Cruising on the river, you can see natural features like the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, pass under the landmark Story Bridge, and witness our local flora and fauna, such as the colonies of fruit bats living in the riverbank mangroves.

You can glimpse Brisbane’s past and present, from historic buildings like Customs House and the Treasury Casino to the towering high rises of the ever-growing city centre. A Brisbane cruise can be the perfect way to relax and unwind, discover more about our beautiful city, see the sights or celebrate a special occasion. We take a look at some of the best Brisbane River Cruises for families. 

Brisbane river cruises

River City Cruises

River City Cruises is one of the most well-known companies for Brisbane river cruises, offering several different cruising options. 

With multiple cruises departing at different times of the day, you can look forward to a Brisbane river cruise with informative commentary that provides insight into the history of Brisbane and the river today. River City Cruises also offer a Seniors Cruise, and the Discover South Bank Combo Pass which includes the Morning Cruise, a ride on the Wheel of Brisbane and lunch with a drink at a local tavern. Catering to up to 80 passengers, this boat can also be hired for private events. 

Contact: 0428 278 473

Website: River City Cruises

Mirimar Cruises

This popular Brisbane river cruise has taken locals and visitors to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary for over 70 years. The cruise includes a return narrated journey to Lone Pine and entry into the park, the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary and one of the top tourist attractions in Brisbane.

At Lone Pine, Brisbane Kids will be able to cuddle a koala, hand-feed kangaroos, feed the rainbow lorikeets, watch various animal shows and see a huge variety of awesome Aussie wildlife. The cruises depart from the city (Cultural Centre Pontoon) most days of the year. Miramar also offers charter cruise options for special events or functions. 

Contact: 0412 749 426

Website: Mirimar Cruises

River to Bay Cruises

River to Bay offers several cruises to local islands and attractions around Brisbane.  They also have four local cruises that transport passengers past the many main attractions that line the Brisbane River, which is why they are still on the list of Brisbane river cruises. 

Choose between their Cocktail Cruise, Brewery Tours, Corporate Legends Lunch, or City Night Lights Cruise – all connecting guests by boat to some of Brisbane’s favourite inner-city venues along the river. 

Contact: 07 3517 4952

Website: River to Bay

Brisbane Cruises

There are loads of great scheduled cruises run by Brisbane Cruises. These include the Brisbane to Gold Coast Day Cruise (with return coach to Brisbane), cruises exploring the Brisbane River, and trips out to Moreton Bay, Bribie Island, St Helena Island and a Bremer Junction Day Cruise.

Many of their cruise itineraries include refreshments and/or meals, and most depart from Bretts Wharf, Hamilton. 

Contact: 07 3630 2666

Website: Brisbane Cruises

Australian Day Tours

Consider one of the Australian Day Tours’ City Sights Tours for a more comprehensive commentated sightseeing tour of Brisbane. They offer a ‘Best of Brisbane’ cruise that stops off at favourite points along the river. Explore the historical sights of Brisbane and enjoy a Brisbane river cruise before strolling the arts precinct and manmade beach of Southbank Parklands. Australian Day Tours also offers cruises to Tangalooma Island.

Contact: 1300 781 362

Website: Australian Day Tours

BrisVegas Cruises

Brisvegas cruises offer those looking to cruise up and down the Brisbane River with their friends the option of a private charter.  Catering from 30 – 300 guests at once, this company allows you to book a cruise for your special event with only those you invite.  They also offer regular three-hour cruises with either music or comedy entertainment onboard. 

Contact: 1300 791 180

Website: Brisvegas Cruises

Brisbane Party Cruises

Brisbane Party Cruises bill themselves as the ultimate party cruise experience – and judging by what they offer, this may be the case. Think catering, a fully licenced bar, DJ music, wait staff and indoor and outdoor entertainment spaces; Brisbane Party Cruises will give you the perfect private Brisbane River cruising experience for your next event. This is a unique birthday party venue idea for 18th and 21st birthday parties! 

Contact: 1800 466 622

Website: Brisbane Party Cruises

Aquarius Charters

Another private charter option on the Brisbane River is Aquarius Charters.  Their vessel – Condur – can carry up to 60 passengers at once and has a delicious food menu available for those looking to make a booking. 

