📍13 Best Last Minute Father’s Day Experiences In Brisbane For Adventurous Dads: Epic 2025 Gift Guide.

LOOKING FOR THE BEST UNIQUE FATHER’S DAY EXPERIENCES & TOURS FOR YOUR ADVENTUROUS DAD OR FATHER FIGURE?

Father’s Day is right around the corner! And for those thinking of giving him socks and undies again… CUT IT OUT!

This year, show him how much you actually love him by giving him an adrenaline-packed adventure gift that’ll remind him he didn’t sacrifice all the best versions of himself for a dumb shit like you. 😅

These epic and exciting Father’s Day experiences in Brisbane more than make up for it! Haha! In the inner-city, we’re talking about climbing the majestic Story Bridge, abseiling the iconic Kangaroo Point Cliffs, or taking a breathtaking scenic helicopter ride. Further afield, there are unforgettable snorkelling and kayaking trips to Moreton Island and heading out on a 4WD adventure to North Stradbroke Island. And with plenty more in between, there’s absolutely no shortage of unforgettable gifts to give (or do with) your beloved dad or father figure this September 7th.

Best of all, you can grab these right up until the last minute if the day sneaks up on you (like it always does me!) and then do the activity on a different day, when every kid isn’t out with their daddy on one of the busiest weekends of the year.

FATHER’S DAY – SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2025.

1. Climb The Iconic Story Bridge:
Brisbane’s Longest Steel Cantilever Bridge.

Whether Dad’s new to the Queensland capital or a long-time local who has just never done it before, Father’s Day experiences in Brisbane don’t get more incredible than the iconic experience of summiting the Story Bridge. Not only is the sleek, steel cantilever bridge one of Brisbane’s most breathtaking landmarks, but the panoramic views from its summit with the Story Bridge Adventure Climb are absolutely jaw-dropping.

I did the twilight tour for my birthday two years ago, and even though I’ve seen this city from a million different angles, nothing compares to the epic scenery from up there!

The 80m-high peak offers phenomenal, uninterrupted 360-degree views of the River City’s natural and urban landscape. Along with the elevated perspective of several riverside suburbs, there are views you absolutely cannot see from anywhere else in the CBD.

My favourite was the Brisbane River bending around the narrow Kangaroo Point Peninsula, but I also loved looking across the bridge to Fortitude Valley. Throw in clifftop views of New Farm’s residential areas and the surprise contender of distant mountain peaks, and there’s no other place that offers a more quintessential snapshot of everything Australia’s premier River City is all about.

Better yet, the climb isn’t strenuous, moves at a leisurely pace, and gives plenty of time to soak up the views. This makes it perfect for him to enjoy with the kids (over 6 years old and 110cm+) or to give him a fresh perspective solo. Win, win, win.

• Highlights: Iconic Brisbane experience with panoramic city views”
• Best for: Perfect for adventurous dads, thrill-seekers, photographers, and adrenaline junkies
• Activity Details: 3-hour guided climb with full safety harness and professional guide
• Options: Dawn, Day, Twilight, Night (Twilight recommended for sunset views)
• Cost: Tickets from $129, which you can book here. 👈
• Fitness Level / Age or Height Restrictions: Moderate fitness required. Minimum age: 6 years old, minimum height: 1.1m
• Location:
• Best Time to Do It: I recommend Twilight for golden sunset colours and nighttime illumination, even though the photo isn’t selling it. Click here to read my review.
• What to Take: Comfortable clothing and enclosed shoes.
• Best Way to Get There: Public transport: CityCat ferry to Riverside, or train/bus to Central Station
• Parking: Limited
• Staying in the City?: Plenty of great Brisbane hotels, but I recommend
• Nearby Attractions: Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Howard Smith Wharves, Wilsons Outlook, Eagle Street Pier, New Farm Riverwalk.

2. Rock Climbing The Kangaroo Cliffs.

If your physically fit dad is always driving you up the wall, then climbing the Kangaroo Point Cliffs is the perfect way to return the favour! HAHA! Rising 20 metres above the Brisbane River in the inner city, these stunning convict-carved cliffs aren’t just for looking pretty; they’re also one of Brisbane’s best adventure playgrounds.

