Brisbane Cruise Port
Brisbane, Australia · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) — Luggage Point, Brisbane.
Modern purpose-built terminal at Luggage Point with shuttle and taxi access to the CBD.
At a glance
Port summary
Most large cruise ships use Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT), opened 2020 at the mouth of the Brisbane River. Smaller ships occasionally use Portside Wharf at Hamilton, closer to town. Allow generous buffer time — the BICT is well outside walking range of the CBD and traffic on Kingsford Smith Drive can slow shuttles.
Cruise docks
🚢 Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) — Luggage Point
Modern purpose-built cruise terminal opened October 2020 at the mouth of the Brisbane River, Pinkenba. Handles the largest cruise ships calling at Brisbane. Approximately 17 km from the CBD; shuttle, taxi or rideshare required.
📍 Latitude: -27.380429, Longitude: 153.15533
See dock on port map →🚢 Portside Wharf — Hamilton
Inner-river cruise dock at Hamilton, around 7 km from the CBD. Used by smaller ships and luxury lines. Adjacent to shops and restaurants; CityCat ferry runs from the neighbouring Northshore Hamilton terminal directly to the CBD.
📍 Latitude: -27.440472, Longitude: 153.069953
See dock on port map →Getting to Brisbane
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Cruise-line shuttle to the CBD (typically King George Square or Roma Street) is the simplest BICT option; check the daily program for last return time.
📍 Shuttle stand outside the BICT terminal exit
Metered taxis serve BICT and Portside Wharf; cards accepted with a small surcharge.
📍 Taxi rank outside the BICT terminal exit
Uber and DiDi work well at both BICT and Portside; usually cheaper than a metered taxi.
📍 Rideshare pickup zone at the BICT terminal forecourt
CityCat is only useful when your ship docks at Portside Wharf — it runs from Northshore Hamilton to the CBD via Howard Smith Wharves and South Bank. No ferry service at BICT.
📍 Northshore Hamilton ferry terminal next to Portside Wharf
Translink bus 300 runs from Hamilton to the CBD but does not stop inside BICT. Use only if your ship is at Portside Wharf.
📍 Translink stop on MacArthur Avenue near Portside
Useful only for trips outside the CBD (Gold Coast, Mount Coot-tha); driving in the CBD is not necessary.
📍 Pickup at Brisbane Airport, 6 km from BICT, by taxi or rideshare
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Cards work everywhere; bring a small amount of cash for markets and tips only.
Things to do
South Bank Parklands
Short stop⭐ Highlight
Brisbane's flagship riverside park with gardens, restaurants and an artificial beach.
🕐 Late morning or early evening
Story Bridge
Short stop⭐ Highlight
Brisbane's heritage-listed cantilever bridge with riverside walks and night-time light shows.
🕐 Sunset for skyline photos
New Farm Park & Powerhouse
Short stop🚶 Walk
Riverside park and converted power station with rose gardens, art space and pop-up markets.
🕐 Late afternoon for the rose gardens
Streets Beach
Short stop🏖️ Beach
Australia's only inner-city artificial swimming beach with lifeguards and a free lagoon.
🕐 Mid-morning before peak heat
Eat Street Northshore
Short stop🛒 Market
Open-air food market in shipping containers next to the river — open Friday to Sunday evenings.
🕐 Friday or Saturday evening
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
🎯 Activity
Climb the Story Bridge with a guide for 360-degree views of the river and CBD.
🕐 Morning or twilight slot
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
🎯 Activity
Hold a koala, feed kangaroos and meet platypuses at the world's oldest koala sanctuary.
🕐 Opening time or feeding-session times
Howard Smith Wharves
Short stop🍽️ Restaurant
Restored heritage wharves under the Story Bridge with restaurants, bars and a riverside lawn.
🕐 Lunch or sunset
Brisbane City Hall & Museum of Brisbane
Short stop🏛️ Museum
Sandstone civic landmark housing the Museum of Brisbane and a free clock-tower lift.
🕐 Late morning between guided clock-tower slots
Queensland Museum
Short stop🏛️ Museum
Queensland's state museum with dinosaur skeletons, wildlife displays and a kids' sciencentre.
🕐 Mornings before school groups arrive
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Short stop🏛️ Museum
Australia's largest modern art gallery on the South Bank cultural precinct.
🕐 Opening time or late afternoon
Mount Coot-tha Lookout
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
Brisbane's best panoramic lookout, sweeping from Moreton Bay to the Glass House Mountains.
🕐 Clear morning or sunset
Wheel of Brisbane
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
60-metre Ferris wheel at South Bank with air-conditioned gondolas and CBD views.
🕐 Late afternoon for the golden-hour view
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Short stop📸 Viewpoint
Floodlit sandstone cliffs across the river from the CBD with the city's best skyline view.
🕐 Sunset for the skyline glow
Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
🌿 Nature
Subtropical botanic gardens at the foot of Mount Coot-tha with a tropical dome and Japanese garden.
🕐 Late morning before midday heat
City Botanic Gardens
Short stop🌿 Nature
Subtropical gardens fronting the Brisbane River at the eastern edge of the CBD.
🕐 Morning or late afternoon for shade
Roma Street Parkland
Short stop🌿 Nature
16-hectare landscaped parkland with lakes, a fern gully and themed subtropical gardens.
🕐 Mornings for cooler temperatures
Queen Street Mall
Short stop🛍️ Shopping
Brisbane's pedestrian shopping spine with major department stores, arcades and street performers.
🕐 Late morning or early afternoon
Build your perfect day in Brisbane
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Plan my day →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Brisbane?
- Your ship docks at one of the cruise terminals in Brisbane, Australia. The specific berth is assigned by the port a few days before arrival.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Brisbane?
- Walking into Brisbane from the cruise port isn't practical. Plan to use a shuttle, taxi, or public transport.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Brisbane centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, Taxi, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt), Ferry, Local bus, Car rental. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Brisbane?
- Plan for at least 6 hours ashore to see Brisbane independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Brisbane and are cards accepted?
- Brisbane uses the Australian Dollar. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Brisbane cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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