Top Gold Coast Cruises
Tweed River & Rainforest Cruise
Scenic river cruise with morning tea & delicious platter menu
Tweed River & Rainforest Cruise
Departure Details
- Departure Tweed Marina, River Terrace, Tweed Heads
- Boards 11:15
- Departs 11:30
- Returns 15:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 3hr 30min Tweed River cruise
- Tweed Riviera Grazing Platter Menu
- Captain’s 5-star commentary
- Tea/coffee & cake
- Stunning river cruising & views
- Adult
-
from$94
Surfers Paradise Morning Tea Cruise
Fascinating morning tea cruise in Surfers Paradise with fun commentary
Surfers Paradise Morning Tea Cruise
Departure Details
- Departure 63 Cavill Ave
- Boards 10:30
- Departs 10:30
- Returns 12:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 1.5-hr morning river cruise
- Complimentary tea, biscuits & cake
- Informative commentary
- Refreshing morning views
- Great photo opportunities
- Adult
-
from$39
Gold Coast River & City Aqua Duck Cruise Tour
Famous Gold Coast amphibious yellow ‘duck’ tour
Gold Coast River & City Aqua Duck Cruise Tour
Departure Details
- Departure Shop 34/ 47 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
- Boards 14:00
- Departs 14:00
- Returns 15:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 1-hr Gold Coast River Aqua Duck Tour
- City tour includes Surfers Paradise &
- Multi-lingual guide onboard
- Complimentary WiFi
- Cruise on Broadwater
- Adult
-
from$45
Surfers Paradise Midday Cruise
Memorable Surfers Paradise midday sightseeing cruise with fully licensed bar
Surfers Paradise Midday Cruise
Departure Details
- Departure 63 Cavill Ave
- Boards 12:15
- Departs 12:15
- Returns 13:45
Cruise Inclusions
- 1.5-hr Gold Coast River cruise
- Complimentary cheese & crackers
- Amazing water views
- Fun facts commentary
- Fully licensed bar
Surfers Paradise Afternoon Cruise
Amazing afternoon sightseeing cruise on Surfers Paradise with commentary
Surfers Paradise Afternoon Cruise
Departure Details
- Departure 63 Cavill Ave
- Boards 14:00
- Departs 14:00
- Returns 15:30
Cruise Inclusions
- 1.5-hr afternoon river cruise
- Incredible Gold Coast views
- Complimentary snacks
- Fun Facts commentary
- Fully licensed bar
- Adult
-
from$39
Watersports Snorkel with the Turtles
Amazing snorkelling experience with the turtles in the Gold Coast
Watersports Snorkel with the Turtles
Departure Details
- Departure Fingal Boathouse, Fingal Road
- Boards 11:00
- Departs 11:00
- Returns 13:30
Cruise Inclusions
- 3-hr snorkel tour at Cook Island
- Snorkel with the turtles
- Qualified snorkel guide
- All snorkel equipment
- Amazing photo opportunities
- Adult
-
from$119
Gold Coast to Brisbane 300 Islands Cruise
Relaxing sightseeing cruise from Gold Coast on board a classic timber ship
Gold Coast to Brisbane 300 Islands Cruise
Departure Details
- Departure Marina Mirage, 74 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach, Southport
- Boards 08:30
- Departs 09:00
- Returns 17:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 8-hr sheltered water cruise
- Captain’s commentary
- Freshly baked muffins & BBQ lunch
- Licensed bar
- Great photo opps
- Adult
-
from$100
Catch a Crab Tour
The original Gold Coast crab catching adventure on the mighty Tweed River
Catch a Crab Tour
Departure Details
- Departure 11/17 Birds Bay Drive
- Boards 09:30
- Departs 09:30
- Returns 12:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 2.5-hr crab catching cruise
- Trap live crabs + fishing
- Informative commentary
- Morning tea
- All equipment for activities
Catch a Crab Tour & Premium Platter Lunch
Crab catching in Gold Coast with informative crab and oyster farm commentary
Catch a Crab Tour & Premium Platter Lunch
Departure Details
- Departure 11-17 Birds Bay Drive
- Boards 09:30
- Departs 09:30
- Returns 12:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 3.5-hr crab catching tour + lunch
- Premium platter lunch
- Crab catching and yabbie pumping
- Informative commentary
- All equipment for activities
Catch a Crab Tour & Seafood Platter Lunch
Amazing crab catching and wildlife adventure tour with delicious platter lunch
Catch a Crab Tour & Seafood Platter Lunch
Departure Details
- Departure 11/17 Birds Bay Drive
- Boards 09:30
- Departs 09:30
- Returns 12:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 3.5-hr Gold Coast crab catching tour
- Trap crabs and pump for yabbies
- Seafood platter lunch
- Informative commentary
- All equipment for activities
Catch a Crab Tour with Fish & Chip Lunch
Unforgettable crabbing and wildlife adventure tour with Fish’n’chip lunch
Catch a Crab Tour with Fish & Chip Lunch
Departure Details
- Departure 11/17 Birds Bay Drive
- Boards 09:30
- Departs 09:30
- Returns 12:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 3.5 hr crab catching cruise
- Delicious fish’n’chip lunch
- Trap crabs and yabbie pumping
- Informative commentary
- All equipment for activities
Whale Watching Cruise from Surfers Paradise
Uncrowded midday whale watch experience on board a Surfers Paradise cruise.