Contact: 0409 752 784

Website: Aquarius Charters

Aria Cruises

Aria Cruises offer an experience for anyone looking to get out on the water with family and friends and enjoy Brisbane river cruises.

They offer specially curated activities, including boom netting, paddle boarding, beach cricket, island visits, aqua mats, and more.  Delicious food options are included and there are various sailing options to suit everyone -private charters, sunset cruises, island tours, and Moreton Bay and Brisbane River cruises.

Contact: 0487 441 618

Website: Aria Cruises

CityHopper

Another way to cruise the Brisbane River is via the Brisbane City Council’s CityHoppers.  A free service, the ferries run every 30 minutes between 6am and 12am, seven days a week.  Even better – there’s no need to book!  Just head along and hop on. Ferries leave from South Bank’s Terminal 3. Head to Translink’s website for departure times.

Whale watching cruises

In addition to Brisbane river cruises, during whale season, several whale-watching cruises run from Brisbane to spot the beautiful southern humpback whales on their annual migration up the Queensland coast.

These include Tangalooma Resort Whale Watching Day Cruise departing from Holt Street Wharf in Pinkenba, and Whales in Paradise, departing from the Gold Coast but with scheduled free transfers from Brisbane. Check out our article on Whale Watching from Brisbane for more information.

Our Explore Brisbane section has many ideas for beautiful things to do with your Brisbane Kids to discover more of the wonderful city and corner of the state in which we live. For more water fun, check out Fun on the Brisbane River.

With its pristine white sandy beaches, crystal clear turquoise water, unspoilt national park and truly amazing wildlife, you could be forgiven for thinking Tangalooma Island Resort is a distant dream. Yet this topical island paradise is just 40 kilometres off the coast of Brisbane!

Tangalooma Island Resort is located on Moreton Island, the third largest sand island in the world. The unspoilt natural beauty of the island coupled with the unlimited array of activities on offer make it the ideal destination for everything from a day trip to a long family holiday. Whether you want a relaxing break, an unforgettable wildlife encounter or an action-packed adventure holiday, Tangalooma Island Resort really does have something for everyone.

Feeding wild dolphins at Tangalooma

Tangalooma Island Resort is one of the few places in the world where you can hand-feed wild dolphins, and getting up close and personal with these beautiful creatures is a truly magical experience. As the sun sets over beautiful Moreton Bay, a pod of local bottlenose dolphins make their nightly visit to the resort, to the delight of children and adults alike.

Watching the dolphins frolicking in the waters around the jetty and then experiencing the thrill of wading out to meet them is a highlight of any trip to Moreton Island. When they tilt their head to look at you as you deliver their tasty treat, it is impossible not to feel the connection with these stunning and intelligent animals and it is a memory that you will treasure for a lifetime.

Most of Tangalooma Island Resorts accommodation packages and some day packages include this amazing wild dolphin feeding experience.

More wonderful wildlife

One of the most special aspects of Tangalooma Island Resort is the chance to encounter and learn about its spectacular array of wildlife. The island is home to over 180 species of birds, and mammals such as gliders, while the bay is a sheltered haven for dolphins, dugongs, turtles, sharks and rays. From June to October, joining the Whale Watch Cruise to see magnificent humpback whales as they pass the island on their annual migration is a must.

There are numerous ways to discover the local wildlife at Tangalooma, including eco walks, talks and presentations. Everyone will enjoying seeing wildlife close up as the resort’s eco rangers feed dolphins, pelicans, kookaburras and fish. You can also join the Marine Discovery Cruise to get up close to marine life and explore the bay. Or tour or snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks — the spectacular man-made habitat for a beautiful array of colourful tropical fish, as well as possible turtles and other animals.

Exploring Moreton Island

Moreton Island is also a place of stunning natural scenery. Exploring the island, either alone or with the 4WD Tangalooma Bus or a guided tour, is a great way to discover its hidden wonders, including the beautiful fresh waters at Blue Lagoon, the stunning views from Cape Moreton, picturesque Honeymoon Bay and the astounding Tangalooma Desert.

Activities, activities and more activities!

