Modern Queensland Rail electric trains depart Brisbane Central and Brisbane Roma Street stations every 15-30 minutes on lines to Ferny Grove, Caboolture, Kippa-Ring, Shorncliffe, Brisbane Airport and Doomben on the North side of the city, and to Ipswich, Richlands, Beenleigh and Cleveland on the South side. Frequent trains also depart for Varsity Lakes and intermediate stations on the Gold Coast. You can also travel westward to Rosewood by changing at Ipswich to a connecting electric train. Most trains stop at all stations along the way, but on Weekday peak hours services are more frequent and some trains run express through smaller stations.

For a more sedate experience, Brisbane has a number of delightful ferries that provide cross river, commuter and tourist services in the downtown area. The CityCats operate regular service along the river, while the smaller City Ferries operate cross river services at various points along the river..