11 Best Brisbane Day Tours for Families | Compare & Book

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Are you ready to explore the capital city and find the best Brisbane day tours for families you can take in and around the city? We’re all into different things, like doing a variety of activities, or looking for something suitable for our family or friends. Either way, you are sure to find something in the list below!

Let’s check them out!

Today I’ll be mentioning a few places to visit near Brisbane, along with the link to book the Brisbane day tours. It’s as easy as that! While your there, Click here if you looking for Brisbane Accommodation or ideas on where to stay

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Family-friendly Brisbane Day Tours to Islands

1. Moreton Island

Welcome to the third-largest sand island in the world, Moreton Island. It’s located about 40 kilometres off the coast of Brisbane, Queensland, and is home to the Tangalooma Island Resort. It has the highest coastal sand dune, which you can take full advantage of with sand tobogganing.

However, the Island is famous for its amazing beaches and wild Dolphin feeding which occurs every night. ( Although, Dolphins are easier to see when you’re staying overnight).

Visitors often stay on the Island for a few days and enjoy all the resort facilities. Alternatively, locals will head over for the weekend and enjoy the isolated beach camping. If you can’t do either option, then a day trip will be a great way to experience the Island, or the surrounding waters.

You will have options over a full-day tour, or just using the ferry transfers and exploring on your own. There are also cruise and some of the best snorkel options in Queensland, which are really nice around the wrecks. Additionally, there is a bit of diving, but you’ll need your dive certificate for that prior.

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2. North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island can be accessed from the Cleveland boat terminal on the south side of Brisbane. They provide transport for both cars, Caravans, and people over to the Island about 10 times a day. However, If you’re going over without transport, then it’s handy to jump on an organised tour.

This is the second-largest sand island (the first being Fraser Island) and has its own local community with supplies, housing, Beach camping and accommodations.

Most will visit for the many choices of beachside fun, watching for whales at North Gorge or any other activities revolving around the water. You will have a couple of options to tour the island, from both Brisbane or while staying in your Stradbroke Island accommodation.

3. Bribie Island

This could be a good option if you’re already staying at Bribie Island and don’t have your own four-wheel drive. This day tour will take you from the local community of Woorim and depart straight up the beach for some four-wheel driving fun. If you looking for somewhere to stay, then the Sandstone point Caravan Park is a popular spot and very close to the meetup point on Bribie.

Expect to see some beautiful white sandy beaches, all the beach camping spots, the world war 11 bunkers, and the National Park bushland. Hopefully, you will get to see local wildlife like koalas and kangaroos, swampy wetlands, and freshwater lakes. This is a brilliant way to experience Bribie Island and an easy family-friendly Brisbane Day tours option.

Fun Brisbane Day Tours for Families

4. Story Bridge

The Story Bridge can be admired from many different places around the city, even up close on the walking path. What you might want to do is complete the Story Bridge Adventure Climb experience and take in the best views, similar to the Harbour Bridge in Sydney.

This is the longest cantilever bridge in Australia, heritage-listed and spanning north to south across the Brisbane River. It was opened in the 1940s and links the suburbs of Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley. It’s 74 metres from the ground to the Summit, which is similar to a 22 story building and how high you will be enjoying the climb.

The Adventure climb office is situated on Main Street at Kangaroo Point, where you’ll be suited up for safety and walk the short distance to the start of the Climb. The whole experience takes a couple of hours and gives you the bird’s eye, unrestricted view of Brisbane City.

On another note, the Story Bridge is great to view during September and on the weekend festival of Riverfire. This is when the Bridge is closed off and fireworks are displayed in and around the Bridge, creating an everlasting memory.

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5. Segway Tour

I have ridden a Segway a few times, but this would have to be the longest I have ever been on one. You’ll meet your guide in West End, go through a safety briefing and get a feel for the machine. Once you’re ready, you set forth through South Bank beside the river, over the goodwill bridge, and into the Botanic Gardens.

If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity and one that gives you a great overview of Brisbane – Then this is the tour for you! Venture through some of the main tourist areas of Brisbane and cover more ground, than if you were wandering around on foot.

The machine itself is a little awkward at first but you do get used to it. My biggest recommendation would be to ensure you keep enough stopping distance between you and the person in front. Additionally, be on the lookout for small children running around, or anything else jumping out in front of you.

