brisbane international cruise terminal bict

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Brisbane (Queensland Australia)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Australia - New Zealand - Pacific Ocean Islands

Local Time 2024-04-18 02:39

Port Brisbane cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Brisbane, Queensland Australia. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Brisbane cruise port is located in Southeastern Queensland. It is the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast gateway. The city is Australia's 3rd most populous - after Sydney (New South Wales) and Melbourne (Victoria)  and is followed by Perth (Western Australia) and Adelaide (South Australia) . Trends show that the Australian cruising market is growing at a rapid pace. It has some of the industry's highest penetration rates nationally. The Australian cruise ports' strongest competition today comes only from Singapore and Hong Kong (China) .

Brisbane is geographically the only cruise port from which can be operated 7-day roundtrip Queensland cruise itineraries that visit 2-3 Australian ports (like Airlie Beach , Cairns , Port Douglas ). The shorter the itinerary - the lower the price, which means more potential customers able to afford a Queensland cruising vacation. The city's location additionally gives year-round good weather, plus a large number of local residents living within 4 hours drive from the cruise port.

Port Brisbane

The seaport is located in one of city's suburbs and on Fisherman Island - man-made, with land reclaimed from the islands group at Brisbane River's. Brisbane is ranked Australia's 3rd busiest and also Queensland's largest and fastest-growing cargo port (followed by Gladstone and Townsville ) with annual international shipping trade over AUD 50 billion. The port is managed by the private company Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd under a 99-year lease from the state's government. The port has a total of 29 berths including 9 deep-water (for container ships) and 3 deep-water (for bulk carriers), plus 17 other for bulk and general cargo ships. The annual traffic is over 2600 vessels, with handled over 28 million tons of cargo.

The port area also includes the shipping channel across Moreton Bay - extending 90 km (56 mi) north to Mooloolaba . Port's channels and berths are dredged annually to maintain the 14 m (46 ft) depth at lowest tide.

Beside its cruise terminals, the port has facilities to handle cargo ships (oil tankers, bulk carriers and  container ships ) and dry-dock facilities for major marine vessel refurbishments and repairs.

• UN-LOCODE (United Nations location code) - AUBNE
• supported by excellent road, rail and air infrastructure
• deepwater berths
• sheltered harbor area
• access unrestricted by tides
• Gateway Bridge restricted access (185 ft / 56,4 m clearance)

In bad weather (15+ knot winds - 17 mph / 28 kph) turning around cruise ships in the Brisbane River is impossible since the ship's side acts as a sail).

capability to accommodate 2 vessels at a time

Port pilot assistance is provided by "Brisbane Marine Pilots Pty Ltd" (privately-owned company). Port pilotage is compulsory for vessels of 164 ft / 50 m LOA length or more and also for any vessel when directed by Harbour Master.

The Brisbane cruise ship terminal doesn't provide shore-to-ship power (shore-side electricity supply) which could reduce significantly the levels of emissions, noise and vibration in port.

The cruise port is accessible the whole year round – 24/7, 365 days a tear.

Cruise ships usually arrive in Brisbane in early morning (6 or 8 am) and depart from Brisbane in the late afternoon and early evening (at 2, 4 or 5 pm).

Among the Port's main cargoes is coal, of which roughly 60% originates from the open-pit mining site New Acland Mine. Cruise wharves are two. Portside Wharf (2006-opened) is the international terminal for smaller cruise liners. The facility has restaurants, coffee bar, gift shops. Due to Gateway Bridge's height restrictions, larger liners dock at the industrial Multi User Terminal.

In January 2008, Port of Brisbane Corporation signed an agreement with Brisbane Container Terminals (subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa) to operate cargo berths 11 and 12 for 42 years (until 2050).

The completed in 2 years and inaugurated in August 2018 "Port Drive Upgrade" was Brisbane Harbour's ever-biggest infrastructure development project (budgeted AUD 110 million). The project was crucial as 3,1+ million vehicles use its roads annually.

On April 5, 2018, the new China-built gantry crane (by ZPMC / "Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries") started operations at Brisbane Container Terminal. Same ZPMC cranes were also delivered and installed in Sydney (one, in April) and Melbourne (two, in March).

• The equipment (all 9 gantry cranes) was ordered by DP World Australia (Australia's main and largest container port and supply chain operator) ’to serve the country's container terminals. By this USD 180 million project were also delivered 20x straddle trucks, 4x RTGs (rubber tyred gantry cranes), 38x forklifts (industrial trucks).
• Each of the 9x ZPMC cranes costs USD 14 million, has rated capacity 65 tons (under spreader) and 75 tons (under heavy lift beam), rail gauge 25,3 m, above rail hoist height 38 m, hoist speed 90 m per min (loaded) and 180 m / min (unloaded).
• In June 2018, Port Brisbane launched a pilot project for recycling garbage from international vessels. Before that, crews separated recyclable garbage on the ships, but have limited options to offload the materials for recycling at Australian seaports. Upon offloading, any garbage is combined and either incinerated, autoclaved or deep-buried, without any recycling alternatives, thus creating a disincentive for vessels to discharge it in Australian ports.

Brisbane cruise port

(statistics) In 2006 (first year of operation), the cruise port handled 55 ships and 45000 passengers, making it Australia's second largest - after Sydney. In 2014, passenger numbers increased by 207% in comparison to 2006 - up to 138000.

(statistics) in the period between October 2013 and April 2014, the cruise port was visited by 24 unique ships (from a total of 71 ship calls). Those cruise ships disembarked here over 138,000 passengers plus over 50,000 crew.

(statistics) Queensland is Australia's second-largest cruise market that supports over 2100 jobs. In 2015 it generated around AUD 590 million in direct/indirect local expenditure from 239 ship calls and 442253 passenger days at port.

In March 2013, the City Council approved a new cruise port terminal plan at Myrtletown Precinct. It will be capable to welcome the world's largest cruise vessels. In November 2014, "Portside Wharf Hamilton" cruise terminal welcomed its millionth passenger.

During season 2015-2016, Queensland was visited by a record number of cruise ships - 329, ranking it Australia's most visited state. In April 2015, Princess Cruises (second largest Carnival Corporation brand) announced that for season 2016-2017 the company homeport 5 ships in Australia - Emerald , Golden , Sun , Sea and Dawn . The new deployment expanded the company's capacity by 20%. The vessels were deployed for departures from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. Each of the Princess Cruises Australia deals offers two optional "Land and Sea Vacation" packages. The "Australian Outback" package offers the opportunity to immerse in the Aboriginal culture and tradition on cruises to Great Barrier Reef and Uluru (aka Ayers Rock, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park). The "Ultimate Australia" package includes Sydney city tour, visiting Great Barrier Reef, port Darwin, plus the "Australian Outback" package inclusions.

In February 2016, PBPL ("Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd") confirmed the Queensland Government's approval for building the new Luggage Point cruise ship terminal. The new facility (at the mouth of Brisbane River) allows longer ships to dock in a location closer to the city. Bigger vessels currently berth at the multiuse (grain) terminal, which is a cargo area. Currently, the port has no place where large ships (longer than 885 ft / 270 m) can be berthed. By year 2020, the port's new passenger terminal Luggage Point will be able to accommodate even the world's biggest cruise vessels, which will represent ~60% of all calls. The new terminal will also act as a gateway to South East Queensland for many thousands of additional tourists every year.

In 2016, Royal Caribbean (the world's second-largest cruise ship owner) increased its Australian passenger capacity by 20%. Scheduled were more than 90 AU departures (by the company's 3 brands - RCI, Celebrity and Azamara). RCI deployed Legend of the Seas (now Marella Discovery 2) in Brisbane. However, in mid-April 2016 was announced that with the Legend's re-deployment from Australia to Europe (2017), Royal Caribbean will discontinue offering Brisbane departures as the bigger-sized RCI ships can’t dock at the Portside terminal. The company will not offer cruises out of Brisbane until the new "Luggage Point" terminal (east of Gateway Bridges) is constructed. Also, due to a lack of appropriate transportation to downtown, many passengers prefer to stay on the ship rather than going downtown. Unfortunately, Legend was the only RCI ship small enough to berth at Portside.

In December 2016, here arrived RCI's newest Quantum-class ship Ovation of the Seas . In 2017, NCL Norwegian homeported  Norwegian Star  for regular departures out of Brisbane and Auckland NZ .

For season 2017-2018, the cruise port handled a total of 78 ship calls. For season 2018-2019, their number grew to 94 (out of Queensland's total 520 calls). The port plans to create a new (bigger) cruise terminal by relocating the current terminal to a permanent building part of a retail precinct (adjacent to Portside Wharf) where can be found fine dining venues, cafes, supermarket, fashion boutique, beauty services.

In February 27, 2018, ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) made a proposal to allow port development arrangements between Port Brisbane and Carnival Cruise Line for AUD 158 million (USD 113 million) port development project that will result in building a new cruise terminal. By this 15-year lease deal, Carnival will pay a fixed price to use the facility, and in exchange will receive preferential berthing. ACCC's conditional authorization for the deal was granted in May 2018.

In 2018, the port handled 151 cruise ship calls. For 2019 were booked 155 calls. Most operations are homeport (roundtrips). Nearby-located tourist attractions include Australia Zoo (Sunshine Coast), Gold Coast Theme Parks (Australia's largest theme park), Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (in Brisbane's Fig Tree Pocket suburb).

In 2018 started works (AUD 650 million project) for upgrading Kingsford Smith Drive (boulevard and esplanade) connecting Pinkenba suburb to the city's central business district (Breakfast Creek). The boulevard was upgraded from 4-lane to 6-lane and a riverside boardwalk was added. The project resulted in easier cruise terminal access, improved parking and public transportation.

In December 2022, the Brisbane Cruise Terminal was temporary closed for conducting a USD 20 million (~AUD 30M) revamp of the Portside Wharf. During the renovation works, Port Brisbane accommodated ships at Pinkenba Wharf's new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (2022-opened/inaugurated). Between 2006-2022, Portside Wharf's Brisbane Cruise Terminal handled 1250+ vessels (of various types) and around 3,3 million cruise tourists.

