7 Best Tours in Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland, Australia, is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with much to offer its visitors. From its stunning natural landscapes to its lively cultural life, Brisbane always has something for everyone.

If you are thinking of visiting the city, one of the best ways to get to know it is through the many tours on offer. These tours will allow you to explore the city at your own pace and learn about its history and culture.

A different and fun way to explore Brisbane is by Segway. This tour will take you through the city's most iconic sights as you travel at the speed of this vehicle. If you've never used a Segway before, don't worry, you'll be given a brief introduction before you start, and safety is guaranteed, with helmets included. You'll enjoy a 2-hour tour of the city's main attractions, from South Bank Parkland to the paths along the Brisbane River.

The groups are small, and you will have a guide by your side telling you about the places you are seeing on your Segway. I recommend it if you like both speed and walking around the city!

Useful information

• Price: From £49.
• Duration: Between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
• Means of transport: Segway
• Advantages of this option: A fun and agile way to explore the whole city.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are not familiar with the Segway, it may not be the most comfortable way to discover Brisbane.

If you want to immerse yourself (never better said) in an unforgettable adventure exploring the natural beauty of Brisbane, I recommend a kayak tour. Paddle along the calm waters of the Brisbane River while enjoying the stunning urban landscapes that surround it. What's more, this tour includes a local guide, so both beginners and experts can enjoy a unique way of getting to know the city.

All the necessary equipment is included to ensure your safety and comfort during the 1.5-hour tour. Another interesting advantage of this option is that you can choose between a daytime or night-time tour, allowing you to admire the Brisbane skyline under the sun or illuminated by the city lights, from the iconic Story Bridge to the charming South Bank Parklands. Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore Brisbane in an exciting and completely new way.

Details of interest

• Price: From £46.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: Kayak.
• Advantages of this option: If you want to exercise while visiting some of Brisbane's most iconic landmarks, this activity is perfect.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you don't feel like paddling, this may not be the perfect activity for you.

If you like mystery and detective stories (such as those by Agatha Christie), you can't miss this exciting night-time crime tour. Immerse yourself in the enigmatic atmosphere that envelops the city at nightfall and get ready for an experience that combines history, suspense and architecture. For approximately 1.5 hours, you will visit key locations around the city where you will unravel the mysteries that lurk around every corner.

From intriguing murders to unsolved enigmas, each stop will take you deeper into Brisbane's dark tales. You will also have the opportunity to see iconic landmarks such as Brisbane City Hall and Story Bridge, enjoying panoramic views under the charm of the night. Get ready to be thrilled and immerse yourself in the dark side of Brisbane!

Details of interest

• Price: From £21.
• Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: If you like to explore and get to know a city in an interactive way, this activity is ideal.
• Disadvantages of this option: As it takes place at night, you need to organise your day well so that you are not too tired when you arrive for this activity.

If one of the things that attracts you most to Australia is its wildlife, don't miss the opportunity to see wild whales on a day cruise. Imagine spotting majestic whales in their natural habitat, accompanied by live commentary from an Eco Ranger, an expert in marine wildlife. What's more, during the cruise you can treat your taste buds to lunch on board.

As this is a day trip, you can stop off at Tangalooma Island Resort, where you'll find swimming pools, beaches, restaurants and bars. You will also learn about the life of dolphins at the Eco Centre! Sea, beach, whales, dolphins... Without a doubt, this could be one of the most complete experiences of your trip to Brisbane.

Details of interest

• Price: (Price not available)
• Duration: 1 day.
• Means of transport: Boat.
• Advantages of this option: If you are interested in Australian wildlife, this activity is perfect for you.
• Disadvantages of this option: It requires a full day, so plan your travel time carefully if you want to include this activity.

This tour is a must to discover the best things to do in Brisbane! The tour offers a walking tour of around 3 hours that will introduce you to its history, culture and architecture.

The tour will continue to the Brisbane Arcade, a historic Victorian-era building. Then, you can stroll through King George Square, home to Brisbane's second town hall. On the way to the old Queensland Treasury building, a guide will tell you about the history of the city's first inhabitants while you view interesting examples of street art.

