Brisbane Cruises and Boat Rides

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

Admire the urban landmarks before exploring the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a wildlife haven. 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'll find prices, advantages, disadvantages, tips and options not to be missed.

Take a boat trip from Brisbane and visit the famous deliberately sunken shipwrecks of Moreton Island known as the Tangalooma Wrecks. As icing on the cake to the interesting visit to these wrecks, you'll swim around the dolphins that make their home in the area.

During the dolphin feeding cruises from Brisbane you'll be accompanied by experts, often marine biologists from the Tangalooma Island Resort's ecological centre who take you to explore this artificial breakwater space created around 1963 so that other vessels could reach safe harbour. As a result, in addition to the human benefits, marine life was also attracted to this haven.

Dive or snorkel at Adventure Island with the full equipment provided during these tours. Sightings of jacks, dolphins, sea turtles, dugongs, wobbegong sharks and many other shallow tropical fish are common.

After the water activities, relax on a white sandy beach and enjoy lunch with local wine or ice-cold cocktails.

Details of interest

• Price: from €142 per person.
• Duration: from 10 hours and upwards.
• What you should know: you can usually opt for an additional activity on the island such as a quad bike tour in the desert or enjoy the hotel facilities, including the swimming pool.
• What the tour may include: boat trip from Brisbane to Moreton Island by boat. Snorkelling. Snorkelling. Lunch. Drinks. Visit to Tangalooma Island Resort Ecological Centre. Professional marine guide service.
• Pros: Getting up close and personal with Queensland's marine wildlife is appealing to young and old alike. The area is home to the largest population of bottlenose dolphins in Australia. You also have the opportunity to do it with an expert and to top it all off, the resort opens its doors offering extra activities.
• Cons: Transport from accommodation is not usually included.

Embark on an exciting cruise to Moreton Island an unforgettable journey that starts just 20 minutes from the bustling heart of **Brisbane'**s CBD. From Holt Street Wharf, a catamaran or speedboat will take you to majestic Moreton Island. The ride is 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 snorkellers, no matter what your level of experience and this is just one of the activities the resort offers, you can also go snorkelling, Stand-Up Paddleboarding and kayaking by the way, the latter of which is included in Australian Geographic's best one day experiences in Australia.

The setting is enchanting and the Moreton Island cruises are full day cruises loaded with extra activities. How so? Whichever type of cruise you choose you can enjoy the resort facilities - including the bar, showers, toilets and pool - at no extra cost. Choose between the adrenaline rush of water sports or a relaxing day by the pool.

Details of interest

• Price: from 164 € per person.
• Duration: from 10 hours and upwards.
• What you need to know: when it comes to boat trips to Tangalooma, you can choose between marine exploration cruises, snorkelling tours or stay the whole day at the resort's facilities.
• What the tour may include: Shuttle service from Brisbane to the harbour and back. Boat or catamaran cruise. Snorkelling equipment. Paddle surfing equipment. Kayak tour of Brisbane. Access to Tangalooma Island Resort facilities. Discover scuba diving. Non-mechanised sports on the resort's courts.
• Pros: The cruise is ideal for families because of all the alternatives it offers for one price.
• Cons: Food and beverages are not usually included. The hotel pick-up option usually costs extra.

Embark on a whale watching cruise from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort on Moreton Island. The cruise is usually split into two parts. After boarding at Holt Street Wharf the boat makes its way to take you to meet the crustaceans, especially the majestic humpback whales in their natural habitat.

Watch the whales from an excellent angle on the deck of the ferry or catamaran, while receiving detailed commentary on the habitats and behaviours of these impressive creatures. Afterwards, savour the light lunch and snacks that the boat has prepared for you on board.

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

At the end of the day, you are taken back to the pier in Brisbane, giving you an unforgettable whale watching experience 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'll increase your chances of seeing them 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 of the crustaceans that live around Australia. Unlimited non-alcoholic beverages such as water, soft drinks, coffee or tea on board the boat. Access to Tangalooma Island Resort facilities. ATV ride in the desert. Snorkelling and diving activities.
• Pros: The tour allows you to enjoy activities on land and sea, with whale watching as the highlight of the adventure.
• Cons: Transportation is not included. Activities such as quad biking in the desert, snorkelling and scuba diving may be available for an additional cost.

