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Australia & New Zealand Cruises

Explore the wonders down under on a cruise to new zealand and australia, why cruise to australia & new zealand.

Epic landscapes, ancient cultures and laid-back charm – experience it all on board an Australia & New Zealand / Aotearoa cruise with Princess the #1 cruise line in Australia. We’ll take you to golden beaches, rugged outback, world-class cities and beyond. And on board, delight in  local food  and entertainment as our  Across the Ditch  immersive program brings the very best of New Zealand to you.

Australia Cruises

Your choice of Australian cruise ports is as grand as the continent itself. Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the Sydney Opera House. Trek through one of the world’s last temperate rainforests in Tasmania, sample award-winning wine in Margaret River and snorkel in the crystalline waters of the Great Barrier Reef or ride camelback on a beach in  Broome .

New Zealand Cruises

Marvel at the spectacular scenery of  Fiordland National Park / Piopiotahi , voted one of the 7 Cruise World Wonders by  Condé Nast Traveler . Immerse yourself in Māori culture, see glowworms twinkle in underground caves outside  Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau , stroll the famed Art Deco city of Napier / Ahuriri, and peek into moviemaking magic with  The Lord of the Rings  tour in  Wellington .

The wonders of Australia and New Zealand are like no other! From iconic  cruises from Sydney  to the coastal beauty of  Brisbane / Meeanjin , the rich culture of  Melbourne , the famed wine country of  Perth (Fremantle) / Boorloo (Walyalup)  and  Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau , the land of the Māori, more departures to and from  Adelaide / Tarndanya  than ever before – each city possesses a vibrant spirit and a unique personality worth discovering.

2025 - 2026 Australia and New Zealand New Cruise Itineraries. Learn more

Soak in Local Flavors and Revel in Rich Traditions

Food & beverage on australia & new zealand / aotearoa cruises.

• Enjoy delicious new culinary experiences that highlight the region created exclusively for Princess.
• Our beverage menus include popular regional beer, wine and whisky selections for a taste of local flavors.

Activities on Australia & New Zealand / Aotearoa cruises

Day or night, you'll discover unique experiences that give you a new perspective on the region.

• Watch feature films with a local twist – such as  The Lord of the Rings  trilogy and  The Piano  – on deck at our Movies Under the Stars® outdoor theater.
• Join the performers as you learn the legend of the haka, an ancient Māori war dance.

Photo: Experience Māori culture on board with our Matariki Festival

Discover More Ashore on a Princess ® Cruise to Australia & New Zealand / Aotearoa

Australia & new zealand / aotearoa cruise shore excursions.

Princess Cruises offers a vast array of award-winning excursions, including several  Discovery™ and Animal Planet™ Recommended and Exclusive tours  that provide unique experiences you’ll never forget, such as snorkeling in the turquoise waters of the Great Barrier Reef or bushwalking in the Blue Mountains.

Photo: The technicolor beauty of the Great Barrier Reef

Australia Cruisetour Vacations

For the ultimate adventure, choose an in-depth Princess Cruisetour Vacation that combines your cruise with a multiple-night land tour. Venture into Australia’s rugged outback for a look at fabled Uluru (Ayers Rock), and later dive into the brilliant underwater colors of the Great Barrier Reef.

Photo: The beauty of Uluru (Ayers Rock)

Australia & New Zealand Cruise Articles

Read about exotic isles, legendary destinations, and prepare to explore a region unlike any other on your Australia and New Zealand cruise.

Visit iconic landmarks in Australia, strikingly diverse landscapes in New Zealand, and the palm-fringed islands of the South Pacific.

Things to Do in Brisbane Cruise Port for Couples, Singles & Families

Find things to do in Brisbane, Australia, while you're in port.

5 Things to Bring Back from Your Australia Cruise

Wondering what to bring back from your Australia cruise?

Tauranga Shore Excursions: Maori Culture and History Comes Alive

Explore foreign lands when you embark on a Tauranga shore excursions.

