CityCat River Cruise

Overview

The CityCat is Brisbane's iconic public ferry service, running catamarans along the Brisbane River from the University of Queensland to Northshore Hamilton. For the price of a bus ticket, riders get a scenic 80-minute river cruise past the CBD, South Bank, Kangaroo Point, and New Farm.

Highlights

• Affordable sightseeing: A full end-to-end journey is one of the cheapest ways to see Brisbane's major waterfront landmarks.
• Sunset cruise: Board an eastbound CityCat in the late afternoon for golden light on the city skyline.
• Hop-on hop-off: Use the go card to hop off at South Bank, New Farm, or Howard Smith Wharves and re-board later.

History

The CityCat service launched in 1996 with six vessels, revolutionising Brisbane's public transport by turning the river into a commuter highway. The fleet has since expanded to 22 vessels, each named after notable Brisbane and Queensland figures.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Use a go card (rechargeable transit card) for discounted fares — available at newsagents and stations.
• Tip 2: Sit on the starboard (right) side heading downstream for the best CBD views.
• Duration: 30 minutes–1.5 hours.