Top Queensland Wildlife Watching

Experience the marine life of the Great Sandy Strait and Fraser Island on a half-day dolphin watching tour from Hervey Bay. Ride aboard a smaller boat that allows for a more personalized experience as you look for two dolphin species, sea turtles and other animals. Includes time for boom-netting and a swim at Fraser Island (in warmer months), and morning tea served on board.

Experience the thrill of an up-close encounter with migrating whales on this half-day cruise from Brisbane, available only between June and November. Set sail around Moreton Bay on a luxurious high-speed catamaran and tuck into a delicious buffet lunch on-board as you soak up the scenery. Finally, keep your camera to hand as you spot humpback whales swimming and breaching beside the ship – a rare opportunity to spot the gentle giants in their natural environment.

Leave busy Brisbane for a full-day tour that showcases the natural beauty of North Stradbroke Island. Swim in the surf or freshwater lakes, take a short guided hike, view whales and other marine animals from the beach and coastal lookouts, visit small towns including historic Dunwich and Amity, and go in search of the island’s population of wild kangaroos and koalas. Your small-group tour has numbers limited to 21 people, which ensures a more personalized experience with your knowledgeable guide.

Let’s Go Buggin’ and Let’s Go Shroomin’! Follow your expert photographer around Cairns Botanic Gardens, learn professional photography tricks, and learn all about the wildlife that live there. Bridgette Gower is a highly-experienced photographer specializing in the tiny, weird and wonderful, and on this unique tour, she will teach you how to use your camera to take pro shots. See bugs, frogs, fungi and more, and explore the depths of the botanic gardens.

Hop in a kayak and paddle from Palm Cove to Double Island, where mangroves and coral reefs await. Along the way, you’ll meet turtles, fish, and small rays, and, if you’re lucky, even dolphins and whales. No previous kayaking experience is needed, and the tour is suitable for all. All kayaking equipment and light snacks are provided.

Enjoy an informative whale-watching excursion off the Mooloolaba coast. Choose a convenient departure time from a variety of options to suit your needs. Then, search for humpbacks as they migrate along the coast. Enjoy a picturesque cruise with humpback viewing guaranteed—you can repeat the tour another day if you don’t see any—and look out for dolphins, turtles, and other magnificent marine life.

Experience the beauty of Brisbane on this full-day wildlife and wilderness coastal tour. Offering visitors the chance to come face to face with kangaroos, birds, and even a shipwreck, this private tour is a great way to get out of the city and discover the beauty of Brisbane’s northern coastline. You’ll also visit the Osprey House Environmental Centre and swing by Scarborough boat harbor for lunch (at own cost).

Enjoy a premium half-day whale-watching tour from Hervey Bay that visits Platypus Bay, a prime location for whale watching near Fraser Island. Have plenty of time to witness the majestic humpback whales at play as they pass the Australian continent during their annual migration to the Antarctic. Your tour includes morning tea, a tropical buffet lunch, and an afternoon tea with a fruit and cheese platter. Learn about the whales and the marine environment from your crew's informative commentary during the tour.

Take in the wonders of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation, as well as the magic of the Great Barrier Reef, on this two day tour. On day one, roam through Daintree on custom-built 4WD vehicles while your local guide offers up his extensive knowledge of flora and fauna. Then on day 2, sail to the outer Great Barrier Reef and enjoy approximately 5 hours of snorkeling.

Wildlife enthusiasts will love the chance to spot whales in the wild so close to the Gold Coast. Just a twenty-minute cruise off shore, the Australian Whale Sanctuary is prime humpback whale habitat. Get great views of the creatures (when conditions are right) from on board your comfortable boat. This easy 2.5-hour trip can fit into busy itineraries.

Double Island Point is one of the best places in Australia to learn to surf and this half-day tour from Noosa is ideal for first-time surfers. Follow the Great Beach Drive to the island by 4WD, enjoy magnificent views of Rainbow Beach, then join an expert instructor for a surf lesson on the island’s gorgeous beach.

Get up close and personal with the nightlife in Surfers Paradise—the natural nightlife, that is! Take a nocturnal walk in the lively, subtropical rainforest of the Gold Coast and see some of its local inhabitants waking up ready for a busy night. This walk is particularly good for spotting glow worms in their natural habitat, and your knowledgeable guide will help you spot other creatures in the depths of the forest too.

