Brisbane Whale Watching Whale Watching in Moreton Bay – Redcliffe

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Whale watching on Brisbane's Moreton Bay, one of the world's best whale watching destinations. Of all the great whales, the Humpback is the most surface active.

Days

5 hours; 8 from Brisbane, 9 from the Sunshine Coast

Group size

Max 100

Start / finish

Redcliffe Jetty, Brisbane CBD or Sunshine Coast / back to your start
Redcliffe Jetty, by 2:30pm

Return

Redcliffe Jetty, by 2:30pm

Transport

Whale watching boat 'Eye Spy'; make your own way to Redcliffe, or take the return bus from Brisbane CBD or the Sunshine Coast

Meals

Gourmet picnic lunchbox; bar and snacks to buy

Route

Map of Brisbane Whale Watching Whale Watching in Moreton Bay – Redcliffe

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Included experiences

Moreton Bay — humpback whale watching
Commentary from the crew
Picnic lunch on board

Brisbane Whale Watching Whale Watching in Moreton Bay

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MORNING: BOARDING AT REDCLIFFE

Your day starts on the Redcliffe Peninsula, half an hour north of Brisbane, where boarding for Eye Spy opens at 9am for a 10am departure. Make your own way to the jetty, or take the return coach from Brisbane's city centre or from the Sunshine Coast, which brings you to the boat in time to board. Redcliffe Jetty reaches out into the bay from the town's foreshore, and as the boat pulls away the peninsula's red cliffs, the ones that gave Redcliffe its name, slip behind you.

ON MORETON BAY: THE HUMPBACKS

Out on Moreton Bay your skipper, Captain Kerry Lopez, heads for the whales. The bay is sheltered by Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island, two of the largest sand islands on earth, and is home to dugongs and sea turtles all year. From June to November the humpbacks pass on one of the longest migrations of any mammal, about 5,000 km each way between Antarctica and the warm water inside the Great Barrier Reef, where they mate and give birth. Of all the great whales, humpbacks are the most active at the surface. Watch for the tall bushy blow, a tail lifted before a deep dive, or a full breach from an animal up to 16 metres long, often within metres of the boat.

MIDDAY: LUNCH WITH A VIEW

Lunch is a gourmet picnic box of chicken and ham with salads and fruit, eaten with the whales in view. The crew's commentary runs all day, from how to read a whale's mood to why males sing songs that can last 20 minutes and change from one year to the next. The licensed bar and snack and souvenir counter are open if you want a drink or something extra, and part of every ticket goes to whale research. When a pod is close, head for the open decks: you'll often hear a whale breathe before you see it.

AFTERNOON: BACK TO REDCLIFFE

By about 2:30pm Eye Spy is tied up again at Redcliffe Jetty. Redcliffe was the site of Queensland's first European settlement, a convict outpost set up in 1824 and moved to Brisbane a year later. With a few hours of daylight left, the waterfront path and the beach beside the jetty are an easy place to stretch your legs before heading home. Coach guests then ride back to Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Redcliffe Jetty, Redcliffe Peninsula, 30 minutes north of Brisbane CBD. With the From Brisbane or From the Sunshine Coast option, the bus takes you there and back.
Departure time: Boarding from 9am for a 10am departure.
Finishes: Back at Redcliffe Jetty by 2:30pm, then the bus back to Brisbane CBD or the Sunshine Coast on those options.
Suits: Wheelchair accessible.
Please note: Tours run daily from June to November, weather permitting.

What is included

Whale watching cruise on 'Eye Spy'
Gourmet picnic lunchbox with chicken and ham, salads and fruit
Commentary
Return bus transfers from Brisbane CBD or the Sunshine Coast, with those options

Not included

Drinks, snacks and souvenirs — licensed bar and counter on board

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

4.9

Based on 64 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

AI summary of 64 reviews

Travellers consistently praise the crew for their friendliness, professionalism and knowledgeable commentary about whale behaviour and marine life, alongside the quality of the boat, lunch provision and convenient transport from Brisbane. The most striking aspect of reviews is the frequency and closeness of whale sightings, with numerous accounts of whales approaching the boat, breaching and remaining nearby for extended periods, often alongside sightings of dolphins, turtles and sharks. The primary caveat is that seasickness can be an issue on choppier days, though seasickness tablets are available on board, and a few travellers noted that overcrowding during peak times and external music during the tour detracted from their experience.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

The weather wasn't kind, but Captain Kerry and her crew worked hard and found a couple of pods, though the whales were keen to keep heading south. On the way back we stopped near Tangalooma to watch the local dolphins, and the commentary on whale life and migration was very informative.

Ralph Biggs Verified· Travelled 24th October 2026

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(5/5)

An awesome day with lots of whales. We've been out at least four times now and every trip has been amazing.

Trevor Ball Verified· Travelled 23rd October 2026

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(5/5)

An amazing day trip and well worth it. It was choppy, but the seasickness tablets worked a treat.

Gabrielle Peters Verified· Travelled 17th October 2026

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(5/5)

Captain Kerry and her crew are amazing. A magical day that I'd happily do again.

Kylie Walden Verified· Travelled 3rd October 2026

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(5/5)

An amazing day out with a great boat, staff and lunch. We saw plenty of mums and calves showing off in the lovely calm water.

Lynne Jones Verified· Travelled 26th September 2026

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(5/5)

Stacy our host was wonderful and Captain Kerry's commentary was really knowledgeable. Highly recommended.

Ryan Brooklyn Verified· Travelled 26th September 2026

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