Lexi Webster
Australia is a large country with a diverse range of landscapes, from the tropical north to the temperate south, and over 37,000 miles of coastline. Cruising is a great way to see the country, as it allows you to relax and enjoy the onboard experience while travelling between destinations. Cruises in Australia offer a wide variety of styles, budgets and activity levels, with itineraries that can include everything from the Sydney Opera House to the Great Barrier Reef. You can also learn about the country's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with many cruises offering excursions led by Indigenous guides.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relaxation | Long distances between destinations can be used for relaxation in luxurious surroundings |
| Accessibility | Access to iconic ports and sites, such as Sydney, Queensland, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef |
| Diversity | A wide variety of styles, budgets, and activity levels, and destinations are available |
| Exploration | Opportunities for exploring natural wonders, urban centres, and cultural experiences |
| Adventure | Adventure activities, such as snorkelling, hiking, and wildlife spotting |
| Convenience | Efficient way to visit many places, including remote destinations |
| Comfort | Room suites, gourmet dining, and entertainment programs are often included |
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What You'll Learn
Adventure and exploration
Cruising is an excellent way to explore Australia and offers a blend of luxury and adventure. With over 37,000 miles of coastline, the country is best experienced by sea. Cruising allows travellers to explore the diverse terrain, from the remote wilderness to vibrant cities, and experience the unique culture of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
For those seeking adventure, cruises offer an array of activities, such as snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the wild island state of Tasmania, or hiking in remote national parks like the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with its famous dome-shaped red rock. Adventure-seekers can also opt for small-ship expeditions to the Kimberley region, known for its ancient rock art, waterfalls, and reefs. Wildlife lovers can spot koalas, dingoes, and a variety of birdlife on specific cruises, such as those offered by Windstar Cruises.
For those interested in cultural exploration, cruises provide a unique perspective on the world's oldest continuing culture. Many cruises offer excursions with Indigenous guides, allowing passengers to experience Aboriginal art, history, and homelands. Expedition cruises, such as those offered by APT, Coral Expeditions, and Heritage Expeditions, focus on providing an in-depth cultural experience.
The vast distances in Australia can be challenging, but cruising allows travellers to relax and enjoy the journey in luxurious surroundings. Cruises offer a range of styles, budgets, and activity levels, making it easy for families to explore the country. The cruise itinerary provides a well-ordered series of experiences, from exploring dynamic cities like Sydney and Melbourne to discovering breathtaking natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands.
With its diverse landscapes, unique culture, and natural wonders, Australia offers a truly memorable adventure experience, and cruising is an ideal way to explore all that this vast country has to offer.
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Relaxation and luxury
Cruising is an excellent way to see Australia and offers a perfect blend of luxury and exploration. With over 37,000 miles of coastline, Australia is best experienced by sea. Cruising allows you to relax in luxurious surroundings, waking up refreshed each day in a new port of call.
There is a wide variety of cruises to choose from, catering to different styles, budgets, and activity levels. Premium-category cruises offer a comfortable onboard experience at a lower price than luxury cruises, with a focus on cultural experiences. You can also opt for a mega-ship with abundant facilities, a boutique brand with a refined atmosphere, or a small-ship expedition to remote locations.
Onboard, you can enjoy spacious suites, balcony cabins with stunning sea views, and gourmet dining featuring fresh seafood and regional specialties. Entertainment and enrichment programs are also provided, including live performances and talks on local history and traditions.
The best time to cruise is during the Southern Hemisphere's summer, from October to April, with December to February being the peak season. During this period, you can take advantage of the warm weather and explore the diverse landscapes of Australia, from its vibrant cities to its breathtaking beaches and remote national parks.
Whether you're seeking relaxation, luxury, cultural immersion, or natural adventures, cruising in Australia has something for everyone.
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$7.99
Food and wine
Australia is a food and wine lover's dream, and cruising is a great way to explore the country's diverse culinary offerings. From seafood to street art, and award-winning wines to ancient cultures, there is a cruise to suit all tastes.
Foodie Melbourne
Melbourne is known for its food scene, with a mix of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal art and culture, and a vibrant street art scene. You can take a walking tour to admire the street art and then indulge in the city's famous food and wine offerings.
Adelaide, the Wine Capital
Adelaide is considered the wine capital of Australia, with renowned wine regions all around it, including Adelaide Hills and Barossa Valley. The city itself also boasts amazing museums, such as the South Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Fresh Seafood in Eden
The charming seaside town of Eden, on Australia's stunning Sapphire Coast, is known for its incredible beaches and seafood. You can try the gold-medal-winning oysters from the area's pristine lakes and explore the incredible restaurant scene.
The Foodie Destination of Napier
Napier, nestled in one of New Zealand's most successful wine-growing regions, is a foodie's paradise. The city boasts one of the country's best restaurant scenes, with a rich array of fresh produce. You can also explore the Maori history of nearby towns like KeriKeri and Paihia and enjoy water sports in the crystal-clear bay.
Indigenous Culture and Food
Many cruises offer excursions with Indigenous guides, providing an opportunity to experience Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, art, and homelands. You can also visit remote Barrier Reef islands and Arnhem Land, and meet indigenous Torres Strait Islanders and other Aboriginal peoples.
