Queensland's River City Awaits
Brisbane is Australia's third-largest city — a sun-soaked, subtropical metropolis nestled along a winding river and nestled between ocean and mountains. It's a city that has grown up without losing its warmth: world-class museums and rooftop bars sit minutes from ancient rainforests and pristine island shores.
From koala encounters at the world's largest sanctuary, to snorkelling the ghostly beauty of Tangalooma's sunken ships, to sipping cool-climate wines above the clouds on Tamborine Mountain — Brisbane is your gateway to South East Queensland's extraordinary diversity.
Cooee Tours has been showing visitors the very best of this region since 2010, with small-group experiences that go beyond the tourist trail. Our expert local guides carry the stories, the insider knowledge, and the genuine passion that turns a good trip into an unforgettable one.
Local Expertise
Best Time to Visit Brisbane
Brisbane's subtropical climate delivers warm days year-round, but each season brings its own character — and its own bucket-list moments.
Perfect temperatures and spectacular jacaranda blooms transform the city purple. Ideal for hiking, island adventures, and outdoor festivals.
Hot, vivid, and full of energy. Ideal for water activities, snorkelling, and beach-going. Afternoons can bring tropical downpours.
Clear skies and comfortable warmth — the sweet spot. Excellent for hinterland drives, wine touring, and long days in the city.
Mild, dry, and magical for whale watching. Cool, comfortable days are perfect for city exploration and longer hinterland hikes.
Brisbane City Highlights
A vibrant blend of modern architecture, hidden laneways, world-class culture, and sun-drenched riverside life.
🍷 Food & Wine Scene
James Street dining, Eat Street markets, and craft breweries. Brisbane has emerged as a serious culinary destination. Join a guided food tour →
🏛 Cultural Precinct
QAGOMA, Queensland Museum, QPAC, and the State Library — world-class exhibitions, most with free entry to permanent collections.
👨👩👧 Family Friendly
Streets Beach at South Bank, CityCat ferry rides, Botanic Gardens — Brisbane delivers for families with a remarkable range of free attractions.
Extraordinary Wildlife, Minutes from the City
Brisbane's unique position between rainforest and coastline delivers exceptional wildlife experiences that travellers simply don't expect from a capital city.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world's first and largest koala sanctuary, home to 130+ koalas. Hold koalas, hand-feed kangaroos, and encounter 100+ native species. From $89 per person.
Book tour — From $89 →Mt Coot-tha & Botanic Gardens
Brisbane's highest point with 360° panoramic views. The adjacent 56-hectare Botanic Gardens feature themed gardens, walking trails, and a planetarium.
City tours from $75 →Island Adventures — Tropical Paradise
Crystal-clear waters, world-class snorkelling, and abundant marine life — all within 1–2 hours from Brisbane CBD.
🤿 Moreton Island
Snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks, sandboard massive coastal dunes, and watch dolphins at sunset. Day trips include ferry, all equipment, and guide.
🏝 North Stradbroke Island
Famous for Point Lookout, migrating whales, pristine beaches, and rich Quandamooka heritage. Less crowded, deeply soulful, and breathtakingly beautiful.
🐋 Whale Watching
June to October, witness humpbacks on their annual migration. Peak season (July–September) delivers a 98% success rate with expert naturalist guides.
Hinterland Escapes — Mountain & Rainforest
Just 40–90 minutes from Brisbane, the Scenic Rim rewards with dramatic volcanic peaks, ancient World Heritage rainforests, and boutique mountain wineries.
Tamborine Mountain
Rainforest skywalks, boutique wineries, artisan galleries, and sweeping hinterland views. Our most popular day trip — from $149 per person including lunch.
Book tour — From $149 →Springbrook National Park
World Heritage rainforests, cascading waterfalls, glow worm caves, and the Best of All Lookout. A day trip that genuinely takes your breath away.
Book tour — From $135 →⛰ Glass House Mountains
Iconic ancient volcanic plugs rising from flat plains. Dramatic lookouts, excellent hiking routes for all levels, and unforgettable photography.
🌊 Lamington NP
Ancient Antarctic beech forests, 160+ km of walks, and O'Reilly's rainforest retreat. A true wilderness escape south-west of Brisbane.
🐦 Wildlife Spotting
Year-round birdlife, including rainbow lorikeets, cockatoos, kingfishers, and with luck — wild koalas in the eucalypts.
Our Most-Loved Brisbane Tours
Carefully curated small-group experiences with expert local guides, comfortable transport, and everything included. Maximum 16 passengers.
Moreton Island Snorkel & Sandboard
Snorkel the spectacular Tangalooma Wrecks, tackle massive coastal dunes on a sandboard, and watch wild dolphins at sunset. An adventure you'll never forget.
Tamborine Wine & Rainforest
Three boutique wineries, a stunning rainforest skywalk, and a two-course lunch with mountain views. The perfect blend of indulgence and nature.
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
The world's largest koala sanctuary with 130+ koalas. Hold koalas, hand-feed kangaroos, and encounter platypus, wombats, and 100+ native species.
How to Make the Most of Your Time
Whether you have a half-day or a full week, these curated itineraries help you see the very best of South East Queensland.
