One of Brisbane’s iconic tourist attractions are the City Cat ferries. They are the perfect way to see the city from the Brisbane River. They are particularly popular during the fall to spring period of the year, when many visitors from the south come to the city on vacation.

These ferries are catamarans and are painted in the colors of the local sports teams, plus one painted to represent the history of the local indigenous people.

The City Cats move up and down the river from the University of Queensland in the west to Hamilton North in the east, not far from the mouth of the river and Moreton Bay. The return trip takes just over two hours. You can sit in the open areas at the front and rear of the City Cats or sit comfortably inside a large, spacious cabin and watch the river as it meanders through Brisbane city.

Simply riding the ferries up and down the river is a pleasurable experience. You will see many different styles of houses, boats of all kinds that sail up and down the rivers, plus many small ferries crossing the river. There are many places where you can take the ferry and they arrive every 15 minutes for most of the day.

Along the way, you’ll cruise under many bridges, passing through the central business district, past the City Botanic Gardens and New Farm Park with its rose gardens, and on Hamilton North, see the Twin Gateway Bridges as they rise into the air. . to allow the passage of ships upriver. Here you will also see many planes landing or taking off from nearby Brisbane Airport.

If you like to dine, there are several enclosures where you can leave the city cat to eat. These precincts stretch along the river from Park Road, Milton to the South Bank; Howard Smith Pier under the Story Bridge; Oxford Street, Bulimba; Brett’s Dock in Hamilton and at the last terminal in Hamilton North.

If you want to keep your kids entertained along the way, stop by South Bank. Here there is a beach with a swimming pool guarded by lifeguards; the Maritime Museum; The State Art Gallery plus the State Museum. This is also the home of the Performing Arts Complex.

On the opposite side of the river from the South Bank is the main business district of the city with its shopping center with its many shops and the casino.

For a special treat, catch a City Cat descending the river just before sunrise to watch the sun rise over the lower reaches of the river. Even more spectacular is riding the city cat from Hamilton North upriver as the sun sets. You will see the city skyline with Mount Coot tha in the background change color and as night falls the colored lights of the city will thrill you.

Finally, the best thing about a day at City Cats for a family is that the cost is low. So whether you are a visitor or a local, try a ride on City Cats.