10 Melbourne Travel Tips to Help Cruisers Fit in with Locals

These 10 Melbourne travel tips from Princess Cruises will help you experience the best of this iconic Australian city as only a local would.

Fiordland National Park Excursions: Experience the Majesty of New Zealand

Witness the majestic beauty of New Zealand on Fiordland National Park cruise excursions.

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Remove the hassle from air travel and give yourself the gift of flexibility, time and a thicker wallet with Princess EZair flights. We negotiate lower rates with the airlines, allow you to modify your flight up to 45 days prior with no penalty and protect you if your flight is late or canceled.

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Scenic shores & island heritage

Discover a rich combination of beauty and culture as you circumnavigate Australia, encountering iconic natural wonders and lesser-known cultural gems. Admire the Whitsunday Islands that lie within the heart of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and the wilds of northwestern Tasmania. Immerse yourself in the intriguing histories of Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne as you journey around the continent, as well as explore Indonesian treasures in Komodo and Bali.

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Expect over-the-top adventure when you travel down under on a Holland America Line cruise to Australia. You can scale the Sydney Harbour Bridge, meet Tasmanian devils in Port Arthur (or ghosts in Hobart!), ride camels on Cable Beach in Broome, and hop a helicopter in Melbourne for a flight down the Yarra River Valley. Other wow-worthy moments on your Australia cruise: trekking through the planet’s oldest rainforest in Townsville, and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef during a call in Cairns.

Scenic Cruising Christmas Island

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Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

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Norwegian Spirit, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales © Norwegian Cruise Line

The best Australian cruise for you

Whether you’re seeking sea and sun, cultural experiences, remote adventure or simply ease of travel, there’s an Australian cruise for you.

By Brian Johnston

Cruising is a great way to explore Australia, both on shore and off. You can sail to every corner of the country on ships that offer a wide variety of styles, budgets and activity levels. And when you disembark, unforgettable destinations await.

Airlie Beach, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Cruising is an easy way for families to explore Australia. Many larger vessels provide budget-level, fun-oriented holidays that focus not just on destinations but the on-board entertainment experience.  Queensland cruises are particularly family-oriented thanks to abundant opportunities for beach life and water sports, but you can also depart from Melbourne , Sydney , Adelaide and Perth .

Who sails?  Carnival Cruise Line ,  Disney Cruise Line ,  Norwegian Cruise Line ,  P&O Cruises Australia ,  Princess Cruises Lines and  Royal Caribbean International .

Silversea Cruises, Kimberley, Northern Territory © NT Photo Silversea Cruises

Luxury cruises

If your idea of exploring Australia involves creature comforts and attentive service without the need to worry about travel logistics, then a luxury cruise is ideal. Luxury cruise lines tend to sail smaller ships that can reach more remote destinations. You may also find provide on-board lectures about Australia’s geography, history and society for an in-depth experience.

Who sails?  Oceania Cruises ,  Ponant , Regent Seven Seas Cruises , Seaborn , Silversea ,  True North and  Windstar Cruises .

Your guide to cruising the Kimberley region

Azamara, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales © Tim Faircloth

Premium cruises

Premium-category cruises offer a comfortable on-board experience at a lower price than luxury cruises. These cruise lines tend towards cultural experiences that enhance your understanding of Australia. You’ll find a good mix of big cities and small towns, islands and national parks . Unlike big family ships that usually sail round-trip, premium itineraries often sail from one port to another, making this a good way of relocating before resuming your land travels.

Who sails?  Azamara ,  Cunard ,  Celebrity Cruises and  Holland America Line .

Hill Inlet, The Whitsundays, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Sand and sun sailing

Australia is renowned for its laidback beach life, and plenty of cruises deliver just that, especially since summer (December to February) is the main cruise season. The biggest destination for sand and snorkelling is Queensland, with a wide choice of cruises operating round-trip primarily from Brisbane , Sydney and sometimes Melbourne. You’ll find beaches and turquoise waters in destinations such as the Whitsundays . The ports of Cairns and Port Douglas provide access to the Great Barrier Reef .