With a professional guide, you’ll both be roped up and ready to launch yourself up this iconic escarpment like Spiderman scaling a building. Better yet, challenge Daddy dearest with a race to the top for eternal bragging rights! Don’t let him go easy on you! Fairly kick his a** to hell and gone. 😅

Climbing might be too challenging for some to adequately conquer, and if that’s the case, abseiling the same cliffs is a fantastic alternative. It’s much easier to let gravity gently lower you down, rather than vertically hiking your derriere up towards the sky, defying gravity. Plus, you can literally hang around longer and appreciate the breathtaking views of the CBD skyscrapers and Brisbane River while you make your slow, relaxing descent to the bottom.

What’s also great about these Father’s Day experiences (which you could even combine to do both on the same day), is that the Kangaroo Point Cliffs is also home to one of the city’s most incredible lookouts (as you may realise by now), riverwalks and picnic spots, giving you and Dad plenty more to do nearby, perfect for enjoying afterwards once the adrenaline settles.

• Highlights: Breathtaking views of the river and CBD while doing a physically challenging vertical ascent/descent.
• Best for: Adventurous and fit dads and kids.
• Activity Details: Guided rock climbing or abseiling the iconic Kangaroo Cliffs.
  • Options: Daytime or twilight.
• Cost: Climbing: From $89AUD, which you can book here. 👈 Or abseiling: from $75AUD. Book here.
• Fitness Level / Age or Height Restrictions: Medium. Over 8 for rock climbing.
• Location: Riverlife Adventure Centre, Naval Stores Kangaroo Point Cliffs Drive, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169, Australia (both activities)
• Best Time to Do It: Anytime but summer. Twilight is also nice.
• What to Take: Comfortable clothes, enclosed shoes, water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
• Best Way to Get There: Ferry/driving and walking or e-bike/e-scooter.
• Parking: At the top of the cliffs, however, spaces may be difficult to find.
• Staying in the City?: Brisbane has tonnes of great hotel options.
• Nearby Attractions: Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

3. Brisbane City Twilight Kayak.

Did Dad use to sing “Row, row, row your boat” to you when you were a kid? Then it’s time to level up that childhood nursery rhyme and turn it into reality with an epically poetic, full-circle Father’s Day paddling adventure in Brisbane.

The CBD is the absolute perfect place for this because it ain’t called Australia’s most illustrious River City for nothing! And with the famous Kangaroo Cliffs as your starting point, and the inner-city bridges and skyscrapers as your ever-changing backdrop, while iconic City City cruises past, it’s easy to see why. It’s one of the most gorgeous and intimate ways to explore Brisbane. It’s especially pretty at twilight with the last golden colours of daylight and the twinkling lights coming on.

Plus, no activity gives you the same buzz, atmosphere and appreciation for this top-tier riverine destination and its elite-level status as seeing it from the water, perfect for doing with dad.

• Highlights: Kayaking along the bustling Brisbane River amongst towering skyscrapers and under striking bridges.
• Best for: Dads who enjoy being on the water and more relaxing physical activities.
• Activity Details: 2-hour guided paddling tour of the inner city.
• Cost: From $99AUD, which you can book a twilight kayak here. 👈
• Fitness Level / Age or Height Restrictions: 18 years old. No previous experience required.
• Location: Riverlife Adventure Centre, Naval Stores Kangaroo Point Cliffs Drive, Kangaroo Point, QLD, 4169, Australia
• Best Time to Do It: Year-round.
• What to Take: Comfortable clothes, water shoes, water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat.
• Best Way to Get There: Ferry/driving and walking, or e-bike/e-scooter.
• Parking: At the top of the cliffs, however, spaces may be difficult to find.
• Staying in the City?: Brisbane has tonnes of great hotel options.
• Nearby Attractions: Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

4. Private Helicopter Tour Over The Brisbane CBD.

Wanna be Dad’s favourite? Get him a private helicopter tour of Brisbane for Father’s Day and watch yourself climb the kiddy ranks so you can rub your superiority in your siblings’ faces! Haha!

It’s an absolutely magnificent 25-minute flight over the inner city that offers him an unforgettable aerial perspective of icons such as the South Bank Parklands, the Kangaroo Cliffs, and most jaw-droppingly, the Story Bridge and the snaking Brisbane River, all through full-length glass doors.

What’s also great about it is that the breathtaking sky tour doesn’t just cover the CBD. It kickstarts at the Archerfield Airport (parking is much less of a b***h out here), so Dad also gets epic views of the city’s southern expanse on the way into the city and Mt Coot-tha on the way out. Triple win.