With so many activities on offer, Tangalooma Island Resort has something for absolutely everyone! Whether you want educational activities, natural experiences, unique adventure and action, rest and relaxation or a bit of everything, you will be spoilt for choice.

There are land-based activities such as sand tobogganing, island walks and tours and quad bike riding, and water-based activities including cruises, snorkelling, paddle boarding and kayaking.

Free activities include tennis, squash, archery, boule, beach volley ball and much more.

Tangalooma for kids

Tangalooma Island Resort is a perfect place for kids. They offer a babysitting service, cots, pram hire, baby change facilities, a children’s playground, board games, and much, much more!

Dining and more

While at Tangalooma resort, there are lots of options for food and drinks for whatever your appetite, from their Fire and Stone Asian fusion restaurant and Tursiops breakfast buffet restaurant, to their Beach Café, Coffee Shop and Whalers Bar for sunset cocktails.

Also at Tangalooma, you will find the Marine Education and Conservation Centre, Massage Hut and Beauty Room, day-guest lounge access (only available as part of some packages), a resort shop, tours desk, change rooms, lockers, showers and more.

Go for a day or why not stay!

Visiting Tangalooma for the day is simple with the range of day packages available for you to fill your day with fun activities or simply enjoy the island. For those with more time to enjoy everything on offer, there are seven styles of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, from hotel rooms to fully furnished luxury apartments and hilltop homes. Family favourites include self-contained resort suites and beachfront villas

How to get to Tangalooma

High speed launches depart regularly from Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba, which is a short drive from Brisbane CBD or airport. Bus transfers from the airport and Gold Coast and Brisbane CBD hotels are also available at an extra fee. You can even take the vehicle barge to bring your 4WD, organise to moor your own boat or take a scenic helicopter flight across the bay.

Tangalooma Island Resort is a natural wonderland just waiting for you to explore! 

Fathers and Daughters Camp

September 6-8, 2024

Guided “Fathering Girls” Father and Daughter Camp at Mount Tamborine.

Many Dads find it challenging to really connect with their daughters in the way they truly desire to, because they have never been daughters. Fathering Adventures’ upcoming guided “Fathering Girls” Father and Daughter Camp at Mount Tamborine, in the Gold Coast hinterland, will help fathers and their young daughters have healthier relationships, stronger bonds, and a deeper understanding of one another.

“I look back at where our family was more than 12 months ago, and where we are now, and I can only be grateful to Fathering Adventures for making these experiences available.” – Peter Kucharski, a Dad from Sydney, NSW

You can find out more here about the Father and daughter camps.

Fathers and Teenage Sons Adventure

October 18-20, 2024

Guided “Rite of Passage” 3 Full Day Son and Father Adventure experience at Burleigh Heads.

Teenage boys struggle when they are not actively and adequately guided through their most challenging life transition – from boyhood to manhood. Fathering Adventures’ upcoming guided “Rite of Passage” 3 Full Day Son and Father Adventure experience at Burleigh Heads on the Gold Coast, is a proven process that results in healthier relationships, a deeper understanding of one another, and new direction, into the future.

“Fathering Adventures taught me life-changing lessons. I made new friends, and made a best friend in a man whom I came to respect so much more… my father.” – Tim Fenton, a son from Tweed Heads, Northern NSW

You can find out more here about the Son and father adventures.

Fathers and Younger Sons Weekend Experience

November 1-3, 2024

Guided “Fathering Boys” Father and Son Adventure Weekend experience at Mapleton.

Some men fall short in their fathering because they have forgotten what they had wanted and needed from their Dads when they were boys.

Fathering Adventures’ upcoming guided “Fathering Boys” Father and Son Adventure Weekend experience at Mapleton, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, will help fathers and their younger sons have healthier relationships, stronger bonds, and a deeper understanding of one another.

“My son and I had the incredible privilege of taking part in one of the most life-changing self- development and learning experiences I’ve experienced. A ringing endorsement of Fathering Adventures – an organization that’s ACTUALLY changing the world – one group of Dads at a time.” Trevor Manokore – A Dad from Brisbane, QLD

You can find out more here about the Father and younger son adventure weekends.

