brisbane skyline river australia

Koalas, Culture & Riverside Views

Brisbane, Australia Shore Excursions

Brisbane shore excursions pair city highlights and riverside culture with close encounters at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for the perfect mix of Queensland charm and adventure.

Brisbane is a city that feels effortlessly sunny. Set along the winding Brisbane River, this Queensland capital blends laid-back charm with a thriving cultural scene and easy access to nature. For cruise visitors, it’s a port where you can spend the morning meeting koalas, the afternoon wandering through art galleries and still have time to enjoy riverside dining before heading back to your ship.

Excursions in Brisbane, Australia include city sightseeing tours, visits to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and cultural stops at world-class museums and riverfront districts. Whether you’re looking for wildlife, art or just a relaxed introduction to life in Queensland, Brisbane shore excursions have something for everyone.

Brisbane City Highlights and Culture Tours

Brisbane is known for its mix of sleek modern architecture, leafy riverfront parks and a thriving art scene. A city tour gives you a taste of what makes this capital tick.

Brisbane City Sights & QAGOMA Art Museum

Explore Brisbane on a guided drive with city views and QAGOMA art. - Brisbane, Australia
Explore Brisbane on a guided drive with city views and QAGOMA art. - Brisbane, Australia

A guided drive takes you past the city’s most notable landmarks, from heritage buildings downtown to the modern bridges that span the Brisbane River. Stop at a viewpoint 755 feet above sea level for panoramic views across the city skyline. The tour ends with free time at the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), where collections of Australian and international art showcase Brisbane’s creative energy.

Howard Smith Wharves

This lively riverside district sits in the shadow of the Story Bridge and offers some of the best dining and entertainment in the city. Many tours include free time here to wander, grab a coffee or simply enjoy the laid-back Brisbane atmosphere before heading to the airport or back to port.

Brisbane Wildlife and Nature Excursions

No visit to Brisbane is complete without meeting some of Australia’s most iconic animals. Luckily, the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary is just a short drive from the city.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Experience Australia’s wildlife up close at Lone Pine, home to koalas, kangaroos, and more. - Brisbane, Australia
Experience Australia’s wildlife up close at Lone Pine, home to koalas, kangaroos, and more. - Brisbane, Australia

At Lone Pine, you’ll step into 44 acres of bushland that’s home to more than 130 koalas. You can see them munching eucalyptus leaves, watch them climb or snap photos as they snooze in the trees. The sanctuary is also home to kangaroos, wombats and a range of native birdlife. It’s an immersive introduction to Australia’s wildlife, with plenty of opportunities to learn about conservation efforts along the way.

Scenic Riverfront Drive

The journey to and from Lone Pine is half the fun. As you travel along the Brisbane River, you’ll pass neighborhoods that showcase the city’s character — from historic Queenslander homes with wide verandas to modern towers rising above the water. The riverside setting makes the city feel both cosmopolitan and relaxed.

Choose Your Brisbane, Australia Shore Excursion

Excursions in Brisbane, Australia include city sightseeing tours, wildlife encounters at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and time at QAGOMA and Howard Smith Wharves. Whether you’re more interested in art, architecture or Australia’s unique animals, Brisbane shore excursions offer the perfect mix of culture and nature in one of Queensland’s most welcoming cities.

FAQs: Visiting Brisbane

1. What are the best shore excursions in Brisbane, Australia?

The best Brisbane shore excursions include visiting Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, exploring the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), enjoying panoramic city views and relaxing at Howard Smith Wharves.

2. Can you see koalas in Brisbane?

Yes, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary. Here you can see over 130 koalas, along with kangaroos, wombats and other native wildlife.

3. Is there art and culture in Brisbane?

Yes, Brisbane is home to QAGOMA, one of Australia’s most important art galleries. It showcases both Australian and international works across two connected buildings on the riverfront.

4. What outdoor activities can you do in Brisbane?

Brisbane offers riverside walks, panoramic lookouts and excursions to wildlife sanctuaries. The city’s sunny climate makes outdoor sightseeing a highlight of most tours.

5. Is Brisbane worth visiting on a cruise?

Absolutely. Brisbane combines cultural attractions, wildlife encounters and riverfront scenery, making it one of the most rewarding cruise ports in Queensland.

Experience Brisbane, Australia Shore Excursions with these sailings

Complete your adventure with these shore excursions

Discover new worlds.
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Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Palm Cove On Your Own
Activity Level Mild
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Viper Jet Boat to Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach
Activity Level Moderate
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Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Cruising with Crocodiles
Activity Level Mild
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Glass Bottom Boat Adventure
Activity Level Mild
kuranda scenic railway train
Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Jungle Train, Kuranda and Skyrail - Premier Class
Activity Level Mild
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Inner Island Turtle Kayaking Tour
Activity Level Strenuous
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Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Kuranda On Your Own
Activity Level Mild
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
This Way to the Segway!
Activity Level Strenuous
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Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Great Barrier Reef Floating Platform by Catamaran
Activity Level Strenuous
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Fixed Wing Flight over Heart Reef
Activity Level Mild
army duck driving through australian jungle wilderness
Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Jungle Train and Amphibious Army Duck
Activity Level Strenuous
hill inlet beautiful swirling colours
Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Whitehaven Beach Getaway
Activity Level Strenuous
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Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Skyrail, Kuranda and Cairns
Activity Level Moderate
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Fun In The Sun Cruise
Activity Level Mild
australia world heritage rainforest railway skyrail in kuranda
Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Jungle Train, Kuranda and Skyrail
Activity Level Moderate
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Great Barrier Reef Floating Platform by Catamaran
Activity Level Strenuous
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Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
Activity Level Strenuous
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Airlie Beach Sights And History
Activity Level Moderate
glasses light dark beer on pub
Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Cairns Craft Beer & Spirit Tasting
Activity Level Mild
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Ocean Rafting Eco Adventures
Activity Level Strenuous
port douglas beach on sunny day from observation point
Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
A Visit to Port Douglas
Activity Level Mild
wild caiman yacare relaxing out of water
Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Crocodile Safari
Activity Level Moderate
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Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
History & Wilderness of the Cassowary Coast
Activity Level Moderate
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Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
Activity Level Strenuous
millaa millaa falls
Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Waterfall, Wetlands & Skyrail
Activity Level Moderate
Tall Ship Evening Cruise
Airlie Beach, Qld, Australia
Tall Ship Evening Cruise
Activity Level Mild
Accessible Private Car Ocean View
Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Accessible Private Car
Activity Level Mild
Size Does Not Matter Creatures Of The Tropics Bee
Cairns(yorkey's Knob),austrl
Size Does Not Matter, Creatures of the Tropics
Activity Level Moderate