About Brisbane

Welcome to Brisbane, the city that effortlessly blends urban sophistication with a laid-back charm, creating a truly captivating destination for holiday seekers. Brisbane beckons you with its warm climate, breathtaking natural beauty, and a vibrant cultural scene.
 
This capital city of Queensland sits amidst towering skyscrapers and embraces the iconic Brisbane River at its heart. Picture the Brisbane River as the city's shining ribbon, snaking through its core. Gliding along this watery path aboard one of the popular Brisbane cruises, you'll find a treasure trove of famous icons including Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, South Bank Parklands, and the botanic gardens. 
 
A multicultural metropolis with easy access to popular destinations like the Moreton Bay Island and Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane was once a business precinct. Infused with new energy, now the city invites people from all over the world to work, play and create unforgettable memories.
 
Brisbane is a cultural hub, boasting world-class galleries, museums, and theatres. Immerse yourself in art at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, catch a show at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, or wander through the South Bank Cultural Precinct.
 
The city has a flourishing food culture, offering a diverse range of culinary experiences. From fine-dining restaurants to bustling food markets, you can indulge in a variety of cuisines and flavours. And for those seeking retail therapy, Brisbane delivers with its vibrant shopping precincts, including the Queen Street Mall and the James Street precinct, where you can find everything from boutique fashion to local designs.

Brisbane Cruise Experiences

Moreton Bay Cruises

5 Cruises

From $99

River Cruises

15 Cruises

From $49

Riverfire Cruises

4 Cruises

From $165

Dolphin Watching cruises

3 Cruises

From $195

Lunch Cruises

3 Cruises

From $89

Whale Watching Cruises

7 Cruises

From $145

Featured Cruises

24 Cruises

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5Hr Brisbane Riverfire Cruise on Whale One

Celebrate Brisbane Festival’s kick off on board ‘Whale One’ with canapé dinner & live entertainment – watch Riverfire & Air Force aerial displays.

Duration 5hr

From $249 $275

Cruise along the riverfront attractions on a Mirimar Koala cruise in Brisbane

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5Hr Round-Trip Mirimar Cruise To Lone Pine Sanctuary - Entry Included

See the Brisbane waterfront, 130+ koalas, hand-feed a ‘roo, or check out a Platypus House with this river cruise & sanctuary visit combo. Ticket incl.

Duration 5hr

From $110 $125

Sightseeing cruise gliding along the snaky Brisbane River

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1.5Hr Brisbane River Twilight Sightseeing Cruise

Experience the illuminated side of Brisbane on this twilight cruise with music, free snacks & a licensed bar. See Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point etc.

Duration 1hr

From $55

Brisbane River cruise docked at the wharf

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1.5Hr Brisbane River Morning Tea Cruise

Relax on the scenic Brisbane River aboard the MV Neptune – enjoy morning tea, listen to informative commentary & cruise past famous city attractions.

Duration 1hr

From $49

‘Lady Brisbane’ cruising the Brisbane waters

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2Hr Bribie Island Lunch Cruise - From Bongaree

Relaxing lunch cruise from Bribie Island with views of Skirmish Point, Gilligan's Island & Deception Bay, along with Captain’s candid commentary.

Duration 2hr

From $52

Guests boarding a sightseeing cruise in Brisbane

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1.5Hr Brisbane River Midday Sightseeing Cruise

An informative sightseeing tour on Brisbane River running year round – see Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, City Centre etc. on this guided cruise.

Duration 1hr

From $49

‘Lady Brisbane’ cruising near Bribie Island

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8Hr Bribie Island Day Cruise

Follow the legendary S.S Koopa trail en route to Bribie Island, cruising past Deception Bay, Woody Point & more. BBQ lunch, & museum entry included.

Duration 8hr

From $89

Guests enjoying a cold dip in the waters off Moreton Island

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8Hr Moreton Bay Day Cruise From Hamilton

Cruise to the popular Moreton Bay Island on the 100ft ‘Lady Brisbane’ – swim off the boat and encounter incredible marine life. BBQ lunch included.

Duration 8hr

From $99

A luxury sailing yacht cruising along the waters off Moreton Island

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5hr Moreton Bay Afternoon Sailing Cruise

Adventure cruise to the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Visit Horseshoe Bay at Peel Island – boomnetting, paddleboarding, beach games and more. Lunch incl.

