How to Ride a Brisbane River CityCat with Kids

Have you wondered if you should take a trip on the Brisbane River CityCat with kids?

Brisbane’s famous CityCat boats can provide all you need for a fun day out on the water! We’re so lucky to live in a city that has accessible, regular and reliable water transport – why not make the most of it and turn a trip into an adventure!

Hopping onto a Brisbane CityCat with kids at a suburban stop to the east or west of the city means that you’ll be able to explore inner Brisbane attractions without having to worry about parking your car or getting to bus or train stations. Many of Brisbane’s inner city attractions are very close to the river – easy access for boat travellers.

Where can I catch a CityCat with kids in Brisbane?

Travelling from East (towards the Gateway Bridge) to West (inland towards University of Queensland), the stops are:

• Northshore. Northshore Riverside Park, Hamilton.
• Bretts Wharf. Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton.
• Teneriffe. Commercial Road, Teneriffe.
• Apollo Road. Apollo Road, Bullimba.
• Bulimba. Oxford Street, Bulimba.
• Hawthorne. Gordon Street, Hawthorne.
• New Farm Park. Brunswick Street, New Farm.
• Mowbray Park. Park Avenue, East Brisbane.
• Sydney Street. Sydney Street, New Farm.
• Riverside. Riverside Centre, Eagle Street, City.
• QUT Gardens Point. Gardens Point Road, City.
• South Bank 1 and 2. South Bank Parklands.
• North Quay 1 and 2. Queens Wharf Road, North Quay.
• Milton. Coronation Drive, Toowong.
• Regatta. Coronation Drive, Toowong.
• Guyatt Park. Macquarie Street, St Lucia.
• West End. Hoogley Street, West End.
• UQ St Lucia. Sir William Macgregor Drive, St Lucia.

What is it like riding the CityCat with kids?

CityCats move back and forth across the river as they work their way towards their destination. The boat moves fast (25 knots!) and you and the kids can watch the world go by from the comfort of the cabin or, if you’re more adventurous, the front or back of the boat. Your kids can feel the wind in their hair and the spray of the water as the CityCat speeds from stop to stop!

CityCat crew are always friendly and well-informed. The boats themselves are wheelchair (up to six at a time) and pram accessible, have water for sale on board and arrive regularly and reliably.

There are toilets on board and big-screen televisions showing you the very latest in Brisbane news. You can use your Go Card to swipe as you go on and off or you can buy paper tickets on the boat.

The journey is as long as you want it to be! Going from one extreme end to the other will take over an hour, depending on how crowded the boat is, but you are free to get off at any stop and explore.

The Brisbane River provides a great vantage point for you to view great sites like New Farm Park, the city buildings, gorgeous houses along the river and all the new development going on. Little ones will love seeing all the cranes and action taking place!

Consider disembarking at the City Bontanic Gardens or South Bank to explore your way through the city’s best playgrounds!

How much does the CityCat cost?

** Updated – All public transport in Brisbane is currently 50 cents per trip***

If you’re in the mood for adventure on the water we would recommend buying a one zone ticket. It will cost $4.50 and you can make as many trips as you can manage within a two hour block. Using your own GoCard is also a suitable option.

The Translink network is free for children who are aged 4 and under. Children aged between 5 are eligible for a concession fare. If they have an orange child GoCard they can touch on and off for free on weekends.

All aboard!

Riding the CityCat is a great way for your kids to be excited about living in this beautiful city and to have an adventure out on the water. You might see old sites you’d forgotten about or be inspired to visit new places. Adventure ahoy!