RIVER TRIPS · AUSTRALIA RIVER CRUISES

15 River Cruises in Australia Worth Booking

56 tours  ·  from $19 a head

Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne all read better from their rivers, and the crocodile country up north is a different trip entirely. These 15 compare lunch sailings, city circuits and wildlife runs.

River Cruise - The first stretch through Dickson Inlet
Australia River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

River Cruise

1.River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,980 reviews · from $37Our pick

Spend 90 calm minutes aboard Lady Douglas with skipper Richard, Jay, or another local crew member. Cruise Dickson Inlet, the marina, and Port Douglas waterfront while looking for crocodiles, birds, crabs, and mudskippers. Your fare includes one drink and a snack box, with commentary throughout.

“Richard and Jay are amazing people and bring great vibes to our vacation. The tide was high and we didn’t see many wildlife but overall really enjoyed the tour. Love the boat too!”

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Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise - Finding Berth No 2 at Southgate
2-Hour Experiences, Australia River Cruises, Melbourne River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Melbourne: 2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise

2.2-Hour City Highlights River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 1,804 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Cruise upstream and downstream from Southgate with GPS-triggered English commentary, passing Docklands, Southbank, the MCG, Olympic Park, Herring Island, and the Botanic Gardens. You get indoor seating, an open back deck, tea and coffee, and a practical city overview for $49.

“Value for Money, You Should take Down Stream and Up Stream as well”

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Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise - One row of seats means better views
Australia River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise

3.Solar Whisper Daintree River Crocodile and Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,663 reviews · from $25

Spend an hour on the Daintree River aboard Solar Whisper, a quiet solar-assisted boat carrying no more than 24 people. Guides such as Mark and Dave point out named crocodiles, birds, frogs, snakes, and fish while sharing clear facts about the river and mangroves.

“Disappointed no crocs seen however the main issue is no refund just free entry if you return... Most people are on holidays and don't return so money wasted”

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Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise - Kings Tableland gives you a quieter mountain view
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Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise

4.Blue Mountains Day Tour Including Parramatta River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,585 reviews · from $68

Travel from Sydney to the Blue Mountains in a small group of up to 28 people, with stops at Sydney Zoo, Kings Tableland, Wentworth Falls or Leura Cascades, Leura, Katoomba, Scenic World, and the Three Sisters. Guides Bruce and Les are often praised for their humor, local knowledge, and care.

“Outstanding! Educational, well-organized, superb tour guide and driver (Bruce), enjoyable scenery/views. Bruce, from Oz Trails really made the positive difference in making this tour such a success. Knowledgable, entertaining, helpful, detail oriented, Bruce has a great interaction with the guests, Bruce reflects very favorably upon himself and Oz Trails.”

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Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan - Hells Gates: a narrow entrance with an ominous past
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Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan

5.Gordon River Cruise departing from Strahan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,577 reviews · from $111

Spend six hours aboard Spirit of the Wild, a hybrid catamaran from Strahan. Cruise past Hells Gates, travel quietly under electric power on the Gordon River, visit Sarah Island, enjoy a chef-prepared buffet lunch, and choose main-deck or premier upper-deck seating.

“Great experience. Very clean boat. Excellent service. Delicious food. Both sightseeing stops very well organized.”

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Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary - Arriving at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
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Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

6.Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,522 reviews · from $82

Cruise from Southbank to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary with river commentary, then spend three hours among koalas, kangaroos, platypus, birds, and reptiles. The boat has a cafe, and crew members such as Dennis are praised for friendly service. Koala-touch bookings cost extra.

“This was a great experience. The staff is amazing. Remember to bring sunscreen and plenty of water!!”

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Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise on the Yarra River - A four-course meal with an unusually broad drinks list
Australia River Cruises, Dinner Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Australia, Melbourne River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise on the Yarra River

7.Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise on the Yarra River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,470 reviews · from $139

Board at Southbank Promenade at 7:30 pm for about three hours on the Yarra River. You’ll pass Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Rod Laver Arena, and the Royal Botanic Gardens while enjoying four courses, Australian wine, beer, bubbly, spirits, dessert, cheese, and port. Seating may be aboard the Yarra Countess or Yarra Empress.

“excellent experience! very very atentive staff! me and my wife enjoyed evey moment! good food and appropiate drinks. 5 stars… clear!”

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Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit - Food, seating, and the feel of the boat
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Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

8.Brisbane River Cruise and Koala Sanctuary Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,397 reviews · 5h 30m · from $81

Cruise from South Bank aboard Mirimar II with live commentary, then spend three hours at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. See more than 130 koalas, feed kangaroos and wallabies, and visit the platypus house, raptor show, and sheepdog display. Food and optional koala encounters cost extra.

“excellent day out value for money & the commentary was good”

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Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan - Hells Gates, where the harbour meets the Southern Ocean
Australia River Cruises, Historical Tours, Morning, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

9.Morning World Heritage Cruise on the Gordon River from Strahan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,193 reviews · from $111

Depart Strahan at 9am for a six-hour cruise through Macquarie Harbour, Hells Gates, Sarah Island, and the Gordon River. Expect live commentary, a guided Sarah Island walk, buffet lunch, and a rainforest boardwalk. Upper-deck seating includes lunch and morning tea, while main-deck seating includes lunch.

“Wonderful! The cruise sails throughout the Gordon river viewing the dense rainforest on the banks. The boat had comfortable seating indoors and on the deck. Trip to Sarah island was great and our tour guide shared some fun facts and stories about the convicts and local timber industry . Lunch is served fresh on the boat. This is a must do when in Strahan.”

