ON THE RIVER · SUNSET RIVER CRUISES IN AUSTRALIA

9 Sunset River Cruises in Australia to Build a Day Around

9 river trips  ·  from $25 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 9 sunset river cruises in Australia worth the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you book.

Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise - Leaving Cavill Avenue for the canals
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Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise

1.Surfers Paradise: Sightseeing Sunset River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 482 reviews · 1h 30m · from $31Our pick

Set out from 63 Cavill Avenue for a 90-minute sunset cruise through Surfers Paradise, the Nerang River, and Gold Coast waterways. An English-speaking guide shares local stories as you pass waterfront mansions, yachts, Marina Mirage, Sea World, and the Southport Yacht Club. Cheese, crackers, and savoury nibbles are included, with cocktails, beer, wine, and champagne available to buy.

“Captain was great added to whole experience will definitely come again!”

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Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba River Sunset Cruise - The river mouth, harbour, and canal route
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Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba River Sunset Cruise

2.Sunshine Coast: Mooloolaba River Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 310 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Set out from The Wharf Mooloolaba for a 90-minute sunset cruise with live English commentary from the Coastal Cruises crew. You’ll visit the river mouth, collect fresh seafood, then glide through the Mooloolah River, harbour, and Minyama canals. Order dinner, cocktails, wine, or soft drinks on board as the sky changes colour.

“it was so relaxing and enjoyable, our captain was so friendly, informative and funny.”

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Cairns: Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks - Watching Trinity Inlet change in the evening
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Cairns: Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks

3.Cairns: Sunset River Cruise with Snack and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 185 reviews · 1h 30m · from $50

Meet your captain at Berth A1, Cairns Marlin Marina, for a 90-minute cruise through Trinity Inlet. Expect calm water, mangroves, local wildlife, Cairns lights, a complimentary beer, wine, or soft drink, and a light snack. Guides such as Bruce, Joe, Jacob, Jack, and Steve are known for friendly local stories.

“Just loved it, Jack the guide was lovely,informative and relaxed.Trinity Inlet with snacks and a drink in the heat of Cairns was a welcomed afternoon.Traveling back at dark seeing Cairns light up was amazing,so good.”

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Noosaville: Noosa River Sunset Cruise - Leaving Noosaville and settling into the river
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Noosaville: Noosa River Sunset Cruise

4.Noosaville: Noosa River Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 161 reviews · 2 hours · from $26

Set out from Noosaville for a relaxed sunset cruise through Woods Bay, Weyba Creek, the River Mouth, and Noosa Sound Canals. Your English-speaking skipper shares local stories, wildlife notes, and house-price gossip while chilled music plays. Bring snacks, buy drinks at the onboard bar, and allow about 2.5 hours for the full Noosaville round trip.

“Really enjoyable, Jack had a lot of local knowledge and interesting facts. A relaxing interesting cruise”

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Jervis Bay: 2-Hour Sunset River Cruise - Watching pelicans, kingfishers, and stingrays
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Jervis Bay: 2-Hour Sunset River Cruise

5.Jervis Bay: 2-Hour Sunset River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 61 reviews · 2 hours · from $31

Join Jervis Bay Wild for a relaxed two-hour pontoon cruise from Huskisson Wharf. You’ll follow the calm Currambene River, listen to English commentary, watch for pelicans, kingfishers, kangaroos, giant stingrays and possible dolphins, then enjoy sunset with your own food and drinks onboard.

“Great fun - helped by the fact there was a 60th party on board and we were asked to join. Great bunch of people. Saw Kangaroos and various birds”

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Noosa River Sunset Cruise - Past Makepeace Island and the North Shore ferry crossing
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Noosa River Sunset Cruise

6.Noosa River Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 25 reviews · 1h 30m · from $25Best value

Spend 90 minutes aboard the Noosa Queen, cruising from Noosa Marina toward Makepeace Island, the North Shore ferry crossing, and Lake Cooroibah. Your English-speaking crew adds Noosa stories and laid-back music, while the licensed bar serves wine and beer. Bring a jacket and binoculars for the river wildlife.

“so lovely and relaxing and the crew were so warm & friendly. It was cloudy so we didn't get the sunset but it didn't matter. Would do it again.”

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Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay - Arriving at Lance Ferris Wharf in Ballina
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Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay

7.Sunset River Cruise near Byron Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $50Top rated

Meet at Lance Ferris Wharf in Ballina at 5:30 pm for a two-hour sunset cruise on the Richmond River. A marine biologist guides you through mangrove forests and local wildlife habitat, with possible dolphin sightings, native birds, two complimentary drinks, and gluten-free snacks. Transport from Byron Bay is not included.

“Great experience overall. Dolphins were cute and air was so clean. It’s nice to do this cruise amazing!!”

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Byron Bay: Scenic Sunset River Cruise - Mangroves, creeks, and the search for wildlife
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Byron Bay: Scenic Sunset River Cruise

8.Byron Bay: Scenic Sunset River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8 reviews · 2 hours · from $49

Spend two hours cruising the Richmond River from Ballina with a marine biologist guide. You’ll pass mangroves, creeks, Mobb’s Bay, and Pimlico Island while watching for dolphins and rare birds. Marian has guided some departures, with live commentary, two cold drinks, and locally made sweet and savoury afternoon tea included.

“We had a terrific experience. Even though there was a storm brewing, Marian told us all about the bird life and served us champagne and Chardonnay and muffins. We enjoyed being rained on because it was cool!”

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Melbourne: Luxury Sunset Cruise on Yarra River - Docklands at Twilight
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Melbourne: Luxury Sunset Cruise on Yarra River

9.Luxury Sunset Cruise on Yarra River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1h 30m · from $42

Set out from Southbank for a 90-minute sunset cruise along the Yarra River. You’ll pass Melbourne’s CBD and Docklands from a covered boat, then watch Crown Casino’s fire show on the return trip. An English-speaking host provides a friendly, informative outing, with drinks available to buy and no BYO permitted.

“Beautiful scenery. The host of the event was very friendly, funny and informative. Sunset was gorgeous and the fireshow coming back in the city was magnificent. Would definitely do this again!”

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Other lists on this water

Canal Cruises333Dinner Cruises279Nile Cruises486Sunset River Cruises75Luxury River Cruises100River Sightseeing Cruises89
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