Cruise itineraries to and from Brisbane Australia

Follows a list of destinations visited by cruise ships leaving out of Brisbane:

• World Cruises – from Brisbane are offered around the world voyages by bigger luxury lines (mainly by Cunard, P&O, Princess). Full-length itineraries (eastbound or westbound) can be up to 110+ days round-trips and usually start from the UK (out of Southampton ). On those, Australia is only a mid-itinerary destination offering one-way departures from Fremantle-Perth , Adelaide , Melbourne , Sydney or Brisbane back to Southampton (disembarkation port). The length of such segment itineraries is up to 2 months (UK disembarkation). Smaller segments offer between 14-30+ days long itineraries to ports in Asia ( Singapore , Hong Kong , Dubai ) or eastbound to USA ( San Francisco , Los Angeles ). Longer segments may end in some of the biggest Mediterranean ports (Piraeus-Athens, Venice, Civitavecchia-Rome, Barcelona) and on eastbound routes - in the USA (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, NYC New York).
• Eastbound world cruise segments from Brisbane may include Panama Canal transition and even Transatlantic crossing to Europe (UK). Segments with westbound routes may include Suez Canal transition .
• Longer (up to 2-weeks) itineraries between Brisbane and Singapore (or extensions to Hong Kong) usually visit ports in Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines.
• "Circle Australia" cruises are longer (up to 15-days) one-way itineraries between Brisbane and Fremantle.
• "Around Australia" cruises with round-trips from Brisbane are up to a month long and do a full circumnavigation of the continent. The itinerary includes most of Australia's big ports plus Hobart Tasmania (overnight stay), New Guinea, and often Indonesia.
• Themed "Barrier Reef Discovery" and "Queensland Cruise" itineraries are round-trips from Brisbane to Airlie Beach , Yorkey's Knob , Cairns , Willis Island (Coral Sea) , Hamilton Island , Port Douglas , and of course - the Great Barrier Reef itself.
• Round-trip Australia to New Zealand cruises out of Brisbane are 14-days in length, with Auckland NZ as turnaround port.
• "South Pacific Islands" itineraries are mostly 7-day round-trips (some up to 12-days) visiting ports in New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Espiritu Santo, Papua New Guinea.
• Cruise to Nowhere Brisbane deals are on 3-day round-trip itineraries without any ports of call along the route. Generally, these are themed voyages with themes like "food and wine", comedy, sports, wellness, music, "Australia Day", etc. There are onboard pre-scheduled theme events and activities like parties, concerts, meetings, presentations, tastings, etc.
• Short-break ("Mini Cruises") visit Moreton Island (3-4-day), Airlie Beach (4-day), Hamilton Island (4-day), Moreton Island and Gladstone (4-day).

Australia's ship relocations (RepositionCruises.com) are considered most of the one-way itineraries between Australia and Asia and the USA (Hawaii-Alaska-California), and also when ships change their Australian homeports. The latter include short one-ways between Sydney-Brisbane-Melbourne, also Adelaide and Fremantle. Brisbane to Sydney mini-cruises are offered as 2-day relocation voyages.

Brisbane cruise terminal

Brisbane cruise terminal is in service since August 29, 2006, and it is the second biggest Australian cruise port. The terminal building was part of an AUD 750 million port development project by Brookfield Multiplex.

(NEW) Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (Luggage Point)

The facility is located near Myrtletown (across Fisherman Island, southeast of Multiuser Terminal), at the mouth of Brisbane River, on Gateway Bridge's ocean side, near Brisbane Airport. With berth length 1130 ft (345 m), here can dock some of world's largest passenger liners  - like RCI's Quantum-class (4100 passengers).

• In March 2013, a plan for a new passenger terminal at Myrtletown Precinct was approved by City Council. The land (owned by Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd / PBPL) was designated for the future facility and included in City Plan 2014.
• In January 2016, Queensland Cabinet opened a discussion about the port's proposal to allow building of a new cruise ship docking facility at Luggage Point.
• In February 2016, Southeast Queensland PBPL (Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd) confirmed it had received first stage of approval from Queensland Government to build an USD 100 million terminal at Luggage Point.
• The final agreement between Port Brisbane and Queensland Government over the construction was announced on April 9, 2017.
• On June 6, 2018, Carnival Australia signed the commercial agreement for the "Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) project.
• In February 2019, for the wharf construction was contracted "Brady Marine & Civil" (Brisbane-based marine infrastructure and engineering company). For the terminal building construction was contracted Hindmarsh (Australian company). Works were scheduled to start in April 2019.

The facility is privately built by Carnival Corporation (via its subsidiary Carnival Australia) and RCG-Royal Caribbean Group (via the subsidiary RCCL Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd). The project is 100% privately-funded, with budget AUD 177 million (USD 130M). By the deal signed with Carnival (May 2018), the company is limited in the number of weekend days dockings and not given the first option on which days to berth in case the terminal is expanded. Carnival also pays the seaport a fixed fee for 15 years (until 2035) in return for the preferential berthing rights.. As of 2018, Carnival Australia is the only company homeporting in Brisbane. Carnival Australia signed a long-term agreement with Port Brisbane committing to purchase a max of 100 ‘berthing days of no more than 4 per any week for 15 years (until 2035), and in exchange receives priority berthing rights.

After its completion (2019-2020), in the first 5 years, the new cruise terminal will handle projected 1,8 million passengers and over 1100 vessels. By 2020, mega liners will represent approx 60% of all ship calls.

When built, the new terminal at Luggage Point will also take ships that currently can't dock in Sydney NSW due to its own infrastructure challenges.

• The new facility is at no risk to the Government and will potentially triple the size of the Queensland cruise industry over the next 20 years. The project will generate over 3750 new jobs. Annually are expected over 766000 cruise ship visitors, contributing around AUD 1 billion in gross output to state's economy (fees and charges, fresh produce purchasing, passenger spending).
• Among new terminal's features are sufficient berth length and turning basin, deep-water frontage (minimizing dredging costs), separation from port's main cargo-shipping, airport-close location, avoiding air draft issues (Sir Leo Hielscher bridges restrictions).
• A second swing basin (ship turning basin) could be needed after year 2022. It should be closer to the mouth of Brisbane River (where it's deeper), with minor impact to the nearby mangroves. The current swing basin can support up to 150 cruise vessels planned for the new terminal.
• Port's road infrastructure will be upgraded. New roads to Luggage Point will be built (project cost USD 10 million) to upgrade its road connections (Main Beach Rd, Pipe Rd and the roads leading into the terminal).

The first cruise ship to dock at Brisbane's International Cruise Terminal had to be Pacific Dawn/now Ambassador Ambience (scheduled for October 3, 2020) but the call was prevented by the global Coronavirus crisis.

(NEW) Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal (Wavebreak Island)

In April 2014, Wave Break Island was proposed as the place for Brisbane's new cruise terminal and casino complex. The project was officially named "Broadwater Marine Project" (the below photo /click to enlarge). Among the 12 bidders is the consortium ASF Group. ASF is an Australian investment company (ASX-Listed) joint venture between Australia and China. ASF wants to build an AUD 7,6 billion Gold Coast development project, without digging an underwater tunnel. Such channel was previously planned to connect Wavebreak Island with The Spit. The no-digging plan saves Doug Jennings Park.

According to the plans, cruise ships will dock on the island's north-eastern side, where the cruise ship terminal and the casino complex will be positioned. The idea is supported by the 1640 ft / 500 m turnaround circle (swing basin south of Gold Coast Seaway).

• By this project, Wavebreak Island will be expanded, a new (man-made) island will be created and the north of Southport Spit will be developed.
• Land dumping options were estimated at AUD 365 million. Project's total cost was estimated at around USD 450 million (AUD 610M), to be entirely funded by private investments. An environmental impact study will be completed by the end of 2018.
• On the new island (called "Moon Island") will be constructed a total of 35 resort villas plus a clubhouse. Its total commercial space will be 333,680 ft2 (31000 m2) plus twice that size retail space.
• Landscape plans for the island show as centrepiece a 50-story tower building and a large marina (south), plus several smaller towers on the island's north side. Among the project's features are luxury hotels, modern casinos, yacht marinas, waterfront parks.
• Approvals are expected to be granted by 2017. By the new plans, the construction is set to finish in 2026.
• Plan updates revealed that the Gold Coast cruise terminal is unlikely to be built before 2019.
• The Broadwater Marine Project will be delivered in 9 stages. Stage 1 (by July 2019) includes canal dredging, environmental offsets, eco-marine park and part 1 of the Wavebreak's integrated resort. Stage 2 (by January 2021) includes the resort, “southern Spit Hotel” and residential developments. Between Jan 2021 and July 2026 on the Wavebreak island will be built residential and commercial buildings, retail district, leisure attractions (incl international street, art museum and school).
• The Gold Coast Cruise Ship Terminal (at the top-page photo) and the adjacent resort will generate full time jobs for over 12,000.

The Wavebreak Island was artificially created in 1985 as part of the Gold Coast Seaway to protect the Broadwater's western foreshore and to stabilize the entry.

Gold Coast is a port city located approx 66 km (41 mi) south-southeast of Brisbane.

Portside Wharf Hamilton cruise terminal

• address - "Port Office, 3 Port Central Avenue, Port of Brisbane QLD 4178, Brisbane, Australia"
• location - on Brisbane River (upstream from Gateway Bridge, at the river's north bank), at approx 6 mi / 10 km drive distance from the city's center and 4,5 mi / 7 km from CBD (central business district). The terminal offers easy access to Gateway Motorway leading to Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast (both at 1 1/2 hours drive distance). The cruise ship terminal is also close to the Brisbane International Airport. 
• Located across Brisbane River is a working dry-dock facility.
• 1 berth (max ship length 886 ft / 270 m)
• River channel depth (and berth depth) is 30 ft / 9 m (max draft).
• jet bridge gangway
• The terminal (max capacity 3000 passengers) was privately developed. Its owner and operator is Brookfield Residential. The facility was inaugurated in August 2006. Its construction cost was USD 750 million.
• Hamilton Portside cruise terminal is part of a premium retail-dining precinct (Hamilton being one of city's most luxurious suburbs). Portside Wharf is the commercial international cruise ship terminal, with adjacent car parking, large taxi area, bus parking (capacity 40 tour buses). The area also has a luxury residential and retail shopping precinct with restaurants, boutiques, cinema complex (Dendy Portside), public plaza, fish shop, supermarket. Precinct's visitors are mostly cruiseship tourists, but also locals arriving from Bretts Wharf by CityCat ferries.
• Portside Wharf attracts some of the world's top-rated luxury vessels. Once a week (on average), here dock also expedition cruise ships, as well as mega yachts.
• Across the Brisbane River there is a working dry-dock shipyard.

