On the Water

Brisbane River Cruises

Sightseeing tours, sunset cruises, dinner on the water, the Lone Pine river trip, and the free ferry that's a tourist attraction in disguise.

The Brisbane River is the thread that stitches the city together. It connects South Bank to New Farm, curls around Kangaroo Point's cliffs, slides past the converted woolstores of Teneriffe, and winds upstream through leafy riverside suburbs towards Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Seeing Brisbane from the water changes your understanding of the city's layout and character — and the good news is that you can do it for free, or for the price of a good dinner, depending on what you're after.

This guide covers every way to experience Brisbane from the river: from the free CityHopper ferry that functions as a sightseeing cruise (locals won't tell you this, but we will), through morning-tea and sunset cruises operated by established local companies, to the classic river trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and dinner aboard heritage paddle steamers. Each option suits a different budget, schedule, and mood — and all of them show you a side of Brisbane you can't see from the street.

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The Free CityHopper Ferry

Brisbane's best-kept secret — a free sightseeing cruise disguised as public transport

Free Every 30 min 6am – midnight

Before you spend a dollar on a river cruise, know this: Brisbane operates a free inner-city ferry service that passes most of the landmarks a paid sightseeing cruise would show you. The CityHopper runs a loop between North Quay (near the CBD) and Sydney Street (New Farm), stopping at South Bank, the Maritime Museum, Thornton Street (Kangaroo Point), Holman Street, Eagle Street Pier, and Riverside. It runs every 30 minutes from 6am to midnight, seven days a week.

There's no commentary and no morning tea, but the views are identical to what you'd see on a paid cruise — and the freedom to hop on and off at any stop makes it one of the most useful tools for exploring Brisbane's riverside suburbs. Take the CityHopper from South Bank to New Farm, have brunch, walk the Riverwalk, then catch it back. Or ride the full loop at sunset, sitting on the open rear deck, and watch the city light up as you pass under the Story Bridge. It's the single best free activity in Brisbane.

Best for

Budget travellers, anyone exploring riverside suburbs, sunset rides, and visitors who prefer to set their own pace. Perfect as transport between South Bank, the CBD, Kangaroo Point, and New Farm.

Tip: The CityHopper is a red ferry — don't confuse it with the blue CityCat or Cross River ferries, which are paid services (though also excellent and scenic). No ticket or go card needed for the CityHopper; just walk on. The rear deck offers the best views.
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Sightseeing & Morning Tea Cruises

Guided commentary, homemade scones, and the full Brisbane River loop

1.5 – 2 hours From ~$40 adult Daily departures

For visitors who want context with their views, the guided sightseeing cruises add live commentary, morning tea, and a route that extends beyond the free ferry's range. River City Cruises operates the most established sightseeing tour aboard the MV Neptune, a boutique vessel that holds up to 65 guests. The cruise departs from South Bank and runs for about 90 minutes, passing the Story Bridge, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Howard Smith Wharves, the Powerhouse, New Farm, and the CBD skyline. The skipper provides running commentary on Brisbane's history — from its origins as a Moreton Bay penal settlement in 1824 through to the 2011 floods and the city's modern transformation — interspersed with local stories and a good sense of humour.

The morning tea (homemade scones, tea, and coffee) is consistently praised in reviews and included in the ticket price. The Australian Cruise Group also operates sightseeing tours with different vessel options and combo packages that include lunch at the Breakfast Creek Hotel — one of Brisbane's most iconic pubs. Morning and afternoon departures are available daily, making these cruises easy to slot into a broader itinerary.

Best for

First-time visitors wanting an overview of the city, families, anyone who appreciates guided commentary and local history. A good option for your first or second day in Brisbane when you're still getting oriented.

Tip: The morning departure tends to have smaller crowds. Sit on the upper deck for the best views and photo opportunities. Several operators offer combo tickets that include lunch at South Bank restaurants or a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane — check when booking.
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Sunset & Twilight Cruises

Golden hour on the river, city lights, and drinks onboard

1.5 hours From ~$50 adult Year-round

Brisbane's subtropical latitude means reliable golden-hour light for much of the year, and the river's east-west orientation gives you wide-open views of the sunset from the water. The twilight cruises are timed to catch the transition from daylight to city lights — departing around 5:30pm in winter and 6pm in summer, returning 90 minutes later. River City Cruises runs a popular Sunset City Lights cruise that includes a platter of food, access to the onboard bar, and easy-listening music as you watch the Story Bridge and CBD skyline illuminate against the darkening sky.

The atmosphere on the twilight cruises is noticeably different from the daytime tours — more relaxed, more social, and with a quality of light that makes the river and the city look their best. The Kangaroo Point Cliffs, lit from below, are particularly striking from the water at dusk. These cruises book out regularly on weekends, especially during the warmer months, so advance booking is recommended. Some operators also offer Friday and Saturday evening departures that work well as a start-of-evening activity before dinner in the Valley or South Bank.

Best for

Couples, date nights, small groups, anyone who wants the most photogenic experience on the river. Pairs well with dinner at Howard Smith Wharves or South Bank afterwards.

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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary River Cruise

A 75-minute cruise upstream to the world's oldest koala sanctuary

5.5 hours total Cruise + sanctuary entry Departs South Bank

This is the river cruise that has been running for over 70 years, and it remains one of Brisbane's most popular tourist experiences for good reason. The Mirimar II departs from South Bank and cruises upstream for 75 minutes through a stretch of the river most visitors never see — past the CBD skyline and into the leafy residential suburbs where large riverside homes are shaded by mature trees and the riverbanks get quieter and greener. The captain provides commentary throughout, and the onboard café serves morning tea, light meals, and snacks.