Better yet, you can also ride shotgun with him so you can both enjoy the experience together. There’s enough room for Mom to come along, too. Or you could let the last seat go to your brother or sister… Nah. Keep all the brownie points to yourself. 😁

• Highlights: Epic aerial views of Brisbane and its many iconic landmarks.
• Best for: Fathers who love flying and spectacular city scenery.
• Activity Details: Gorgeous 25-minute flight over Brisbane CBD and southern and western suburbs.
• Cost: From $249AUD, which you can book here. 👈
• Fitness Level / Age or Height Restrictions: –
• Location: 629 Lores Bonney Dr, Archerfield, QLD, 4108.
• Best Time to Do It: Anytime.
• What to Take: Camera.
• Best Way to Get There: Driving.
• Parking: Free parking.
• Staying in the City?: Here are the best hotels around Archerfield.

5. Whale Watching.

Father’s Day in September perfectly coincides with the second half of the whale watching season. This is when majestic humpbacks are making their way back south, bringing their freshly-birthed babies along for the ride. This provides the ultimate cross-species bonding experience with Dad.

Well, when you ignore the fact that it’s always the mothers looking after the calves. Meanwhile, the sperm-donor daddies are busy being deadbeats, sipping on seaweed martinis and running the gauntlet, escaping child support. 😅

Okay… So maybe this isn’t exactly the best Brisbane Father’s Day experience to give daddy dearest to nail that kinship alignment. Unless, of course, he’s magically popped back into your life and is trying to make amends. In that case, consider it a ritualistic reminder that mommy did all the parenting while he was off making new babies with [pick his poison]. 🤣

Anyway, this fantastic wildlife experience with Brisbane Whale Watching departs from Redcliffe, one of the Queensland capital’s most stunning coastal destinations. The cruises take passengers out to the big briny deep, where these enormous, gentle giants love to perform all sorts of impressive moves. This includes spy-hopping, tail slapping and most impressively, breaching, where they launch their entire bodies out of the water and land with a massive splashdown, a sight he’ll never forget.

These creatures are also famous for their curious natures. They love to come up right beside boats and see what’s going on, so you and pops can see big and baby whales up extraordinarily close. And that is an absolutely magical way to spend Father’s Day.

Psst: Whale watching season in South East Queensland is typically May-October.

• Highlights: See majestic humpback whales and their babies up close!
• Best for: Animal and ocean-loving dads!
• Activity Details: 5-hour cruise aboard a luxury high-speed catamaran.
• Cost: From $160AUD, which you can book here. 👈
• Fitness Level / Age or Height Restrictions:
• Location: Transfer pickup: Contact them on  +61 (7) 3880 0477 OR meet them at 160 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe, QLD, 4020
• Best Time to Do It: June-November (Whale watching season)
• What to Take: Camera, lenses, jacket, sunscreen and more.
• Best Way to Get There: CBD pickup, or drive to Redcliffe.
• Parking: Park at your hotel, or the Captain Cook car park, located 100-200m north of the Redcliffe Jetty is the best as it doesn’t have time limits.
• Staying in Redcliffe?: Check out these top-rated Redcliffe hotels.
• Nearby Attractions: Settlement Lagoon.

6. Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Snorkel Day Trip.

Dad running around like he’s Aquaman, King of Atlantis? 🧜‍♂️ Well then, a day trip to Moreton Island’s world-famous Tangalooma Wrecks sounds like the perfect calling card for your DNA-daddy.

A landmark feature along the western coastline of the world’s second-largest sand island, these 15 purposefully semi-sunken retired sand-mining vessels are an adventurer’s dream destination.

The wrecks alone are a visual feast for the eyes, looking like the most gorgeous disaster ship movie aftermath (or a haunting place Jack Sparrow would wash up on after being thrown overboard 😅). But then there’s the water it’s in, which, thanks to being on the island’s protected side, has one of the most resplendent blues that you’ll ever see. It’s similar to jaw-droppingly beautiful Great Barrier Reef coral cay lagoons, culminating in one of South East Queensland’s most unforgettable sights! Best of all, it’s not there just to look insanely pretty.