Who sails? Azamara ,  Carnival Cruise Line ,  Celebrity Cruises ,  Coral Expeditions ,  Cunard , Disney Cruise Line ,  Holland America Line ,  Norwegian Cruise Line , Oceania Cruises ,  P&O Cruises Australia ,  Ponant ,  Princess Cruises Lines , Silversea ,  Regent Seven Seas Cruises , and  Royal Caribbean International .

True North, King George River, Western Australia © True North

Expedition and adventure cruises

Some of Australia’s most stunning landscapes are difficult to access on land, but small expedition ships take you there in style. Prime expedition destinations include the Kimberley in Western Australia , southwest Tasmania  and the remote islands of Queensland. Expedition cruises suit active travellers, with opportunities for hiking, snorkelling, diving, seeing Indigenous art and more. Some ships even carry a helicopter and submarine.

Who sails?  APT ,  Coral Expeditions ,  Heritage Expeditions ,  Lindblad Expeditions ,  On Board Tasmanian Expedition Cruises ,  Ponant , Silversea and  True North .

RoofClimb, Adelaide, South Australia © Che Chorley Photography

Short breaks

Sailing for between two and five days, short-break cruises (also called taster or sampler cruises) can provide a relaxing interlude between do-it-yourself touring on land. Short-break cruises are operated by large and premium ships from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. You typically return to the same port, though sometimes cruise lines offer short legs to a different port.

Who sails?  Carnival Cruise Line ,  Celebrity Cruises ,  Cunard ,  P&O Cruises Australia ,  Princess Cruises Lines and  Royal Caribbean International .

Port Arthur Historic Site, Port Arthur, Tasmania © Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority

History and culture cruises

You won’t be short of chances to explore the history and culture of Australia while on any cruise. Consider a cruise in the southeast or southwest corners of Australia or Tasmania, which are dense with colonial-era towns and convict settlements. Australia’s only river cruises along the Murray River in South Australia explore the story of early European exploration and settlement.

Who sails?  Azamara ,  Cunard ,  Celebrity Cruises ,  Holland America Line ,  Oceania Cruises ,  Regent Seven Seas Cruises and  Silversea .

Wandjina Rock Art, Raft Point, Western Australia © Lauren Bath

Indigenous experiences

Because Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are vibrant all along the country’s coasts, cruising is a great way to take a peek into the world’s oldest continuing culture. Many cruises offer excursions with Indigenous guides, but if you want to focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, then expedition cruising is the way to go.

Who sails?  APT ,  Coral Expeditions ,  Heritage Expeditions ,  Lindblad Expeditions , Murray Princess ,  Ponant ,  Silversea .

Kangaroo Island Spirits, Kangaroo Island, South Australia © Meaghan Coles

Food-focused cruises

Australian cruises have a great range of on-shore food experiences, from tastings at farms and cellar doors to degustation dining. Some cruise destinations are particularly gourmet-oriented, such as those sailing to Margaret River , Kangaroo Island or northern Tasmania.

Who sails?  Azamara ,  Cunard ,  Oceania Cruises ,  Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea .

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BEAUTY RICH & RARE

Australian cruises.

From urban verve to outback wilderness, Australia is a year-round sunny paradise.

Australia delivers the best of both the city and the country, the beach and the bush. Explore cosmopolitan Sydney, home to Bondi Beach's turquoise waters and the architecturally unique Sydney Opera House. Cruise to Australia and visit Queensland to experience the Whitsunday Islands, where you can snorkel to see the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest living organism. For an authentic Australian adventure, head to the outback: Check out Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, with its red dome known as Ayers Rock.