More about Fathering Adventures

Darren Lewis, 2011 QLD Father of the Year and founder of Fathering Adventures, knows a thing or two about the importance of spending quality time with your children. Cath Johnsen caught up with him to find out how dads can create lifelong memories with their children and foster healthier and happier relationships.

Are you spending enough time with your kids? According to Darren Lewis, fathers are spending, on average, eight minutes per day with each child, which equates to only 40 days between the birth of each child and their 18th birthday. Some commentators believe this amount of time could even be less, depending on family circumstances.

“So beginning with the end in mind… preparing our children for adulthood… is that enough time to impart everything we desire to impart?” Darren questioned? “I suggest not.”

So what to do? Darren, a father of four himself, suggested that dads record an inventory of the time they spend with each child, each day, over a two week period. Divide that total number by 14, and you’ll have your average amount of time spent daily with your child.

“Once that has been established, you can always add to that time, slowly, by maybe just one minute extra each day, which is more than likely a 10 per cent increase right there,” Darren suggested.

“It’s also very handy to ask each of your children, ‘Do you feel I spend enough time with you?’. If the answer is no, then it’s important to shift some time around, and make that child a priority,” he said.

Adventure camps

Run several times per year at different locations throughout Australia, the Fathering Adventures camps are a facilitated time away for Dads wanting to spend one-on-one time with their child or teen. Dads can simply turn up with their child, and everything is taken care of – from food and accommodation, to all the activities, which always include an adventure component.

“We offer the outdoor adventure component in everything we do because it’s really important for fathers to have fun with their kids, and likewise, for kids to have fun with their fathers,” Darren explained.

“As a shared experience, it can bring people together like nearly nothing else can, which is why they are commonly used in building teams. It also provides an element of risk, or danger (albeit well mitigated). The challenging nature of it assists the participants in potentially making both personal, and relational, discoveries, especially when fears are faced, and overcome.”

Darren said that it is experiences like these camps that provide lifelong lessons and lifelong memories.

“If a parent is not present or involved in a child’s life, then it is highly likely that the child will begin to believe the lie that he or she has very little value or worth,” Darren said.

“Dr Anthony P. Witham said that ‘children spell LOVE, T-I-M-E.’. I agree wholeheartedly. As parents, we should be investing richly into each of our children, in numerous ways, and investing richly into the relationship we have with each of them. A relationship is the foundation for everything else we want to impart to them.”

Many dads may be wondering how this plays out practically? And how much one on one time they should be aiming for?

“Like everything in life, balance is key,” said Darren. “Every child has very different and unique needs and perceived needs. Ideally, fathers should be intentional about spending one-on-one time with each of their children, even in just short bursts, daily where possible, and something a little longer on a weekly basis.”

“A good place to start is to ask our children the following question, ‘We have x amount of time together today, so what would you like for us to do together during that time?’ And then simply go and do that,” he said.

Darren added that Dads shouldn’t feel guilty about not spending enough time with their kids in the past, and that it’s never too late to make positive changes.

“Don’t feel guilty. Are you spending enough time with each child? If so, great! If not, then act. Make a plan, and work to that plan. Guilt is not very helpful at all, unless it actually motivates us to change,” he said.

“Whilst there is life in your body, it is never too late. The deep desire in a person’s heart to know that their father loves them, and is proud of them, never leaves them.”

Fathering Adventures camps are held regularly at a number of locations around Australia, including North Queensland, South East Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. To find out more, or to book your place on an upcoming camp, visit the Fathering Adventures website. 

Best of Moreton Bay Island Tour

The Best of Moreton Bay Island Tour takes your family on a day trip from Brisbane, bringing you closer to nature. See local marine and wildlife and learn about some of Queensland’s rich history and culture. This tour is truly one for the books when you experience the magic of Moreton Bay by exploring the hidden paradise under the Tangalooma Wrecks, beautiful Dunwich beaches and the scenic St. Helena Island.

Highlights:

Snorkel the Iconic Tangalooma Wrecks – This is an awesome activity for the kids, as they get a chance to observe and explore countless different species of marine life. The beautiful Moreton Bay waters are home to six of the seven species of sea turtles, including the world’s largest – the green sea turtle. Get up close and personal to these majestic creatures as you sail, swim and snorkel around their underwater home.