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6. Brisbane River Kayaks

Discover the busy Brisbane skyline, while on the water and aboard your own Kayak. These kayaks tours can run any time of day or give the sunset tour a try. They can be easy to manoeuvre but I recommend wearing clothes you can get wet and limit electronic equipment.

Through a couple of hour period, you will be briefed on how to use the Kayaks and then tour a short distance up and down the river. The night tour can be a lovely experience, although intimidating with other vehicles driving by and making waves.

7. Whale Watching Cruise

Whale watching is a seasonal activity and generally runs from June to October each year. Migrating Humpback whales hang around during this time and like to put on quite a show for the tourists.

See these beautiful creatures swimming in pods, pocking their nose out, breaching from the surface, or jumping out of the water. Although tours are very popular from Hervey Bay, know that you can take a day trip from Brisbane too.

Tours will often include lunch and snacks, leave from the Redcliffe Marina and take about 5 to 6 hours to complete. My biggest tip would be to take a zoom lens for your camera and your seasickness mediation before getting on board.

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8. Gold Coast Theme Parks

Your main Theme Parks are Dreamworld, White Water World, Wet and Wild, Movie World, and SeaWorld. However, there are a couple of smaller parks and other experiences included in the type of ticket you purchase.

All of the theme Parks can be accessed within an hour from Brisbane or a Day trip from the Gold Coast, and you can purchase a day pass at the door. I do recommend only scheduling one Theme Park per day at a minimum.

Discounts are applied for 3 day passes, yearly passes, and general concessions. Opportunity’s for multiple parks on the same pass is available, and there are two different types you can purchase. If you organise these tickets earlier online or wait for sales, then it can drastically reduce the cost, especially when you’re buying for a family.

These Brisbane day tours for families will be full of adventure, thrills, and excitement as you see wild animals, go on the rides or spend the day around the water.

The Parks are fully catered with lots of snack food, drinks, and a few healthy options, but you can bring your own to save some money. Furthermore, Lockers are provided for your convenience while entering water rides or if you’re trying not to carry around too much gear.

9. Brisbane Day Tours to the Winery’s

Ok, so this one might not be for the youngers families, but could be an option for the older families, or getting a break from the kids. There are a couple of different Wineries located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, so this is an Adult’s day out to experience some local creators. Brisbane Day tours will drive you around to seasoned winemakers and award-winning boutique wineries located in the hinterland.

This is a great opportunity to meet some like-minded people, make some new friends and find what the area has to offer. However, it’s not only wine you can try, maybe locally made fudge or cheese snacks to enjoy with the wine. Depending on the tour you choose, each will have a different experience and have you coming home to brag.

Family-Friendly Nature Brisbane Day Tours

10. Gold Coast Hinterland National Parks & Rainforests

Venture in the Gold Coast Hinterland, explore the Springbrook National Park, Lamington National Park, or Mount Tamborine. Depending on the tours you can stop at places like The Natural Bridge. This is an unusual Waterfall that you can explore from above (disappearing into a hole) and below into a waterfall cave.

This whole area has stunning sites to see from bushland created over millions of years, local wildlife, glow worms, rock pools, Skywalks, or treetop climbs. Bus tours will conveniently depart from Brisbane, provide hotel pickup, or there are options to travel yourself and stay at selected accommodation for a longer trip.

11. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is a small family-friendly farm located very close to Brisbane city and one of the easiest wildlife experiences to access. It takes about 20 minutes to drive yourself from the city, or there are public transport options available. Taking a Brisbane Day tour will take the worry out of finding your way around and could include other activities.

They have over 130 Koalas at the sanctuary, and depending on the season, you could find some babies as well. There are cuddling or holding options, along with photos and obviously learning all about these adorable marsupials.

Not only that, but there are other animals like Platypus, large Birds, Kangaroos, and wallabies wandering around the park. Some of these you can get up close and personal with, just enough for that perfect photo opportunity.

If this is your first time seeing a Koala, it’s something you’re not going to forget.

Conclusion to Brisbane Day Tours For Families

Thanks for reading todays blog on Brisbane Day Tours for Families. Please note there are more options and tour variety’s around Brisbane, apart from the option above.

If you would like some more option then please check out this post on Day trips from Brisbane, which has many more family-friendly options.

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