Cruise Port - Brisbane, Australia

Introduction

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, straddles the Brisbane River with the coastline of Moreton Bay to the east and the hills of the Great Dividing Range to the west.

The city was at first a far-flung penal colony built on the Brisbane river for convicts who had caused trouble in other colonies. The officials recognized that the natural loop of the river provided a good obstacle to escape. In the late 1830s the area became a destination for free settlers, who were given incentives to farm sheep on Darling Downs, a fertile region under the Great Dividing Range. In 1859 following Queen Victoria’s Queensland Proclamation, which declared Queensland a separate state to NSW, Brisbane was chosen as the state’s capital. This led to an upswing in commerce, and by the end of the century Brisbane was the principal center of industry in the area. In WWII Brisbane was a major supply center to the Pacific war and the staging post for thousands of Australian and American soldiers.

Today, Brisbane is a sophisticated and easy-living city of 2.3 million people recognized as among the world's most desirable destinations for leisure, lifestyle and business.

You Choose The Cruise

Brisbane is ideally located for an attractive variety of cruises lasting one week, two weeks or even more. Sail northeast to the sun-drenched Loyalty and Vanuatu islands to chill out on a palm-tree shaded beach, or travel north to the the picturesque Whitsundays Islands to swim in crystal clear waters above iridescent corals. Extended cruises are also available, including the intrepid circumnavigation of New Zealand.

Cruises from Brisbane details all the cruise departures out of Brisbane.

Cruise Terminal

Brisbane's cruise port, the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, is located on the mouth of the Brisbane River, 25km east of the city. The modern terminal completed construction in 2020, and offers a range of facilities including check-in desks, luggage handling, restrooms, and a cafe.   The terminal also offers a parking lot which has a capacity of 900 cars. Please note that on-site parking has to be booked in advance on-line.

Sightseeing in Brisbane

Walking tour

Brisbane City Council's 'Explore the Classic City Centre', an informative walking tour map, is available on their website. Interesting sights include the General Post Office Building, dating from 1872 and still owned by Australia's postal service, the Old Windmill, used from as early as 1828 to grind corn, Government House, built in 1862 and the residence of Queenland's first Governor, the Anzac Memorial, dedicated to Queensland's fallen servicemen and St Stephens, constructed in 1850 with a neo-gothic facade.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Founded in 1927 on a small area of scrub by the Brisbane River, the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's pioneer koala sanctuary and home to over 120 koalas. After petting a cute koala, watch the amazing skill of sheep dogs as they cleverly martial sheep by following the whistles and the gestures of the shepherd.

South Bank Parklands

The South Bank Parklands are located on the site of Brisbane's World Expo 88, and many of the buildings and art installations constructed for the fair have been kept. Unwind at the Nepal Peace Pagoda, a fine looking copy of a Kathmandu Temple, watched over by terrifying lion statues. Or sunbathe at Streets Beach, a wide curve of imported sand fronting a clear blue lake.

South Bank Cultural Centre

The South Bank Cultural Centre, on the southern side of the Brisbane River in the area between the the Kurilpa bridge and the Victoria bridge, comprises three prestigious attractions, the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art. The Queensland Art Gallery features both permanent and temporary exhibitions of paintings and sculptures by international and local artists. The Gallery of Modern Art offers the biggest collection of modern art in Australia, presenting the output of a diverse variety of accomplished artists. The Queensland Museum opened its doors in the middle of the 19th century, and its collection has increased in size becoming a detailed record of the cultural and natural heritage of the state.

Mt Coot-tha Lookout

A quick half hour journey by coach brings you to the Mt Coot-tha Lookout, set up high up on a hill overlooking the city. In 1880 a large tract of hilly was allocated as a reserve for a public park and given the name Mt Coot-tha, a derivation of the Aboriginal word for honey.

Driving To The Cruise Terminal

The cruise terminal is easy to get to via Route 25.  Set your sat nav to 1, Cruise Terminal Drive, Pinkenba.

Cruise Port - Sydney, Australia

Introduction

Sydney, which has a population of over 4 million, is the biggest urban district in the country of Australia. The city is located in a coastal plain, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury River.