(Grain) Multiuse Terminal (for large cruise ships)

Gateway Bridge has a height restrictions and because of that larger ships berth at the Multiuse Terminal (the Grain Berth at Fisherman Islands) or Pinkenba Wharf.

• location - at the mouth of the Brisbane River, at ~ 16 mi / 25 km drive distance from CBD, (central business district) and at ~ 14 mi / 23 km drive distance from Brisbane Airport. The nearest train station (Wynnum North) is at 10–15 min drive distance. From there to go to the city takes around 30 min. The Brisbane port's Visitors Centre (3 Port Central Ave) is at 5-min drive distance from the Terminal. The Centre is open Monday to Friday (between 8.30 am - 3 pm) and offers educational displays, port tour program, Observation Cafe (with panoramic views).
• This terminal is also at 15‐min drive from the Wynnum and Manly suburbs, both offering multiple shopping and dining options and beautiful parks overlooking Manly Boat Harbour and Moreton Bay.
• 3 berths are available (total length 2300 ft / 700 m), berth max depth is 46 ft / 14 m
• Due to Gateway Bridge's height restrictions (185 ft / 56,4 m clearance), large cruise liners can not to pass underneath to proceed and dock at Portside Wharf. Instead, they dock either at Pinkenba Wharf (QLD) or at Port of Brisbane (Multiuser Terminal, Grain Berth) at the Fisherman Island's Cargo Terminal. The Pinkenba suburb (in the city's eastern part) is on Brisbane River (northern banks, some 6 mi / 10 km from the CBD district).
• The Multiuser Terminal is equipped only for periodical day ship calls, which means it has limited facilities in comparison to the Hamilton cruise terminal at Portside Wharf. There is only a small cafe bar for coffee, tea, cold beverages and light snacks (no EFTPOS facilities, public telephones, postal office, ATM, car-rental). The closest ATM machine is at Caltex Truck Stop (Port Drive), at 5‐min drive distance from the terminal.
• The facility (Australian Customs) operates 24/7 (CCTV onsite security). Road access is from Port Drive. The terminal can handle general cargoes (excepting drybulk and wetbulk). The machinery includes a Gottwald mobile crane and a Deer Park gantry crane.

Multiuser Terminal doesn't offer regular public transportation services. For cruise passengers are available the following options: pick up / drop off by family/friends (free parking), taxis (waiting at the terminal;s taxi rank) and shuttle bus arrangements (must be made by Shipping Agent).

Howard Smith Wharves (CityCat ferry terminal)

In early-November 2018, Port Brisbane announced plans to build a new CityCat ferry terminal at Howard Smith Wharves (HSW). The facility will become Brisbane’s 26th passenger terminal.

The project is budget USD 12 million and is part of Howard Smith Wharves USD 100 million development project. The CityCat terminal was co-funded by Brisbane City Council ($9 million) and Howard Smith Wharves Consortium ($3 million). Joint funding agreements with private developers is a new policy to keep building and maintenance costs down.

Brisbane's new CityCat terminal was scheduled for completion in 2020. In mid-September 2020,  Brisbane City Council contracted a single supplier to construct Howard Smith Wharves Ferry Terminal and to upgrade South Bank Ferry Terminal.  The South Bank project is for combining all ferry services (including CityCats and smaller boats) into a single passenger terminal that serves both berths.  HSW terminal project was co-funded with USD 3 million  by HSW (Howard Smith Wharves) and The Fantauzzo Brisbane Hotel Group. The reconstructed ferry terminal will allow dual berthing - for CityCats and monohull boats.  The USD 25 million (~AUD 34,1 M) tender for building both terminals was won by Fitzgerald Construction Australia. F or Howard Smith Wharves, works were scheduled to start in 2020 (off-site production) and early-2021 (on-site construction). South Bank terminal works start in mid-2021.

QLD's government in 2020 announced a plan to extend (with 3 new pontoons) the HSW ferry terminal and start from there regularly scheduled daily direct ferry crossings to North Stradbroke Island (aka Minjerribah, in Moreton Bay) . Travel time is ~2 hours, covering the distance of 35 mi (56 km) from downtown Brisbane.

Cruise ship terminal directions and parking

• (to Multiuser Terminal) - follow the street signs to "Port of Brisbane". Continue along Port Drive. Look on the left for tall grain silos. Turn left into Seafarers Str. Security will guide to the Grain Wharf's entrance gate. For dropping off / picking up cruise passengers, the onsite security will assist and direct through to the terminal's parking area.
• (to Portside cruise terminal) the facility has a taxi rank. It is also at some 10 min walking distance to a City Council bus station and a CityCat ferry stop.
• (from Portside Terminal to the city) Council Bus - walk around 650 ft / 200 m to the Bretts Wharf bus stop and catch bus line 300 (runs every 15 minutes Monday to Friday). Getting into the city takes ~ 25 min.
• (from the city to Portside Terminal) - catch bus line 300 on Adelaide Str (City Hall, bus stop 18) and travel to Bretts Wharf (bus stop.Riverview Tce).
• (by CityCat ferries) - Bretts Wharf ferry stop is around 650 ft / 200 m from Portside cruise terminal. CityCat ferries run every 10-15 min (during all the week). It it takes around 30 min from the Portside Terminal to the city.
• (by train) two train stations (Ascot and Doomben) are at ~ 30 min walking distance from Portside Terminal. Trains run at 30 min intervals (Monday to Saturday only).
• Car parking areas are available at the Brisbane Cruise Terminal and at the "retail and dining precinct". The number of parking spaces is 350 (some shaded). However, both car parks are short-term only and free of charge up to 3 hours.
• The list of available long term car parks in the area (which is close to Brisbane Airport) includes: Portside Parking, Abel Park, Kingsford Smith Parking, Brisbane Airport Parking, Gateway Parking, Alpha Car Parking. Each of those has a website and also offers car cleaning services (for a fee). Some of those even offer car repair services.

River cruise: explore the city with a tour by City Cats. The trip is 19 km from Lucia to Hamilton and you can bargain the price.

Riverlife Adventure Centre: a lot of sun and adventure activities in Kangaroo Point (Brisbane’s inner city).

Moreton Island: get wild or just laid back, the Island won’t disappoint you.

Cuddle a koala: go to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and catch a cutie, located half an hour from downtown Brisbane.

Brekky Creek Hotel: Queensland’s most popular watering hole. Try amazing steaks and taste “beer off the wood.”

Stradbroke Island: quiet place with beautiful sand. Explore amazing nature and lakes with fresh water.

Story Bridge Adventure Climb: you will need two hours and a half to climb to reach the bridge’s eastern side. The view from the top will take your breath away.

Go to a park: 25% of the area in Brisbane is green. The city is proud of its public gardens and parks (nearly 1,500). Visit the City Botanic Gardens, walk along Energex Brisbane Arbour to South Bank Parklands or just smell rose aroma at New Farm Park.

The Museum of Brisbane: explore the people, the culture and the heritage of Brisbane. The museum is located at the King George Square in the City Hall, ground floor.

Queensland Art Gallery/ Museum of Modern Art: you will find one of the biggest Aboriginal and Asian art collections in the world.

The Brewery at Milton: you will go through all the process of beer making and you will have the opportunity to try it at the Ale House bar.

Brisbane tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Brisbane Cruise Port Guide | 13 Best Things To Do In Brisbane Port

Welcome to the port of Brisbane, the capital city of the Australian state of Queensland and the third largest city in Australia and Oceania after Sydney and Melbourne!

Brisbane lies on the eastern coast of Australia, on the banks of the Brisbane River located around 19 km/12 miles above the river’s mouth at Moreton Bay. Famous for Steve Irwin’s legendary Australian Zoo, its wildlife sanctuaries, themed markets, cultural landmarks and great local cuisine, “Brissie” as Aussies call it, is a vibrant and lively city that has something for everyone! In this Melbourne cruise travel guide, I share with you:

• Brisbane cruise port info (Brisbane cruise terminal, getting around)
• Top 13 things to do in Brisbane and the best Brisbane shore excursions

Visit also our cruise port guides to Sydney , Melbourne , Adelaide , Esperance , Darwin , Cairns  

Brisbane Cruise Port

Port of Brisbane is the second-largest Australian cruise port and consists of several cruise terminals.

1. Brisbane International Cruise Terminal

Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) is a brand-new cruise terminal that was completed in 2020. It is located at Luggage Point on the northern bank at the mouth of the Brisbane River across Fisherman Island, near Myrtletown. It is located about 19 km/12 miles (a 30-minute drive) northeast of Brisbane city center, also referred to as Brisbane central business district (CBD).

With its 345-meter (1130 ft ) long berth, Brisbane International Cruise Terminal was designed to accommodate the world’s largest cruise liners over 270 meters long. The brand-new terminal building features two floors connected via travelators and two passenger lifts.

On the ground floor, you’ll find a tourist information desk, (accessible) toilets, a first-aid station, a cafe, a retail outlet, a baggage hall and a few other facilities. The first floor features security screening, check-in counters and immigration.

Outside the terminal building, there is a car park and parking for buses and shuttles. Free wi-fi is available inside the terminal and power points in case you need to charge your mobile devices (230V, 10amp, three-pin plug layout).

Getting Around Brisbane International Terminal

• Brisbane International Cruise Terminal is located right next to the Brisbane Airport (a 15-minute drive from the airport terminal entrance). No public transportation is connecting the two locations, so you need to make your travel arrangements .
• The port authorities do not provide a shuttle service but your cruise ship may provide one, so it’s highly recommended to check with your cruise line about their services or pre-arranged shore excursions.
• Taxi and rideshare services are available outside the cruise terminal.
• There is only paid parking at Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.
• There are no onsite car rental services.
• If you require special assistance, make sure you inform your cruise line so they can communicate with the cruise terminal staff and arrange it for you in advance.
• For more information, check out the port of Brisbane (Brisbane International Cruise Terminal) official website https://www.portbris.com.au/

2. Portside Wharf Cruise Terminal

Portside Wharf Cruise Terminal (also referred to as Brisbane Cruise Terminal) is located on Brisbane River’s north bank upstream from the Gateway Bridge, in Hamilton district, approximately 7 km/4.3 miles (a 15-minute drive) northeast of Brisbane CBD (central business district). This cruise terminal features 1 berth and can accommodate cruise ships up to 270 meters (886 ft) long.

