly and helpful. The onboard cafe bar was well stocked with good service. The commentary for the outward journey was clear and interesting. Plenty of time was allowed to walk around the sanctuary and buy refreshments. The sanctuary staff were also friendly and knowledgeable. The return journey had no commentary (same route in reverse so unnecessary) and the cruise was leisurely and relaxing. We all enjoyed this trip”

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Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit - The 75-minute river cruise on MV Mirimar II: where the city softens

2.Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

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

Brisbane River cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with onboard commentary, skip-the-line entry, and 3 hours to see 130+ koalas.

“Amazing the see the animals in the sanctuary. They keep it very clean and treat the animals well from what we saw. Great trip. Loved the river cruise - sat up top.”

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

Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min) - Morning tea on board: scones, jam, and coffee before the views

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

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

90-minute Brisbane River morning cruise with live commentary, scones and coffee, plus Story Bridge, CBD sights, and Southbank views.

“Great way to see the city from the river, amazing photo opportunities and some interesting information given by the guide. I did the morning tea version so had a couple of scones and some coffee while I sat upstairs and enjoyed the view.”

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

Brisbane: Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min) - The 90-minute flow: what happens during the cruise

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

Cruise to Lunch Package: 10:30am – 2pm (3.5hr) - Meeting at the Cultural Centre Public Pontoon in South Brisbane

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

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

Relax on MV Neptune on the Brisbane River, hear the city’s story, then enjoy morning tea and a pub lunch with keg-tap beer at Breakfast Creek.

“A delightful experience, well organised and enjoyable. From the first boarding to the return sail home this was more than expected. Will do this again.”

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Brisbane: Sunset City Lights Cruise 5.30pm or 6pm *seasonal


Brisbane: Midday 1.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise 12.30pm-2.00pm

Brisbane: Midday 1.5-Hour Sightseeing Cruise 12.30pm-2.00pm - Meeting at South Bank: where to start so you don’t waste your first minutes

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

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

A 90-minute Brisbane River cruise at midday with guided sights like the Story Bridge, photo stops, and complimentary afternoon tea.

“Lovely crew Very informative commentary All very professional and safe The best way to see and learn about this wonderful city I would thoroughly recommend”

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

Brisbane: Cruise to Lunch Package: 10:30am-2pm (3.5hr) - The 45-minute river cruise: photo angles plus live narration

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

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

3.5-hour Brisbane river cruise with commentary, morning tea scones, lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel, and keg-tapping beer tasting.

“Boat ride down the river was nice with commentary from the captain. Lunch was fresh and the private bar and wooden barrel spiking was interesting and informational. This is a good activity to start your day. I recommend to go hungry!”

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

Midday Sightseeing Cruise: 12.30pm-2pm (90min) - Stop 1: Southbank Parklands (where Expo 88 used to be)

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


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

Mid-Afternoon Sightseeing Cruise: 2:30pm-4pm (90min) - What you’ll see along the Brisbane River: bridges, cliffs, and skyline views

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $37

A 2:30pm Brisbane River cruise with live commentary, afternoon tea, and river views of Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point Cliffs. 90 minutes.

“This was an awesome experience, I highly recommend it. The staff were very friendly and helpful. There was plenty of room on the boat to walk around and different areas to sit. There is so much to see and the ride seemed to go so quick- it didn't feel like 90 minutes :) Lovely complimentary food and hot drinks, and a nice little shop to buy cold drinks from.”

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Moreton Island: Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Feeding

Moreton Island: Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Feeding - Tangalooma Island Resort day pass: pools, lounges, and real breathing room

12.Moreton Island: Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Feeding

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 22 reviews · 1 day · from $162

Hand-feed wild bottlenose dolphins at Moreton Island, plus a marine cruise and resort day pass from Brisbane for $162.

“My husband and I along with our two young children (aged 3 and 4.5) did the marine discovery tour and dolphin feeding experience package early 2026. The marine discovery tour was nothing like advertised. Staff threw fish food off the boat to attract fish but please be aware chances of seeing no marine life is highly likely. The boat also didn’t have the glass floor you had to stand up to look into several tub like objects to see any water beneath. We also were extremely disappointed that an Asian tour guide spoke on speaker/microphone in another language for much of the tour. We believe this should have been disclosed…”

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Brisbane: Electric Picnic Boat Rental from Breakfast Creek

Brisbane: Electric Picnic Boat Rental from Breakfast Creek - Breakfast Creek meet-up: finding the GoBoat kiosk and starting fast

14.Electric Picnic Boat Rental from Breakfast Creek

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 18 reviews · 1 - 3 hours · from $105

Self-drive electric picnic boats from Breakfast Creek. Up to 8 people, no licence, quiet river time, and a picnic table included for $105.

“Great fun adventure with our grandchildren -very special -we had two boats and brought pump water pistols and cheap raincoats and had a great time.”

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1 Hour Private Romantic Gondola Cruises in Banksia Beach

1 Hour Private Romantic Gondola Cruises in Banksia Beach - Snacks, Champagne-Style Treats, and the Food That Makes It Feel Special

15.1 Hour Private Romantic Gondola Cruises in Banksia Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews

A private 1-hour romantic gondola on Bribie Island from Banksia Beach, with Glasshouse Mountains views and snacks included.

“Great experience the food plate was great well thought out. We felt if the scenery did not feel like we were going behind peoples backyard may have been better. However, overall was a great relaxing experience. Would love to do it again or gift it to family or friends.”

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