Grab your sunglasses, hat and sandals to embark on a sightseeing river cruise in Brisbane. The ride allows you to capture the best postcards of the city, thanks to the different perspective of the sightseeing boat.

It's an approximately 90-minute experience, and is designed to relax with the Australian sea breeze brushing against your skin. Listen to live commentary from an expert guide who will share the fascinating history of the places you'll see such as Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, part of Brisbane's northern and southern suburbs and the Story Bridge, a must-see historical landmark in the city.

Choose from morning or afternoon tours, which include tea, coffee and water. As you take in Brisbane's breathtaking skyline, you can savour your drink during, which takes you straight to the East List, one of Brisbane's best river cruises. A map of the city is provided to guide you 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 tour 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 then approach the places that caught your eye to discover them in detail.
• What the tour may include: Catamaran or ferry ride. Live commentary from an expert guide. Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. Map.
• Pros: The tour passes through all the touristy part of Brisbane. The tour is suitable for all audiences.
• Cons: No shuttle service to hotel or accommodation is included. Food is not included.

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 having a close encounter with the marine wildlife.

This type of day tour takes you to discover the underwater magic as you snorkel the barrier of ships known as Tangalooma Wrecks, home to an amazing diversity of marine life filled with sea turtles, dolphins, jacks and mainly coral formations. Then 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 wrecks. From high above you can see brown and grey brushstrokes appear in the blue sea - pods of dolphins and schools of fish! The walk is scenic, about 15 minutes with panoramic views to remember this must-see Oceania destination.

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

Details of interest

• Price: from €240 per person.
• Duration: approximately 12 hours.
• What you should 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. Snorkel around the Tangalooma Wrecks. Lunch. One cocktail. Non-alcoholic beverage on board the boat. Professional guide service for the included activities.
• Pros: offers an air, land and sea view of Moreton Island. You can sign up for additional activities offered by the resort once on the island.
• Cons: Drinks included are limited. No shuttle service to the accommodation is included.

Experience Australia's fascinating biodiversity with the Brisbane River Cruise and entry to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, home to around 100 of these adorable marsupials. Starting from Southbank, this relaxing type of tour takes you along the capital's main waterway. The activity could be described as a city tour by boat, where you'll listen to live commentary as you take in some of the landmarks of Queensland's capital city 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 to the excitement as you witness a group of sheepdogs in action, expertly herding sheep. After exploring Lone Pine, return to your boat for the return trip to the Southbank, capping off 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 live commentary while the sanctuary visit is self guided, this activity includes only the entrance fee.
• What the tour may include: Brisbane River cruise on a ferry or sailing boat. Expert guide commentary. Entrance to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Lunch. Non-alcoholic beverages such as water, tea and coffee on board the boat.
• Pros: You have free time to explore the sanctuary at your leisure. The cruise will allow you to see icons of the city such as the cliffs of Kangaroo Point, Kinellan Point, Story Bridge, Merthyr Park, New Farm Park and colourful waterfront houses.
• Cons: Although the activity is open to the public, people with reduced mobility should be aware that the entrance to the sanctuary is preceded by 28 steps and the visit is self-guided. Experiences such as koala photography, farm animal encounters, snake and hawk encounters are not part of the park entrance fee and require an additional supplement.

• Language. All tours are usually offered in English only.
• Activities on Moreton Island. Cruises to this popular resort allow you to opt for at least one of the activities on offer at the resort. What are the options? ATV desert safari, Segway beach tours, helicopter scenic flights, wreck snorkelling, sunset transparent-bottom kayaking, underwater scooter safari, parasailing and more.
• Duration of cruises. Cruises from Brisbane are usually a day cruise. On the other hand, tours around the city are usually a half day, leaving plenty of time to explore the sights that caught your eye the rest of the day.
• Transport from accommodation. The usual meeting point is at Holt Street Harbour. Often you will have to make your own way to the harbour to catch your cruise. Transport to and from your accommodation is not usually included.