The Best Brisbane Day Tours

Ready to see more of what the River City has to offer? When it comes to Brisbane day tours, travellers are spoilt for choice. You can arrange guided visits to three of the world’s largest sand islands, filled with beautiful beaches and unique wildlife. Nature lovers can trek through World Heritage listed wilderness areas, exploring rainforests, rivers, and waterfalls. And animal enthusiasts can watch kangaroos, koalas, king parrots, and pademelons in their natural habitat. 

You can experience something new, and head to quaint mountain villages, or take a path well travelled and see the Gold Coast in all its glitz and glam, hopping from boutique to boutique, or from theme park to theme park. There are brewery tours for beer lovers, skydiving experiences for daredevils, and immersive food markets for gourmets. With all of this and more, it’s easy to see why Brisbane makes a great base for exhilarating Queensland adventures. See the best of this area with our list of the best Brisbane Day Tours:

Tandem Skydive Over Brisbane

Runs daily, dependant on weather conditions
From $289.00 per person, must be booked in advanced

For an experience you’ll never forget, try Skydive Australia’s tandem skydive package and see Brisbane from 15,000ft. You’ll freefall at over 200km/hr for up to 60 seconds, and then float under canopy for 5 to 7 minutes, soaking up the spectacular scenery. Nestled between Moreton Bay Island and the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains, Skydive Australia has an exclusive landing area on the northern beaches of Brisbane city, home to amazing ocean views. The ticket price includes a 3 month membership to the Australian Parachute Federation, as well as a personalised certificate of achievement.

You’ll be in safe hands with the Skydive Australia crew, who’ll help you to step outside your comfort zone and push personal boundaries, with a holiday skydive experience that you’ll remember forever. If you choose to purchase a video package, the company’s instructors will capture your entire skydive experience via high-resolution cameras, so you can show everyone the magic of the moment. Book your skydive package on the official Skydive Australia website. 

Best of Brisbane Brewery Tour

Runs daily except for Monday, departs: 10:30am at The Gresham (CBD) / 10:45am at the Daily Planet Cafe (Fortitude Valley) and lasts for approximately six hours
$170.00 for adults (Photo ID required, as you must be 18+ to participate)

Join Hop on Brewery Tours on their Best of Brisbane Tour to visit award-winning independent craft breweries in some of the city’s trendiest suburbs. You’ll experience a full behind-the-scenes guided tour at least one brewery, hear an explanation of the brewing process, and enjoy a wide range of standard and seasonal releases at the Newstead Brewing Co, Green Beacon Brewing Co, Aether Brewing, and a mystery fourth location. You’ll also be treated to a delicious lunch, a tasting paddle or schooner of cold beer at every brewery, plenty of snacks, and have the opportunity to purchase additional bottles and cans of beer to bring home. 

Both beer drinkers and non-beer drinkers alike will enjoy an unforgettable experience with the Best of Brisbane Tour. Your guides will introduce you to a range of refreshing lagers, biting IPAs, and sweet ambers, to help you find a beer that you will appreciate and enjoy. At the end of the tour you’ll be dropped off where you started, or if you prefer, at a partner pub or restaurant. The team at Hop on Brewery Tours are more than happy to try and include a specific brewery to the tour, should you leave a note at the time of booking. Just give them a heads up! Private and group tours are available, and bucks and hen parties are welcome. Reserve your place on the tour by visiting the Hop on Brewery Tours website. 
 

Rainforest Discovery Bushwalk Day Tour

Runs on demand, please enquire
$129.00 for adults and $119.00 for children

Discover an ancient World Heritage rainforest, in this fully guided small group nature adventure. You’ll see spectacular waterfalls, ancient trees, natural bridges and arches, and impressive views of the Gold Coast hinterland, on the Rainforest Discovery Bushwalk Day Tour offered by Sunrover Tours. Find out what makes Springbrook National Park an outstanding World Heritage area, by covering the two hour Twin Falls Circuit. You’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with Australian wildlife, from friendly rosellas, to king parrots, bowerbirds, and kangaroos. You’ll then stop for a picnic lunch, and head towards the Numinbah Valley to see outstanding views of Queensland.