Duration 5hr

From $119 $129

The famous ‘Lady Brisbane’ cruising along the Brisbane waterways

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7Hr Bremer River Junction Cruise With Lunch

Relaxing cruise to the famous Bremer River ‘junction’ past Lone Pine, Indooroopilly Island, & other vistas only accessible by boat. BBQ lunch incl.

Duration 7hr

From $95

A Humpback Whale breaching within metres away from a tour group in Brisbane

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5Hr Whale Watching Adventure Tour

Luxury whale watching expedition to Moreton Bay with Capt. Kerry, the only woman who owns & operates a whale watching venture in the South Pacific.

Duration 5hr

From $150

A whale making an epic splash near a tour group in Brisbane

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8Hr Whale Watching Adventure- Ex Brisbane CBD

Join Captain Kerry aboard Brisbane’s only purpose-built whale watching vessel to see the Humpbacks whales. Guaranteed sightings from June-Nov!

Duration 8hr

From $195

Lounge seating with large windows on a VIP whale watching cruise in Brisbane

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5Hr VIP Lounge Whale Watching Adventure Tour

Cruise like a VIP with priority service on the ‘MV Eye Spy’ to see the Humpback whale migration – exclusive lounge behind Captain’s wheelhouse.

Duration 5hr

From $190

VIP seating in the Captain’s Private Lounge with VIP services

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Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Moreton Bay - VIP Cruise

A private Captain’s Lounge cruise on the ‘Spirit of Migaloo II’ to discover the Tangalooma Wrecks. Enjoy snorkelling, kayaking & dolphin sightings.

Duration 8hr

From $239 $250

Luxury vessel cruising the Moreton Bay waters

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Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise

Snorkel and discover the 15 shipwrecks of Tangalooma. Enjoy kayaking and lunch, keeping an eye out for the bottlenose dolphins of Moreton Bay.

Duration 8hr

From $199 $209

Guests enjoying and relaxing on the outer deck of a modern yacht

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5hr Moreton Bay Morning Sailing Cruise

An exciting 5 hour cruise offering a scenic tour of the Moreton Bay, Horseshoe Bay and Peel Island, a delicious lunch, tea and wildlife spotting.

Duration 5hr

From $129

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5Hr Brisbane Riverfire Cruise on Eye Spy

Premium dinner cruise with live entertainment to watch the Defence Force aerial displays & Brisbane Riverfire from six spacious decks. 18+ event.

Duration 5hr

From $200

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5Hr All-Inclusive Brisbane Riverfire Cruise

Exclusive cruise to watch the iconic ‘Riverfire’ fireworks show from the spacious decks of a yacht. Gourmet canapes & drinks package. 18+ event cruise.

Duration 5hr

From $249 $269

A river cruise along the Brisbane River

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3.5Hr Brisbane River Cruise & Lunch Tour

Two Brisbane city signature activities in one package – cruise on Brisbane River for an hour, before enjoying a tasty lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel.

Duration 3hr

From $89

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8Hr VIP Whale Watching Adventure - Ex Brisbane CBD

This VIP cruise has it all – priority boarding and service, exclusive hostess, Mid Deck table behind Captain's wheelhouse & best views of the whales.

Duration 8hr

From $240 $249

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3.5Hr Brisbane Riverfire Cruise - MV Neptune

18+ event cruise on Brisbane River to watch the stunning Riverfire display from a boutique-style vessel. Commentary, buffet dinner & 1 free drink.

Duration 3hr

From $165

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Whale Watching & Tangalooma Island Resort Day Cruise

Only whale watching cruise that includes Moreton Island visit - use of resort facilities, eco ranger shows, lunch & commentary. Guaranteed sightings.

Duration 6hr

From $145

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Whale Watching Day Cruise & Sea To Sky Heli Ride

Add a scenic helicopter ride to the whale watching & sunset cocktail experience - includes dolphin spotting, access to day lounge & resort amenities.

Duration 11hr

From $386

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Whale Watching Cruise with Sunset Cocktail & Dolphin Feeding

Classic whale watching experience, now with special add-ons including sunset cocktail, dolphin viewing & lounge access. Lunch & resort amenities incl.

