Brisbane River Cruises: Every Option Compared

The Brisbane River is the best thing about this city, and the cheapest way to see it costs 50 cents. Before you book a cruise, know that Brisbane's public ferries run the length of the inner river, under the Story Bridge and past the Kangaroo Point cliffs, for a flat 50c fare, and one of them is completely free.

So here's how I'd think about it. Ride the CityCat first. If you want commentary, a meal on board, a sunset with a drink in your hand or a trip upriver to the koalas, that's when a paid cruise earns its price. This guide compares them all.

Some booking links are affiliate links. If you reserve an experience through them we may earn a small commission.

The CityHopper is a free council ferry that shuttles around the central stretch of river, roughly every 30 minutes from early morning until close to midnight. Its stops include North Quay, South Bank, the Maritime Museum, Riverside, Holman Street at Kangaroo Point, Howard Smith Wharves and Sydney Street in New Farm.

It's slower than the CityCat and it criss-crosses the river, which is exactly why I like it: you get the city from both banks, the Story Bridge from underneath and Howard Smith Wharves from the water, for nothing. It's also the best way home after a night out at the Wharves.

Since late 2024, every Translink trip in south-east Queensland costs a flat 50 cents, ferries included. Tap on and off with a bank card or phone. The CityCat runs from the University of Queensland at St Lucia, in the west, all the way to Northshore Hamilton, in the east, and it's the best-value sightseeing in the country.

For the classic ride, board at South Bank or North Quay and head downstream (east). Here's what you're looking at:

Then ride back, or get off at New Farm Park and walk the Riverwalk home. Heading the other way, upstream, takes you past West End and the Regatta Hotel at Toowong to the university's riverside campus.

Tips: sit outside at the front or back for photos, avoid weekday peak hours, and go in the late afternoon for the light on the cliffs. For every stop, fares, kids' tickets and timetables, see our full CityCat guide.

If you'd like someone to tell you the stories, a sightseeing cruise of about 90 minutes is the way to do it. Several leave from the Cultural Centre pontoon at South Bank, with a morning departure (usually with morning tea) and a midday one.

For something more special:

This is the one cruise that takes you somewhere the CityCat can't. The Mirimar leaves the Cultural Centre pontoon in the morning, cruises about 75 minutes upriver to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket, waits while you spend a few hours with the koalas and kangaroos, and brings you back mid-afternoon. It runs most days of the year.

It's a lovely way to do Lone Pine, and the combo ticket includes sanctuary entry. If you'd rather spend less, a 50c bus gets you there too.