Australia Cruise Ports
Australia is often thought of as a dream destination that is unfortunately an unattainable dream for many of us.
Whether it is down to the costs of getting and staying there or the time needed to make the most of your efforts in getting there, a trip to Australia is somewhere that many of us think about before changing our plans for an easier option.
That is a shame as the country has lots to offer al of those that visit, from the huge cities of the East coast to the remote outback and from the rainforests of northern Queensland to the rural towns with their own unique identities, Australia has something to offer everybody.
One of the big issues for those visiting the country is the thought of travelling for 2 days and only been able to see a small part of what is on offer, which you would expect from a country the size of a continent, but that is where a cruise holiday comes into its own as you can explore the best of the country all whilst relaxing and enjoying all that a cruise holiday has to offer.
Cruises To Australia
Cruise Holidays To Australia
When it comes to cruising in Australia it is the city of Sydney that stands out as the main port, and it is the city that many cruise ships call home throughout the summer cruise season.
Most itineraries offered in Australia take in 1 of 3 regions, either cruising across the Tasman to New Zealand, cruising from/to Asia and round trips to the Pacific Islands.
Most ships will also call into other ports Australia which h allows holidaymakers to fly into the well connected Sydney airport, spend time onshore before your cruise and then explore the Oceania region before heading back to the airport for the long journey home.
Australia Cruise Guide
If you have already booked an Australian cruise holiday, our guides will allow you to make the most of your holiday and your time in the many great ports whilst if you are still at the research stage of a cruise of the region, our guides will allow you to not only decide if an Australian cruise is right for you but if it is, which ports and itineraries are the best for you and your travelling party.
Popular Ports
Australia offers lots of options when it comes to ports of call and a number of embarkation ports that are all well connected to international airports.
The New South Wales city of Sydney, known as the Rugby League capital of the world, is also the home of cruising in the country and its cruise terminal is where most visitors will start and/or end their cruise holidays.
The bustling city of Brisbane is the home of the Queensland State of Origin team, and it is also the home of cruising in the state.
There are lots of attractions awaiting visitors whilst its stunning skyline makes for the perfect welcome to any ship arriving at the port.
The Victorian city of Melbourne is known around the world for it major sporting events that including the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Australian GP, the Australian Open tennis event and the Melbourne Storm but it also a popular cruise port of call.
Aside from sport, there is lots of tourist attractions awaiting visitors to the city but to fit in with the locals, we would recommend heading to one of the 100’s of coffee houses.
If you are sailing from or to Asia, the chances are that you will call into Western Australia and the main cruise port in that state is the port of Freemantle, close to the city centre of Perth.
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory and is one of the most remote cruise ports to welcome mainstream cruise lines in the country.
That allows visitors to explore a number of national parks, head to the beach and see a more down to earth Australia away from the big east coast cities.
Adelaide is a cosmopolitan city in South Australia that still maintains a small-town charm.
The city has lots to offer those stopping off for a day onshore including numerous museums, beautiful seafront parks and the always popular Fisherman’s Wharf market.
Cairns is considered to be the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef as the city sits on the tropical North Queensland coastline.
Hobart is Australia 2nd oldest city, and it has managed to retain a lot of its historical features whilst a trip up its Mount Wellington allows not only for great views over the city but over the whole of Tasmania.
Newcastle is the main city in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley and whilst it is perhaps best known as an industrial city, its seafront and harbour area is simply stunning.
Port Douglas is a popular tourist resort in the very north of the country that is known for its idyllic beaches, incredible scenery and friendly locals.
The bustling city of Brisbane is the home of the Queensland State of Origin team, and it is also the home of cruising in the state.
There are lots of attractions awaiting visitors whilst its stunning skyline makes for the perfect welcome to any ship arriving at the port.
Yorkeys Knob is a stunning location to visit and makes for the perfect beach day but there is lots more to explore in this remote part of the Northern Territory.
The small coastal town and resort of Geraldton is found on Australia western coast, around 260 miles from the state capital of Perth and offers the chance to enjoy a remote adventure in an often overlooked part of the country.
Kangaroo Island is actually the 3rd largest island but despite been only around 70 miles from Adelaide, it still offers a unique experience for visitors who can enjoy the unspoilt landscapes and connect with its incredibly nature.
Moreton Island offers the chance to either relax on the beach or explore the crystal-clear waters of the coral coast just to the northeast of Brisbane.
The port town of Eden is New South Wales offers the opportunity for visitors to explore its stunning rugged coastline and get an insight into small town Australia.
Cooktown, in northern Queensland, has lots on offer visitors to enjoy on their day ashore but it is especially of interest to those who enjoy history as it was here that Captain James Cook beached his ship, the Endeavour.
Busselton is a report town in New South Wales that offers access to a beautiful coastline and a number of wineries that are one of the major draws for cruise ships visiting the port.
The Victorian city of Portland offers the chance to step back into the history of Australia as it is one of the first places Europeans first settled in the region and it now offers a number of attractions, including an Aquarium and a historic tram, that service its growing popularity as a tourist resort.
Albany is one of the countries oldest cities and even predates the Western Australian capital city of Perth.
Exmouth is a tourist town in Western Australia that gives visitors access to the beautiful Cape Range National Park.
Burnie is a city on the island of Tasmania that is a popular port of call for those cruising the south of Australia thanks to its walkable downtown and attractions such as the Nelba Line narrow railway.
Port Arthur is one of Australia most popular tourist destinations for those wanting to enjoy the history of the country, as it was an early penal site and still has a number of buildings from that era.
Airlie Beach in north Queensland maybe known as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef but there is plenty awaiting you in the town itself, including some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches.
Port Lincoln is one of Australia’s wealthiest seaside resorts that features a smart downtown and is surrounded by incredible natural beauty including a number of national parks and a stunning coastline.
The north Queensland city of Townsville is known as the home of the NRL’s Cowboys but there is so much more to this bustling city that is well worth visiting and is the perfect size for exploring on a shore day.
Popular Cruise Lines
Many cruise lines operate at least some services in Australia including mainstream lines, luxury lines and exploration lines but there are some that have a greater focus on the country than others.
Those include Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises.
Australia
Location: Oceania, Australasia
Capital City: Canberra
Currency: Dollar
Language: English
Demonym(s): Australian
Top Ports: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
Australia is a vast country but with most of it inhospitable and uninhabited, it around is vast shoreline that the majority of people live and that makes it the ideal location to explore onboard a cruise ship.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Australia for a cruise holiday is during the northern hemisphere winter, which is of course the southern hemisphere summer, as it is then when many cruise ships based themselves ‘down under’.
Australia Cruises From UK
Here at CruiseHols.co.uk we bring you all of the information you will ever need to choose the right cruise destination for you and your family.
Our destination guides include everything from ports to attractions and excursion to the positives and negatives of the destination.
Australia Cruises From The UK
It is possible to visit Australia on a cruise directly from the UK but due to the vast distance, it will require you taking either a World Cruise or joining a World Cruise for roughly half of its itinerary.
Australia Cruises From Southampton
If you were to head there directly from the UK, the chances are that you will set sail either from the port of Dover or from the UK’s leading cruise port at Southampton.