The newest and largest ship in the Navy has sailed into Brisbane for the first time.

HMAS Adelaide, which has more than 400 crew on board, arrived at the Port of Brisbane on Friday morning after visiting Townsville for a military exercise.

The amphibious ships weighs 27,500 tonnes, is 231 metres long and has a 202-metre flight deck.

The vessel, which will not be opened to the public in Brisbane, is the sister of HMAS Canberra.

Each can transport an entire combined arms battle group of more than 1,100 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters.

The ship has a 40-bed hospital with two operating theatres, including an eight-bed critical care unit with the capacity of a regional hospital.

The floating intensive care ward on the ship, which is docked in Brisbane for a week. ( ABC News: Lexy Hamilton Smith )

With 40 cooks on board, it can deliver up to 6,000 meals a day.

Acting commander Brendon Zilko said the ship had been designed with the shallowest possible draft to allow it to operate in secondary ports and harbours.

"These ships are very manoeuvrable," he said.

"Unlike conventional ships which you have a rudder and screws, this is a combined pod that has the propeller on it plus it turns 360 degrees, so you can literally turn these things on a dime."

The ship has one of the most capable and sophisticated air-land-sea amphibious deployment systems in the world.

It is also designed to be able to conduct large-scale humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

The ship will remain in Brisbane for the next four days.

Quartermasters on HMAS Adelaide, who have four days of rest and relaxation in Brisbane. ( ABC News: )

The flight deck can hold 12 choppers. ( ABC News: Lexy Hamilton-Smith )