Lunch at Dunwich Café – Welcome the local surroundings over a hearty lunch at the award-winning Dunwich Café! You can take a walk, take amazing photographs, or simply relax and soak up some sunshine.

St. Helena Island Adventure – This historic part of the tour transports your family back in time to explore the rich history and iconic landscapes of St Helena Island. River to Bay’s guides will take a leisurely stroll with you along the island’s coast where you’ll learn about the eerie history of St Helena.

Frequently Asked Questions about River to Bay’s Moreton Bay tours for families

Is the tour suitable for kids?

The Moreton Bay Tour is not recommended for kids under six years old. However, it is up to the parents’ discretion.

Are there family rates?

For a family of 4, the rate is $449 for the Best of Moreton Bay Island Tour.

Are there gear hire fees?

Wet weather gear, snorkel equipment, wet suits and everything you need for the Best of Moreton tour are included. Souvenirs and add-ons are available at an additional cost.

Will I get wet on the boat?

The boats travel at 25-30 knots, which might cause splashes from time to time in most weather conditions. 

What do I need to bring?

A small backpack will do with your essentials such as a set of comfortable clothes, water bottle, sunglasses, swimming attire, sunscreen, towel, thongs, and hat. River to Bay recommends bringing a jacket or jumper for the trip across the bay.

Testimonials

“We had an awesome day with #rivertobay, great guides, totally safe with their safety procedures snorkelling around Tangalooma wrecks, lovely lunch, St Helena Island was a standout and could be a trip on its own. During the day the guides interacted with their guests, making sure everyone was ok, delicious apples, biscuits and bottled water. Would highly recommend this trip, being great value!” – Peter Corbett

“I recently went on the Tangalooma Wrecks dive tour with RivertoBay. It was pretty awesome and very well managed. Zac, Ed and John took good care of the group and are very good at what they do. I had a bout of seasickness and Zac ensured that I was looked after and did everything to boost my confidence on the sea. I really appreciate his and the rest of crews efforts in making the trip safe and enjoyable for all the people on board. After the snorkelling, the lunch was awesome as well and the Ed and Zac gave a very good tour of St.Helena island. It’s a very good tour and is kid-friendly as well, so if you want to have a quick one day getaway I’d highly recommend river to bay tours. Again a special shoutout to the crew Ed, John and especially Zac.” – Balram Dabhade

“I sent my parents and 5 year old child on this trip. They had a great day out. Dunc really went above and beyond and helped my son get the true snorkelling experience, even though he is not a strong swimmer. My son has been raving non-stop about what a fantastic day it was.” – Vicki Vilaylath

To find out more about these amazing Moreton Bay tours for families, please visit the River to Bay website.

“Did you see it Mummy, did you see it?” squeals my son. “Over there, did you see it?“. He has just spotted his first whale and the look on his face is priceless. The amazement, the wonder, the sheer delight. It wasn’t just the kids who were excited, the atmosphere on the boat was electric.

Our fabulous crew aboard the Spirit of Gold Coast had their eyes peeled, scanning the deep blue for the tell-tale whale spout. These magnificent creatures, the Southern Humpback Whales, cruise up the Eastern seaboard on their annual migration to our warmer waters from June to November. While it’s possible to see them from land, there is something magical about getting an up-close view from ocean.

What to expect on a Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise

The anticipation

There was quite a buzz in our household in the lead up to our whale watching expedition. Master Five had been telling anyone who would listen (and anyone who wouldn’t) that he was going out to sea to find whales. We booked the morning cruise, so bright and early we hit the M1 southbound and arrived at our destination easily. Spirit had sent us a confirmation email with directions and details of how to get there, when to arrive and what to expect on the day. It’s like they’d done this before!

Arrival and safety

Spirit of Gold Coast staff greeted us near the car park at Mariners Cove Marina, and directed us towards our boat. Once everyone was checked in it was time to hit the Gold Coast Broadwater. During this time, Bec and the crew ran through a safety demonstration; similar to being on a plane. Life jackets, escape routes, what to do in the event of seasickness and general boating safety was covered.