Getting Around Portside Wharf Cruise Terminal

• This international cruise terminal is part of Portside Wharf , an upscale residential and retail precinct filled with restaurants, shops, a large fish shop/cafe, a supermarket, a cinema complex and a public plaza. Check out Portside Wharf’s official website for updates https://www.portsidewharf.com.au/
• This terminal also features a large car/bus parking (short-term and paid long-term onsite parking), as well as a large taxi rank.
• Bretts Wharf Ferry Terminal is located next to the cruise terminal and serves public CityCat ferries .
• To get to Brisbane central business district from Portside Wharf, you can take public bus #300 at Kingsford Smith Dr at Bretts Wharf, bus stop 19 (a bus station is located around 900 m from the cruise terminal) and get off at Adelaide Street, bus stop 37, near Anzac Square in Brisbane city center. The bus ride itself lasts around 20 minutes and the overall trip is around 40 minutes one way. Buses run frequently, approximately every 15 minutes on business days.
• Alternatively, you can take a public ferry at Bretts Wharf ferry terminal and get off at Riverside ferry terminal situated near Brisbane downtown.
• Translink public agency handles public transportation in Queensland. For information on timetables and fares, check out their official webpage https://translink.com.au/
• Brisbane Airport is located around 8 km/5 miles (a 10-15 minute ride) northeast of Portside Wharf cruise terminal.
• Check out the best hotels near Portside Wharf and Brisbane CBD

3. Multiuse Terminal at Fisherman Islands/Pinkenba Wharf

Due to Gateway Bridge’s height restrictions, some large cruise liners dock at Pinkenba Wharf (QLD) or Port of Brisbane’s Multiuser Terminal at the Grain Berth, located at Fisherman Islands’ cargo terminal. Only basic facilities are available in these terminals. No public transportation is available.

Pinkenba Wharf is located a 25-minute drive from Brisbane CBD, while Fisherman Island is located a 30-minute drive from the city center.

Getting Around Brisbane & Local Transportation

• The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). 1 USD equals 1.51 AUD.
• Plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes offer free wi-fi in the city center.
• Queen Street is the main pedestrian-only shopping street in Brisbane CBD. It is parallel to Adelaide Street and is located a stone’s throw from Brisbane City Hall and its iconic Clock Tower.
• Another famous street is James Street , known for independent, local and international designer flagship stores in Brisbane. This urban street is situated around 2.5 km/1.5 miles (less than a 10-minute drive) from Brisbane CBD and a 10-minute drive from Portside Wharf/a 20-minute drive from Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.
• Brisbane has a great public transportation network that includes buses, trains, trams and ferries. Brisbane Central railway station is located in the heart of the CBD, on Ann Street at Anzac Square. Queen Street bus station is the primary bus terminus in Brisbane’s central business district. Public transport is operated by Translink, and you’ll find the prices and timetables at https://translink.com.au/
• Brisbane City Council offers city center free loops through Brisbane’s central business district, including the services that run between the CBD and Spring Hill areas. Free City Loop buses are purple and they stop at the purple signposted bus stops. Some of the major stops include Central Station, Queen Street Mall, City Hall, Riverside and Botanic Gardens.
• Explore Brisbane tours and activities

13 Best Things to Do in Brisbane Cruise Port

1.  lone pine koala sanctuary.

The world’s oldest and largest koala sanctuary is located in Fig Tree Pocket district, only 12 km/7.5 miles (a 20-minute ride) from Brisbane CBD, 19 km/12 miles (a 20-minute drive) southwest of Portside Wharf cruise terminal, and 31 km/19 miles (a 35-minute drive) southwest of the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.

This amazing sanctuary was opened in 1927 and expands on 18 hectares (44 acres) where you can meet and interact with more than 70 species of Aussie animals. Hold a koala, take photos with snakes and dingos, feed kangaroos and lorikeets, and see great animal shows including Sheep Dog Shows and Free Flight Raptor Shows!

Besides koalas and kangaroos, some wildlife species in the sanctuary include parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras, emus, cassowaries, Tasmanian devils, wombats, echidnas, various species of reptiles and many others. A platypus, one of Australia’s most bizarre species arrived at the sanctuary in 2010 from Healesville Sanctuary located near Melbourne , so you get to meet them too!

The sanctuary offers guided tours and some experiences require an additional fee. You can get there by car, public bus (bus #430 from Queen Street Station, and bus #445 from Adelaide Street), or Mirimar River Cruise that departs from the Cultural Center Public Pontoon. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is partially wheelchair friendly.

Explore Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tours and activities

2. Brisbane City Hall

Situated in the heart of Brisbane City (CBD) on Adelaide Street, the City Hall is one of the most remarkable historic buildings in Brisbane. Built between 1920-1930, the building overlooks King George Square and is easily recognizable by its iconic Clock Tower offering a breathtaking 360-degree view of the city from its observation platform. The building features a neoclassic colonnaded façade and an ornate interior with marble staircases, vaulted ceilings, chandeliers and a mosaic-tiled floor.

Brisbane’s City Hall has undergone a $215 million restoration and nowadays is an active historic building that has 14 venues to hire, offers guided tours and hosts the Museum of Brisbane on its third level. You can visit the Main Auditorium, Father Henry Willis Organ and the iconic Clock Tower on a guided tour offered for an extra fee. The entrance to the building is free.

Check out Brisbane City Hall tours and tickets

3. Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens

The subtropical Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha are located in Mt Coot-tha precinct, around 7 km/4.3 miles (a 10-15 minute drive) west of Brisbane’s central business district. They are located a 15-20 minute drive west of Portside Wharf Cruise Terminal, and a 30-minute drive west of Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.

Brisbane Botanic Gardens opened in 1976 and spread across 56 hectares featuring a living museum of native and exotic plants. From Brisbane Lookout Mount Coot-tha, you can admire the most spectacular views of Brisbane and its skyscrapers in the distance.

The facilities and services offered in the Botanic Gardens include the Auditorium, Botanic Gardens Cafe, Queensland Herbarium, Mt Coot-tha Library, the Visitor Information Centre, numerous picnic areas, Richard Randall Art Studio and Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. The entrance is free.

4. Moreton Island

Nestled on the eastern side of Moreton Bay just off the coast of southeastern Queensland, Moreton Island is the third largest sand island in the world and a national park.

Famous for its pristine sandy beaches, towering sand dunes, crystal clear lakes, lagoons and shipwrecks, this magical piece of heaven offers something for everyone! The island is popular for whale spotting, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, four-wheel driving, biking and other recreational activities. The ferries to Moreton Island depart from Brisbane city center (Holt Street Wharf) and the ride takes 75 minutes.

Explore Moreton Island tours and activities

5. Australia Zoo

The world-famous Australia Zoo is located on the Sunshine Coast, 110 km/68 miles (a 1-hour 30-minute drive) north of Brisbane downtown, and a 1-hour 10-minute drive north of Portside Wharf and Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.

Covering the surface of 280 hectares (690 acres), the zoo is owned by Terri Irwin, the wife of the legendary Steve Irwin whose wildlife documentary series “The Crocodile Hunter” and his family’s new show “Crikey! It’s the Irwins” made the zoo one of the most visited attractions in Australia!

The Australia Zoo was opened in 1970 and features more than 1200 native and exotic animals including alligators, anacondas, birds, snakes and lizards, kangaroos, koalas, wallabies and many more. The zoo is home of the Crocodile Hunter and offers interactive experiences where you can hand-feed kangaroos, giraffes, pat koalas, visit the Australia Zoo wildlife hospital, see animal shows, experience African Savannah and other adventures!

Explore Australia Zoo tours and tickets

6. QAGOMA – The Gallery of Modern Art

QAGOMA colloquially stands for Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. This fascinating gallery is the largest art museum in Australia established in 1895. The facility consists of the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) housed in the main building, and a Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) situated 150 meters away.

QAGOMA is situated on the bank of the Brisbane River, only a 10-15-minute walk from the central business district and King George Square. It houses an impressive collection of more than 20.000 artworks from Australia and around the world and is part of the Queensland Cultural Center which also includes the Queensland Performing Arts Center, the State Library, and the Queensland Museum.

QAGOMA offers permanent and temporary exhibitions, educational programs, guided tours and many other cultural experiences. The buildings are located in a picturesque area on the south bank of the Brisbane River and are an ideal place to spend your day with your family and friends.

Check out Queensland Cultural Center tours and activities

7. Taste the Noosa Chocolate 

If you are looking to satisfy your sugar cravings, you should taste the mouth-watering handcrafted chocolate made by the Noosa Chocolate Factory established in 2009. The factory specializes in chocolate panning and offers a wide variety of fresh products including specialty coffee, dark, milk and white chocolate with various homemade fillings such as salted caramel, honeycomb, peanut and macadamia nut brittle.

The Factory is located in Noosaville, a 1-hour 30-minute drive north of the port of Brisbane. It is not open to the public, however, there are several retail chocolate shops where you can purchase their products, including the one on Adelaide Street, a couple of minutes’ walk from King George Square and the City Hall.

8. Take a Photo in Front of the BRISBANE Sign

If you are visiting Brisbane for the first time, you cannot miss posing in front of the iconic “Brisbane” sign. It is located on the south bank of the Brisbane River, near the Queensland Cultural Center, only a 10-15 minute walk from King George Square across the Victoria Bridge.

The giant letters were visited by world-famous celebrities such as Barack Obama and Angela Merkel, and are special because you can see the whole city landscape behind them. While there, don’t miss the chance to visit the Wheel of Brisbane for some unmatched panoramic views of the city!

9. Brisbane River Kayak Adventure

Kayaking on the Brisbane River will allow you to experience Brisbane from a whole different perspective! Glide past the South Bank Parklands and see the famous Wheel of Brisbane, the city’s bridges and numerous landmarks while enjoying this adventurous activity suitable for all levels of experience!

Explore Brisbane kayak tours and activities

10. Dolphin and Whale Watching 

If you are a nature and animal lover, do not miss the incredible dolphin and whale-watching experience just off the coast of Moreton Island! Between June and October, thousands of humpback whales visit Moreton Bay Marine Park when migrating to and from their southern feeding grounds. Eight species of dolphin have also been recorded in the marine park including the bottlenose and the Australian Humpback dolphin.

The marine experts will take you to places where dolphins and whales have been spotted before so you’ll get the opportunity to watch these fascinating sea creatures in their natural habitat!

Explore Dolphin and Whale Watching tours and activities

11. Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast stretches from the coastal town of Caloundra situated a 1-hour drive north of the port of Brisbane to the Great Sandy National Park further in the north. This beautiful area encompasses charming historic villages, lush rainforests, pristine beaches and rich and diverse flora and fauna. If you are looking for unspoiled beauty and untouched nature – you’re at the right place!

