Experiences

Cruise Holidays

<p><i>Celebrity Solstice review</i>: what is life really like on board</p>

Celebrity Solstice review: what is life really like on board

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<p><i>Sailing</i> <strong>Whitsundays</strong> by yourself: the bareboating essentials</p>

Sailing Whitsundays by yourself: the bareboating essentials

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<p><i>Cruising, sailing, houseboating</i>: <strong>Australian</strong> water holidays</p>

Cruising, sailing, houseboating: Australian water holidays

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<p><i>The best itineraries</i> for first-time cruisers</p>

The best itineraries for first-time cruisers

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<p><i>A first-timer&#8217;s guide</i> to houseboating on the <strong>Hawkesbury</strong></p>

A first-timer’s guide to houseboating on the Hawkesbury

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<p><i>Cruise to</i> <strong>Tasmania</strong>: a luxurious (and oh-so-easy) way to see <strong>Tassie</strong></p>

Cruise to Tasmania: a luxurious (and oh-so-easy) way to see Tassie

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<p><i>Is this the best cruise line</i> for first-time cruisers?</p>

Is this the best cruise line for first-time cruisers?

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<p><i>Cruise to the intriguing</i> <strong>Abrolhos Islands</strong></p>

Cruise to the intriguing Abrolhos Islands

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First-time cruiser? Regular cruiser? Our cruise holiday guide covers all the bases. From how to book to deals, cruise line reviews and more.

Constitution Dock, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
TAS

Cruise to Tasmania: a luxurious (and oh-so-easy) way to see Tassie

Everybody’s favourite island state plus Celebrity Eclipse® equals a bucket-list holiday you’ll never forget.

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Couples enjoying a day out on the Hawkesbury River on their houseboat.
NSW

A first-timer’s guide to houseboating on the Hawkesbury

Whether you’re organising a get-together with extended family, planning a weekend getaway with a group of friends, or looking for a romantic and unconventional break for two, there’s a houseboat to suit.

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Great Barrier Reef, QLD
Australia

Cruises along the East Coast of Australia

It’s a great time to get out and about again and although we can’t go “anywhere” we want in the world, the majority of us can go anywhere we want to go in Australia.

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abrolhos islands coastline
WA

Cruise to the intriguing Abrolhos Islands

Cruise to the intriguing Houtman Abrolhos archipelago to explore far-flung fishing communities, captivating coral gardens and a very dark past.

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Aqua Theatre, Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean Cruise LinesMilford Sounds, New Zealand
Cruising

The best itineraries for first-time cruisers

Whether you’re into high-end food and wine or looking to entertain your young family, there’s a cruise out there for you. The trick is knowing where to look, writes Dilvin Yasa.

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Persian Garden,Celebrity Solstice. (cruises)
Australia

Celebrity Solstice review: what is life really like on board

Light, bright and big on options; it’s cruising, but not as you know it. Nikki Wallman jumps on board the Celebrity Solstice and revels in the elegance.

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Houseboat Murray River
Australia

Cruising, sailing, houseboating: Australian water holidays

The ultimate cruising overview to all cruising and boating holiday options in Australian waters.

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Whitehaven Whitsunday Islands sailing bareboating
The Whitsundays

Sailing Whitsundays by yourself: the bareboating essentials

Novice sailor Celeste Mitchell discovers sailing Whitsundays on a catamaran without a captain is the best way to explore those famous islands. Yes, you can do it yourself. Here's how to go bareboating for beginners...

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Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Value-for-money cruise deals, easy-access entertainment and always-on carriage to the most scenic parts of the country — there’s a lot to love about cruise holidays in Australia. And don’t we know it? Flocking to floating voyages in droves, we’ve turned cruising into a holiday-maker’s rite of passage, ditching hotel hopping and airport delays for multi-stop adventures you barely need to think about. It’s why we’ve gathered all the things you should consider right here before booking a cruise. From packing advice to choosing a cruise line, consider this comprehensive guide your one-way ticket to the cruisiest of cruise holidays.

First-time cruiser guide

Mammoth vessels and itineraries spanning the entire country and surrounding waters can feel extremely daunting to newbie cruisers. It’s hard to know where to start or what questions to ask, let alone choose a cruise without second-guessing your decision. Allow us to shine a light on the basics of cruise holidays in Australia, including the fundamental rules of setting sail, whether it really is a holiday style for you, family-friendly options and tips on how to book a cruise without any hiccups.


 

Ocean cruises

It’s the quintessential style you’ve got to try at least once. Characterised by jumbo vessels, lengthy itineraries and extravagant dining and entertainment, ocean cruising offers a sensory overload well before you approach your destinations. If the likes of P&O Cruises, Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line ring bells and stir excitement, you’ll be delighted to learn there are several extraordinary ships and voyages worth considering. Whether you’re after a combination cruise itinerary that takes in Australia and nearby destinations like New Zealand, Noumea and Vanuatu or you prefer to stay close to home and explore the Great Barrier Reef, Hobart, or the East Coast –  there is an ocean cruise departing Australia to suit. To help you choose your next ocean cruise, you’ll find an abundance of cruise reviews, itineraries, ship profiles and more below.


 

River and harbour cruises

Confirming great things come in small packages, harbour and river cruises offer brilliant access to iconic destinations and multi-hour to multi-day journeys filled with legendary sightseeing. Setting sail aboard much smaller vessels than the floating resorts of ocean cruising, this relaxed style is renowned for inland expeditions spent hypnotised by scenic wonders and majestic wildlife and marine life. Top spots to ponder include Queensland’s Daintree Rainforest, the Murray River stretching across Victoria and South Australia, Darwin Harbour (and the famous crocodile cruises), Adelaide River, NSW’s Hawkesbury River and Sydney Harbour (including Sydney whale watching cruises). Cruise companies specialise in their individual regions but big hitters to consider include the Daintree River Cruise Centre, Murray River Cruises and Spirit Australia Cruises across the Murray River, Captain Cook Cruises throughout Sydney Harbour and Adelaide River Cruises. Able Hawkesbury River Houseboats also offer superb overnight stays if you’re craving total privacy and maximising your time away from home.


 

Kimberley cruises

Fall in love with Australia all over again with a cruise through the Kimberley and its unforgettable coastline – the undisputed heart of the country. Western Australia’s natural wonderland, speckled with vast open wilderness, Indigenous artifacts and sensational reefs, is one of our most in-demand cruising destinations and we’ve rounded up everything you need to know before you go. From ship profiles and cruising holiday itineraries to unmissable highlights and nearby magic, including the Abrolhos Islands, there’s no shortage of Kimberley intel to help you tick it off the bucket list.


 

Top Australian cruise destinations

One postcard-perfect country. Countless corners to explore. How does one whittle the options down to a cruise holiday winner? Thankfully, we’ve experienced it all and our shortlist is ready to action. First and foremost, Australia’s departure spots excel as escapes on their own accord. Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Cairns and Melbourne as well as Perth, Geraldton and Busselton in Western Australia are just some port cities to consider tackling. East coast island time is alluring too — think the Whitsundays’ sun-soaked sanctuaries like Hamilton Island and the Great Barrier Reef, plus Airlie Beach and Moreton Island. There’s also the itty bitty albeit dazzling Abrolhos Islands off Western Australia, the Kimberley’s Montgomery Reef and Kangaroo Island off the South Australian coast. Back in Western Australia, the charming town of Esperance on the south coast is astonishingly beautiful, too. Find all the inspiration you need right here.


 

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