From the Bush to the Beach

From urban verve to outback wilderness, Australia is a year-round sunny paradise

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Join the throngs of sun-kissed Australian surfers and catch some of the world's best waves on Australia's beaches.

SWOON OVER SYDNEY

Visit Australia and tour Sydney's urban attractions like the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo. For outdoor fun, nap on the white sands of Bondi Beach or scale the magnificent rock formations of the Blue Mountains.

MEET MELBOURNE

Melbourne is a hipster haven and Australia's culture, coffee and sports capital. Grab a flat black (the Australian version of an Americano, with espresso and hot water) at Patricia on Little Bourke Street, then hire a car and start off on the Great Ocean Road, which will take you along sweeping views of Australia's southern coast.

HEAD TO THE OUTBACK

In the remote Northern Territory, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and see the famous dome-shaped red rock rising out of the Central Australian Desert. Or check out Kakadu National Park, where you can see ancient rock art at Nourlangie or hike to the hidden waterfalls at Motor Car, Twin or Jim Jim Falls.

TOWN AND COUNTRY

Get to know the different sides of Australia, from vibrant, modern cities to wild, untamed wilderness.

KING AMONG REEFS

Snorkel, dive and swim along the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef – you can even charter a glass-bottomed boat to stay dry while seeing the only living organism visible from outer space. The reef is accessible from places like Cairns, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Port Douglas in Queensland.

In Queensland, take a day trip to the surrounding tropical islands: check out Fitzroy Island and its National Park, where you can laze on the white sands of the coral beach or go bird-watching for emerald doves and white-bellied sea eagles. See the coloured sands at postcard-perfect Fraser Island, or explore the wild island state of Tasmania during your holiday.

PICK A BEACH

Explore Western Australia's Cape Le Grand National Park, which offers stunning coastline set against rolling heathlands filled with kangaroos. Check out Queensland's Gold Coast, where you'll find local favourite Nobby Beach (known colloquially as 'Nobby's'). Or get lost in Tasmania's Freycinet National Park, where pink granite cliffs overlook white-sand beaches and clear blue waves.

EXPEDITIONS DOWN UNDER SAY 'G'DAY' TO AN OUTBACK ADVENTURE

Choose your Australian holiday adventure and relax on a tropical island or one of thousands of beaches, hike in a remote national park or venture into the vibrant city.

SAMPLE SYDNEY

A sampler cruise from Sydney is a great way to experience both Australia's biggest city and an exciting cruise.

BE TANTALISED BY TASMANIA

Tasmania is an underrated Australian state that's home to Cradle Mountain, the World Heritage-listed Port Arthur Historic Site and the eccentric Museum of Old and New Art among other things to do.

In northern Australia, be aware that stingers (dangerous jellyfish) swarm the seas in the summer, from approximately October to March.

Tipping is not customary in Australia.

The universal phone number for taxi services across the country is 131008.

HOW TO DINE DOWN UNDER

'Fair dinkum' – Aussie slang for 'authentic' or 'genuine' – Australian cuisine has been influenced by England, New Zealand and even Italy. However, there's nothing more Australian than throwing some steak and snags (sausages) on a barbie (barbecue) – no prawns allowed.

POPULAR PUB GRUB

There are two dishes to order at an Aussie pub: a chicken parmigiana (called a parmi Down Under) or a burger, which will usually come topped with Australian specialities like beetroot or pineapple. Of course, you can always go for a classic steaks: Porterhouses are popular in Victoria, while rump steaks are particularly beloved in New South Wales.

THE REAL BISCUIT

Australia has some delicious sweet treats, but it's perhaps best-known for perfecting the biscuit. Try Anzac biscuits with oats and golden syrup, lamingtons – a sponge square covered in chocolate and coconut – and Tim Tams, the local favourite brand of chocolate-covered biscuits.