Explore Sunshine Coast tours and activities

12. Gold Coast

On the other hand, Gold Coast is an urban metropolitan area located approximately a 1-hour drive south of Brisbane Port. It is renowned for its long sandy and world-class surfing beaches, a network of waterways and canals, and a rich culinary and entertainment scene that includes theme parks such as Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld, and Wet’n’Wild water park. The area represents a perfect blend of the city skyscrapers and an interesting natural landscape that is home to rare animal species and plants.

Explore Gold Coast tours and activities

13. Lamington National Park

This vast national park is located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, about a 1-hour 40-minute drive south of the port of Brisbane. It is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most extensive area of subtropical forest in the world.

The geology of Lamington National Park dates back to more than 225 million years and the area covers 77 square miles (200 square kilometers). If you are seeking adventure, you can explore its dense forests, ancient trees, hundreds of waterfalls and interesting birdlife on a hiking trip as there are more than 160 km/100 miles of hiking trails. Many lookouts offer spectacular sceneries and amazing photo ops, so make sure you bring your best camera!

Explore Lamington National Park tours and activities

You May Also Like:

What to Pack for a Cruise – Top 55 Cruise Essentials

New Zealand & Australia Cruise Port Guides

Mediterranean Cruise Port Guides

Caribbean Cruise Port Guides

Baltic & Scandinavia Cruise Ports

Western Europe Cruise Port Guides

Cruises to USA and Canada

This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see my  disclaimer  here.

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• Already Booked
• Port Information

Find out port information including cruise parking, luggage storage and more.

Use these links to find details about your port:

• Port: Sydney
• Port: Brisbane
• Port: Melbourne
• Port: Singapore
• Port: Honolulu

Sydney Port

Overseas Passenger Terminal - Off Argyle Street, West Circular Quay. View map here .

• Wheelchair accessible
• Short-term parking available nearby
• Drop off and pick up at terminal
• Circular Quay train station in walking distance
• Bus services available

Getting there

The Overseas Passenger Terminal is accessible by both train and bus, but please consider the possibility of unexpected delays.

Parking - Sydney

Short or long term parking is not permitted at the terminal. A three minute maximum drop off time is permitted and is enforced by Security Staff at the wharf. No parking is permitted in the lower George Street area from Argyle Street to Hickson Road.

Parking is available at the Wilson Car Park, 155 George Street, under the Cahill Expressway and adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel. It is about a five minute walk to/from the terminal.

Cruise Parking can also be found at the Sydney Opera House Car Park, located on 2 Macquarie St. They offer a Cruise-In Saver of $25 per day (min 7 days to 14 days). Patrons will need to pre-book their Cruise Parking through the online booking system – Book A Bay. You can find all deals and information at their website .

Otherwise a limited amount of metered parking is available within The Rocks area (applicable parking fees will apply).

At the terminal

If you arrive early in the day, you can leave your luggage at the 'Bag Drop', which opens from 8:30am - from there you can enjoy hanging out until your designated "check in" time.

Luggage Storage - Sydney

Luggage storage is available by Bounce Luggage in Circular Quay. You are able to view details here. .

Locations of major bank ATMs at the Sydney terminal

All of the following ATMs are less than 10 minutes from the Overseas Passenger Terminal:

• Commonwealth Bank ‐ at the luggage drop off point at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, also under Circular Quay railway station (opposite Jetty No.6)
• NAB/Rediteller - under Circular Quay railway station (facing the city), between Jetty No.3 and Jetty No.4
• St. George Bank, and ANZ ‐ in Pitt St, on right walking up Pitt Street
• Westpac, in Pitt St. on left walking up Pitt Street

Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT)

Address: 1 Cruise Terminal Drive (access via Marine Road), Pinkenba, QLD 4008

Note: Some GPS systems may not yet recognise the new address. If this is the case, use Marine Road , which becomes Cruise Terminal Drive.

It is located close to the Brisbane Airport, Kingsford-Smith Drive, and the Gateway Motorway, ensuring excellent road connectivity to the region.

• There are three (3) car parks providing onsite paid parking at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.
• All car parks are managed by Wilson Parking.
• Car Parks 1 and 2 only accept online bookings – no drive-up parking spaces available
• Car Park 3 has a very limited number of drive up spaces – vast majority is online bookings.

Please note: Parking at the terminal is available at a premium, and is not included in your cruise. Parking should be booked well in advance of your cruise departure date.

Wilson Parking contact details:

• wilsonparking.com.au (search “Brisbane International Cruise Terminal”)
• Wilson Parking Customer Care: 1800 727 546

Offsite car parking operators / alternatives

Passengers can also arrive at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal via taxi, rideshare or be dropped off.

If seeking alternative parking arrangements, below are contact details for offsite car parking operators (note: this is not an exhaustive list):

• Andrew’s Airport Parking: Visit andrewsairportpark.com.au/brisbane or call (07) 3268 4222
• Portside Parking: Visit kingsfordsmithparking.com.au or call (07) 3630 0922

Passenger pick up and drop off

• Maximum 2 minutes passenger pick up & set down
• Private vehicles only
• Accessible pick up & set down bays
• Driver to remain in vehicle
• Approx. 40 metres to building entrance

There will be a drop off luggage area next to the terminal entrance.

You can also find above information via the link below

www.portbris.com.au/cruise

Melbourne Port

Cruise Terminal Station Pier - Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne. View map here .

• Short-term parking
• Tram stop nearby

Singapore Port

61 Marina Coastal Drive, Singapore. View map here .

• Taxi rank near the terminal
• Short-term car parking
• Marina South Pier train station
• ATM at terminal

Honolulu Port

Pier 2 Cruise Terminal, Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu. View map here.

• Banks closeby
• Easily accessible by bus or taxi.

Already booked?

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• Travel Requirements
• What to Pack
• Life Onboard
• Travel Insurance

Need some help?

Call to speak with one of our agents:

• Australia : 1300 385 625
• New Zealand : 0800 442 095

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Brisbane International Cruise Terminal

Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) is a new cruise ship terminal being built at Brisbane port in Queensland, Australia.

Project Type

International cruise terminal

Queensland, Australia

Owner/Operator

Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL)

Construction Started

Estimated investment.

A$158m ($113.8m)

Expected Completion

Contractors.

Arup, Arkhefield

The new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) is being built at Brisbane port in Queensland, Australia and will be located at Luggage Point on the northern side of the Brisbane River.

The new cruise ship facility will be able to accommodate the world’s biggest cruise ships. It will become a gateway to the south-east and offer regional economic and tourism opportunities.

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The project is being carried out by Port of Brisbane with an estimated investment of A$158m ($113.8m).

The need for a new international cruise terminal has been identified as 62% of cruise ships in the Australian market are expected to have a length of more than 270m by 2020.

The Port of Brisbane received approval from the state government to construct the new international terminal in October 2017.

Construction started in mid-2018 and is scheduled for completion in 2020.

Brisbane international cruise terminal features

The two-level cruise terminal building will occupy an area of 9,590m². A 200m-long wharf will be built along with two air bridges, which will allow passengers to enter and exit the cruise ships.

The BICT will also feature public open spaces and parking areas for buses and cars.

Brisbane international cruise terminal construction

Ground improvement works, including filling and surcharging the site, are currently undergoing at the terminal. The surcharging process involves placing of 18,000 wicks and laying of 13,000m² of geofabric, which will be left for settling for 12 months. A 380m rock wall was also built along the foreshore of the site for stabilisation and prevention of soil erosion.

The existing roads between Main Myrtletown Road and Marine Road at Pinkenba will be upgraded to improve traffic efficiency, safety and road user accessibility to the new cruise terminal facility.

Construction of the wharf is expected to begin in late-2018. PBPL will employ a modular style of construction to reduce the costs.

The first vessel to visit the new terminal will be Carnival Spirit cruise ship, which will sail from Brisbane to destinations in the South Pacific and North Queensland.

Contractors involved

Arup and architect Arkhefield received the design contract for the BICT project in January 2018. It will provide detailed design and analysis of the wharf, terminal building, and landside civil works.

Carnival Australia and Port of Brisbane entered an agreement for the purchase of up to 100 foundation berthing days a year, with a limit to use up to four days in any week for 15 years. The agreement allows Carnival Australia to receive priority berthing rights at the terminal .

Benefits of Brisbane international cruise terminal

The BICT will become the missing link in Brisbane’s tourism infrastructure. It will add up to $1.3bn to the Queensland economy. It will also create 245 new jobs during construction and 49 operational jobs a year, over the next 20 years.

The project will unlock under-utilised and undeveloped land using private investment to deliver significant economic benefits for the state.

The terminal will allow 766,260 visitors a year and will also increase cruise tourism along Queensland coast.

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What you need to know about Brisbane International Cruise Terminal!

Posted by Kerry Heaney | Brisbane travel | 30

Here’s what you need to know about the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal and Brisbane Cruise Terminal parking. Don’t miss this crucial information and essential details about the location and parking that will surprise and disappoint you!

Table of Contents

What you need to know about Brisbane International Cruise Terminal

In the middle of 2020, the brand-new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) was finalised, heralding a warm welcome to cruise ships as Southeast Queensland’s inaugural specialized cruise hub. Representing Brisbane’s fresh haven for oceanic getaways, this terminal is accessible solely during cruise ship berthing times. The previous cruise terminal located at Portside Hamilton has since been shuttered, marking a significant transition.

Once you are inside the terminal building, it operates well. However, I found myself searching for shelter, unable to find car parking and stuck with expensive transport fares. Three years after completion, the long drive to the building is through an unguttered, industrial wasteland.  Not a great first impression of Brisbane for travellers.

Here’s my latest cruise review – Ditch Ordinary Life: Cruise from Australia to New Zealand with Princess Cruises for a Dreamy First Time Adventure 

It’s at Pinkenba, not Portside

The first thing you need to know is that the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at Pinkenba is easy to confuse with the old Portside Wharf at Hamilton cruise terminal. They are both in the same general direction, but the new terminal is a long way further down the river, on the northern bank right at the naturally deep river mouth at Luggage Point, not far from Brisbane Airport

If you are booking parking or a ride-share app, ensure it displays the correct address. The apps tend to default to the most commonly used destination, which was previously Portside Wharf at Hamilton.

