3 Best Duck Tours in Brisbane

Brisbane, Queensland’s laid-back capital, is often overshadowed by its more famous coastal neighbors, but it’s got a quirky, fun side that most visitors miss if they stick only to the standard walking tours or generic river cruises. The city’s unique mix of leafy parklands, historic laneways, and wide, winding Brisbane River makes it the perfect spot for amphibious “duck” tours that let you explore both land and water without switching vehicles halfway through your day.

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These tours take the stress out of planning separate activities, whether you’re a first-time visitor looking for a quick overview of the city’s top landmarks, a local looking for a fun night out with friends, or a family traveling with kids who get bored of standard sightseeing. We’ve tested every popular duck tour in the area to narrow down the three worth your time and money, so you can skip the overpriced, low-effort options and book a trip you’ll actually remember.

1. Brisbane Classic City & River Amphibious Tour

This is the go-to option for anyone visiting Brisbane for the first time, and it’s easy to see why it’s the most popular amphibious tour in the city. The 90-minute trip starts at South Bank’s Parklands, where you’ll board a bright yellow, World War II-era amphibious vehicle that’s been fully refurbished for sightseeing. Your guide will kick things off with a quick history lesson about Brisbane’s founding, then you’ll cruise past the iconic Story Bridge, the Queensland Cultural Centre, and the Howard Smith Wharves, with plenty of stops to snap photos of the city’s most famous landmarks. Halfway through the tour, the vehicle splashes straight into the Brisbane River, and you’ll glide under the Story Bridge and past the CBD skyscrapers from a view most visitors never get to see.

The tour is totally family-friendly, with commentary that’s funny enough to keep teens entertained and simple enough for young kids to follow, and the vehicle has wide, open sides so even little ones can get a clear view of the water when you splash in. If you’re traveling with a group, you can even book a private tour for an extra cost, which lets you customize the route to hit any extra spots you’re interested in, like the New Farm Park or the Brisbane Powerhouse.

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• Best time to book: Aim for a 9:30am midweek slot, when the river is calmest (no choppy morning winds to rock the boat) and the city’s streets are less crowded, so you can get unobstructed photos of the landmarks without random pedestrians in the shot.
• Booking tip: Reserve your spot at least 72 hours in advance if you’re traveling during the June or July school holidays, or during the Brisbane Festival in September, as these tours sell out weeks ahead. Booking directly through the official tour website also gets you a free digital pack of photos from your ride, which most third-party booking sites don’t offer.

2. Brisbane Sunset City Lights Duck Tour

If you’ve already done the standard daytime city tour, or you just prefer exploring cities when the crowds thin out and the lights come on, this sunset tour is the perfect pick. The 2-hour trip starts 90 minutes before sunset, so you get to see the city in both golden hour light and after dark, when the CBD skyscrapers and the Story Bridge are all lit up with colorful displays. You’ll cruise past South Bank’s Streets Beach, the Queensland Art Gallery, and the Customs House, then splash into the river right as the sun dips below the horizon, so you can watch the sky turn pink and orange over the water without squinting into the sun. The guides play soft, chilled music during the water leg of the tour, and point out hidden spots like the secret rooftop bars along the river that most tourists never find.

This tour is ideal for couples looking for a fun, low-pressure date night, or photographers who want to capture the city’s skyline without the harsh midday light. It’s also a great pick if you’re visiting Brisbane in the summer, when daytime temperatures regularly top 30 degrees Celsius, and you’d rather explore the city when the air cools down a little. Snacks and soft drinks are included in the ticket price, and you can bring your own alcohol if you’re over 18, so it’s easy to make a whole evening of it.

• Best time to book: Book a slot between April and May, or September and October, when Brisbane’s weather is mild and dry, so you can sit on the open sides of the vehicle without getting sticky from humidity or caught in a sudden summer rainstorm.
• Booking tip: If you want a seat with a clear view of the river for photos when the vehicle splashes in, select a window seat when you reserve, and bring a small, compact tripod that fits under your seat to avoid blurry shots when the boat is moving on the water.

3. Brisbane City to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Amphibious Day Tour

This is the only duck tour on our list that doubles as a wildlife day trip, and it’s easily the most unique option for families or animal lovers visiting Brisbane. The full-day tour starts in the city center, where you’ll board the amphibious vehicle and cruise along the Brisbane River past New Farm Park, the historic Bulimba area, and the mangrove forests that line the river’s western banks. Halfway through the land leg of the trip, the vehicle splashes into the water and continues along the river to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, located in the leafy suburb of Fig Tree Pocket.

You’ll get 3 hours to explore the sanctuary on your own, where you can hold a koala, feed the free-roaming kangaroos, and spot native birds and reptiles in the park’s natural bushland setting. After your time at the sanctuary, you can hop back on the duck tour to head back to the city, or opt to take a separate river cruise back if you want to stay longer. The guides are all trained wildlife volunteers, so they’ll point out native animals living in the riverbanks along the way, like dolphins, sea eagles, and even the occasional platypus if you’re lucky.

• Best time to book: Aim for a weekday morning slot, when the sanctuary is 60% less crowded than on weekends, so you don’t have to wait in long lines to hold a koala or get a spot at the kangaroo feeding sessions.
• Booking tip: When you reserve, choose the combined entry and tour ticket instead of the tour-only option, as it includes free entry to the sanctuary and a complimentary return river cruise if you decide you don’t want to take the duck tour back to the city after your visit.

Brisbane doesn’t get nearly as much love as Australia’s more famous tourist hubs, but these duck tours are proof that the city has just as much charm and quirk as any spot on the country’s east coast. Whether you’re passing through for a weekend or calling the city home, these rides are a fun, low-fuss way to see a side of Brisbane that most visitors completely miss, and they’re guaranteed to make for some of your favorite memories from your trip.