IT'S PIE TIME

Meat pies – with a flaky pastry crust baked around a savoury filling of ground meat (typically beef or lamb) and spices – are a traditional Australian lunch or snack found in bakeries across the country. Another favourite is the Chiko Roll, similar to a large spring roll but filled with the signature Aussie ingredients of mutton, celery, barley, rice, carrots and spices.

Related Ports

The Australian coast is dotted with beautiful ports, like Esperance, to explore. In Queensland, Cairns and Airlie Beach are both gateways to the Great Barrier Reef. Meanwhile, Darwin is a gateway to the Northern Territory's rugged natural sights, including Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks and Uluru.

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Cairns (Yorkeys Knob), Australia

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Eden, Australia

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May Cruises

Embark on an extraordinary spring adventure

Embark on a luxury cruise in May with Celebrity Cruises. With warm, sunny weather, this is the perfect time for exploring the Acropolis in Athens or enjoying a cappuccino in a sunlit piazza in Rome. In the Norwegian fjords, the days are getting longer, and waterfalls are still in full flow from spring meltwater.

Alaska’s wildlife is waking up in May, with wonderful opportunities to spot bears, the mountains still capped with snow. You’ll also see wildlife galore if you head for the remote Galapagos Islands; May is when sea lions give birth, and baby turtles and iguanas are hatching. Or perhaps you’re just dreaming of a springtime beach getaway? May is a great time to enjoy the white sands and warm waters of the Caribbean or the pale pink beaches of Bermuda.

Itineraries

Top destinations for may cruises.

May is one of the best months of the year for exploring the magnificent antiquities of Athens, Rhodes, and Santorini. Head to Malta, where the honey-colored ramparts of Valletta glow gold in the spring sunshine, or explore glorious hill towns like Valdemossa on the island of Mallorca. The glamorous French Riviera is gearing up in May, too, a time of festivals, celebration, and long, leisurely days drinking chilled rosé in waterfront bistros.

The Caribbean

On a Caribbean cruise in May, you’ll discover exciting islands like Grand Cayman and the ABC Islands. In Grand Cayman, sunbathe along Seven Mile Beach or spend an afternoon marveling at thousands of stalactites and stalagmites in the Crystal Caves. Go horseback riding through the countryside or lounge on pristine beaches in the ABC Islands.

Snow-capped mountains, meadows in bloom, and hikes alongside rushing forest streams are just some of the reasons to cruise Alaska early in the season. In May, humpback whales are arriving for the summer season, and bears are foraging for food after the long winter.  May is also one of the driest months in the 49th state and as the days get longer, there’s a joyful sense of renewed energy everywhere you visit on an Alaska cruise.

The Galapagos Islands

In the Galapagos Islands, May is when sea lions are giving birth to big-eyed pups, and baby land iguanas and turtles are hatching. Waved albatross are laying their eggs on Española, while the blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island are performing elaborate courtship dances. The water is warm and inviting—and your luxurious Celebrity ship will provide everything you need to explore this wonderful place.

Norwegian Fjords

Norway’s glassy fjords are beautiful any time of year, but in May, you’ll find hiking trails lined with wildflowers and the meadows lush and green. Waterfalls cascade over towering cliffs, while mountains still wearing their snowy caps make photography all the more spectacular. This is a wonderful time to ride the steep Flåm Railway, or kayak the silent waters of the Geirangerfjord, looking out for seals lying on the rocks and mountain goats foraging on the shore.

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Why the best way to see Australia is on a cruise

K nown for its epic road and rail trips through the vast, open countryside of the dusty Outback , Australia is often overlooked by Brits as a cruise destination. Yet the world’s largest island has over 37,000 miles of coastline fronting the Southern, Pacific and Indian Oceans, plus various smaller seas. Even the locals know the appeal of the sea, with 85 per cent of Australians living within 50km of the coast.

As a result, almost every kind of cruise imaginable can be found here; be it on a mega-ship with stacks of facilities; a boutique brand with a more refined air; a luxurious riverboat; or an expedition ship that can venture to truly out-of-the-way places. And with most of Australia's key attractions and cities scattered around its fringes, explorations by cruise (preferably topped and tailed with land-based touring) can pack any number of Down Under wonders into a single trip.