The terminal building is two storeys, with an undercover plaza and outdoor waterfront promenade. There are covered walkways where you can go after getting out of your ride and walk into the terminal.

The 208-metre wharf was built to service the world’s largest cruise ships at the time of opening in 2020. Since then, the ships have increased in size.

Once inside the terminal, passengers go through security screening and immigration. Then you can travel from the terminal building to the vessel via a passenger boarding bridge and a 270m elevated walkway. It’s quite a leisurely stroll.

Inside Brisbane Cruise Terminal. IMAGE: Kerry Heaney

​How to get to Brisbane International Cruise Terminal

The cruise terminal is located on the north side of the Brisbane River mouth, about 15 minutes’ drive (12 km) from Brisbane Airport and 30 minutes’ drive (21 km) from Brisbane’s CBD. The terminal is close to major arterial roads, such as Kingsford Smith Drive and Gateway Motorway.

There is no public transport to the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal. However, if you are a local, you can book Brisbane Cruise Terminal parking , get a friend to drop you off, or take a taxi or ride share option.

Cruise passengers disembarking in Brisbane will find plenty of taxis and ride-share drivers available. In addition, your cruise ship may provide a city transfer or a city tour option.

Brisbane Cruise Terminal Parking

The terminal has about 900 onsite paid car parking spaces for passengers. Unfortunately, this is not enough to accommodate everyone, so the first thing to do after you book your cruise is book your parking as spaces book out well ahead. Construction has commenced on an additional 340 car parks, and these are expected to be available in 2024. Let’s hope this solves some of the problems.

Parking is available within walking distance of the terminal, and rates start at $32.40 a day. So, for a six-day cruise, you could pay $104.80. The question is whether this is cheaper or more expensive than a taxi or Uber? This will depend on how far you need to travel to reach the terminal.

Convenience is another factor. Having your car when you arrive back from your cruise might be handy. If you decide to drive and park, book early, as there are insufficient parking spaces for passengers on large cruise ships.

There are different types of parking available, with some offering weather protection. Whether this weather protection would save you in a hailstorm must be tested. Please share below if you have thoughts on this.

A cheaper alternative is a shuttle service, where you park further away from the terminal, and the company provides transfers and pick-ups.  You can book in advance with Wilson Parking .

It’s also difficult if you want to visit the terminal for a short period, perhaps to meet some friends.  I suggest you just drive by and pick them up in the loading zone.

If Brisbane is just a stop on your cruise, you should know here is nothing to do at the terminal, and most places you might want to visit, such as Portside or the DFO, are an expensive return Uber or taxi ride away.  For an easy pub lunch, you can call Trade Coast Hotel at Pinkenba on 07 3261426.  They will come and pick you up from the ship and return you after you enjoy lunch at their bistro restaurant.

Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.  IMAGE: Kerry Heaney

What’s it like to cruise on Quantum of the Seas from Brisbane?

Can you eat there?

There is now a cafe at the terminal that is open at 7 am on cruise days. The Cruise Cafe serves coffee, light meals, snacks and other drinks.

Any shopping?

There are no shopping outlets at the terminal. 

What happens if your cruise ship is delayed docking?

This happened to me when the cruise ship was delayed because of a medical emergency. It’s good to know that a high priority is placed on the health of cruise passengers.

Unfortunately, the late arrival and delay in boarding caused massive problems at the terminal. People were standing in the hot sun in long queues for up to two hours. So if you get a notification that your ship is arriving late, don’t rush to be there early. It really won’t help. You are much better off arriving at the time they suggest and spending less time in a queue.

I wished I had better sun protection, such as a long-sleeved shirt and my hat for the boarding queue.

Getting off the ship

There were no delays in getting off the ship.  I chose to handle my own bags and was able to disembark soon after the ship docked.  It was simple to get through customs and then to the taxi queue.  There were plenty of taxis waiting as the drivers had received an alert that the ship was docking.

More information on  Brisbane International Cruise Terminal .

Departing Brisbane International Cruise Terminal at sunset. IMAGE: Kerry Heaney

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I’m sure there is wifi at the terminal although it might be busy when the ship comes in and this might mean it takes longer to get through. You’ll find the customs process is quite efficient and they should get through easily. Just a tip: I always pack any food items and anything made from wood or straw in a separate bag so they are easy to show to customs. That way you don’t have to unpack your bag. Hope this helps.

I’ve got to pick up some friends, and was planning to wait at DFO until I heard from them that they’d cleared customs. They don’t have an Aussie phone sim. Is there a public phone box at the cruise terminal? I have read there is no wifi available there.

Great idea! Unfortunately the cruise terminal is only open when a ship is there. Maybe time it around the next arrival or departure.

Hi Kerry – we went to check out the drop of loading zone yesterday (we have booked parking at Airpark) And want to drop people off but the gates were shut and we couldn’t lol around ?

Hi Peter, I suggest you contact the terminal directly on this one. Have a great cruise!

I have a disability permit. How long can I wait at the terminal pick-up point?

Hi Trevor, in my experience, no. My bags were scanned when boarding and I don’t believe alcohol is allowed. Different ships may have different regulations so best to check with the cruise line before boarding.

Can alcohol be taken onto a cruise ship? Like a bottle of liqueur?

All too true! The location is dictated by the available access for large ships so it had to be Pinkenba but there’s so much that can be done to improve the terminal and access to the city. It’s a shame.

I’m so sorry that you had this poor experience at the port. Brisbane is a great place to visit and this new facility does not showcase it well. Despite multiple approaches and stories in the port’s lack of facilities, little has changed.

We were there last October, No transport, No Taxi’s, No food, No Nothing, so I sent a email to the Minister of Tourism, he did not have the decency to even reply with our suggestions. A waste of a port to visit.

If you’re not a local the new terminal is rubbish. It’s in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by factories. It has no public transport and not enough parking, which is expensive anyway. No car rental depots within cooee and even the airport is not very convenient. Trying to get an Uber to collect you from the ship is very difficult. Compared to the previous wharf at Hamilton, which had car rentals, shopping, dining and a lovely ferry ride into the CBD, this terminal was a big waste of money. Look at Circular Quay, Station Pier Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Fremantle, all so much more accessible than Pinkenba.

Accessibility is another problem. Parking is totally booked out months in advance and there’s no public transport.

We have sailed once from Pinkenba. It is better than the previous cattle market arrangement at Hamilton but requires a food outlet for, at least,snacks

sounds like a big white elephant i will not be traveling to brisbane for any more cruises did it once driver in taxi from Roma street didnt know were it was, should have learnt my lesson but decided to try again with new terminal wrong all i read are bad reports COMMING by train from Sydney no proper way to get there but expensive cab ride [hate flying ] WOULD SEEM CANT EVEN GET A CUP OF COFFEE ,please Brisbane and p o get your bloody act together ,

The closest train station would be at the Brisbane International Airport. The best access between the airport and cruise terminal would be via taxi or ride share. There is no public transport option.

What’s the nearest train station to the terminal

I’ve just finished a cruise on Majestic Princess and loved it! There are no eating places at the port apart from the coffee van, but it’s not far to walk out and meet family in the car park. Unless the ship is providing a shuttle service, there’s no public transport available. You can book a ride share or take a taxi from the ranks. The closest place for cafes and restaurants is Portside at Hamilton. There are plenty of nice places to eat there. You can also try Racecourse Road, which is just a little further. It’s about a 20-minute drive. Another place would be the DFO Shopping Centre, with a range of eateries. It’s about 16 minutes away from the port.

We will be arriving on the Majestic Princess on 9th March. Will there be any eating places open apart from the coffee van. How far to walk from the ship out of the port to the visitors car park to meet family. Is there a shuttle service to the city .

I’m flying in, so won’t be parking there ‍

If there is no delay in the ship’s arrival, I have heard that the system works quite well, so don’t be too worried. If you find a long queue, go to the administration desk at the front of the terminal and ask for assistance. I would expect they will provide help for anyone using a walker. I hope you have a great cruise.

Is it any better now in january for someone with a wheelie walker please

That was my experience. The ship was late because of a medical emergency. These don’t often happen, thank goodness, but you would think there could be a better plan for this occurrence. The road there is not pretty, and no public transport or even enough parking is a big fail. Don’t even start me on the coffee/drink situation.

So, in summary then: a modern multi-million dollar badly designed, user unfriendly, public transport disaster (like the Gabba), white elephant then. Lets all struggle to reach it, then stand in the hot sun without food or drink for hours while they sort the basic loading procedures out. What a brilliant first impression for any incoming travellers, and locals alike. Brought to you by your own tax funded Govt.

Would you need the wheelchair onboard the ship or in Brisbane? I’d suggest contacting short-term wheelchair hire places in Brisbane as a start.

Any idea how I can get a wheelchair at the terminal for a 2 week hire for my Mum please? Thanks in advance for any help!

It’s all very random at the moment. Even the roads getting there need attention. My best tip is to book your parking when you book your cruise. Cruising is here to stay now and that might encourage more people to offer options. There’s certainly a business opportunity there.

Do u think there will be more options on getting to the terminal in nov….seems pretty expensive at the moment.. I tried con-x-sions, but there times done suit…. Bit silly…u would think when cruise ships are in, someone would have a shuttle service running continuely, as a responsible price…‍

There’s a drop off pick up area outside the terminal were you can collect your friends. I’d suggest they call you when they are in the terminal and then you come to the pick up area as you only have a two minute window. It’s like picking up people from the airport.

How do you pick up friends from a cruise for a few hours while the ship is docked. How can we pick them up?

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• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

Getting into Brisbane CBD from new BICT Cruise Terminal

By PossumMagic 13 , September 5, 2022 in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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PossumMagic 13

Is it true we independent travellers cannot hire a car or catch public transport from the new BICT?  those of us who do not wish to do Ship Tours, are there any options to get into the CBD?  (Apologies if this has been asked but I was unable to find the topic)

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Aus Traveller

The new cruise terminal has been built where it is so it can be used by large cruise ships, and even larger ones in the future. However, there is no public transport nearby and certainly no hire car companies. One option is to take a taxi to either a railway station or a CityCat (ferry) stop. For the latter, the best one would be Bretts Wharf near the old Portside cruise terminal. When a ship calls into Brisbane (not a turn-around day), there may be shuttle buses available. As yet, we don't know.

We day visited the new terminal on 2nd June on Pacific Explorer. P&O were nice enough to have shuttles into the city (Anne Street), and even nicer, made them free.