The tour includes the cost of entry into the National Parks, and you’ll need to bring a towel, your camera, sunscreen, a hat, swimming gear, insect repellant, walking shoes, warm clothes (during the winter), a rain jacket, bottle of water, and your sense of humour! To book, give Sunrover Tours a call on 1800 353 717.

Tangalooma Dolphin Viewing Day Cruise

Runs daily except for Sunday, departs: 8.45am and returns: 8.30pm
$174.00 for adults and $134.00 for children, booking essential

Discover the tropical island of Moreton, close to inner city Brisbane. Experience white sand and crystal clear seas on the third largest sand island in the world, surrounded by untouched tropical parks at Tangalooma Resort. From the vantage point at the jetty, you’ll be able to see dolphins up close and listen to presentations from local marine experts. 

The day tour includes a return 75 minute cruise and coach transfers, and the ability to participate in over 80 activities on the resort. You can try sand tobogganing during the desert safari tour, or enjoy the more laidback marine discovery cruise. A lunch voucher is also included in the price, which is valid at any of the open restaurants at Tangalooma Resort. To book, visit the Grayline website.

Americans in Wartime Brisbane Walking Tour

Runs from 9.30am - 11.30am, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday
$60.00 per person, booking essential 

Presented by the Museum of Brisbane in conjunction with MacArthur Museum Brisbane, this walking tour shares the hidden stories of over 80,000 American soldiers that were stationed in Brisbane during WWII. Over the course of two hours, you’ll explore several significant sites from the Battle of Brisbane to the headquarters of the Allied Forces in the South-West Pacific.

Starting at the King George Square Foyer of Brisbane City Hall, you’ll be guided through the city, from the Albert Street Uniting Church to learn about Brisbane’s war brides, to the ANZAC Square Memorial Museum, hear about the Battle of Brisbane, Customs House, and MacArthur Museum. Entry to all attractions included in the ticket price. To book in, email bookings@museumofbrisbane.com.au

Australia Zoo Entry with Small Group Transfers Tour

Runs every day of the week, from at 8.00am to 5.00pm 
From $150.00 per person, bookings must be made in advance

Enjoy the magic of Australia Zoo plus luxury transfers, with a small and intimate group. Visit the Glass House Mountains Lookout on the way, all whilst travelling in style and comfort in a 7-10 seat, air-conditioned vehicle. You’ll have five hours to experience the wonders of Australia Zoo, including its famous shows and attractions.

A day tour that the entire family can enjoy, the Australia Zoo Entry with Small Group Transfers Tour allows you to get up close to some of the most incredible creatures and critters on the planet. Watch cheeky otters, learn about saltwater crocodiles, snakes, and tigers, hand feed elephants, and visit the Crocoseum. Bring your camera or smartphone, plus insect repellent, sunscreen, hat or sun protection, and try not to miss the Wildlife Warriors show at 12.00pm! You’ll then be able to relax at the end of the day, as your tour concludes with drop off back to your accommodation. Tickets can be purchased at GetYourGuide. 

Brisbane Warehouse Shopping Tour

Runs on demand
Pricing dependant on group size

Discover hidden shopping gems and cut price factory outlets through a Brisbane Warehouse Shopping Tour. You’ll visit a variety of boutiques, outlets, and warehouses for a fun day of shopping, with many offering high quality items at wholesale prices. Your group will decide which shops you’d like to visit, choosing from ladies, mens, and childrens fashion, lingerie, handbags, shoes, cosmetics and perfume, gifts, homeware and manchester, kitchenware, toys, and confectionary.

Whether as part of a group or on your own, you’ll have the chance to hunt down the best bargains that Brisbane has to offer. To save you from lugging around heavy bags, you’ll be whizzed around in a luxury air conditioned coach, which can pick you up and drop you off from your hotel. All tours include a morning tea and a two course lunch. Full day and half day tours are available. To book, get in touch with the team at Brisbane Warehouse Shopping Tours through their website.
 

Wedged between the hinterland and beautiful beaches, Brisbane is the perfect base for short day trips and tours. You can enjoy awe-inspiring mountaintops, subtropical islands and bushland hikes and still be back safely in your hotel before sundown. For the most up to date information on the Brisbane day tours mentioned above, please get in touch with the operator. They’re best placed to advise you on iternies and rates, as well as pick up and drop off points. Happy travels!