FME Logo
Background
Brisbane, Queensland Shore Excursions

Brisbane, Queensland Shore Excursions

Australia & New Zealand

4 & 5* Brisbane, Queensland Shore Excursions

Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Brisbane
Worry-free Shore Excursion

Barefoot Luxury Mount Tamborine Winery Tour from Brisbane

72

Port pick-up: Included

Duration: 8 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 234.96

Kangaroos, mangroves and the ocean
Worry-free Shore Excursion

Kangaroos, mangroves and the ocean

17

Port pick-up: Included

Duration: 6 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 171.40

North Stradbroke Island Private Tour with Pickup
Worry-free Shore Excursion

North Stradbroke Island Private Tour with Pickup

14

Port pick-up: Included

Duration: 10 - 12 Hours

Physical difficulty: Medium

Free cancellation

From USD 196.40

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

1532

Duration: 5 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 82.13

Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min)

Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min)

973

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 37.33

Brisbane Story Bridge Adventure Climb
Likely to sell out

Brisbane Story Bridge Adventure Climb

655

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 107.12

Moreton Island Day Trip (Kayak, Snorkel & Sandboard) frm Brisbane or Gold Coast

Moreton Island Day Trip (Kayak, Snorkel & Sandboard) frm Brisbane or Gold Coast

639

Duration: 11 - 14 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 127.84

Brisbane Segway Sightseeing Tour

Brisbane Segway Sightseeing Tour

631

Duration: 1 - 2 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 92.13

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Day Pass

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Day Pass

515

Duration: 2 - 5 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 42.14

Cruise to Lunch Package: 10:30am – 2pm (3.5hr)

Cruise to Lunch Package: 10:30am – 2pm (3.5hr)

492

Duration: 3 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 67.85

North Stradbroke Island WILDLIFE Adventure Tour from Brisbane

North Stradbroke Island WILDLIFE Adventure Tour from Brisbane

392

Duration: 9 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 106.41

Don't just Visit Brisbane - Experience our Moreton Bay Safari

Don't just Visit Brisbane - Experience our Moreton Bay Safari

358

Duration: 3 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 314.23

 Australia Zoo Day Trip from Brisbane

Australia Zoo Day Trip from Brisbane

352

Duration: 8 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 127.84

XXXX Brewery Tour

XXXX Brewery Tour

346

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Medium

Free cancellation

From USD 29.28

Springbrook andTamborine Rainforest Tour Incl Natural Bridge and Glow Worm Cave

Springbrook andTamborine Rainforest Tour Incl Natural Bridge and Glow Worm Cave

315

Duration: 9 Hours

Physical difficulty: Medium

Free cancellation

From USD 134.98

Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Sunshine Coast

Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Sunshine Coast

311

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 63.56

North Stradbroke Island Day Tour from Brisbane – Small Group
Likely to sell out

North Stradbroke Island Day Tour from Brisbane – Small Group

293

Duration: 10 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 134.98

Deluxe Springbrook & Mt Tamborine Glow Worms and famous Skywalk
Likely to sell out

Deluxe Springbrook & Mt Tamborine Glow Worms and famous Skywalk

247

Duration: 8 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 132.12

Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Tour

Brisbane Dark Stories True Crime Tour

244

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 24.28

Byron Bay, Bangalow & Gold Coast Day Trip from Brisbane
Likely to sell out

Byron Bay, Bangalow & Gold Coast Day Trip from Brisbane

216

Duration: 11 - 12 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 189.29

Brisbane's closest Hot Air Balloon Flights - City & Country views - 1 hr flight!

Brisbane's closest Hot Air Balloon Flights - City & Country views - 1 hr flight!

205

Duration: 4 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 353.51

Ultimate Brisbane Walking Tour (Small-Group, Drink Included)

Ultimate Brisbane Walking Tour (Small-Group, Drink Included)

203

Duration: 3 Hours

Physical difficulty: Medium

Free cancellation

From USD 53.56

Brisbane Mini Segway Tour

Brisbane Mini Segway Tour

201

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 41.90

Mosaic Art Classes Brisbane: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Mosaic Art Classes Brisbane: Turkish Lamp Workshop

200

Duration: 2 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 56.42

Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa Day Trip from Brisbane Incl Eumundi Markets

Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa Day Trip from Brisbane Incl Eumundi Markets

189

Duration: 10 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 120.69

Abseiling the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane

Abseiling the Kangaroo Point Cliffs in Brisbane

139

Duration: 2 Hours

Physical difficulty: Medium

Free cancellation

From USD 53.56

Midday Sightseeing Cruise: 12.30pm-2pm (90min)

Midday Sightseeing Cruise: 12.30pm-2pm (90min)

138

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 34.99

Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast

Brisbane Airport: Shared Transfer to Gold Coast

138

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 59.99

Sunset City Lights Cruise: 5.30pm or 6pm *seasonal (90min)

Sunset City Lights Cruise: 5.30pm or 6pm *seasonal (90min)

133

Duration: 1 Hours

Physical difficulty: Easy

Free cancellation

From USD 41.90

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Original

Toowong Cemetery Ghost Tour - The Original

122

Duration: 2 Hours

Physical difficulty: Medium

Free cancellation

From USD 39.28

Related destinations to Brisbane, Queensland

What should first-time cruise visitors expect from shore excursions in Brisbane?

