Set Sail! 5 Brisbane River Cruises To Go With The Flow This Summer
All aboard
By Jess Fuller | 13th December 2023The sun is out, the days are hotter, the vibes are high – summer is officially here, folks! Every Brisbanite knows that keeping cool is all about getting as close to the river banks as possible, and it’s even better on deck. Whether you’re in the mood for a laid-back afternoon float or gearing up for a night out on the water, Brisbane has you covered with an array of river cruises you’ll want to climb aboard.
Keen to dive in? Then say ‘ahoy’ to our curated line-up of Brisbane’s best river cruises and boat activities to seas the day.
By the way, we consider everyone in this list the best of the best! To make finding your next favourite that much easier, we’ve ordered the list alphabetically by suburb and also have filtering tabs for your convenience. Did we miss someone from the list? Let us know here! Hide the form
- All
- Brisbane CBD
- North Brisbane
- East Brisbane
- South Brisbane
- West Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Noosa
- Sunshine Coast
- A - Z
- Z - A
GoBoat Brisbane
Newstead
Departs from Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct
Ready to channel your inner captain? Meet GoBoat, where you can play skipper for the day! Gather up to 8 pals (pets welcome!) and set sail from Breakfast Creek on a leisurely paced motorboat that makes for the ultimate floating picnic. While a GoBoat experience doesn’t require a boat licence, those with the qualifications who want to up the ante can opt for the GoBoat+ – the newly launched luxe edition cruising three times faster than a standard GoBoat. With Brisbane being the first location in the world to get onboard GoBoat+, it’s the perfect way to elevate your boating experience this summer!
YOT Club
Brisbane City
Departs from Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
Level up your party plans this summer with YOT Club – the ultimate celebration on the sea. Whether you’re into daytime vibes or dancing under the city lights, book in for a three-hour escapade along the river that channels superyacht feels without the hefty price tag. Expect top notch beverages (including a complimentary one upon arrival), delicious food, and a sprawling dance floor where you can let your hair down. Want to take it up a notch? Opt for one of the VIP booth packages for priority access and a feast of exclusive food and drink offerings. Come aboard, let loose, and revel in a summer celebration like never before!
OASIS Cruising
Brisbane City, New Farm
Departs from Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and New Farm Park River Hub
For a splashin’ summer day out, you can’t go past OASIS – the floating venue Brisbane welcomed this year. Spend your Saturday dripping in glamour and luxury, or perhaps a Sunday sesh with house beats and live DJs is more your tune? And if that’s not enough, they’ve recently spiced things up with city lights evening tours on select Fridays, where you can party against the backdrop of the beautiful Brisbane cityscape. No matter which day you choose, get ready for epic tunes, delicious bites (truffle cheeseburger slider, anyone?), and an endless flow of drinks. Feeling a bit fancy? Snag a private VIP booth across all three levels or go big by booking the entire venue for the ultimate party. Trust us, vibes and tides are soaring at OASIS – it’s where the summer magic happens!
River to Bay Cruises
Brisbane City
Departs from Howard Smith Wharves
Experience an unrivalled sunset spectacle with River to Bay’s Rapid River Ride. Embark on a scenic cruise out to the Gateway Bridges, circling around to West End before arriving back at Howard Smith Wharves, with a sandy beach pitstop along the way. You can even quench your thirst by purchasing drinks at the fully stocked bar. Want to do some snorkelling and swimming? The River to Bay crew has your summer covered with day trip escapes to stunning destinations like Horseshoe Bay on Peel Island and the mesmerising Tangalooma Wrecks. Don’t fret about making the right choice – any of the River to Bay cruises are shore to impress!
River City Cruises
South Brisbane
Departs from Cultural Centre Public Pontoon
Set sail with River City Cruises, where every cruise unveils the city’s history through engaging commentary. Whether you’re craving morning tea, a midday feast, an afternoon escape, a sunset spectacle, or a city lights dinner cruise, they’ve got the full deck of options! Ps. Hold onto your hats because soon they’ll be spicing things up with Thursday night trivia on the water. Kick back and enjoy the ride, while learning some cool facts along the way!