On arrival, you have roughly three hours to explore Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary — the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, home to over 130 koalas along with kangaroos, platypus, wombats, and a wide range of Australian birds and reptiles. The return cruise brings you back to South Bank in the afternoon. The whole experience takes about 5.5 hours, making it a comfortable half-day outing. The cruise-and-entry combo ticket is the best way to visit Lone Pine if you don't have a car — it's significantly more scenic than the bus, and the river itself becomes part of the experience.

Best for

Families, wildlife enthusiasts, international visitors seeing Australian animals for the first time, and anyone who wants to combine a river cruise with an experience beyond the city centre. The cruise itself is worth it even if you've been to a wildlife park before.

Tip: Note that there are 28 stairs from the riverbank to the sanctuary entrance — consider this if travelling with mobility limitations. The Koala Encounter (holding or getting close to a koala for a photo) costs extra and slots are limited — book ahead if it matters to you. The morning departure gives you the most time at the sanctuary.
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Dinner Cruises & Paddle Steamers

Buffet dining, live music, and the illuminated city from the water

2 – 3 hours From ~$80 adult Friday & Saturday nights

Dinner cruises are the premium river experience in Brisbane. Kookaburra Showboat Cruises operates heritage timber paddle steamers — the Kookaburra Queen vessels — along with the more modern, air-conditioned Voyager. Weekend dinner cruises run for two to three hours and include a seasonal contemporary buffet, a licensed bar, live entertainment (usually a singer or small band), and a route that takes in the full illuminated cityscape: the Botanic Gardens, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, South Bank, the Story Bridge lit up in colour, and the CBD towers reflected in the river.

River City Cruises also offers a more intimate dinner option aboard the MV Neptune — a smaller vessel that suits visitors looking for a less formal atmosphere. Their City Lights Dinner Cruise includes a buffet dinner and full bar access over 1.5 hours. For something entirely different, high-tea cruises on the paddle steamers offer an afternoon experience with traditional teas, scones, sandwiches, and cakes — popular for celebrations and a more relaxed alternative to the evening dinner format.

Best for

Special occasions, date nights, milestone celebrations, and visitors who want a complete evening experience in one booking — food, drinks, entertainment, and views. The paddle steamers have a particular old-world charm that suits celebrations.

Tip: Read recent reviews carefully before booking dinner cruises — quality and value can vary between operators and vessels. Cancellation policies differ too; some operators have strict no-refund policies even for weather cancellations, so check the fine print. Book at least a week in advance for Friday and Saturday nights.
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Self-Drive Electric Picnic Boats

Captain your own boat — no licence required

1 – 3 hours No licence needed BYO food & drinks

For a completely different river experience, several operators offer small, electric-powered picnic boats that you captain yourself — no boat licence required. These quiet, eco-friendly boats seat between 2 and 10 people and move at a gentle pace along the river, making them ideal for a picnic, a date, or a family outing where you set your own route and timeline. Bring your own food, drinks, and a Bluetooth speaker, and you've got a private floating picnic with the city skyline as your backdrop.

The boats are simple to operate — a quick briefing covers everything you need to know — and most depart from locations near the CBD or South Bank. It's a particularly good option for small groups and couples who want something more personal than a scheduled cruise, and the electric motors mean no noise and no fumes. A two-hour hire is usually enough to cruise past the main landmarks and find a quiet stretch of river to anchor and eat.

Best for

Couples, small groups, families with older kids, and anyone who likes the idea of being on the river without being on someone else's schedule. A great date idea or alternative birthday outing.

What You'll See from the River

These are the landmarks and stretches of river that make Brisbane cruises worth taking — most are visible from any cruise route or the free CityHopper ferry.

Story Bridge

Brisbane's most iconic structure, opened in 1940. Stunning when lit at night — the colours change for events and celebrations. Free pedestrian walkway connects Kangaroo Point to Fortitude Valley.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs

A 20-metre sheer rock face rising directly from the river. The clifftop park above is one of Brisbane's best sunset spots. Particularly dramatic when illuminated from below after dark.

Howard Smith Wharves

A revitalised heritage wharf precinct nestled beneath the Story Bridge, now home to restaurants, bars, Felons Brewing Co., and boutique accommodation. Best seen from the water at dusk.

South Bank Parklands

The cultural heart of Brisbane — galleries, Streets Beach, the Grand Arbour, and riverside dining. Site of World Expo 88, now the city's premier public space.

Brisbane Powerhouse

A converted industrial power station at the river end of New Farm Park. Now an arts venue hosting theatre, comedy, and exhibitions, with a waterfront bar.

City Botanic Gardens

Brisbane's oldest park, visible from the river as a green expanse of Moreton Bay figs and bamboo at the edge of the CBD. The Goodwill Bridge and riverside path are adjacent.

Practical Tips for Brisbane River Cruises

When to cruise: Autumn (March–May) offers the most consistently pleasant conditions — warm days, low humidity, and reliable golden-hour light. Summer evenings are beautiful but afternoon thunderstorms can force cancellations. Winter days are clear and crisp; bring a jacket for evening cruises. Spring brings jacaranda season in the riverside suburbs.

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for daytime cruises — the river reflects UV strongly. A light layer for evening cruises, even in summer. A camera or phone with good low-light capability for sunset and dinner cruises. If you're on a self-drive boat, bring your own food and drinks.

Booking: Weekend sunset and dinner cruises sell out regularly — book at least a few days ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday nights. Morning sightseeing cruises can usually be booked on the day. Online booking typically offers the best rates. Check cancellation policies carefully before paying.

Seasickness: The Brisbane River is calm and sheltered — seasickness is extremely unlikely. The river is flat and the boats move slowly. This is not open-ocean cruising.

Explore Brisbane from the Water & Beyond

A river cruise is one way to see the city — a walking tour is another. Combine both for the most complete Brisbane experience.

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