Whenever we have visited Brisbane on larger ships to the past to Fisherman Island, the cruise operator has had buses into the city from a similar distance for around $20 round ticket. Don't know who you are cruising with, but I think that these will be available to the new terminal as well, so I think you will be able to make independent plans from there.

If you are after a car with driver, they will be able to pick you up at the terminal.

MicCanberra

There is Con X ions, which operate transfers but a taxi may well be cheaper and more convenient as for timings

cruisermsoon

You need to catch a cab for at least part of the way, either the CityCat ferry to/from Bretts Wharf [Kingsford Smith Drive, the road to the terminal, is right by the wharf] or to Doomben rail station [a short walk to the road, and note that the Doomben train does not run on Sundays or public holidays - check the Translink site for times.]. Weekend taxi fare to Bretts Wharf is $35 and to the City about $45. The shuttle bus from the ship for two would probably come to more, but check on board.

The cheapest option would be for a group of six people (or maybe eight) to share a maxi taxi (people-mover size vehicle) to the city. The difficulty would be arranging for a group to go to the same place at the same time and then to co-ordinate the return.

29 minutes ago, Aus Traveller said: The cheapest option would be for a group of six people (or maybe eight) to share a maxi taxi (people-mover size vehicle) to the city. The difficulty would be arranging for a group to go to the same place at the same time and then to co-ordinate the return.

That would be like herding cats.

8 minutes ago, arxcards said: That would be like herding cats.

What a clowder

3 minutes ago, MicCanberra said: What a clowder

Eventually, hopefully!!

21 hours ago, PossumMagic 13 said: Is it true we independent travellers cannot hire a car or catch public transport from the new BICT?  those of us who do not wish to do Ship Tours, are there any options to get into the CBD?  (Apologies if this has been asked but I was unable to find the topic)

cruiser3775

That is disgusting. It needs some wider publicity that the State Government should set up a major facility like this without any provision for public transport, or even a proper walking path.

13 hours ago, cruisermsoon said: You need to catch a cab for at least part of the way, either the CityCat ferry to/from Bretts Wharf [Kingsford Smith Drive, the road to the terminal, is right by the wharf] or to Doomben rail station [a short walk to the road, and note that the Doomben train does not run on Sundays or public holidays - check the Translink site for times.]. Weekend taxi fare to Bretts Wharf is $35 and to the City about $45. The shuttle bus from the ship for two would probably come to more, but check on board.

Portside doesn’t operate now and all ships go from the new cruise terminal at Pinkenba 

Are the river cats not going to Hamilton / Portside anymore?

1 hour ago, cruiser3775 said: That is disgusting. It needs some wider publicity that the State Government should set up a major facility like this without any provision for public transport, or even a proper walking path.

They have openly said there are no public transport links to the new terminal, and pedestrian access is supposed to be prohibited as well.

Public transport is for daily commuting. The same links are lacking at several cruise ports including White Bay, and if there was money to be made, private operators would already be filling the void. Yes, Portside was lovely. Of the main fleet they would have one P&O ship left to operate there, instead of the four that will base their summer there.

But yes, that picture disgusts me. I would have found $20 in my pocket and used my phone to call them a cab. Catching a private shuttle or a cab to the cruise terminal is hardly 3rd world.

5 minutes ago, MicCanberra said: Are the river cats not going to Hamilton / Portside anymore?

Yes, that is Brett's Wharf 

SinbadThePorter

4 hours ago, arxcards said: Public transport is for daily commuting.

This is what people forget. There is no point putting a bus service in to the BICT as there are usually only ships there once or twice a week. The 303 bus service is designed to pickup and drop off the workers from the airplane industries along the southern side of the airport. That is why it only runs Mon-Fri in the early morning and late afternoon.

It's annoying, but we are stuck with relying on the private sector to pick up the ball. Although I am miffed that there is no official pedestrian access. I always like to have an option to walk out of a place if I have to. 😎

11 minutes ago, SinbadThePorter said:   This is what people forget. There is no point putting a bus service in to the BICT as there are usually only ships there once or twice a week. The 303 bus service is designed to pickup and drop off the workers from the airplane industries along the southern side of the airport. That is why it only runs Mon-Fri in the early morning and late afternoon.   It's annoying, but we are stuck with relying on the private sector to pick up the ball. Although I am miffed that there is no official pedestrian access. I always like to have an option to walk out of a place if I have to. 😎

I can't see why the bus company couldn't liase with the ports authority to create a special bus route that only operates on days when ships are in port. Of course, they'd need to have two timetables - one for changeover days and one for port visits. Start somewhere central, Roma St Station perhaps, with a couple of CBD stops, then cut into Portside for people who used the ferry then onto the BICT. Or is that to logical to be conceivable? 🙄

I think it is logical for a private bus company to run a shuttle bus on days a ship is on port. I don't know how much business they would get on turn-around days when people have luggage.

14 minutes ago, SinbadThePorter said:   This is what people forget. There is no point putting a bus service in to the BICT as there are usually only ships there once or twice a week. The 303 bus service is designed to pickup and drop off the workers from the airplane industries along the southern side of the airport. That is why it only runs Mon-Fri in the early morning and late afternoon.   It's annoying, but we are stuck with relying on the private sector to pick up the ball. Although I am miffed that there is no official pedestrian access. I always like to have an option to walk out of a place if I have to. 😎

The cruise lines are part of that private sector. I can only figure there isn't enough demand for them to run a cruise day shuttle from a city hub, especially when the pricing of such a service also results in poor demand. If the cruise lines can't break even with coach hire, I can't see how any private operators would be interested.

2 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said: I can't see why the bus company couldn't liase with the ports authority to create a special bus route that only operates on days when ships are in port.

I can't recall seeing such a setup anywhere. I'm pretty sure that public transport is almost always only associated with cruise terminals incidentally. Like Circular Quay station is there to service the ferries not the OPT.

The bus and ferries are owned by the Brisbane City Council. So they are run with public needs in mind, but I don't think even they would consider a bus service to to the BICT to be good value.

Aussieflyer

8 hours ago, Hogbay said: Not true if you can handle a 600 m walk along road no foot path or bus stop when you get there . SURPRISED to see this cupple getting helped of bus to walk to BICT . What a great photo op for Anastasia with the fantastic road and transport infrastructure ,  Ha Ha . bus is 303 Monday's to Friday only few in the morning and few in arvo . Go's to train station. .World class International Cruise Terminal it was sold as but i think she crossed out the 3rd that was in front of World. 

I thought it was not allowed to walk out of the terminal - oh hang on - these people were going in - still thought not supposed to. 

Re taxis - only one when we disembarked Coral in mid Aug at 9am. And no Princess transfer to the city, only the airport.

14 hours ago, Aussieflyer said: I thought it was not allowed to walk out of the terminal - oh hang on - these people were going in - still thought not supposed to.  Re taxis - only one when we disembarked Coral in mid Aug at 9am. And no Princess transfer to the city, only the airport.  

I have walked out and walked in . The car park number 3 has a foot path to it and is at the entrance . There is no boom gate or anything . People said 3 hour wait for cab . Cabs or uber are reluctant to go there when they get fares both ways to airport . Princess transfer to air port $40 pp and if  going to roma st another$20 .

20 hours ago, arxcards said: They have openly said there are no public transport links to the new terminal, and pedestrian access is supposed to be prohibited as well.   Public transport is for daily commuting. The same links are lacking at several cruise ports including White Bay, and if there was money to be made, private operators would already be filling the void. Yes, Portside was lovely. Of the main fleet they would have one P&O ship left to operate there, instead of the four that will base their summer there.   But yes, that picture disgusts me. I would have found $20 in my pocket and used my phone to call them a cab. Catching a private shuttle or a cab to the cruise terminal is hardly 3rd world.  

There was 3 hour  wait for taxi , money was not the issue. That 303 bus i got on terminated at school there was another 303 with instructor and a inspector with a driver in training they pick the elderly couple up and drove them into the terminal . They apologised to us ?? Because were few minutes late picking up at the school as they were replacing the other bus .thats how i know the story . 

springaussie

An Engineer who has worked on the road to the new cruise terminal told his cruising mother to expect the road to be cut a few times in heavy rain.

Looks like I would be best to take the $40 transfer from the ship to Brisbane airport, rather than wait a long time for a taxi.  Would I need to book this in advance, or just do it once on the ship?

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Brisbane Cruise Terminal to create new car parks

Passengers at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal will soon have 340 more onsite car parks because of a surge in demand.

Port of Brisbane CEO, Neil Stephens, said the extra capacity would be a great addition to the new terminal. It welcomed 138 vessels and almost 650,000 passengers in its first 12 months of operation. The car spaces for Brisbane Cruise Terminal will be completed in 2024.

Stephens said: “We experienced significant demand for onsite car parking last season, particularly during the busy summer months, and we expect similar again this year as passengers plan their cruise holidays.

“We hope the extra car park capacity will help ensure the experience for cruise passengers at the BICT is as seamless and easy as possible.”

Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd, owner of the BICT, will oversee the car park extension. It will increase the size of existing car parks 2 and 3 and relocate the staff car park. The additional car parks will increase total onsite car parking to 1282 parking bays.

Brisbane International Cruise Terminal is fast becoming a powerhouse port in the cruise market. The new car spaces will help even further.

Stephens said: “Brisbane has experienced a remarkable cruise recovery, with Brisbane International Cruise Terminal welcoming 12 different cruise lines throughout the season.”

“We’re also looking forward to a second successful season.”

Brisbane will welcome more than 160 vessels to the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal during the 2023/24 cruise season. It runs from October 2023-September 2024.

Ships like Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas , Carnival Luminosa putting Queensland cruising in direct competition with Sydney and Melbourne.

Wilson Parking will continue to manage the BICT space.

I cannot fathom why public transport is not available to the terminal on cruise days. What were planners thinking of? It’s in the middle of nowhere. Again looks impressive visually but not well thought out from a practical consumer angle. And it’s easily fixed.

Agree this new terminal is disappointing. There is no proper undercover parking so we use Portside. The old terminal though small was at least in a nice position with shops and cafes. A ferry to city is definitely needed and I wish there was a moving walkway to ship like at airports as it is a long walk if a bit infirm. We have seen many struggling with the long walk.

What a disgrace building this terminal next to a sewage treatment plant. This certainly isn’t very welcoming for locals or visitors to Brisbane. The tourists also have no public transport to visit our city for a stopover day, and for locals the drive is not attractive.

My family are heading of on another cruise in February 24, so hopefully we might see some changes.