If this is your first visit, expect a compact, walkable city paired with riverfront leisure, parks and easy access to nearby islands. Short itineraries like half-day river cruises and guided walks let you experience highlights without rushing, and booking in advance helps make the most of limited time. Public transport is straightforward and many piers are near cruise terminals, so logistics are simple. For cruise passengers, consider a mix of urban and natural stops to capture the city’s relaxed yet vibrant character, and look for options labelled as Brisbane shore excursions.

Which attractions should I prioritise during a brief stop in Brisbane?

Popular highlights include the South Bank Parklands, the Gallery of Modern Art and a scenic river cruise along the Brisbane River. Local wildlife viewing and island day trips to Moreton Bay or North Stradbroke Island add coastal scenery and possible dolphin or whale sightings during season. Markets, boutique precincts like Fortitude Valley and city lookout points provide varied photo opportunities and short walks. Visitors who prefer scheduled experiences can choose from a variety of Brisbane tours that focus on cultural, culinary or natural highlights depending on interest and duration.

Should I choose a half-day or full-day shore excursion from Brisbane?

Half-day options focus on nearby highlights such as a CityCat river trip, a South Bank walk or a short wildlife cruise to spot seabirds and dolphins, suited to passengers with limited time. Full-day itineraries allow for island visits to Moreton Bay or North Stradbroke Island, extended wildlife encounters and inland excursions towards Mount Coot-tha or hinterland views. Consider personal energy levels and port schedules when choosing, and note that some Brisbane shore excursions combine both halves into flexible pick-up and drop-off arrangements for convenience.

How can I explore Brisbane's culture and history during a short visit?

Brisbane’s cultural scene blends Indigenous heritage, colonial-era sites and contemporary arts precincts that are easily explored in short walks or museum visits. Guided visits to the Queensland Museum, local galleries and Aboriginal cultural centres provide context about traditional custodians and the city’s evolution through settlement and industry. Many neighbourhoods feature heritage architecture, memorials and interpretive signage for self-guided discovery. Small-group Brisbane tours often include knowledgeable local guides who can highlight lesser-known stories and point to resources for further reading.

What natural scenery and wildlife can I expect on shore excursions from Brisbane?

Riverfront parks, mangrove-lined estuaries and nearby sandy islands offer diverse scenery within a short distance of the port. Birdwatching, dolphin-spotting cruises and snorkelling trips around Moreton Bay reveal coastal habitats and marine life while driving or short hikes inland showcase Brisbane’s subtropical bushland and lookout vistas. Weather can change quickly so dress in layers and bring sun protection. For a curated selection of coastal or river options that focus on natural highlights, look into Brisbane shore excursions that depart to nearby conservation areas.

Where can I sample local food and cuisine during a Brisbane stop?

Brisbane’s food scene ranges from casual market street food to refined riverside dining and multicultural cafés reflecting the region’s produce. Local specialties often emphasise seafood, tropical fruits and native ingredients used in modern dishes, while farmers markets and laneway vendors showcase seasonal fare. Sample craft beer and coffee in neighbourhood precincts and consider time for a market visit to try fresh local produce. Culinary-focused Brisbane tours can combine tastings with neighbourhood history to help visitors understand the provenance of ingredients and cooking traditions.

What activity levels should I expect on Brisbane shore excursions?

Activities in and around Brisbane vary from relaxed riverside strolls and scenic cruises to active island walks and snorkelling sessions that require moderate fitness. Choose itineraries that match your stamina, mobility and interest in walking distances, stairs or uneven terrain; operators usually list activity grades and suggested fitness levels. Rest breaks and public transport options make many outings adaptable for mixed-ability groups. When planning, review the detailed itinerary and gear list so you match the exertion required to personal capability and avoid last-minute surprises on Brisbane shore excursions.

Are shore excursions and attractions in Brisbane accessible for travellers with reduced mobility?

Many attractions and transport options near the cruise terminals are incrementally accessible, with ramps, lifts and dedicated viewing areas at popular sites. Accessibility varies by operator and location so check mobility information, transfer options and wheelchair dimensions when booking; some island landings involve soft sand or steps. Staff at venues can advise on accessible routes and assistive facilities, and public ferries often have accessible boarding points. For tailored assistance and accessible itineraries, enquire directly with providers who offer specialised Brisbane tours designed for reduced-mobility travellers.

When is the best time of year for shore excursions from Brisbane?

Brisbane has a subtropical climate with mild winters and warm, humid summers; spring and autumn typically offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor activities. Whale migration seasons and school holiday periods influence wildlife spotting and crowd levels, while summer storms can affect island day trips and ferry schedules. Light layers, sun protection and flexible plans help cope with variable conditions. If weather-dependent activities are a priority, check seasonal calendars and operator notices to select dates when specific Brisbane shore excursions are most likely to run.

Should I take a guided excursion or explore Brisbane independently?

Guided excursions provide local knowledge, logistics and a fixed itinerary that can maximise time and reveal hidden stories, while independent exploration offers flexibility to set your own pace and choose spontaneous stops. Consider port time limits, public transport links and how comfortable you are navigating unfamiliar streets when deciding between approaches. Independent options require more planning for transfers and timings but can be rewarding for experienced travellers. Booking a shorter guided activity or self-guided map alongside free time lets you combine both styles, and many operators list mixed-choice Brisbane tours for that balance.