ON THE RIVER · CANAL CRUISES IN AUSTRALIA

Best Canal Cruises in Australia — Our Top 4

4 river trips  ·  from $14 a head

Every trip has one free afternoon too few. These 4 canal cruises in Australia earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to packing.

The Original 1-Hour Mooloolaba Canal Cruise - Mooloolah Island and waterfront homes
1-Hour Experiences, Australia River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Australia, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

The Original 1-Hour Mooloolaba Canal Cruise

1.The Original 1-Hour Mooloolaba Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 310 reviews · from $25Our pick

Set out from The Wharf Mooloolaba for a relaxed one-hour cruise through the marina, Mooloolah Island, and the Kawana canals. Your crew provides live stories about local homes, canal development, and Steve Irwin’s Croc One. Ken, Paul, Lucy, Georgia, and others have hosted recent trips. Bring snacks or buy drinks on board.

“From the minute we stepped on the boat we knew we'd made a good choice. Ken and Bailey were welcoming, fun and just a pleasure to chat to. They clearly know their stuff and the craft was clean and comfortable, with a great selection of drinks to choose from for the cruise. A relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable journey!”

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Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Morning River and Canal Cruise - Finding the boat at the Cavill Avenue river end
Australia River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Australia, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Morning River and Canal Cruise

2.Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Morning River and Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 298 reviews · 1h 30m · from $19

Spend 90 minutes cruising from Cavill Avenue through Surfers Paradise, the Nerang River, Gold Coast waterways and Broadwater. You’ll see waterfront mansions, yachts and local wildlife while guides such as Captain Pete add jokes and local facts. Tea, coffee, cakes, biscuits and lamingtons are included, with a licensed bar onboard.

“a very informative tour on the waterways of the gold coast. Captain Pete was very knowledgeable and with his one liners made for an excellent and humorous experience. Great value for money and I would highly recommend. Well done to all.”

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Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Midday River and Canal Cruise - What the one-hour route actually shows you
Australia River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Australia, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Midday River and Canal Cruise

3.Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Midday River and Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 160 reviews · 1 hour · from $14Best value

Set out at 12:30pm from the river end of Cavill Avenue for a family-friendly hour on the Gold Coast waterways. Enjoy open-air or covered seating, commentary in English, waterfront mansions, mega yachts, and a chance to spot dolphins. Captains such as Pete have been praised for lively humour, while drinks and snacks are sold onboard.

“It was a lovely informative cruise with a delicious lunch. Staff all very friendly and helpful and chatty, shame the ladies in the bar talked over the top of the commentary.”

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Mooloolaba: Canal Cruise with Commentary - Mooloolah Island and Mooloolaba’s grand waterfront homes
Australia River Cruises, Canal Cruises, Canal Cruises in Australia, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Mooloolaba: Canal Cruise with Commentary

4.Mooloolaba: Canal Cruise with Commentary

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 143 reviews · 1 hour · from $24

Spend one hour aboard the historic M.V. Mudjimba, cruising from The Wharf through Mooloolaba’s canals, past grand homes, Croc One, fishing boats, and osprey nests. Your English-speaking crew shares local stories, offers drinks and snacks, and may let you take the helm beside the skipper.

“Was very good cruise with friendly nice staff and commentator was knowledgeable. Thank you and would definitely recommend”

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