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Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch - Sarah Island: Tasmania’s penal settlement in one hour
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Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

10.Strahan: World Heritage Cruise on Gordon River with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,143 reviews · 6 hours · from $109

Spend six hours cruising from Strahan through Hells Gates and Macquarie Harbor, with a guided Sarah Island visit, Gordon River rainforest walk, local Tasmanian lunch, and Huon pine sawmill stop. Guides such as Lyle, Maggie, and David bring the convict story to life.

“Friendly and helpfulstaff. Bonus was Rob was our skipper. Perfect weather and we loved the whole experience. Thoroughly recommended.”

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Adelaide River Cruises - Jumping Crocodile Experience - From Middle Point to the Adelaide River
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Adelaide River Cruises – Jumping Crocodile Experience

11.Adelaide River Cruises – Jumping Crocodile Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 997 reviews · from $43

Cruise the Adelaide River for about an hour as guides such as Captain Jack, Jake, Dillon, John, or Sean point out wild saltwater crocodiles and entice them to leap for food. The boats are shaded, stroller accessible, and limited to 28 people, with close views of famous crocs including Brutus and Dominator.

“Captain Jack was awesome. Great knowledge, great banter. I have been to other jumping croc cruises in Darwin many times over the last 20 years when family or friends come to visit but this was the best yet. I will definitely make this cruise the only jumping Croc cruise I take my peeps too. What a great family business. We had the privilege of having Jacks grandfather on the cruise, you could see the great connection these boys have, so cool. Hope you win the 2 slabs bro”

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Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min) - Customs House and Brisbane’s early commercial life
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Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min)

12.Morning Sightseeing Cruise: 10:30am-12pm (90min)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 973 reviews · from $37

From the Cultural Centre pontoon, this 10:30am cruise follows the Brisbane River past Customs House, Story Bridge, South Bank, the city centre, and Kangaroo Point Cliffs. Expect onboard commentary, tea or coffee with scones, restrooms, and a licensed bar, with the boat returning to its starting point.

“The worse experience. I missed the boathouse due to bad advertising the meeting point. The company has not reimbursed anything!!!”

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Adelaide: River Torrens Popeye Sightseeing Cruise - Finding Elder Park Landing
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Adelaide: River Torrens Popeye Sightseeing Cruise

13.River Torrens Popeye Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 949 reviews · 45 min · from $19Best value

Spend 45 minutes aboard Adelaide’s heritage Popeye boat, cruising from Elder Park toward the Torrens River Weir Gate and Adelaide Zoo. An English-speaking captain such as Sam or James provides history, jokes, landmark commentary, and wildlife notes, while a deckhand sells drinks and snacks.

“Great tour , funny and informative commentary from James. Good value and nice sights.”

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1-Hour Daintree River wildlife cruise - What happens during the river cruise
1-Hour Experiences, Australia River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

1-Hour Daintree River wildlife cruise

14.1-Hour Daintree River wildlife cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 947 reviews · from $25

Spend one hour on the Daintree River with guides such as Bruce, Brad, Ray, or Griff, watching for crocodiles, kingfishers, tree snakes, and other wildlife. Choose a morning, lunch, or afternoon departure, with refreshments included and commentary on the river’s ecology, culture, and history.

“It’s was nice, we seen crocks and some nice story telling. Nice refreshing drink after the experience and something nice to eat.”

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Melbourne: Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise - What you see during the one-hour route
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Melbourne: Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

15.Yarra River Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 889 reviews · 1 hour · from $28

Cruise from Federation Wharf through central Melbourne for one hour, with live English commentary on the Eureka Tower, Royal Botanic Gardens, Southbank, bridges, and city history. Tea and coffee are included, while snacks and alcoholic drinks cost extra. Guides such as Gilbert, Paul, Pete, and Bridgette have been praised for friendly delivery.

“There wasn’t really a guide in the cruise but the staff in the boat was very helpful for boarding, safety rules, off boarding. The boat is well equipped and the speed is just right to really enjoy the scenery. A great experience when visiting Melbourne”

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New in Australia River Cruises

★ 5.0Tully River White Water Rafting Half day- from Mission BeachFrom $107108 reviews
★ 4.5Barron River Half-Day White Water Rafting Cairns or Port DouglasFrom $91166 reviews
★ 4.9Noosa River: Mangroves and Mansions Guided Kayak TourFrom $5999 reviews
★ 4.6Guided River Kayak TourFrom $46175 reviews
★ 4.7Electric Picnic Boat Rental on the Yarra River209 reviews
★ 4.8Surfers Paradise: Gold Coast Afternoon River CruiseFrom $19255 reviews
★ 5.0Surfers Paradise Sightseeing River CruisesFrom $22263 reviews
★ 4.5Swan River Lunch CruiseFrom $93262 reviews
★ 4.7Kuranda: Riverboat TourFrom $21263 reviews
★ 4.5Swan River Dinner CruiseFrom $114270 reviews
★ 4.6From Perth or Fremantle: Swan River One-Way or Return CruiseFrom $31268 reviews
★ 4.6Gold Coast: 1-Hour Land and Water Duck TourFrom $41286 reviews
★ 4.7Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Morning River and Canal CruiseFrom $19298 reviews
★ 4.7Swan River Lunch CruiseFrom $92301 reviews
★ 4.7Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba River Sunset CruiseFrom $38310 reviews

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