The Culinary Arms Race
The cruise industry has been engaged in a "culinary arms race", with celebrity chefs, extraordinary wine cellars, and exclusive restaurants on shore. This means that travellers who prioritise food experiences are increasingly well catered for, with a wide range of choices to meet different diets and lifestyles.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
Australia is a large country with a diverse range of landscapes, climates, and cultures. With over 37,000 miles of coastline, it is an ideal destination to explore by cruise. Cruising is a great way to experience the country's vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, which are spread all along the coast.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Australia's Indigenous peoples consist of two distinct cultural groups: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There is, however, a great diversity within these broadly defined groups, with over 250 different language groups spread across the nation. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people prefer to be referred to by their specific cultural group rather than the generic term "Indigenous Australian".
Aboriginal People
Aboriginal people have various names for themselves depending on the region they are connected to, such as Koori, Murri, or Nunga. They also describe themselves in relation to their country, for example, as “saltwater people" if they live on the coast, or "freshwater", "rainforest", "desert", or "spinifex" people depending on their ecological environment.
Torres Strait Islander People
Torres Strait Islander people often identify with the name of their home island, such as Saibai or Mer. They also fall into two broader groups: the Islanders and their specific local identity, which is influenced by ecological, cultural, and historical factors. Some Torres Strait Islanders identify strongly with their "Island" roots, including Papua New Guinea, while others identify more with the Australian mainland.
Culture and Traditions
The Aboriginal concept of the Dreaming is well-known globally, but the equivalent concept of Torres Strait Islanders is less so. Islander culture distinguishes between four main time periods: Before Before Time (the Creation Period), Before Time ('Augadth/Zogo Time', which refers to the period after creation but before European contact and defines the values, beliefs, and relationships with the natural world), Athe Time (recorded history, including totemism), and Our Time (living history).
Giving gifts is an important practice in Torres Strait Islander culture, where the emphasis is on the time, effort, and spirit exchanged rather than the value of the gift. Burial rituals also differ from those of mainland Aboriginal people, spanning three years and including the sharing of the deceased's possessions among friends and relatives on the first anniversary of their death.
Cruises
Cruises along the Australian coast offer a great opportunity to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Many cruises offer excursions with Indigenous guides, and expedition cruises are particularly focused on cultural experiences. For example, cruises through the remote Barrier Reef islands to Cape York and Arnhem Land offer the chance to meet Indigenous Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal peoples and experience their art, culture, and homelands.
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Wildlife and nature
Australia is known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, culinary delights, and diverse wildlife. Cruising is a great way to explore the country's natural beauty and wildlife, with many cruises offering a mix of big cities and small towns, islands, and national parks.
Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef
Queensland is a popular destination for beach life and water sports, with abundant opportunities for snorkelling and diving. Cairns and Airlie Beach are gateways to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can explore the coral teeming with tropical marine life, including clownfish, butterfly fish, surgeonfish, sea turtles, manta rays, and marine mammals like whales and dolphins. The Whitsunday Islands offer a chance to snorkel and see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef up close.
Tasmania
Tasmania, an island off Australia's southern coast, is known for its wild and remote areas, much of which are part of a network of wildlife reserves. The island's capital, Hobart, offers a waterfront stroll, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. Tasmania is also home to unique wildlife, including white wallabies and the elusive Tasmanian devil, which can be spotted in sanctuaries or on guided walks.
The Kimberley
The Kimberley, in Western Australia, is a little-visited wilderness region with breathtaking natural wonders. Small expedition ships take you to explore its waterfalls, reefs, and ancient rock art. The Lacepede Islands are home to seabirds and turtles, while Montgomery Reef offers a unique experience of a coral-encrusted plateau rising from the sea on a falling tide. The Horizontal Falls in Talbot Bay provide a thrilling experience of powering through rapid-like falls.
South Australia
The South Australian coast offers a range of experiences, from large cruise ships visiting Adelaide and Kangaroo Island to smaller ships exploring the Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas, known for their stunning scenery and nearby wine regions. Expedition ships venture even further, exploring the Pearson and Gambier Islands, renowned for their unique Southern Ocean flora and fauna. The Murray River, a principal waterway, offers a small-group nature experience with sightings of echidnas, emus, koalas, and unusual native birds.
New Zealand
For those interested in extending their cruise beyond Australia, New Zealand offers a wealth of natural wonders. The country is home to the kiwi, its national bird, as well as a diverse array of seabirds and marine mammals. The dual-island nation boasts jade-green mountains plunging into the sea and forest-fringed beaches. Cities like Auckland, Dunedin, and Napier provide a blend of cultural experiences and natural beauty.
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Frequently asked questions
Cruising is an excellent way to see Australia as it offers easy access to many of the country's most interesting places, which are located around the coast. It also allows you to relax in luxurious surroundings while travelling between destinations.
Cruise lines that sail to Australia include Azamara, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises Lines, and Royal Caribbean International.
There are various cruise itineraries in Australia, ranging from short getaways to longer voyages. For example, you could sail from Perth to Melbourne, Cairns to Melbourne, or Cairns to Darwin. You could also take a sampler cruise from Sydney or a cruise around the Whitsunday Islands.
On an Australian cruise, you can see a variety of sights, including the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Blue Mountains. You can also explore cities like Melbourne and Adelaide, and enjoy the coastal scenery around Airlie Beach.
The best time to cruise to Australia is generally from October to April, as this is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. However, keep in mind that New Zealand, which is often included in Australian cruise itineraries, has a shorter summer and is best visited between December and March.
