0409 661 342 | bookings@cooeetours.com.au | Mon–Fri 8am–6pm · Sat–Sun 9am–5pm AEST
★★★★★ 4.9 · 673 cruise tour reviews
ATAS Accredited
90-Minute Ship Return Guaranteed

Brisbane
Shore Excursions

Premium day tours designed for cruise passengers docking at the Port of Brisbane. See koalas, explore the city, or discover Gold Coast beaches — all timed perfectly around your ship's schedule.

⚓ Port Terminal Pickup 🛡️ Ship Return Guaranteed 🐨 Wildlife Tours 🏙️ City Highlights
View Shore Excursions How It Works
4.9★
673 Reviews
From $89
Per Person
4–8 hrs
Tour Duration
90 min
Ship Buffer
90-Minute Ship Return Buffer
·
⚓ Port Terminal Pickup Included
·
🎫 All Entry Fees Included
·
👨‍👩‍👧 Families & All Ages
·
Free Rebooking if Port Call Changes
Designed for Cruise Passengers

Your Hassle-Free Shore Day

Every tour is built around your ship's schedule, with port pickup and guaranteed return — so you explore with total peace of mind.

⚓

Port Terminal Pickup

We meet you right at the Port of Brisbane cruise terminal — no taxis, transfers, or transport to arrange independently.

🛡️

90-Minute Ship Buffer

Guaranteed return at least 90 minutes before your ship's departure time, regardless of traffic or delays during the day.

🕐

Flexible Scheduling

Tours adjusted to match your ship's exact docking and departure schedule. We confirm all timings on the day of arrival.

🎫

All-Inclusive Pricing

Entry fees, transport, guide, and included meals — everything's in the price. No hidden costs or on-the-day extras.

Cruise ship Port of Brisbane terminal Queensland
Port of Brisbane Portlink Drive, Fisherman Islands
Port of Brisbane

What to Know About Your Brisbane Port Day

The Port of Brisbane is located at Fisherman Islands, approximately 18 kilometres north-east of the city centre. It is one of Australia's busiest international cruise ports, handling ships from all the major lines — P&O, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Silversea, Viking, and Seabourn among them. Most ships dock for 8–12 hours, with early morning arrivals (7–8 AM) and late afternoon or evening departures (5–8 PM) being the standard schedule.

The port itself is not walkable to the city — it requires organised transport. Independent taxis and rideshares from the terminal are available but expensive (approximately $60–80 each way), and there is no regular public transport connection. This is where Cooee Tours' shore excursions provide genuine value: terminal pickup, expert local guidance, and guaranteed return to the ship mean you use your entire port day efficiently rather than navigating unfamiliar logistics.

Distance to CBD
18 km
Typical Docking
7–8 AM
Typical Departure
5–8 PM
Port to CBD Drive
~30 min

🚢 A note for cruise passengers

Always check your ship's exact docking and all-aboard times with the ship's shore excursion desk or your travel documents. Share these times when booking with us — we'll build the entire day around them, with appropriate buffers and real-time traffic monitoring throughout your tour.

Shore Excursions

Choose Your Brisbane Shore Day

Four curated excursions, each starting and ending at the Port of Brisbane terminal. Pick your passion — wildlife, city, beaches, or nature.

Koala in eucalyptus tree Lone Pine Sanctuary Brisbane shore excursion ⭐ Top Rated 4.9 (287)

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary & River Cruise

5 hours Max 25 ⭐ Easy · All Ages

Hold a koala, hand-feed free-roaming kangaroos, and spot the platypus at Australia's most famous wildlife sanctuary. Queensland is one of very few Australian states where holding a koala is still permitted — making this a genuinely unique experience for international cruise visitors. The tour includes a scenic Brisbane River cruise with morning tea and professional wildlife guide.

Highlights

  • Hold a koala for photos
  • Feed free-roaming kangaroos
  • Platypus & Tasmanian devil
  • Scenic Brisbane River cruise

Included

  • Port pickup & return
  • Sanctuary & cruise tickets
  • Koala photo experience
  • Morning tea & expert guide
From $139 /person
Ship Return Guaranteed
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Brisbane city skyline South Bank river shore excursion 🏙️ Best of the City 4.8 (156)

Brisbane City Highlights & South Bank

4 hours Max 20 ⭐ Easy · Accessible

See the best of Brisbane in half a day — from the iconic Story Bridge and heritage-listed City Hall to the vibrant South Bank Parklands, Streets Beach, Queensland Museum, and the riverside dining precinct. Ideal for first-time visitors to Brisbane wanting an overview of the city's highlights without the logistics of self-navigation. Coffee and light snacks are included throughout.

