Finished in 2020, the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal is South East Queensland’s first purpose-built cruise hub—and it’s big enough to welcome some of the world’s largest cruise ships.

Designed by local architects Arkhefield, the terminal includes a 208-metre wharf and a raised walkway nearly as long. You’ll find it out at Pinkenba—also known as Luggage Point—just a short drive from the CBD and super close to the airport, which makes life a bit easier for both locals and fly-in travellers.

Just a heads-up: the terminal’s only open when a ship’s in port, so don’t expect to drop by for a coffee when there’s no vessel docked.

Brisbane Port Cruise Deals 

Hunting for a cruise deal out of Brisbane? Plenty of ships set sail from the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal—think Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess—and they’re often running specials on everything from short getaways to full-blown South Pacific adventures.

Right now, you’ll find:

• Royal Caribbean doing regular runs to places like Vanuatu and New Caledonia, with deals on 8–12 night cruises.
• Carnival offers shorter trips up and down the Aussie coast, perfect for a cheeky long weekend.
• Princess Cruises still pops in and out with seasonal sailings—sometimes with solid last-minute discounts if you time it right.

If you’re flexible on dates or happy to book a cabin without all the bells and whistles, there are usually bargains floating around. Early-bird and last-minute fares tend to be the sweet spot.

Popular Cruise Destination From Brisbane

Brisbane’s cruise terminal building plays host to some big names in the cruising world. Royal Caribbean is a regular sight here, with ships like Quantum of the Seas sailing out to the South Pacific. Carnival’s got a solid presence too—especially now that P&O Australia has officially joined the Carnival family. You’ll see ships like Carnival Encounter and Carnival Luminosa calling Brisbane home.

Princess Cruises still swings by from time to time, usually on seasonal itineraries. Disney Cruises has also made a few magical appearances, but they’re not based here, at least not for now.

Brisbane Port Cruise Schedule [Next 30 days]

Wondering what ships are pulling into Brisbane over the next month? Here’s a peek at what’s coming and going at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal – from weekend getaways to epic international voyages.

April 2025 Schedule:

• Apr 3 – Carnival Luminosa sets sail for Alaska and Japan (yep, all the way to Seattle!)
• Apr 4–6 – Quantum of the Seas doing back-to-back short cruises—ideal if you just need a quick break
• Apr 9 – Norwegian Sun arrives from Bali, sticking around till 9:00 PM
• Apr 12 – Pacific Encounter heads north for a Barrier Reef adventure
• Apr 14 & 18 – Crown Princess doing a quick 2-nighter, then a longer trek to Fremantle
• Apr 23 & 29 – Quantum returns for some island hopping in the South Pacific
• Apr 26 – Pacific Encounter back again for a week in the islands

Keep in mind that the cruise schedules can shift thanks to weather or the usual port logistics. Always best to double-check with the cruise line before you pack your bags.

How to get to Brisbane Port

If your GPS doesn’t recognise the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal’s official address (1 Cruise Terminal Drive, Pinkenba), don’t stress—just pop in Marine Road instead. That’ll lead you right onto Cruise Terminal Drive and straight to the terminal.

The cruise terminal is parked at the mouth of the Brisbane River. It’s about 15 minutes (12–13 km) from Brisbane Airport, and around 30 minutes (give or take) from the CBD, depending on traffic. It’s also easy to reach via the Gateway Motorway and Kingsford Smith Drive.

Coming from the airport

You’re looking at a 15–17 minute drive without traffic. You can grab a taxi, book a rideshare (Uber, Ola, DiDi), or go with a door-to-door shuttle like Con-X-ion. If you’re driving yourself, the quickest route is usually via Lomandra Drive and State Route 25.

Coming from the CBD

It’s roughly a 30-minute trip, depending on which way you go—either via Airport Link (about 22 km) or State Route 26. If you’re travelling during peak hours, give yourself a bit of extra time for traffic.

Heads-up: There’s no public transport to the terminal at the moment, so plan ahead if you’re not being dropped off.

Car Parking at Brisbane Port

If you’re driving to the terminal, you’ll find onsite parking managed by Wilson Parking. You can book your spot online through their website (wilsonparking.com.au)—super easy, and probably worth doing ahead of time, especially in peak season.

They’ve recently added a bunch of extra spaces—340, to be exact—bringing the total to 1,282 bays for passengers and staff. So yep, parking’s a lot less stressful than it used to be.

If the lot’s full, no worries—you can always get dropped off, or check out off-site options. Operators like Andrew’s Airport Parking (07 3268 4222) and Portside Parking (07 3630 0922) offer parking and transfers to the terminal.

There’s also a quick 2-minute pick-up and drop-off zone right out front, with two accessible bays if you need them.

Hotels Close to Brisbane Port

Brisbane’s a big city—Australia’s third-largest, actually—so finding a decent place to crash before or after your cruise isn’t exactly a struggle.

If you’re staying in the CBD, you’ve got loads of solid options. Places like Capri by Fraser, Stamford Plaza, Hyatt Regency, Great Southern Hotel, and The Point are all around 15–16 km from the terminal, give or take. The Pacific Hotel Brisbane up in Spring Hill is about the same distance.

Prefer to stay closer to the airport? Hotels like the Pullman, Novotel, and Ibis are just a short drive away—and some of them offer transfers to the cruise terminal (best to call ahead and double-check).

There are also a few spots in Hamilton and Fortitude Valley—like Kingsford Smith Motel or Alex Perry Hotel—that are a little closer to the port and make for a handy overnight stop.

Brisbane Port Cruising FAQs

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