Why no get a CityCat terminal. How hard would that be. David

Coincidentally i know there is a nearby (2mins drive) industrial land site being developed as a parking support space. But we should have a ferry running and the airport train extended past the domestic terminal…

As a passenger i have used the wonderful new cruise terminal but options for public transport are non existence apart and expensive taxis or uber. Had to catch a uber to the nearest bus stop which was still $20 down the road. Surely there could be a bus service laid on from Doomben train station to the cruise terminal.

We got caught out not booking parking in time for our cruise. Fortunately our sons’ came to the rescue.

Apart from that, everything was seamless and the Cruise Terminal ran quickly and efficiently without any hitch getting on and getting off. We were off the boat and in our car in about 10 minutes which amazed me.

They’re only adding more parking because there’s no public transport of any kind. This dreadful terminal is located in the middle of an ugly industrial area, miles from the city and with only a tiny cafe for the passengers. It’s a prime example of why Sydney should never built a cruise dock in Botany Bay. The Qld tourism gurus should be ashamed.

Needs more retail perhaps dfo would be good too many people for 1 coffee shop also it’s not a very nice area very industrial

We recently visited the cruise terminal to check out the parking situation as we are cruising in December. After our visit we’ll fly to Sydney to next time to board a cruise. Public transport is what’s needed to make it better, not more carparks.

The present terminal is an embarrassment.. It’s like a 3rd world country. Disgusting

What they need is public transport to run there. It is crazy to think that in 2023 we have a brand new cruise terminal and the only way to get there is by car.

As a cruise passenger unable to secure parking on 2 occasions in 2023 ours was not a good first impression of what other wise was a good terminal. It was most definitely not an easy or seamless experience and resulted in expensive mini bus hire and taxi trips for our groups. So additional parking is welcome news. However the roads to the port look and feel like a third world country’s. We all had to wonder what guests to Brisbane think of that experience! You are sitting on the river a long way from any services and it seems an oversight or after thought on “how do guests actually get here?” Sadly more poor planning Qld

I’m sure all the tourists visiting by boat will be thrilled with the new facilities. A rail connection would be 100000 times better.

HOW ABOUT TRANSPORT

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Brisbane Hotels near International and Portside Wharf Cruise Terminal

Cruise Port of Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia’s third largest city, after Sydney and Melbourne. This modern city, located on the banks of the Brisbane River, is surrounded by green hills, subtropical rainforests and miles of golden sandy beaches.

The world’s largest cruise ships can now dock at the new International Cruise Terminal in Luggage Point.

There are hotels in Brisbane to accommodate you no matter what part of the city you’d like to stay in.

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Located midway Sydney, the Whitsunday Islands and tropical Cairns, Brisbane is a major Australian cruise ship destination. It’s the second largest cruise port in Australia, after Sydney . Brisbane is full of great tourist attractions, focused on and along the river.

Mainly all larger ships dock in the Port of Brisbane at the new International Cruise Terminal in Luggage Point, not far from Brisbane Airport. These ‘mega cruise ships’ are too long to turnaround) at Hamilton and too high to fit under the Leo Hielscher (Gateway) Bridges.

Only smaller ships can dock further upstream at Portside Wharf cruise passenger terminal in Hamilton, 15 to 25 minutes from downtown.

Closest accommodations can be found near the airport and in Brisbane’s suburb of Hamilton . Downtown CBD hotels and self contained apartments are about 30 minutes away. There are lots of good reasonably priced hotels in Brisbane. When visiting Brisbane for a few days, we can recommend staying in CBD , close to shopping, restaurants, and many touristic sights.

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Popular 5 star hotel located at the riverfront in Brisbane CBD district with views of the Story Bridge.

Suite apartments located in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD (Central Business District).

Well priced motel accommodation situated within walking distance of the cruise passenger terminal of Brisbane.

Brisbane International Cruise Terminal BICT

Brisbane’s Portside terminal in the Brisbane River can only accommodate smaller ships.

With the opening of the new terminal at Luggage Point, it’s possible to accommodate the largest cruise ships in the world.

Luggage Point is located close to the Brisbane Airport, Kingsford-Smith Drive and the Gateway Motorway. Both long and short-term paid parking options are available.

Distance to CBD Brisbane is approx. 30 minutes. Nearest hotels are located at Brisbane Airport or in Hamilton, only 15 minutes away.

Portside Wharf Passenger Pier – Address

Portside Wharf Passenger Cruise Terminal — the cruise terminal is located at Hamilton , an inner northern suburb of Brisbane. The facility lies on the north bank of the Brisbane River along Bulimba Reach.

Portside Wharf is capable of welcoming ships up to 270 metres in length. The terminal is about 7km or 4mi from Brisbane’s Domestic and International Airports, and can easily be accessed by bus, rail or CityCat from Brisbane’s city centre. The Postside Wharf cruise terminal offers first class passenger facilities and infrastructure, all within short distance of the city’s main sights and attractions. Distance to city centre – 10kms/25mins.

Due to Gateway Bridge height restrictions several larger vessels could not sail under the bridge tied up north of the bridge at Pinkenba Wharf or at the Multi-user Freight Terminal at the Grain Berth, located at Fisherman Islands .

Located midway Sydney, the Whitsunday Islands and tropical Cairns, Brisbane is one of Australia’s most popular cruise ship destination, after Sydney. Other important departure ports include Adelaide on the South Coast and Fremantle, which is the gateway port to Perth in Western Australia . Pier Address

Portside Wharf, 39 Hercules Street, Hamilton QLD 4007, Australia

web: www.portsidewharf.com.au

phone: + 61 7 3907 4111

email: [email protected]

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and Australia’s third largest city, after Sydney (see port hotels) and Melbourne .

This modern city, located on the banks of the Brisbane River, is surrounded by green hills, subtropical rainforests and miles of golden sandy beaches. Brisbane is full of great tourist attractions, focused on and along the river.

There are hotels in Brisbane to accommodate you no matter what part of the city you’d like to stay in. Stay in a luxury 5 star apartment or hotel, or if you’re on a budget staying in a discounted hotel or cheap condo helps you save money for other activities.

Brisbane’s south bank is home to Australia’s largest modern art gallery. The Queensland Art Gallery, established in 1895, displays a large collection of paintings, art and sculptures. Brisbane’s oldest buildings include the Old Windmill, located in Wickham Park, and the Old Commissariat Store situated on William Street. Skypoint, the highest point on Brisbane’s skyline, offers a viewing deck with panoramic views. Kids will love a visit to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. A nice daytrip for the entire family is the Australia Zoo, home to native animals such as salt-water crocodiles, koalas and kangaroos. Art lovers will enjoy a trip to Montville, often described as the “Creative Heart of the Sunshine Coast.

Extend your cruise holiday and relax in one of the Gold Coast’s luxurious beachfront resorts, hotels or self catering apartments. Nearby Surfers Paradise, renowned for its excellent surf and wide golden beaches, is voted as one of the best beaches in the world.

Nearest airport and Car Parking

Brisbane International Airport BNE — Portside Wharf cruise pier is located approximately 7 km from both international and domestic airport terminals (10 minutes).

Portside Wharf offers 350 public car parking spaces, both undercover parking and curb side parking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Australia’s currency is the Australian dollar (AUD).

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Cruise Lines — currently sailing from Brisbane harbour are ships from among Princess Cruises , Holland America Line (HAL) , Cunard , and P&O Cruises Australia (Pacific Dawn and Pacific Jewel) .

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• Getting here
• Lost Property
• Cruise ship schedule
• Cruise FAQs
• Cruise contacts
• Video transcript - Passenger Boarding Bridge – transit at highest gradient transcript
• Video transcript - Transit through Passenger Boarding Bridges – transit at flat gradient
• Video transcript - Transit through Passenger Boarding Bridges – transit at lowest gradient
• Video transcript - Typical journey of a disembarking passenger
• Video transcript - Typical journey of an embarking passenger
• Contractors and transport operators
• Cruise health and safety
• Visiting Brisbane and South East Queensland

BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL CRUISE TERMINAL - CAR PARKING

The Brisbane International Cruise Terminal offers over 900 onsite paid car parking spaces across three car parks. Please note: there is paid parking only inside the terminal grounds which must be booked online in advance. BICT car parking is managed by Wilson Parking. For parking rates or to book car parking, visit the Wilson Parking website:  www.wilsonparking.com.au  (search for “Brisbane International Cruise Terminal”) or call Wilson Parking Customer Care: 1800 727 546. If you are dropping or picking up a passenger who is ready to be collected, there is a passenger pick-up and set down area in front of the terminal building (a two-minute limit applies, and the driver must remain with the vehicle).  Please refer to the  Car Parking and Transport Map  for details.

CAR PARKING INFORMATION

​Please view our Car Parking and Transport Map or read the table below for details. Important parking information:

​Car parking must be booked online in advance via Wilson Parking ( www.wilsonparking.com.au ).

Please retain your ticket and pay prior to returning to your vehicle.

Pay stations located near the terminal building accept Visa card, Mastercard, and cash.

Car Park exit boom gates only accept Visa card and Master card (cash is not accepted at exit boom gates).

Refer to the Car Parking and Transport Map for pay station locations.

No trailers permitted in Car Parks 1, 2, 3 or the Passenger Pick Up & Set Down Area.

Contact Wilson Parking for enquiries about parking rates, payment methods or other general enquiries: www.wilsonparking.com.au or Wilson Parking Customer Care on 1800 PARKING (1800 727 546).​

CAR PARK OPERATING HOURS

Public access to the car park is only available on cruise ship days - please refer to the  Cruise ship schedule  for these dates. If you require access to your parked vehicle outside of these hours, please contact  Wilson Parking Customer Care on 1800 PARKING (1800 727 546)  and note that additional fees may apply. Car parking is managed by Wilson Parking. For general enquiries visit  www.wilsonparking.com.au .

ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARKING AND CHARGING 

As part of Port of Brisbane’s commitment to sustainability, we have installed four electric vehicle chargers (Delta AC Mini Plus) in the P1 - Premium Car Park.   While it is free to use the EV charging station, parking rates apply to access and park in the car park. EV charging spaces cannot be booked in advance.

Charging interface:

Charger details

Type 1 and Type 2 cable and plug

Type 2 socket

Socket type: meet IEC 62196-2 Type 2 socket

Plug type: meet IEC 62196-2 Type 1 or Type 2 plug and cable

The charger will turn off automatically once charging is complete.