The 15 Best Boat Tours in Brisbane

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

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

Southbank river cruise to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with included entry, wildlife shows, and 3 hours to explore.

“Easy to find the boat, boarding was swift, easy, and on time. Commentary interesting, refreshments available / crew were all very nice - even had sun block in case you forget to bring. Sanctuary is great - very well maintained - lots to see other than the wonderful koalas - kangaroos, birds, and lots of lizards just wandering around, plus many other Australian specialities. We had 3 hours there - I went back to boat after about 2.5 and had a glass of wine - then we headed back - excellent trip.”

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2.Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

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

Ride Brisbane River to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with live captain commentary, onboard snacks, and 130+ koalas plus kangaroo feeding.

“We loved the boat ride and commentary down the Brisbane river. The captain and crew were amazing so helpful and knowledgeable. We will recommend this trip to friends and family.”

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3.Brisbane Whale Watching Cruise from Redcliffe or Sunshine Coast

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 997 reviews · from $114Top rated

Brisbane whale watching cruise with guaranteed humpback sightings, gourmet lunchbox, and live commentary from Redcliffe or the Sunshine Coast.

“It was our first whale watching and we were lucky to have multiple viewings and close encounters! The whole team was great and commentary was excellent. Loved how the team had ensured to make the boat whale friendly and whales were not afraid to come close.”

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

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

A 90-minute Brisbane River cruise with live commentary and morning tea, covering Story Bridge, Southbank, and river history at great value.

“It is a lovely, peaceful, and informative experience. The staff are friendly and capable. We thoroughly enjoyed it. They are precisely on time. Very good value for money.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 521 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34Best value

A 90-minute Brisbane River morning cruise with live guide, photo stops, and tea and scones on MV Neptune.

“Great day out on the Brisbane River, captain was skilled and provided an excellent comentary. Crew was attentive and thoughtfull”

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

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

Brisbane River cruise with onboard history and morning tea, then lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel with keg tapping and beer tasting.

“James was knowledgeable and just the right amount of chattiness. First experience with Uber. Only here for a few days so won’t use it again”

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7.Whale Watching Cruise with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 448 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $113

Brisbane whale watching on the MV Eye Spy with guaranteed humpbacks and a fresh picnic lunchbox, plus Captain Kerry Lopez’s expert guidance.

“An amazing experience! The tour was so informative and a beautiful site to see the whales in their natural habitat. Even better to have a tour which cares for these beautiful creatures and there environment. Thank you!”

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8.Sunset City Lights Cruise 5.30pm or 6pm *seasonal

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 387 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41

Brisbane River sunset cruise with city lights, Story Bridge and Kangaroo Cliffs views, plus a complimentary charcuterie board.

“Great little trip up the river and the nibbles were a nice touch .”

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

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

90-minute guided Brisbane River cruise with afternoon tea, views of Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Story Bridge, and easy South Bank boarding.

“Commentary interesting and not too intrusive. Music background perhaps a bit more than necessary but quite a good soundtrack (ie no wailing songs or beating backing or overused popular stuff and not too loud!). Refreshments and the bar were welcome too. Crew were friendly and efficient. The route was excellent and we were impressed with the riverside developments.”

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

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

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

“The entire trip was excellent. We learnt about some of the history of Brisbane. Saw some magnificent buildings while being treated to a delicious morning tea. Lunch was also terrific. Highly recommended.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 1 day · from $109

Moreton Island day trip from Brisbane with a 3-hour whale watch cruise, Eco Ranger insights, and Tangalooma resort access.

“Friendly staff, clean & comfortable ferry, good lunch (vegetarian option was very nice) and the most important, amazing and respectful whale watching. Great day!”

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12.Moreton Island: Marine Discovery Cruise & Dolphin Feeding

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

Feed wild dolphins at sunset and search Moreton Bay for turtles and dugongs on a Brisbane day trip with lunch, resort access, and a marine cruise.

“The dolphin feeding was the highlight of the day, such an amazing experience feeding wild dolphins in the bay! Make sure you get down there before the listed feeding time to see the dolphins playing in the bay before it gets dark. The marine tour was a little underwhelming, our guide didn’t have a great deal of information to give us and when asked questions didn’t necessarily know the answers. It was also difficult to hear them over the boat sound as there was no microphone/speaker system on the boat. Nevertheless, the dolphin feeding made up for the day and is why we booked this excursion in the first place!”

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13.Electric Picnic Boat Rental from Breakfast Creek

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

Drive a quiet electric picnic boat on Brisbane River from Breakfast Creek. No licence needed, up to 8 people, picnic table included.

“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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14.Moreton Island: Tangalooma Day Trip Marine Discovery Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 15 reviews · 1 day · from $109

Moreton Island day trip from Brisbane with Tangalooma resort access and a Marine Discovery Cruise to look for dolphins, dugongs and turtles.

“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 used. The ship wreck was a mediocre experience. One must enjoy it only through snorkeling or heli-tour. The food options for vegetarians was good.”

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15.Half-Day Moreton Bay Sailing Cruise with Antipasto

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 12 reviews · 4h 30m · from $84

Sail Moreton Bay from Brisbane on the Aristocat, with antipasto boards, paddleboards, an aqua mat, and chances to spot dolphins and dugongs.

“Sailing is something that surprises you, unfortunately this time we couldn’t go to Moreton island because of the weather, but the half-day trip was amazing anyway! What a crew and what an amazing board service, they are 10/10! I will come back to Brisbane to try to go to Moreton Island with them someday again!”

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