Top Queensland Historical Tours

Uncover the best of Brisbane—without being stuck on a busy sightseeing bus—thanks to this small-group guided walking tour. Along the way, pass by City Hall, the City Botanic Gardens, and Queensland Parliament House—all with entertaining stories from your guide that you’d miss out on if exploring alone. Enjoy included snacks and a gift during your intimate tour experience.

Learn all about the history of the beautiful city of Cairns on this small group walking tour. Your guide will talk about the history that is 40,000 year old, at least. Learn about the architecture, art, and landmarks, as well as outdoor aboriginal artworks. Talk about colonialism, pirates, the opium trade, and much more, giving you a rich picture of what Cairns is all about.

Discover the story of Brisbane on this expert-led small-group walking tour, while hitting all of the city’s main attractions. Perfect for those who have just arrived, as well as locals and those who want to go deeper in learning about Brisbane’s history, culture, society & First Nations people. Starting from the top of Queen Street, you’ll hear about Brisbane’s colonisation by the British – and how their arrival impacted the original inhabitants. Your guide will provide you with a range of perspectives on Brisbane’s development as you weave your way through the city. From tough penal colony origins to its more recent transformations as the city prepares to host the 2032 Olympics, you’ll discover the real Brisbane. Your tour ends with beautiful views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge, finishing at a popular drinking spot with a small beverage included. Walk the streets in a small group so you’re not fighting to see & hear your guide or stay on the footpath.

If you’re trying to choose between taking a bus tour or a boat tour of the Sunshine Coast you don’t have to with an amphibious Aquaduck tour. The one-hour tour starts with a land tour around Mooloolaba and then the duck becomes a boat and tours around the canals, and waterways. Learn more about the history and culture of the Sunshine Coast from the commentary and enjoy the excitement of riding in this special vehicle.

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.

Uncover a spookier side of Brisbane CBD with a ghostly walking tour that reveals tales of the city's eerie past. Listen to historic stories that span 200 years of crime and tragedy as your guide leads you through the streets. Discover spots you'd otherwise miss and hear fascinating yet chilling anecdotes—all with a suitably macabre twist.

Delve behind the scenes at one of Queensland's best-loved breweries on this insider tour of Brisbane's XXXX Brewery. Walk through the production area, discover how the beers are created, observe the brewing process up close, then pour the perfect pint after learning from the pros. This tour includes tastings of three XXXX beers, with the option to upgrade to add burger and fries for lunch.

Travel back in time to the golden era of train travel with a journey on the Mary Valley Heritage Railway. Experience the old world nostalgia as soon as you step into the historic Gympie Station, where you’ll learn about the history of steam locomotives before boarding the Mary Valley Rattler. Enjoy the countryside views as you head out to Amamoor, where the train is turned around for the journey back.

Magnetic Island has so much to offer travelers, it can be hard to know where to start. But if you’ve seen the Netflix show “Izzy’s Koala World”, you may already know your host for this tour. Visit a wealth of bays, including the wreck of the Presto, look out for wildlife including rock wallabies, turtles, and dugong, learn about the island’s World War II history at the forts, and more.

Gravediggers say this is the creepiest cemetery in Brisbane… Be led by lantern on this 2 hour guided ghost tour through the graveyard to the “Devil’s Plot”; hear the stories of the ghosts of Boggo Road Jail and the mysterious Woman in Black – maybe she appear on the tour?; gravediggers tales and sextons stories. Tour includes book The Ghosts of SOUTH BRISBANE CEMETERY by Jack Sim. Brisbane’s original historic ghost tours (est.1998) operated by haunted-historian Jack Sim, author of the Ghost Trails Series HAUNTED BRISBANE Volume 1.

Discover the haunted history of Ipswich Cemetery including Buried Three Times, Hello Devil, The Missing Graves, The Headless Angel, The Car Won’t Start and more… Older than the state of Queensland, eerie Goodna Cemetery is one of the most haunted graveyards in Australia – home to mysteries and urban legends. Visit the children who leave their handprints on cars, hear of black magic, a terrible crime, the mystery of the asylum graves, and terrifying “Headless Angel.” on this 1.5 hour guided haunted history tour. Ipswich’s original historic ghost tours (est.1998) operated by haunted-historian Jack Sim, author of Ghost Trails Series HAUNTED IPSWICH.

