Cruise tourism

The cruise industry is growing in Queensland with more cruise ships setting up home ports and exploring new anchorage sites. In 2022 to 2023 there were 448 cruise ship visits with the largest number visiting Brisbane's new International Cruise Terminal, followed by Cairns and then the Whitsundays.

The cruise industry provides an economic boost to Brisbane and coastal Queensland, in particular Far North Queensland (including Cairns, Port Douglas and Thursday Island), the Whitsundays, Fraser Coast and Townsville. Queensland boasts 28 cruise destinations, the largest number of cruise destinations in Australia.

This guide provides an overview of cruise tourism in Queensland and highlights ways that businesses can take advantage of this market.