I've been lucky enough to visit Australia more than a dozen times, and some of my greatest memories are of experiences that I've had from the deck of a ship. I once set sail to New Zealand from Sydney, with the tiles atop the Opera House gleaming in the sunshine as we passed, and far from land on the Great Barrier Reef, I leaned over the railings to marvel at its underwater patchwork of cobalt and turquoise in an otherwise midnight-blue sea. 

Perhaps the most incredible experience of all was a cruise in the Kimberley : the little-visited wilderness region at the top of Western Australia. It's vast and sparsely populated – bigger than Britain but with fewer residents than a mid-sized English town – and its attractions are so remarkable that they would be crowded with visitors were they easier to access. But on a small-ship sailing with Coral Expeditions, I was one of just 120 guests exploring the waterfalls, reefs and ancient rock art for which the Kimberley is famed.

At the uninhabited Lacepede Islands, we saw seabirds and turtles in mind-boggling numbers. In Talbot Bay, we powered through one-of-a-kind Horizontal Falls in a Zodiac. And at Montgomery Reef, we watched a coral-encrusted plateau seemingly rise from the sea on a falling tide. 

It wasn’t only the epic landscapes and their intriguing wildlife – humpback whales, lemon sharks, saltwater crocs – that impressed. Etched in my memory is the experience of first seeing the Wandjina (ancient rock art). These alien beings stare down from rock art galleries across the region: a symbol of the oldest continuous culture on the planet, and of the Indigenous people's long connection to the land. A land littered with surprises best experienced by boat. 

Classic Kimberley 

Remote, isolated and with little infrastructure for land-based journeys, there are few parts of the world as suited to expedition cruises as the Kimberley. Explore it with Coral Expeditions – the pioneers of cruising in the region – on a formula perfected over four decades of operations. Itineraries are timed to experience key sites at optimal tidal phases: expect to see Montgomery Reef being drained by dozens of miniature cascades, and Horizontal Falls at its powerful best.

How to do it

Ten-night cruises between Darwin and Broome with Coral Expeditions operate between April and September and cost from £3,965pp; excludes flights.

Aussie icons

Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef are two of Australia’s most recognisable icons. Experience both with Princess Cruises, whose journeys up the eastern seaboard from Sydney to tropical North Queensland stop in Cairns for reef and Daintree Rainforest excursions, and Airlie Beach, gateway to the gorgeous Whitsunday Islands. 

How to do it 

A 16-night Sydney & Queensland Showcase cruise-and-stay from Cruise Kings (0800 197 8050) includes an 11-night round-trip cruise from Sydney aboard Majestic Princess and a three-night pre-cruise Sydney stay from £2,799pp. Departs January 26 & March 26 2024;  departs September 8 2023; includes flights. . 

Southern comforts

Make the festive season extra-special on a cruise along Australia’s entire south coast, taking in nine ports of call. Esperance, Adelaide, Cape Le Grand National Park and Kangaroo Island are among the highlights, with shore excursion that include wine tastings and local wildlife sightings. Better still, spend Christmas Day at sea before arriving in Sydney for a two-night stay that coincides with New Year’s Eve.

The 14-night Australia Intensive Voyage from Perth to Melbourne with Azamara Cruises (0344 4934016) departs December 21 2023 & December 20 2024 and costs from £2,859pp. Excludes flights. 

Over the top 

Nobody is more qualified to share Australia’s stories than its traditional owners and custodians. On a voyage through remote Barrier Reef islands en route to Cape York and Arnhem Land, you will meet indigenous Torres Strait islanders and other Aboriginal peoples to experience their culture, art and homelands, including Garig Gunak Barlu National Park. Along the way, spy dugongs, turtles, saltwater crocodiles and the birdlife of Kakadu’s wetlands.