Sydney was founded in the late eighteenth century when a convict fleet from England arrived in Australia. The transportation of convicts to Australia was the brainwave of the British Secretary of State, Lord Sydney. Consequently the new settlement’s name. The original colonist had a hard existence, living in wood hovels, eking out poor rations, and undergoing cruel punishment at the hands of the wardens. The natives, however, were to fare even more baldy, as the new diseases wiped out vast Aborigines. The mild climate, and the multitude of opportunities proved a draw, and the first free colonists came in 1793.

Unconstrained by bureaucracy, the settlement developed quickly through the next hundred years, as the migrants established hundred of mines, farms, businesses, factories and shops. Throughout the twentieth century, growth carried on as immigrants came from both Europe and Asia. Nowadays Sydney is a multicultural, large and modern city, with inhabitants hailing from all over the globe.

Today Sydney has become a very popular destination with tourists. Well-known attractions include Bondi Beach, The Rocks, the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. The city’s sightseeing attractions and coastal location have made it a top cruise ship port. More than 150 cruiseliners utilize the port every year.

You Choose The Cruise

There’s a fantastic range of cruises departing from Sydney to pick from. For a full calendar of cruise departures from Sydney, see Cruises From Sydney.

First time cruisers will enjoy the short cruises to nowhere, which give a great feel for cruising. Cruises to mysterious Tasmania or sun kissed Queensland are popular 7 day itineraries. Longer (9-10 night) cruises journey to the beautiful beaches of the Pacific islands Vanuatu and New Caledonia. 14 day routes include a circumnavigation of New Zealand, or a sailing to the lovely Pacific islands of New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji. Cruise aficionados will appreciate longer sailings to the oriental wonders of Japan and China, or the ambitious circumnavigation of the Australian continent.

Cruise Terminals Map

Sydney Cruise Terminals

Sydney’s cruise services are split between 2 places, Wharf 5 and the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Overseas Passenger Terminal
The OPT has access to an eight hundred foot quayside, with a capacity of just one large cruise ship. The terminal is a modern building with the usual variety of facilities for cruise passengers. It has restaurants, an hotel and outside eateries. The OPT is situated at Circular Quay, opposite the Opera House within walking distance from Sydney’s sights.

White Bay

In 2013 Sydney Ports refurbished a roll-on/roll-off terminal at White Bay into a cruise ship terminal. The new terminal is about 4 miles from Sydney.

For the port authority website see Sydney Ports.

Sightseeing in Sydney

If you’ve a day or so to spare at either end of your cruise holiday, Sydney is a great place to visit.
The Rocks
The original colonists landed at The Rocks, and lots of of the buildings here are well preserved, for instance the Merchants House, Susannah Place, Campbells Storehouse and Cadman’s Cottage. Integrated into this historical area, the visitor will see shops, galleries, bars, cafes and restaurants. The Rocks area is very near to Circular Quay.

Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sydney Harbour Bridge has a footpath giving easy access to the sightseer. Call at the Pylon Lookout on the south side of the bridge to see a fascinating display on how the bridge was constructed. If heights don’t frighten you join the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb, a 3 ½ hour expedition to the very top of the bridge. The climb leads you up catwalks, girders and ladders at day or night.

Sydney Opera House
Sydney Opera House, located on Bennelong Point on Syney Cove, is thought by many to be amongst the archictectural wonders of the world. Designed by Jørn Utzon and constructed with much controversy, the landmark building was opened in October 1973. Try to watch an opera, a concert or a ballet, if your vacation timetable enables you to. The Opera house is a quick walk along the coastline from Circular Quay.

Royal Botanic Gardens
The beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens is an oasis of greenery sited between the ocean and the urban center of the city. A path leads around the sea front, giving lovely views over Sydney Harbour and Farm Cove.

Bondi Beach
Bondi Beach is known the world over as a home of surfing. During summer Bondi beach is the place for surf, fun and sun. The beach looks out on a large moon shaped bay of blue ocean. Bus 380 from Circular Quay will get you there in about forty minutes.

Getting To The Port

From Sydney Airport
Overseas Passenger Terminal - Catch the train from either the International Train Station or the Sydney Airport Domestic station to Circular Quay (green line). The OPT is a short walk from Circular Quay Station.
White Bay - the easiest option is a taxi.

From Central Train Station
Main line train services terminate at the Central Rail Station.
The Inner West and South lines connect Central station to the city center. Get off the train at Circular Quay or Wynyard. A further option is a taxi.

By Car
Neither cruise terminal has integrated parking lots, however long stay parking is available nearby.