With a choice of stunning beaches, tropical forests, highlands and deserts, Australia cruises showcase the natural beauty and diverse geography of this vast land. The majority of its major cities are along the coast, which makes cruises to Australia an ideal way to see the country. The best time to take a cruise to Australia depends on the regions visited or one’s personal preference for weather. In the coastal tropical areas, the ideal months are between April and November, when the humidity isn’t too bad and the temperature remains pleasant, while the south is best seen during the Australian summer, which lasts from December to March. A trip to the tropical north of Australia is best planned between May and October.
December and January, at the height of what is the Australian summer, are the most expensive months for cruises, and there’s another peak in costs around June and July, while May and November are generally the cheapest months for an Australian trip, with the period between April and June offering consistently low prices.
There are numerous major ports around the coast of Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Port Kembla, Brisbane, Fremantle, Port Arthur and Adelaide. Sydney is the most popular department port for Australian cruises, although some cruises leave from Darwin or Broome such as The Ponant L’Austral cruise ship. There are also available options for cruises that leave from Asia and pass through Australia.
For those looking to explore more of the region, several cruises to Australia also sail through New Zealand and other South Pacific destinations. The Royal Caribbean International Explorer of the Seas offers itineraries such as the 12 Night South Pacific & Fiji cruise that departs from Sydney and journeys through New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Fiji.
Some popular cruise lines are Royal Caribbean International and Cunard, which both provide cruises to Australia sailing between Sydney and other Australian ports. For the ultimate in Australia cruises, Holland America Line offers a 29-day cruise on the Noordam, launching from Auckland, that takes in all major destinations in Australia and New Zealand.
When it comes to attractions, Australia’s cities also have a great deal to offer; from the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Sydney Harbor Bridge to the vibrant cultural life of Brisbane and Melbourne, there is always something to see and do in Australian cities. And the beaches of Australia are legendary for their wide expanses of golden sand and the roaring surf that makes water sports such a popular pastime in this part of the world.
Sydney is a popular destination for shore excursions as the famous Harbor Bridge and Opera House make for a memorable day out. Sydney visitors can also enjoy a dolphin watching cruise, a day trip to the capital Canberra and a few hours at the Taronga Zoo. For a taste of Australia’s famous wildlife, shore excursions in Tasmania include trips to wildlife parks that rehabilitate kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian Devils, koalas, wombats, and more. The Golden Princess by Princess Cruises offers 5 day cruises, ideal for families with children, that depart from Melbourne and travel through Tasmania.