Experience the thrill of an up-close encounter with migrating whales on this half-day cruise from Brisbane, available only between June and November. Set sail around Moreton Bay on a luxurious high-speed catamaran and tuck into a delicious buffet lunch on-board as you soak up the scenery. Finally, keep your camera to hand as you spot humpback whales swimming and breaching beside the ship – a rare opportunity to spot the gentle giants in their natural environment.

Get a more in-depth experience of Magnetic Island than most visitors do on this tour, tailored to day trippers or anyone staying on Magnetic Island. See the island's top sights as well as some off-the-beaten-path spots, and learn about local wildlife, history, geology, and folklore. Spend a leisurely hour at Horseshoe Bay for a lunch stop (own cost) and make it back to the ferry for an afternoon departure.

JACK SIM presents BRISBANE CRIME TOURS - Brisbane's original and longest running Crime Tours. Celebrating 25 years - as seen on TikTok & YouTube - Crime Tours Australia Discover the dark heart of the capital of the Sunshine State on this guided crime tour of Brisbane's CBD. Visit true crime scenes including the Arcade Murder, the site of the last public execution, the Regent Theatre shootout and more… Brisbane’s original true crime tours are researched and operated by crime-writer Jack Sim, publisher of the Murder Trails Series Podcast and the books BLOODY BRISBANE Volumes 1 & 2.

Secure your admission to one of Cairns' top attractions with a prebooked entry ticket for the blockbuster *Tomb of the Pharaohs* exhibition. Admire examples of some of the most lavishly decorated tombs of Ancient Egypt, each of them filled with hieroglyphic wall inscriptions, engraved plaques, mummified remains, and over 450 meticulously crafted items.

Get your haunt on with this nighttime walking tour of the 140-year-old Toowong Cemetery in Brisbane. Learn about the history and legends of some of the 120,000 dead buried there from your guide while walking through the cemetery. This tour is great fun for friends traveling together. Receive a complimentary copy of “The Ghosts of Toowong Cemetery” book as a keepsake.

Explore some of the most incredible natural landscapes of far northern Queensland the easy way on this full-day group tour. Avoid the hassle of self-driving and just sit back and enjoy the views. Take a walk in Mossman Gorge, cruise in the Daintree Rainforest, check out Cape Tribulation Beach, and much more. This tour includes hotel pickup for added convenience and is a must for nature lovers.

Visit the highlights of Magnetic Island on this guided afternoon tour. Learn about the history, culture, geography, flora and fauna of the island from your local guide. Take in views over Cleveland Bay, Horseshoe Bay and the mainland. See if you can spot allied rock wallabies and butterflies. Finish your day with a swim at Horseshoe Bay.

Walk the spooky streets of Charters Towers after dark. Hear historical ghost stories about the town, including the ghost in the glass, a haunted hotel, the legendary “Tragedy on Mosman Street” and experience the eerie stock exchange after hours… On certain tours we have been granted access to the World Theatre.

Journey to the rain forest village of Kuranda via two unique transit options on this memorable full-day tour from Cairns or Port Douglas. Skip the line and enjoy Gold Class service aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway, winding through lush mountain passes and waterfall gorges along the way. In the opposite direction, glide above the treetops in a gondola and soak up spectacular views of the mountains and coastline on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. In Kuranda, enjoy leisure time to explore the heritage markets, learn about aboriginal culture or interact with native wildlife.

Maximize your chances of seeing whales off the coast of Hervey Bay with this morning or afternoon half-day cruise. Ride the sheltered waters of Platypus Bay in a stable catamaran that offers superior comfort and clear views of passing marine life, which may also includes dolphins, turtles and seabirds, and perhaps even a dingo on the sandy beach at Fraser Island.

Spot humpback whales swimming and playing in their natural environment on this half-day Hervey Bay catamaran cruise. Observe the majestic sea creatures using the boat’s underwater viewing windows or listen to the whales sing using the onboard hydrophones. Learn all about the gentle giants from your expert guide, then tuck into morning or afternoon tea as you watch the whales from the deck.

Brisbane can sometimes feel inaccessible to foreign visitors. Take the mystery out of your visit by exploring with a local on a private walking tour. This is a personalized experience where you will discover the exteriors of monuments, including museums. If you’d like to include a museum visit, your guide can create a customized itinerary—just let us know in advance. Perfect for families, solo travelers, or couples, your guide shares insights into Brisbane’s history, culture, and hidden gems, ensuring you experience the city in a way that matches your interests. Book your private walking tour and see Brisbane through the eyes of a local expert.