Highlights

  • City Hall & observation deck
  • South Bank & Streets Beach
  • Queensland Museum precinct
  • Story Bridge photo stop

Included

  • Port pickup & return
  • Air-conditioned coach
  • City Hall entry
  • Coffee, snacks & guide
From $95 /person
Ship Return Guaranteed
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Gold Coast beach turquoise waves shore excursion Brisbane cruise 🌊 Full Day 4.8 (132)

Gold Coast Beaches & Hinterland

8 hours Max 20 ⭐ Easy · Lunch Included

Surfers Paradise, Burleigh Heads, scenic hinterland rainforest, and stunning coastal lookout panoramas. Australia's most famous beach destination in one epic full-day excursion — ideal for passengers with longer port calls. Restaurant lunch is included, and free beach time at Surfers Paradise is built into the itinerary for swimming, walking, or shopping.

Highlights

  • Surfers Paradise beach time
  • Burleigh Heads National Park
  • Hinterland rainforest drive
  • Scenic coastal panoramas

Included

  • Port pickup & return
  • Luxury coach transport
  • Restaurant lunch
  • All entry fees & guide
From $169 /person
Ship Return Guaranteed
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Mt Coot-tha summit panoramic Brisbane view shore excursion 🌿 Nature & Views 4.7 (98)

Mt Coot-tha Summit & Botanic Gardens

4.5 hours Max 18 ⭐ Easy–Moderate

360° Brisbane city and bay panoramas from the summit lookout, Japanese gardens, native rainforest trails, and the striking tropical dome conservatory at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. The ideal excursion for nature lovers, photographers, and travellers who prefer a quieter, more contemplative shore day away from Brisbane's busier city attractions.

Highlights

  • 360° summit panorama
  • Brisbane Botanic Gardens
  • Japanese Garden walk
  • Tropical dome conservatory

Included

  • Port pickup & return
  • Air-conditioned transport
  • Gardens entry & expert guide
  • Morning or afternoon tea
From $89 /person
Ship Return Guaranteed
Book Now
Cruise Guest Reviews

What Cruise Passengers Say

4.9
★★★★★
673 verified reviews
★★★★★

We were back at the ship 95 minutes early as promised. Saw koalas, crossed the Story Bridge, visited South Bank, and had lunch by the river. An absolutely perfect use of our Brisbane port day. Will book with Cooee again in Sydney.

Margaret H.

Auckland, New Zealand

City Highlights & South Bank

★★★★★

The Lone Pine River Cruise tour was outstanding. Holding a koala was a bucket-list moment for both of us. The guide was warm and full of genuine knowledge about each animal. Everything was included — no surprises on costs.

John & Diane W.

Southampton, United Kingdom

Lone Pine & River Cruise

★★★★★

Gold Coast in one day — Surfers Paradise, the hinterland, a lovely lunch, and back to the ship well ahead of time. Our guide knew exactly how to fit it all in without rushing us. Genuinely excellent shore excursion operation.

Patricia L.

San Francisco, USA

Gold Coast Beaches & Hinterland

Common Questions

Brisbane Shore Excursions FAQ

Yes — pre-booking is strongly recommended. Book at least 48 hours before your port arrival to guarantee availability and allow us to match the itinerary precisely to your ship's schedule. Popular tours (particularly the Lone Pine River Cruise) fill up well in advance during peak cruise season. Book by calling 0409 661 342 or via our bookings page.

Yes. Every excursion includes luxury air-conditioned transport from and back to the Port of Brisbane cruise terminal at Fisherman Islands. We meet you at the terminal — no taxis, rideshares, or public transport required. The port is not walkable to Brisbane city, so this is an essential inclusion for all shore excursion guests.

We build every itinerary around your ship's exact all-aboard time, with a minimum 90-minute return buffer. Our guides receive real-time traffic updates throughout the day and adjust routing if necessary. In 30 years of operating Brisbane shore excursions, we have never had a guest miss their ship on a Cooee Tours excursion. This is our absolute priority.

Port call schedule changes happen occasionally due to weather or operational factors. If your ship's docking time changes, we'll adjust the tour itinerary at no extra cost. If the port call is cancelled entirely, you'll receive a full refund. We ask that you notify us as soon as you're aware of any changes — call 0409 661 342 at any time.

Yes. All four excursions are family-friendly — the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and River Cruise is particularly outstanding for families and children, who love the koala holds, free-roaming kangaroos, and platypus viewing. The City Highlights tour is also excellent for children with its beach access at South Bank. Please note children's ages at booking and we'll confirm any age-specific requirements for the activities included.

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Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Brisbane day tour

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Port Pickup · Ship Return Guaranteed

Make the Most of Your Brisbane Port Day

Don't spend your shore day figuring out logistics. Book a Cooee Tours excursion and see the best of Brisbane and beyond — with guaranteed return to your ship and zero planning required.

⚓ Port Terminal Pickup 🛡️ 90-Min Ship Return Buffer 🎫 All Fees Included ⭐ 4.9/5 · 673 Reviews
Browse Excursions → 📞 0409 661 342
Phone: 0409 661 342  ·  Email: bookings@cooeetours.com.au
Mon–Fri 8 AM–6 PM  ·  Sat–Sun 9 AM–5 PM AEST