The takeaway – you should always have three points of contact with the boat at all times, and the crew are well prepared should anyone feel queasy. After leaving the Broadwater we turned north and followed South Stradbroke Island, keeping our eyes fixed on the ocean in preparation for our first glimpse of a whale. Then we struck gold! There were a few pods of whales passing through, and the knowledgeable resident marine biologist, Marcella, explained the whale behaviours we were witnessing. Our captain Ghigo manoeuvred the boat so we could get a good view without the whales feeling intimidated.

The cruise

During the 2.5 hour Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruise we moved back and forth between the cabin and decks. For Master Five the best vantage point was on the rear deck, which we’d definitely recommended to all kids. The railings on the rear deck were better spaced and there were fewer people in this space, so it meant a clearer view for youngsters. We chatted with the lovely Fernanda who was manning the sick bay, and she was very keen to ensure Master Five saw as much as possible. Back inside the boat, a very helpful Bob was chatting to the passengers to ensure they were comfortable and enjoying themselves.

The large windows on the cabin meant that, when inside, passengers could get a great view of the whales outside. We could certainly see all the action from inside while having our snacks. Meanwhile, on the front deck, Daniel was watching everyone and reminding them to move about carefully. Making sure they were holding on, he was helping the kids and older passengers negotiate the front stairs and ensuring everyone got a great view of the action.

This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

What To Know Before You Go

Spirit of Gold Coast Whale Watching Cruises depart from Mariners Cove Marina, 60-70 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach. When booking with Spirit of Gold Coast, they send you a confirmation email containing plenty of information. You’ll receive information about boarding times, where to park, directions to get there, and more specific information about what to bring cruise itself. Spirit of Gold Coast offer a whale spotting guarantee – ‘Guaranteed Whale Sightings or Get a Free Return Trip’.

What to take with you when Whale Watching

We recommend you consider these items to wear or take in your whale watching cruise day pack –

• Sunscreen (a must, even in winter!)
• A weatherproof jacket
• Solid footwear
• Sunglasses
• Hat – you’ll have to hold onto them though, as it does get windy!
• Cameras are a must
• Snacks and drinks
• Anti-nausea tablets

The Gold Coast Whales

There is a small canteen for pre-packaged snacks, and you are welcome to bring your own food and drinks.

The cabin of the boat is clean, tidy and large to accommodate prams and well spaced for accessibility.

Anti-nausea tablets are available for purchase onboard but are best consumed before departure.

I can honestly say it was a day we won’t forget and felt incredibly well looked after by the crew. They were a fantastic bunch that made every effort to ensure a wonderful experience was had by all. We had an absolute blast! It’s not something you do every day, but it’s something you should definitely do more than once in your life.

Find out more about Spirit of Gold Coast whale watching tours at https://www.spiritwhalewatching.com.au/ and book your adventure today!

Getting to Tangalooma

If going for the day, the best way to reach Tangalooma is to book a seat on the Tangalooma Island Resort Ferry. This passenger ferry service departs from Holt Street Wharf at Pinkenba, not far from the Gateway Bridge crossing of the Brisbane River. You can choose from one of two departure times from Brisbane—7:30am or 10am—with each taking only 75 minutes to reach the island. When coming home, the launch departs from Tangalooma Island Resort Jetty at 4pm and approximately 7pm (after the daily sunset wild dolphin feeding session concludes).

Stay and play for the day

The Tangalooma Whale Watching Cruise runs each day from 12pm to 3pm, during whale watching season (early June to mid-October annually). Bookings for this cruise can be made online, and your package will also include your return trip to the island from Brisbane and back again. Your cruise ticket will also include –

• 3 hour whale watching cruise with commentary by one of Tangalooma’s Eco Rangers
• Lunch voucher
• Day-long access to all the facilities at Tangalooma Island Resort
• Tangalooma’s Eco Rangers experiences
• Free resort activities
• Voucher for one drink for use during the boat transfer to or from the resort

Tangalooma day trip suggested itinerary

If you’re up for it, you really can plan to spend the whole day at Tangalooma. On our recent visit, this is how our day went –

