Top Brisbane Whale Watching

The Brisbane River, flowing directly through the city after which it’s named, is the longest river in South Queensland. Take a relaxing ruise along the river, seeing iconic sights including Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane City Center, and Story Bridge in a short amount of time. Fit a morning or afternoon departure into your vacation schedule.

Spend a blissful day on Moreton Island exploring the beaches, reef, and dunes on this tour from Brisbane or Surfers Paradise. Travel with an experienced guide in a rugged 4WD. You’ll snorkel or bodyboard, paddle transparent kayaks, and try sandboarding on the dunes: If sea conditions are unfavorable, take a 4WD island tour. Your day includes a picnic lunch on the beach but excludes national park fees and ferry tickets.

Set sail from Brisbane across Moreton Bay with a small group—and let the crew take care of all the details—on this half-day marine adventure. Climb aboard a catamaran and learn sailing basics, enjoy snacks and drinks, and hop off for a swim or paddleboard in the clear waters. Look out for dolphins, turtles, dugong, stingrays, migratory birds and stop at a national park island’s white sand beach.

Take a leisurely river cruise from Brisbane to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on this two-in-one, time-saving tour. This half-day tour departs from bustling Southbank and cruises along the Brisbane River with views of iconic landmarks on the way to Lone Pine. Upon arrival, enjoy ample time to view the animals, from koalas and platypus to kangaroos and more.

Animal lovers—this one’s for you. Enjoy a hassle-free day out to Australia Zoo with round-trip transfers from select Brisbane hotels. Ride comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle, then get into the zoo quickly as admission is included. Once inside, benefit from at least six hours to explore, catch live shows, and spot a variety of creatures, including tigers, giraffes, crocodiles, kangaroos, and more.

Relax and see Brisbane from a different perspective on this half-day river cruise. Instead of navigating busy streets or planning separate sightseeing activities, enjoy a smooth ride along the Brisbane River, with live commentary and scenic views of historic and modern landmarks. Back on land, enjoy an included lunch at a nearby pub.

Experience Brisbane in a new light on this after-dark true crime tour of the city streets. A great way for locals and visitors alike to uncover the secrets that lurk in the shadows of this thriving modern metropolis, this night tour includes visits to some of the city’s most historic places and oldest buildings. Your guide will also share lots of stories about Brisbane’s notorious past as you walk through the city center.

Reaching Moreton Island's clear waters and shipwrecks means a boat trip from Brisbane, easier to book as one package than pieced together. Take an all-inclusive day tour that handles the journey, then snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks with a guide. Relax on the beach and break for a buffet lunch, watching for turtles, dolphins, and dugongs, which are often spotted in these waters.

Visitors to Brisbane who want to pop over the NSW border without the hassle will enjoy this day tour. Forget about self-driving and simply enjoy the views during the journey. Check out the highlights of fashionable Byron Bay and Bangalow, and discover why these are such popular towns. You’ll be able to take your time on this leisurely tour, which matches the area’s laid-back vibe. Stop at the Gold Coast on the return journey.

Climbing the Story Bridge is impossible to do on your own, and for good reason. This guided climb sets it up, starting with a safety briefing at Howard Smith Wharves before you clip onto the static line and ascend the bridge's eastern side. Reach a platform around 262 feet (80 meters) up for wide views over the Brisbane River, Moreton Bay, and the Glass House Mountains.

Zip around Brisbane on a fun, self-balancing Segway. Cruise past Brisbane’s riverside sights, glide around the Southbank Parklands, and enjoy dramatic views of Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Choose from multiple tour durations and departure times to suit your schedule and budget. Best of all: full instruction and practice time are provided and there’s no experience necessary, so anyone can give it a go.

Discover the Brisbane River either by day or night on a 90-minute kayak tour. Enjoy a water perspective on the Story Bridge or the South Bank Parklands after learning the basics of paddling from your expert guide. If you choose the night tour, you’ll hop into illuminated kayaks and enjoy the multicolored displays on the Story Bridge or glide past the evening lights of South Bank. This kayak tour is suitable for all levels of experience and provides a fantastic look at the city’s vital waterway.

It can be easy to miss the forest for the trees when you’re visiting a big city like Brisbane – driving around the city in taxis and buses, it can be easy to forget that there’s more to this metropolis than just skyscrapers and shopping malls. Take in the city from the sky on this scenic helicopter tour from east to west. Fly around the towering suburban mountains Coot-Tha and Gravatt, see the Brisbane River winding through the city center, and get bird’s-eye views of sights like the Gabba and the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

Discover the boutique wineries of Mt. Tamborine on a full-day, small-group tour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Your wine-savvy guide takes you to some of Queensland’s best local wineries to taste award-winning wines. Round-trip transportation from central meeting points is provided, so nobody needs to be the designated driver—or risk drinking and driving.