Duration 9hr

From $195

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Know Before You Go

Best Time To Visit

Brisbane truly shines during the summer months, attracting sunseekers in search of idyllic weather. As temperatures and humidity rise during this season, locals often retreat to the coastal areas. However, the advantage of Brisbane's subtropical climate is its mild winter, characterised by abundant blue skies and moderate temperatures.

Public Holidays

Monday, 1 January: New Year's Day
Friday, 26 January: Australia Day
Friday, 29 March: Good Friday 
Saturday, 30 March: Easter Saturday 
Sunday, 31 March: Easter Sunday 
Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday
Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day
Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Thursday, 26 December: Boxing Day

Other public holidays declared by the state and territory governments:

Monday, 6 May: Labour Day
Wednesday, 14 August: Royal Queensland Show
Monday, 7 October: Queen’s Birthday

Events & Festivals

Brisbane Festival
This month-long celebration in September features a diverse program of performances, music, theatre, dance, and visual arts, attracting artists from around the world.

Ekka
The Royal Queensland Show, known as Ekka, takes place in August. It is Queensland's largest annual event, offering agricultural displays, animal exhibits, live entertainment, thrilling rides, and delicious food.

Paniyiri Greek Festival
Celebrating Greek culture, Paniyiri Festival is a lively event held in May. Enjoy traditional Greek food, music, dance performances, cooking demonstrations, and cultural displays.

School Holidays

TERM 1 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2024
Queensland: 2 April to 14 April

TERM 2 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2024
Queensland: 22 June to 7 July

TERM 3 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2024
Queensland: 14 September to 29 September

TERM 4 SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2024 - 2025
Queensland: 14 December 2024 to 26 January 2025

Accommodation

Choosing an accommodation in Brisbane is a breeze. Brisbane’s Central Business District is brimming with world-class hotels, but venture out of the centre and you can find heritage-listed estates.  There are also numerous apartments and private properties carved onto the riverfront with incredible views of the city’s top attractions. If you’re up for some adventure, you can try sleeping under the stars in one of the biggest sand islands on Earth.

Dining

With the perfect tap on sunshine and clear skies the norm, Brisbane was made for al fresco dining. The most recognised restaurants sit within the city centre, along the riverfront. You can find top-notch restaurants, world-class cafes and a population of decadent dining experiences, all offering impeccable views of the city's unique skyline. You can also check out the city’s  only beachside beer garden at South Bank for some classic beer and steak.

Transport

Getting around Brisbane is easy with its extensive system of buses, trains and ferries. All you need to do is purchase the TransLink Go Card. Ride sharing platforms like Uber, Ola, DiDi & GoCatch operate in Brisbane. The best way to see the attractions of the city is aboard a river cruise.

Brisbane Tourist Information

Public Conveniences

Brisbane offers free wifi and public toilet facilities in many locations throughout the CBD. There are dedicated apps to find the services offered in your preferred location.

Shopping & Market Hours

Brisbane’s shopping culture is just as burgeoning as the entire city. While the city offers the best retail therapy within the CBD like in Queen Street Mall, dwell into the suburbs and find a whole new world. The inner suburbs are dotted with chic retail strips, bustling street shops, and hidden shopping destinations which are arguably some of Queensland’s best.

Medical Services

There are over fourteen public hospitals and six private hospitals in the Greater Brisbane Region. Some of the prominent ones are Brisbane Private hospital, Mater Private Hospital & Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Blogs & Articles

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Whale Watching In Queensland: Best Places To See Humpback Whales

Welcome back to some more ‘whalesome’ content! In this edition of the whale blog, we’re breaking down the best places to watch Humpback Whales in Queensland. June kicks off the whale season in Queensland and every year like clockwork, more than 35,000 whales journey across the east coast.

Discover The Brisbane Cityscape From The Story Bridge

The legendary Story Bridge in Brisbane is not merely a thoroughfare that connects the Brisbane Central Business District (CBD) and Fortitude Valley with Kangaroo Point. It's a portal to breathtaking views, epic adventures, and memories that’ll stick with you.

Koala-Ty Time: The Ultimate Lone Pine Koala Experience

Say G’day to the first and largest koala sanctuary in the world, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia. What first started out as a safe refuge for the sick and injured koalas back in the 1920s, has now blossomed into one of the best tourist places in Brisbane.