• 7am – Ferry transfer to Tangalooma Island Resort from Holt Street Wharf, arriving on the island at approximately 8:15am.
• 8:45am – 1 ½hr Desert Safari Tour out to the Tangalooma Desert, including sand tobogganing.
• Free time to explore the resort facilities and beach, including morning tea at The Coffee Lounge. Find out more about things to do at the resort.
• 12pm – 3hr Tangalooma Whale Watching Cruise departs Tangalooma jetty, returning at approximately 3pm.
• Free time to explore the resort facilities and beach some more, including a drink from B & B’s Resort Bar for the grown ups.
• 4:45pm – Kookaburra feeding on the beach front, hosted by one of Tangalooma’s Eco Rangers.
• Early dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants.
• 6pm – Wild dolphin feeding adjacent to the Tangalooma Island Resort Jetty (included in the Wild Dolphin Feeding Whale Watching Cruise package – must be booked). Read our full Wild Dolphin Feeding review here.
• 7pm – Tangalooma ferry departs for Brisbane, arriving at Pinkenba at approximately 8:15pm.

Whilst this is a really full itinerary for a day, it showcases the best Tangalooma has to offer and is guaranteed to have you booking a longer return stay as soon as you can! We all arrived home tired, but thrilled after a day spent soaking up Tangalooma’s magic.

The Tangalooma Whale Watching Cruise Review (2018)

Moreton Bay provides the closest location to Brisbane to spot the majestic whales on their annual migration from south to north and back again throughout the months of June to October. This beautiful, tropical location provides some jaw-dropping opportunities to get up close to these creatures, with the three-hour Tangalooma Whale Watching Cruise being an ideal way to take advantage of this unique experience.

Shortly after departing the Tangalooma jetty, and after a brief safety presentation, all guests on board the cruise are invited to collect their packed lunch from the kiosk. Although described as ‘light’, these fresh and healthy meals were sizable and included half a ham or chicken and salad sandwich and half a ham or chicken and salad wrap, an apple, a full-sized muffin, Jatz crackers and cheese. Vegetarian and gluten free options were also available, though do need to be ordered upon booking your tickets for the cruise.

The cruise travelled north for around 30 minutes before clearing the northern-most point of Moreton Island into more open sea. It was here that we spotted our first whales in what was to be a non-stop WOW experience lasting almost 2 hours straight! The first two whales were staying close by each other, we suspect because one was a baby that appeared only a day or so old. The baby was a sight to behold, being very light in colour and frequently breaking the surface for us to spot a glimpse of white.

In the distance we spotted another two whales, though they weren’t too excited to see us and soon swam off. It was the fifth whale we saw that provided the next hour and a half of breathtaking whale watching. In an experience we are told is very rare, this whale breached no less than 30 times! The exclamations from the passengers on board (and, indeed, the Tangalooma staff themselves) were continuous. Breaking the surface, breaching and flopping into the water with a loud slap, our show-off whale put on quite the performance in what was a thrilling spectacle for first-time whale watchers like ourselves. Miss 8 and Miss 12 captured some amazing photos and videos on their little waterproof cameras, which we’re so glad they brought with them. We all just could not wipe the grins from our faces as we repeatedly capture sensational views of this whale crashing into the water right near us.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and, whilst we cannot guarantee you’ll see a whale that likes to show off quite as much as this guy did, the Tangalooma Whale Watching Cruise does offer a money back whale sighting guarantee. The staff and skipper will do everything they can to ensure the most incredible encounter possible for everyone on board, so that nobody will be left disappointed after an action-packed afternoon on the ocean. The Tangalooma Eco Ranger on board will not only point out the whales visible from the cruise, but will also fill the afternoon with information about whales that you may not already know; making it both educational and enjoyable for all ages.

You can get a taste of our Tangalooma whale watching adventure in this video –

Brisbane Kids thanks Tangalooma Island Resort for sponsoring our writer and her family on their day trip to the lovely Tangalooma Island Resort and Moreton Island. Costs were covered. All the opinions stated in this review are true, honest and genuine with the sole aim of providing enough information for families to make an informed decision about future holidays to this wonderful local leisure destination.

If you’d like to learn more about our experiences at Tangalooma, please click here to read more of our reviews.