See nocturnal wildlife in its native habitat on this small-group nighttime guided walk around Cape Tribulation. In the company of scientist guides, venture into old growth tropical rainforest, following trails only your group has access to, and learn all about the plants and animals that make this World Heritage-listed ecosystem their home.

Experience an intimate whale encounter with this small-boat tour. A small boat allows you to get as close as possible to the whales, who tend to be scared off by larger vessels. The low sides of the boat allow you to submerge your waterproof camera for amazing underwater shots, and feel the spray of whale blows on your face. Courtesy spray jackets and life vests are provided.

Spot humpback whales and dolphins swimming in their natural habitat during a spectacular whale watching cruise from Mooloolaba. Listen to the crew's informative commentary about the whales, which migrate annually between Australia and Antarctica, and learn about other marine life of the Sunshine Coast that you get to see firsthand. Your 22-passenger vessel provides optimal viewing opportunities without the crowds.

Treat yourself, along with your family and friends, to a day exploring a family-owned farm. Skip the usual petting zoo crowds and get introduced to the animals in an intimate setting. Feed them, pat them, and interact with them in a calm environment, so your can feel what it's really like to live on a farm and care for these amazing creatures.

Whales are a common sight off the coast of Mooloolaba, particularly during their migration period in the winter months. Seek some out on this half day cruise out into the Coral Sea; if you spot some, there’s even a chance you’ll get to swim with them, getting close to these majestic giants with the help of the boat crew. Even if you don’t, this relaxing cruise is a great way to get away from the busy resorts and tourist attractions on the Sunshine Coast for a few hours.

Join photographer Bridgette on a small group tour (maximum 8 people) to explore the world of the tiny creatures that live in the Cairns Botanic Gardens. This is the only tour of its kind in Cairns. Most of the tiny lifeforms go completely unnoticed, but a magical world awaits to be discovered when you join for a personalized, highly specified tour of the gardens and the treasures it keeps. Assistance is given to those wanting some help improving their photography.

Swim with whales on the Gold Coast with this guided half day excursion. Get eye to eye with these amazing, gentle creatures in either the Gold Coast, Coolangatta, or Tweed heads area. Your guide will do everything they can to find humpback whales for you to swim with. Coffee/ tea and fresh fruit will be provided after the swim, and snorkeling equipment, wetsuits, and spray jackets included.

60 Minute Bottoms Up evening tour, exploring the reefs surrounding The Gateway to The Great Barrier Reef Spot underwater wildlife including crayfish walking reef flats, turtles sleeping amongst the coral, octopuses feeding at night, and sharks cruising the reef flats Guided and commentated, learn about the diverse ecosystem that makes up our coral reefs.

Award winning Cultural experience from Traditional Quandamooka Custodian! View Beautiful Minjerribah (Straddie) through the eyes of a local showcasing it's Culture, Country and Stories. Guaranteed to see Land and Sea animals along the way including Koalas, Dolphins, Birds and much more!

• Opt to dive into the wreck of the HMAS Brisbane, a decommissioned guided missile destroyer that was scuttled 2.9 nautical miles off the Sunshine Coast • Light snacks on board • HMAS Brisbane dive includes marine parks fees and Guides. Equipment hire is not included but available for hire. • Available 7 days a week

There’s nothing quite like grabbing a pint from a local aussie pub- let alone one that is on an Island. Let River to Bay whisk you away for lunch at Minjerribah’s (Stradbroke Island) newest addition to the Island, the Amity Tavern. The tour will begin with a journey across Moreton Bay on one of our high-powered vessels, spotting dolphins and soaking up the sights that Moreton Bay has to offer. As you arrive to Amity Point on North Stradbroke Island, enjoy a walk up to the Amity Tavern making sure to keep your eyes peeled for Koalas. Soak up the island vibes as you enjoy lunch and a cold beverage. After lunch feel free to explore Amity, spot koalas, keep an eye out for the local dolphins off Amity Jetty and go for a swim at the beach as you take in the exquisite scenery before being transported back to Brisbane City. Duration: 8am-6pm (at North Stradbroke from 10:00am-4pm) Drinks and snacks are available for purchase onboard. There is a toilet onboard the vessel.