Australian Cruises

About the Destination

The continent of Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, bordered in the east by the South Pacific Ocean and to the west by the water of the Indian Ocean. The population of approximately 23 million come from all corners of the world making it one of the most cosmopolitan countries in the world. It’s like no other country with its amazing culture, great food, landscapes and unique animals. 

Main embarkation ports include Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and specialty cruises sail from smaller ports such as Darwin, Wyndham and Broome.

Currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD).

Cruise lines that sail there

Cruise lines such as P&O Australia, Princess Cruisesand Carnival Australia offer fantastic cruises around Australia throughout the year. Others cruise lines, for example, such as Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Cunard Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises only offer Australian itineraries throughout the main cruise season.

Main attractions

There are many highlights not to be missed when cruising through Australian waters, such as:

• The Great Barrier Reef, the largest living organism on the planet which is a wonder of coral, birdlife and sealife and while you’re there, you get to enjoy the Whitsundays’ 74 unique islands
• The city lights appearing while cruising under the Sydney Harbour Bridge at dusk. Disembark to visit some of Sydney’s iconic landmarks such as the Opera House, Circular Quay Darling Harbour
• Kimberley and Australia’s Northwest with a stop in the seaside town of Broome
• Visiting the Yarra Valley wine region after docking in Port Melbourne
• Other major port cities, such as Tasmania and visits inland to wineries, national parks, tourist attractions and the bustling markets of Hobart. 

You can start or end a cruise at most Australia ports and extend your holiday by making full use of your time Down Under with a land tour extension. 

When to go

Cruising is popular every month in Australia, with the greatest choice of departures, vessels and itineraries in the summer months from October to April. If you’re sailing from the Northern Hemisphere, you benefit from an extended summer, as Australian seasons are the reverse of yours. It gets very hot over the Christmas season, with temperatures reaching over 30s Celsius (high 80s and 90s Fahrenheit).

The official Australian cyclone season begins in November to the end of April. Highest risk of storms hitting is between March and April, although they tend not to interfere with cruise schedules. 

Larger ship and Barrier Reef cruises sail throughout the year; Tasmanian cruises operate November to March.