Australia Cruises

Cruising is a wonderful way to experience the sun kissed landscape of Australia. Taking a trip up and down the famed East Coast of Australia with a few days in and around the exotic island of Tasmania is a trip many people cherish. The feeling of cruising past the Sydney Opera House and underneath the famed Sydney Harbour Bridge as you embark on your Australian cruise is one not easily replicated. Cruises around Australia typically follow the sailing routes taken by the great explorer Matthew Flinders who navigated these beautiful shorelines in 1796.

As mentioned cruise ships typically depart from Sydney. Visitors can first take in the sights of this beautiful city which include the aforementioned Opera House, Circular Quay, and the Rocks. Those looking for a bit of sun, sand, and swimming can visit famous Bondi Beach. Australian cruises offer a variety of packages and range anywhere from 1 night right up to an action packed 74 day routing.

Cruise specials vary depending on the season and routing. Northern Australia is subject to hurricanes during their summer months, and as a result cruise deals may be available at certain times. The cooler southern areas of Australia may see cruise specials possible in the shoulder seasons surrounding the winter months.

In general, cruising options run the gamut from last minute cheap and cheerful deals right up to luxury cruises that indulge all your whims. Cruises can include routings south along the coastline to Melbourne and on to Hobart in Tasmania or alternatively north up the Australian coast to Brisbane, and around to Darwin, Broome, Exmouth, and Perth (Freemantle).

Sights along the way include many of Australia's iconic images which include golden beaches, towering cliffs, as well as excursions to see kangaroos and penguins. However, Australia cruises are not all about nature. Many routes take in the larger metropolitan areas such as Melbourne. This historical city is a favorite haunt of gourmets and fashionistas. Melbourne's downtown is honeycombed with beautifully restored shopping arcades, and for fans of architecture, some of Australia's oldest and most significant buildings.

Cruises around Australia also cross the famous Bass Strait on their way to the island of Tasmania and the capital city of Hobart. Full of history, scenery, and nature, Tasmania is a place that stays in your memory for years. This triangular shaped island is home to a wide assortment of animals and plants found nowhere else on Earth. In fact, over 1/3 of Tasmania is National Park and the island has many World Heritage areas. The list of excursions is long, but some of the favorites include sea kayaking, helicopter tours, and of course, tracking down the elusive Tasmanian Devil.

Cruises heading north along Australia's East Coast typically call in at Brisbane, a lively tropical city. This is the place to visit if you want to see (and hold) one of Australia's most beloved animals, the koala. These furry creatures, generally more asleep than awake can be found at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Further north the cruise routes pass by, but not too near, the Great Barrier Reef and on to the city of Darwin. Famously destroyed by hurricane Tracy in 1974, this coastal city has recovered and rebuilt itself into a quirky place that every visitor will enjoy. Along the eastern coast are the lesser visited and more remote cities of Broome, Exmouth, and Perth.