It’s also an elite-level snorkelling and kayaking spot, thanks to the shipwrecks serving as an artificial reef and becoming a mecca for tropical fish. Best of all, you don’t have to organise anything. You can head over there on a fully-organised, family-friendly adventure, with Dad and all his other crotch goblins you call siblings. On the way over, enjoy seeing dolphins and other marine life, before jumping into the water on arrival and experiencing this magical place first-hand with See Moreton.

• Highlights: Snorkelling with tropical fish around the 15 semi-submersed shipwrecks.
• Best for: Dads who love exploring underwater landscapes & tropical vide
• Activity Details: 8-hour guided tour to Moreton Island to visit the Tangalooma Wrecks.
• Cost: From $269AUD, which you can book here. 👈
• Fitness Level / Age or Height Restrictions:
• Pickup Location: Brisbane Skytower By Cllix, 222 Margaret Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000.
• Best Time to Do It: Spring & Autumn, when the sun won’t kill you, only the sharks will. LOL jk.
• What to Take: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, swimmers, towel, dry bag.
• Best Way to Get There: Train and walking.
• Parking: Brisbane Skytower By Cllix has paid parking. $45AUD per night. Several nearby paid parking lots, plus street parking.
• Staying in the City?: Brisbane Skytower By Cllix is the pickup point, making it super convenient. Plus, it’s well-rated. Otherwise, there are plenty of other great places in Brisbane CBD to pick from.

7. Moreton Island & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Trip.

Attached to the Tangalooma Wrecks is Moreton Island, the world’s second-largest sand island. 😅

Seriously, though, if you want to give Dad an epic Father’s Day adventure on Brisbane’s best island destination that covers some of this hotspot destination’s other breathtaking natural attractions, along with its resounding number #1, then the half-land, half-ocean day trip by Australian Sunset Safaris is a must!

The day kicks off with a 4WD coach picking you up from the CBD, which then takes you and Dad across to the ocean by vehicular ferry, where you may see dolphins and other marine wildlife. Once you get there, it’s a drive across the sandy tracks to the Tangalooma Wrecks, where you can snorkel or use the transparent body boards and go on a kayaking tour to see the sea creatures that live below.

After lunch, they take you to some sand dunes that you can slide down, potentially reaching speeds of 50km/h, which is some fantastic nature fun. The tour then finishes with a swim in the surf on one of the ocean-facing beaches, before heading back to the mainland, giving you and your old man a tantalising taste of both worlds on this unforgettable Moreton Island day trip from Brisbane.

• Highlights: Snorkelling & kayaking the Tangalooma Wrecks and boarding down sand dunes.
• Best for: Adventure getaways with Dad and the whole family.
• Activity Details: 11-14-hour Moreton Island day trip with Brisbane or Port Of Brisbane pickup.
• Cost: From $179AUD, which you can book here. 👈 Plus National park and ferry fees $80AUD to be paid to the driver at departure.
• Age Restrictions: Minimum age 4.
• Location: Brisbane Coach Terminal or Moreton Island Adventures, 14 Howard Smith Dr, Port Of Brisbane, QLD, 4718, Australia.
• Best Time to Do It: Spring or Autumn, so you don’t turn into a matchstick.
• What to Take: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, swimmers, towel, dry bag.
• Best Way to Get There: Train (Roma Street Station) or drive.
• Parking: Not much near Roma Street (probably paid), more parking at the Port Of Brisbane. (likely free.)
• Staying in the City?:

8. Moreton Bay Jet Ski Safari.

Does Dad love high-octane thrills and adventure all rolled up into one intoxicatingly unforgettable package? If you answered that with a resounding hell yes, then the Moreton Bay Jet Ski Safari is exactly the kind of Father’s Day experience in Brisbane you absolutely won’t want him to miss!

This isn’t just zipping around on a jet ski—it’s a full-blown, heart-pumping exploration of Moreton Bay’s sparkling waters. With a professional guide leading the way, you’ll roar across the bay, weaving past picturesque islands, hidden coves, and the occasional curious dolphin who’s clearly just checking to see if you can keep up.

Along the way, Dad will get a front-row seat to some of the bay’s most stunning sights, including the towering sand dunes of Moreton Island and the tranquil seclusion of the smaller surrounding islands. And because it’s a guided adventure, there’s zero stress—just pure adrenaline, laughter, and bragging rights for whoever masters the fastest lap around the buoys.

By the end of the tour, you’ll both have a full-on dose of adventure, plenty of stories to tell, and a grin that won’t quit. It’s hands-down one of the most thrilling ways to spend a Father’s Day in Brisbane—and guaranteed to make him feel like the king of Moreton Bay.