Whale Watching Cruise from Surfers Paradise
Departure Details
- Departure River end of Cavill Avenue
- Boards 08:30
- Departs 09:00
- Returns 12:30
Cruise Inclusions
- 3.5-hr Whale Watching cruise
- Entertaining commentary
- Listen to whales via hydrophones
- Fully licensed bar
- Free return cruise if no whale sighted
- Adult
-
from$109
Gold Coast Whale Watching Tour
Explore the Humpback Highway in Surfers Paradise on a purpose-built vessel
Gold Coast Whale Watching Tour
Departure Details
- Departure Main Beach Terminal
- Boards 08:30
- Departs 09:00
- Returns 11:15
Cruise Inclusions
- 2-hr Whale watching cruise
- 100% Whale sighting guarantee
- Onboard audio/visual presentations
- Fully licensed bar
- Professional photographer
- Adult
-
from$109
Captain's Lounge Whale Watching Cruise
Exciting whale watch cruise in the open ocean with a Captain’s Lounge upgrade.
Captain's Lounge Whale Watching Cruise
Departure Details
- Departure Main Beach Terminal
- Boards 08:30
- Departs 09:00
- Returns 11:15
Cruise Inclusions
- 2.5-hr VIP Whale watching cruise
- Luxury seating in the Captain’s lounge
- Bonus hot breakfast at the sun deck
- Complimentary refreshments and snacks
- Free return cruise if no whale sighted
- Adult
-
from$139
Secrets, Scandals & Sunsets Tour
A quirky, adults only, secrets & scandals sunset cruise on Aqua Duck
Secrets, Scandals & Sunsets Tour
Departure Details
- Departure Shop 34, Circle on Cavill, 47 Cavill Avenue
- Boards 16:30
- Departs 16:30
- Returns 18:00
Cruise Inclusions
- 1.5 hour sunset Aqua Duck tour
- Tour guide and live commentary
- Includes beer, bubbles and soft drinks
- Variety of snacks included
- Cruise on the beautiful waterways
- Adult
-
from$59
Captain's Lounge Afternoon Whale Watching Cruise
Afternoon whale watching cruise on Gold Coast with a Captain’s Lounge upgrade.
Captain's Lounge Afternoon Whale Watching Cruise
Departure Details
- Departure Main Beach Terminal
- Boards 11:30
- Departs 12:00
- Returns 14:15
Cruise Inclusions
- 2.5-Hr VIP Whale watching cruise
- VIP seating in the Captain’s cabin
- Knowledgeable crew
- Complimentary refreshments and snacks
- FREE return cruise if no whale sighted
- Adult
-
from$139
Gold Coast Afternoon Whale Watching Cruise
Traverse the Humpback Highway on a 2.5 hour Whale Watching Cruise
Gold Coast Afternoon Whale Watching Cruise
Departure Details
- Departure Main Beach Terminal
- Boards 11:30
- Departs 12:00
- Returns 14:15
Cruise Inclusions
- 2.5-Hr Sea World Whale Watching Cruise
- 100% Guaranteed Whale Sightings
- Audio/Visual presentations on board
- Onboard bar for refreshments
- Seasoned photographer on board
- Adult
-
from$109
Gold Coast Cruise Categories
River Cruises
6 CruisesLunch Cruises
4 CruisesSightseeing Cruises
11 CruisesWhale Watching Cruises
5 CruisesAbout Gold Coast
But, beyond the long sandy beaches lie an array of sand dunes, behind which lie rivers, creeks and swamps, and then come the plains, foothills and towering mountains. Away from the beach and water activities, river cruises and hiking trails that crisscross mountain ridges and valleys have become an intrinsic part of the Gold Coast appeal.
Places of Interest
- Sea World Gold Coast
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dreamworld
- Broadbeach, Queensland
- Warner Bros. Movie World
- Burleigh Heads, Queensland
- Springbrook National Park
- Laminngton National Park
Attractions
- Tamborine Rainforest Sky Walk
- Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
- Tweed River & Rainforest Cruises
- Crab Catching Cruises
- Tambourine Mountain Glow Worm Caves
Transport
Gold Coast Airport is in Coolangatta, 25km south of Surfers Paradise and 100km south of Brisbane. All domestic Australian airlines, including budget airlines, operate flights to/from Gold Coast. Air New Zealand flies in from overseas. You could also choose to drive in from Brisbane, which is just an hour away.
One-way shuttles are available at the airport to drop you to your accommodation, but have to be booked in advance. There are shuttle transfers available from Brisbane as well.
The Gold Coast tourist shuttles offer the most affordable package to get around that includes airport transfers, unlimited theme park transfers and unlimited use of the local bus service – all on one ticket.
Environment
Despite the urbanisation that has taken over the coast, Gold Coast is a bio-diverse city with native vegetation occupying 49 per cent of the land. It is home to the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests and Ramsar Convention-listed Moreton Bay Coastal Wetlands.
The City of Gold Coast recognises the need to preserve its unique landscapes, wildlife habitats, hinterland ranges and wetlands to shape a sustainable future. It tries to involve the community in the action taken to protect its natural assets.
Demographics
As per the 2011 census, Gold Coast has a population of 513,954 residents and the growth trend revealed that it would continue to gain people through migration in all age groups – a profile that is uncommon in Australia.
The Gold Coast population is extremely diverse with almost one in three Gold Coast residents recorded as born overseas in the 2011 Census (27.9% or 138,039 people). This is a higher proportion than Greater Brisbane, Queensland and Australia. Close to one per cent of the Gold Coast population was identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin (1.3% or 6,196 people).