Next, you will walk through the Botanic Gardens, and on the other side of the Brisbane River, you will see the cliffs of Kangaroo Point. Finally, the tour reaches the city's commercial and financial district, ending at St Stephen's Cathedral.

To finish, at Eagle Street Pier, you can have lunch at one of the many restaurants or cafés by the river. This tour is an excellent way to learn about the history and culture of Brisbane.

Details of interest

• Price: From £173.
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: Suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are not keen on walking around the city and prefer nature, you may want to skip this tour.

The Brisbane River is one of the most important coastal rivers on the east coast of Australia, located in the south-east of the state of Queensland. It flows through the capital, Brisbane, and empties into Moreton Bay.

Fortunately, it is navigable, and travelling along its waters can offer you much more than just a boat trip and beautiful views.

From the river, you can see the city centre, Story Bridge, Victoria Bridge and Kurilpa Bridge. But the river is also home to important wildlife, including dolphins, turtles, birds and fish, so you may see some of these animals from the river.

From the boat, you can see how the landscape changes from urban to industrial to natural areas, contrasts that are difficult to see from other modes of transport.

There are several companies offering cruises on the Brisbane River that vary in duration and price, but all offer a unique way to see the city and its surroundings. These are my favourite options:

• Sunset cruise: A sunset cruise is a romantic and relaxing way to see the city.
• Wine tasting cruise: A wine tasting cruise is a fun way to learn about the wines of the Moreton Bay region.
• Dolphin watching cruise: A dolphin watching cruise is an exciting way to see these animals in their natural habitat.

Details of interest

• Price: From £62.
• Duration: Approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: Boat.
• Advantages of this option: Boat trip, views, wildlife... this experience brings together the best of Brisbane.
• Disadvantages of this option: Boats may not be your favourite means of transport. In that case, this tour may not be your first choice.

Discover the thrill of climbing Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge! If you dare to reach the top of the bridge. With the assistance of expert climbers, you will have the opportunity to ascend to the top of the bridge while enjoying panoramic views of the city and the Brisbane River. This unique experience offers you an adrenaline rush and an unparalleled perspective of Brisbane from above.

For approximately 2 hours, in small groups and with all the necessary equipment provided, you can climb by day or by night. With historical commentary on the surrounding landscape and a 360-degree panoramic view from the top, stretching from Moreton Bay to Lamington National Park, this adventure promises to be unforgettable. And to top it off, a group photo is included at the end of the experience so you can treasure this special moment!

If you prefer to discover Moreton Island at your own pace, you can also sign up for one of the best excursions to do in Brisbane. You can spend up to a full day exploring the island and doing water activities.

Details of interest

• Price: From £79.
• Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
• Transport: You can get there on foot or by bus.
• Advantages of this option: If you enjoy adventure sports, this activity is a must.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are travelling with limited time, this may not be one of your priority activities.

I've told you about the best tours to get to know Brisbane and its surroundings, and it's up to you to choose your favourites. But I can't say goodbye without giving you some recommendations to make your trip go smoothly and help you enjoy every minute of this wonderful Australian city to the fullest.

• Plan ahead: Start planning as soon as possible. That way, you'll have more time to research and find the best deals and the most interesting tours, and to create a schedule so that you have things to do every day of your trip.
• Read the reviews: This is the best way to get information about the quality of a tour. This will give you an idea of what to expect from each one, and you'll have enough information to choose the best option.
• Be flexible: Things don't always go according to plan, so I recommend allowing extra time in case any activities or transport are delayed, or in case any other unforeseen events occur.
• Consider the timetable and duration: Is the tour half a day or a full day? Is it private? Do you have to get up very early? It is important to consider these issues so that you don't encounter any surprises during your trip.
• Choose the right company: This advice is related to reading reviews. It is important to have references on how the tour works, and for this it is important to choose the best option based on information from other people's experiences. Take your time to research different companies and choose the one with the best reputation.