• Highlights: Exploring Brisbane’s waterways on an exhilarating guided jet ski tour.
• Best for: Adventure enthusiasts seeking a high-octane experience.
• Activity Details: A guided jet ski tour through Brisbane’s waterways and into Moreton Bay.
• Cost: $399 AUD up to 2 people, which you can book here. 👈
• Age & Other Restrictions: Minimum 16 years old to drive. No prior experience or license required.
• Location: City Botanic Gardens River Hub, 147 Alice St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
• Best Time to Do It: Warmer months.
• What to Take: Sunglasses and water.
• Best Way to Get There: Train or ferry, then walk.
• Parking: Paid parking on streets nearby. Some paid uncover parking in the CBD too.
• Staying in the City?: Meriton Suites Herschel Street, Brisbane, is my pick.
• Nearby Attractions: City Botanical Gardens.

9. North Stradbroke Island Day Tour From Brisbane.

Looking for a Father’s Day adventure that’s more than just a walk in the park? Then take Dad on a full-day escape to North Stradbroke Island (aka Straddie)—one of the world’s largest sand islands and a nature lover’s paradise just a short hop from Brisbane.

This isn’t your average day trip. It’s a small-group, all-inclusive tour that blends the best of beach, bush, and bay. You’ll cruise across Moreton Bay on a luxury catamaran, keeping an eye out for dolphins and turtles along the way. Once on the island, the adventure continues with guided walks through lush forests, swims in freshwater lakes, and epic coastal views from spots like Amity Point and North Gorge, while potentially encountering wildlife along the way.

• Highlights: Walk stunning coastlines, swim at gorgeous beaches and lakes and see marine wildlife
• Best for: Dads who love hassle-free island adventures.
• Activity Details: Guided highlights tour of the third-largest sand island in the world.
• Cost: From $179AUD, which you can book here. 👈
• Fitness Level / Age or Height Restrictions:
• Pickup Location: 222 Margaret St, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia.
• Best Time to Do It: Spring or Autumn, so you’re armpits don’t turn into faucets.
• What to Take: Sunscreen, sunglasses, swimmers, a towel, and a camera.
• Best Way to Get There: Train or ferry to the CBD, then walk.
• Parking: Street parking is expensive. There are some paid undercover parking spaces nearby.
• Staying in the City?: Check out Brisbane’s best hotels here.
• Nearby Attractions: Queens Street Mall, Brisbane City Botanic Gardens.

10. Stradbroke Island 4WD Day Trip.

Is Dad the type who thinks “off-roading” means driving over the lawn to grab the newspaper? Then it’s time to level up his adventure game with the Stradbroke Island 4WD Day Trip—a Father’s Day experience that combines rugged terrain, wildlife spotting, and a beach BBQ into one epic day out.

This isn’t your average island tour. You’ll be cruising across Moreton Bay by ferry, keeping an eye out for dolphins and turtles along the way. Once on Stradbroke Island, it’s all about the 4WD action—navigating sandy tracks, spotting wild animals, and taking in panoramic views from spots like Main Beach and Point Lookout.

Whether Dad’s a seasoned adventurer or just looking for a unique way to spend Father’s Day, this 4WD day trip offers a blend of excitement, relaxation, and unforgettable memories.

• Highlights: Stunning beaches and coastal landscapes
• Best for: Families and groups looking for a day trip from Brisbane.
• Activity Details: 4WD tour across the remote parts of Stradbroke Island, including a ferry trip across.
• Cost: From $315AUD, which you can book here. 👈
• Fitness Level Required: Average.
• Pickup Location: 12 Emmett Dr, Cleveland QLD 4163, Australia.
• Best Time to Do It: Spring or Autumn when the sun is less savage.
• What to Take: Camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, water.
• Best Way to Get There: Drive to Cleveland.
• Parking: Sealink Water Taxi & Ferry Terminals car park, but it packs out easily, so allow enough time.
• Staying In Cleveland?: Click here to check out hotels near Cleveland.
• Nearby Attractions: Old Cleveland Lighthouse.

From rewarding things to do in the inner city to unforgettable day trips to the nearby islands, Brisbane has tonnes of unforgettable experiences for Father’s Day that make exceptional gifts for the outdoorsy and adventurous dads and father figures out there.

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