A 13-night Australia's Top End cruise from Cairns to Darwin with Scenic (0808 273 6069; scenic.co.uk ) departs April 28 2024 and costs from £11,108pp. Excludes flights. 

Murray river flow 

River cruises are rare down under, ­making an active experience on the mighty Murray – the nation’s principal waterway – all the more remarkable. Murray River Trails offers short cruises aboard a 12-berth houseboat, with a daily programme of guided walks and activities. The small-group, into-the-wild nature of the experience lends itself to wildlife encounters, with sightings of echidnas, emus, koalas and ­unusual native birds all possible. It is a fascinating insight into authentic inland Australia.

The three-night Murray River Walk departs May–Sep and costs from £1,500pp. Excludes flights. 

Kim and swim

The Kimberley may have beguiling blue waters, but dips in the sea are foolhardy (and forbidden) due to the dangerous saltwater crocodiles that call the region home. Sidestep that inconvenience on a voyage with Ponant, which combines classic Kimberley elements ­(Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls) with the little-visited Rowley Shoals – one of the world’s most sensational snorkelling and diving destinations. Located west of Broome, in the Timor Sea, these croc-free coral atolls brim with colourful sea life.

An eight-night cruise round-trip from Broome departs September 8 2023 and costs from £11,835pp through Mundy Adventures (020 7399 7630; mundyadventures.co.uk ); includes flights. 

Queensland immersion 

Take a deep dive down under on a Great Barrier Reef & Beyond itinerary with Windstar Cruises. This holiday is particularly good for wildlife-lovers. Look out for wedge-tailed shearwaters, sooty terns and noddies while passing Willis Island; spot dingoes on sandy Fraser Island; and cuddle a koala at Australia Zoo (established by the late Steve Irwin). Show-stopping Whitehaven Beach is an unforgettable trip highlight.

An 11-night sailing from Cairns to Melbourne with Windstar Cruises (0808 178 2233; windstarcruises.com ) departs December 6 2023 and costs from £7,499pp. Includes flights and pre-cruise overnight in Cairns. 

Western wonders 

Unlike the Barrier Reef, which clings to the continental shelf, magnificent Ningaloo Reef fringes Western Australia’s coast. Discover it and the archipelagos of Abrolhos, Monte Bello and Dampier on a small-ship expedition that mixes snorkelling and shipwrecks with whale-watching and indigenous rock art. Enhance the experience by foraging and fishing for mud crabs and oysters, or take sightseeing to new heights in the ship’s helicopter. 

How to do it  

The 10-night West Coast Explorer cruise with True North sails from Fremantle to Dampier on March 7 2024 and costs from £12,208pp. Excludes flights

Island state

Raw nature meets colonial history and premium produce in Tasmania, not to mention one-of-a-kind wildlife such as white wallabies and Tasmanian devils. Sip local cool-climate wines and visit the likes of Bruny Island and Wineglass Bay while sailing from Hobart. The cruise is complemented with a self-drive exploration of the island’s west and north coast regions.

A 17-night holiday with Tasmanian Odyssey (01534 735449) combining Coral Expeditions' 10-night Coastal Wilds or Coastal Treks cruise with a 7-night self-drive land tour costs from £5,475pp. Departs Jan–Feb 2024 & 2025; excludes flights. 

All the way

Go all out and see more of the continent on a full circumnavigation of the vast island. Sail the Coral, Timor and Tasman Seas, the Indian Ocean and the Great Australian Bight on an odyssey starting and finishing in Sydney. Travelling via every coastal state and territory, ports of call include cosmopolitan Melbourne, tropical Darwin, lively Fremantle and Phillip Island with its unforgettable koala and penguin encounters. 

A 34-night Australian Panorama sailing with Oceania Cruises is available through Mundy Cruising (020 7399 7670; mundycruising.co.uk ) from £8,729pp, including flights. Departs December 22 2024.

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