🕐 Half-Day — Brisbane City Highlights (4 hours)
Morning:
- 8:00 AM — South Bank Parklands & Streets Beach (free)
- 9:00 AM — Cultural Precinct (QAGOMA, Museum, walk)
- 10:30 AM — CityCat ferry across to CBD
- 11:00 AM — Queen Street Mall or Eagle Street Pier
- 12:00 PM — Lunch at Howard Smith Wharves
Afternoon alternative: Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (half-day tour, $89) + Mt Coot-tha Lookout + Botanic Gardens.
🌊 Full Day — Moreton Island Adventure (9 hours)
- 7:00 AM — Hotel pickup from Brisbane CBD
- 8:00 AM — Board ferry at Holt Street Wharf
- 9:30 AM — Snorkelling at Tangalooma Wrecks (2 hours)
- 12:30 PM — Beach BBQ lunch on white sand
- 1:30 PM — Sandboarding on coastal dunes
- 3:00 PM — Wild dolphin watching cruise
- 5:15 PM — Return ferry to Brisbane
📅 Weekend — Brisbane & Coast (2–3 Days)
Day 1: Brisbane city — Lone Pine Sanctuary, Mt Coot-tha, South Bank, Howard Smith Wharves for dinner.
Day 2: Moreton Island full-day snorkel and sandboard adventure (book in advance).
Day 3 (optional): Sunshine Coast or Tamborine Mountain hinterland escape.
🗓 Week — Complete South East Queensland (7 Days)
Days 1–2: Brisbane city — culture, wildlife, dining, and riverside walks.
Day 3: Moreton Island snorkelling and sandboarding adventure.
Day 4: Tamborine Mountain — wineries, rainforest skywalk, mountain lunch.
Day 5: Springbrook National Park — waterfalls, glow worm caves, Best of All Lookout.
Days 6–7: Sunshine Coast — Noosa, Eumundi Markets, Australia Zoo (or Gold Coast hinterland).
Your Questions, Answered
Everything you need to know before booking your Brisbane adventure with Cooee Tours.
What are the absolute must-do experiences in Brisbane?
Brisbane's top unmissable experiences include: Moreton Island snorkelling at Tangalooma Wrecks (Queensland's most accessible tropical marine encounter); Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (world's largest, 130+ koalas); South Bank Parklands (free artificial beach and cultural precinct); Tamborine Mountain wine and rainforest day trip; and Whale watching June–October during the humpback migration.
How many days should I spend in Brisbane?
2–3 days gets you city highlights plus one great day trip. 4–5 days allows for two or three different day trips and real immersion in the city. 7+ days opens up the full South East Queensland circuit — from islands to hinterland to the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. Brisbane is an excellent base for exploring nearby regions while returning to city accommodation each evening.
When is the best time to visit for whale watching?
Season: June to October annually. Peak: July to September — 98% success rate with mothers, calves, frequent breaching, and playful behaviour. Book 2–3 weeks ahead for peak-season weekends as tours genuinely sell out.
Are Brisbane tours family-friendly?
Absolutely. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (all ages), Moreton Island adventures (ages 5+), river cruises (all ages), and gentle hinterland tours (all ages) are all exceptional for families. Most Cooee Tours offer child pricing for ages 4–15. Check individual tour pages for specific age requirements and child rates.
Do I need a car in Brisbane?
In the city: Not at all. Brisbane has excellent public transport, an extremely walkable CBD, and a CityCat ferry network. For day trips: Organised tours with hotel pickup (like ours) are the most convenient option, particularly for islands and hinterland destinations where public transport doesn't reach. Car hire provides flexibility if you prefer to self-drive.
What wildlife can I expect to see near Brisbane?
Guaranteed at sanctuaries: Koalas, kangaroos, wallaroos, platypus, wombats, native birds. High probability in the wild: Wild dolphins (year-round), humpback whales (June–Oct), sea turtles, rainbow lorikeets, kookaburras. Occasionally: Wild koalas, manta rays, dugongs, and various reptiles.
Stories from Our Travellers
4.8 out of 5 across 1,247 verified reviews on TripAdvisor, Google, and direct feedback.
The Moreton Island tour exceeded all expectations. Snorkelling at Tangalooma Wrecks was spectacular — sea turtles, hundreds of tropical fish, and coral-covered shipwrecks. Sandboarding was hilarious fun, and our guide Emma was incredibly knowledgeable. The small group size made everything feel personalized. Utterly magical.
As wine lovers, the Tamborine Mountain experience blew us away. Three boutique wineries with stunning valley views, exceptional local wines, a delicious lunch, and a rainforest skywalk that was unexpectedly magical. Our guide Sarah knew all the winemakers personally. Best day trip of our Australian journey.
Travelling with three kids (6, 9 and 12), we weren't sure if tours would work for us. This was perfect. Lone Pine was the absolute highlight — the kids held koalas and fed kangaroos right from their hands. The guides were patient, warm, and brilliant with children. Highly recommend for any family visiting Brisbane.
Free Planning Resources
Take the prep work off your plate. Download our expert-compiled guides before you go.
Complete seasonal clothing guide, island trip essentials, reef-safe sunscreen tips, and photography equipment suggestions.
Printable map of Brisbane CBD, major attractions, Moreton Bay islands, Tamborine Mountain, and public transport routes.
42-page resource with detailed itineraries, wildlife spotting tips, food recommendations, and full transport guide.