Our experience dolphin feeding at Tangalooma (2015)

Here’s a brief glimpse of our experience wild dolphin feeding at Tangalooma Island Resort –

 

It’s truly hard to believe that these are ‘wild’ dolphins visiting the resort night after night. How do they know that the sun is setting? How do they know where to go? How do they know that it’s time to come in for their feed? These were all questions our Brisbane Kids asked and, truly, it is incredible how intelligent these dolphins are. Not only do a pod of bottlenose dolphins arrive on time every night of the year (not all dolphins turn up every night, but the same core group regularly visits), but these gorgeous creatures play and show off for their audience whilst they wait for the main show (i.e. the feeding) to start.

The dolphin encounter begins with a short information session from the Jetty whilst the dolphins splash about in the shallows. (A free “Discover the World of Dolphins” presentation is additionally hosted daily at the Tangalooma Marine Education and Conservation Centre at 4pm daily, should you want to extend the experience.) From there, visitors who have booked for the dolphin feeding are invited to gather on the beach. Even if you haven’t booked the dolphin feeding, you are more than welcome to stand on the Jetty and watch this event.

Once on the beach, we joined one of the lines, where one lane was set up per dolphin visiting on that day. There are three stops within the lane – the first station contains a bucket where we were asked to wash our hands and forearms to remove any perfumes, sunscreen, insect repellents or other nasties that may cause harm to the dolphins. (NOTE: If you are not well you are asked to stay away from the dolphins for the same reasons). The second station consisted of a big bucket of slimy fish. We were most entertained by the sea birds flitting from bucket to bucket in the hopes that someone left the lid off for a free treat. Miss 5 ½ and Miss 9 were resistant to grabbing hold of a slimy fish at first, but the attraction of getting up close and feeding a dolphin won them over.

Only three people (plus an Eco Ranger) are permitted to enter the water per lane at any one time to avoid confusing the dolphins. The visiting dolphins tend to move away from the shore between each visitor. Who’s hanging around if there’s no chance of food? (See, SO smart!!)

When we moved forward to feed our dolphin (Nari on this particular night), he started swimming towards us, noticing that three different sets of legs had entered the water. It was incredible how gentle he was—moving to each of us and opening his mouth for us to hold out a fish for him to softly take from our hands. The rush that this experience gave us was amazing! Being afraid of animals, Miss 9 was SO proud of herself for following through with hand feeding the fish to Nari and it was remarkable to see the boost it gave her. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that our family will remember always.

How much does it cost to feed a dolphin at Tangalooma Island Resort?

The dolphin feeding experience is generally included in your accommodation booking when staying at Tangalooma Island Resort, however we recommend checking when you book to be sure. This provides each member of your party with one dolphin feeding encounter each. Although there is no cost, you do still need to book your dolphin feeding experience on the day you wish to take part. Bookings are taken at the Marine Education & Conservation Centre (near the Jetty) from between 1pm and 4pm daily.

The dolphin feeding experience can also be included in some paid day trips to Tangalooma, so be sure to check that out when booking your next adventure.

What time is the dolphin feeding at Tangalooma?

Dolphin feeding times can vary according to season, however the dolphins begin to come close to shore at sunset on the northern side of the jetty. Be sure to get to the jetty early and you can watch the dolphins swim in and frolic in the water alongside the jetty before the official dolphin feeding experience begins.

The presentation begins as the sun is setting, followed by the hand feeding experience on the beach.

Warning: Do not approach wild dolphins

As a general rule, the resort asks that visitors do not approach or feed any of the wild animals at Tangalooma, except if taking part in one of the resort’s organised activities. This is to ensure minimal negative human impact on all animals that call this area home. Regulations in Moreton Bay also state that “a person in water must not, without reasonable excuse, move any closer than 100 metres to a dolphin”.

Brisbane Kids thanks Tangalooma Island Resort for sponsoring our writer and her family on their holidays to the lovely Tangalooma Island Resort and Moreton Island. Costs were covered. All the opinions stated in this review are true, honest and genuine with the sole aim of providing enough information for families to make an informed decision about future holidays to this wonderful local leisure destination.

Feeding dolphins is not the only up-close wild animal adventure you can experience at Tangalooma. Check out our review of Tangalooma’s Whale Watching Day Trip for a winter adventure for the whole family!