Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Australia's river city punches well above its weight for a cruise port day — wildlife sanctuaries, river beaches, island day trips, and a compact CBD are all in easy range from the dock.
Australia's river city punches well above its weight for a cruise port day — wildlife sanctuaries, river beaches, island day trips, and a compact CBD are all in easy range from the dock.
Brisbane has two cruise terminals — your ship's terminal determines how you get into the city.
💡 Pro move: BICT has paid parking (book online in advance via Wilson Parking) but no public bus service directly to the terminal.
Brisbane operates two docked terminals — large ships use the modern BICT at Luggage Point, smaller vessels berth at Portside Wharf in Hamilton.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America | Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT), Luggage Point📍 | Docked |
| Smaller & expedition vessels | Portside Wharf, Hamilton📍 | Docked |
From koalas and kangaroos to island sand dunes and city river walks, Brisbane shore days deliver more variety than most Australian ports.
The world's largest koala sanctuary sits about 12 km from the city in Fig Tree Pocket. Get a close-up koala photo, hand-feed kangaroos, and see wombats, dingoes, and platypuses — a classic Australian wildlife experience.
Find Lone Pine sanctuary tours →A 75-minute ferry from the city drops you on a sand island with clear turquoise waters, snorkeling around the Tangalooma wrecks, quad biking over dunes, and long stretches of beach.
Find Moreton Island day trips →South Bank Parklands hugs the river opposite the CBD: a pedestrian beach (Streets Beach), riverside paths, the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), and the Queensland Museum — all free or low cost.
Find Brisbane city tours →Scale the cantilever arches of Brisbane's iconic 1940 bridge for 360° views over the river, CBD, and Moreton Bay. Day, twilight, and night climbs available.
Book Story Bridge climb →An hour south by road, the Gold Coast offers long surf beaches, Surfers Paradise, and hinterland rainforest at Lamington National Park or Tamborine Mountain — best done with a pre-booked tour.
Find Gold Coast shore excursions →Drive or take a bus to the summit lookout for sweeping city and bay panoramas, then wind down through the free Brisbane Botanic Gardens (52 hectares) on the slopes below.
Find Mt Coot-tha tours →Brisbane's Riverwalk and South Bank promenade make for easy, rewarding walks straight from the Portside Wharf terminal.
From South Bank ferry stop, walk the riverside promenade past Streets Beach (man-made lagoon beach), the Parklands gardens, and across the Goodwill Bridge to the CBD. Return via the Victoria Bridge for different river perspectives.
From the CBD ferry terminal, head to Howard Smith Wharves — a riverside precinct under the Story Bridge with restaurants and craft beer. Cross the Story Bridge on foot for views, then look down from Kangaroo Point Cliffs on the river below.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 85°F / 29°C | 69°F / 21°C | 15 | 5:06 AM | 6:47 PM |
| Feb | 84°F / 29°C | 69°F / 21°C | 12 | 5:31 AM | 6:32 PM |
| Mar | 83°F / 28°C | 68°F / 20°C | 15 | 5:48 AM | 6:04 PM |
| Apr | 78°F / 26°C | 62°F / 17°C | 8 | 6:04 AM | 5:30 PM |
| May | 74°F / 23°C | 57°F / 14°C | 6 | 6:21 AM | 5:06 PM |
| Jun | 70°F / 21°C | 52°F / 11°C | 6 | 6:36 AM | 5:00 PM |
| Jul | 69°F / 21°C | 50°F / 10°C | 5 | 6:37 AM | 5:10 PM |
| Aug | 72°F / 22°C | 52°F / 11°C | 5 | 6:18 AM | 5:26 PM |
| Sep | 76°F / 24°C | 56°F / 13°C | 6 | 5:46 AM | 5:40 PM |
| Oct | 79°F / 26°C | 60°F / 16°C | 10 | 5:12 AM | 5:55 PM |
| Nov | 82°F / 28°C | 64°F / 18°C | 9 | 4:48 AM | 6:16 PM |
| Dec | 84°F / 29°C | 68°F / 20°C | 12 | 4:47 AM | 6:38 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Hop-on hop-off bus tours are available in Brisbane city but do not serve the cruise terminal directly — you would need to get to the CBD first.
Metered taxis are available at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal. The 19–20 km ride to the CBD typically costs AUD $50–65 depending on traffic and time of day.
All three major rideshare apps operate in Brisbane. Request from the terminal — expect slightly lower fares than metered taxis for the same CBD run.
Many cruise lines offer pre-arranged shuttle buses between the terminal and the Brisbane CBD. Book through your cruise line before departure.
Private transfer companies (e.g., Yoursta) offer shared and private shuttles from the terminal to hotels and the city. Good option for groups or those with heavy luggage.
Upcoming cruises that call at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.