A short-break sailing from Sydney to Hobart proves the perfect circuit-breaker for busy lives.
There is surely no better harbour to set sail from than Sydney’s. From the deck of Celebrity Edge, I watch ferries zigzag past the Opera House, flags flutter atop the Harbour Bridge and the pilot boat guide our ship safely through the busy working harbour towards the open ocean. Every Sydney sail-away carries a sense of occasion, no matter the scope of the journey ahead.
This evening in particular, I am heading to Hobart and back on a five-night round cruise that will prove the perfect circuit-breaker in the midst of a busy few weeks. A couple of hours earlier I had closed my laptop, jumped on a train to Circular Quay and rolled my case onboard.
Celebrity Edge departing Sydney Harbour. (Credit: Tim Faircloth)
What I love about cruising is that decisive moment when you step aboard and holiday mode is activated with the flick of an invisible switch. Full inboxes and laundry baskets are left on land. From here, the biggest decisions are where to dine and whether to stay up for the ’80s disco.
I’m sailing on Celebrity Edge during its third outing Down Under, in a summer season of itineraries that range from short escapes like mine to 14-night journeys. The first ship of Celebrity Cruises’ pioneering Edge Series, it debuted in 2018 with innovative technology (including the Magic Carpet – the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform at sea) and staterooms crafted by celebrated British interior designer Kelly Hoppen.
Short cruises on the rise
Watch the sunset from onboard Celebrity Edge. (Credit: Tim Faircloth)
Short cruises are having a moment, with more Australians choosing to swap a traditional break for a few leisurely days at sea. Cruise lines have responded by increasing the number of shorter itineraries, including two-, three- and four-night sailings, both in Australian waters and overseas.
According to Joel Katz, executive director of Australasia at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the appeal is broadening cruising’s audience. “Short breaks have gained a huge amount of attention in recent years as cruise lines look to new demographics and first-time cruisers. Short breaks are more popular with younger travellers, but they also appeal to people who have never cruised before and want to try a taste of cruising without a big commitment."
Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.
AI Prompt
Life onboard Celebrity Edge
Eden is a three-level space onboard for dining, drinking and admiring ocean views. (Credit: Tim Faircloth)
Find plenty of places for a tipple onboard. (Credit: Imogen Eveson)
Dip into one of the ship's pools. (Credit: Ryan Wicks)
Reset at sea. (Credit: Imogen Eveson)
Tailored to appeal to contemporary cruisers, Celebrity Edge’s 29 bars, restaurants and lounges feel like well-curated hangout spots. From morning to night, there is no shortage of things to do, places to perch and drinks to sip. But it doesn’t take me and my partner long to settle into our own rhythm onboard.
Our evenings begin at Eden, a three-level space that epitomises Celebrity Edge’s innovative concept of outward-facing design with its striking glass frontage at the stern of the ship. Conceptualisted by renowned Patricia Urquiola as something of a fantasy garden, it evolves in mood throughout the day and after dark, and invites exploration. We order a drink at the bar – its ‘plant library’ a living wall that bartenders use to garnish cocktails – and discover the space’s many lookout points, gazing out to sea with glass in hand.
Soak up the sun at Rooftop Garden Grill. (Credit: Michel Verdure)
We enjoy a standout dinner here one night at Eden Restaurant, one of the ship’s specialty dining options, tucked between an open kitchen and a view of the ship’s trailing wake. Another evening takes us to the al fresco Rooftop Garden Grill. On different nights, we travel the world through dining at three of the main restaurants: Cosmopolitan, Cyprus and Tuscan.
The heated pool at the adults-only Solarium brings welcome warmth as we sail further south. And we make use of a day pass to the SEA Thermal Suite, slipping between the infrared sauna, steam room, crystalarium, salt room and hammam, before coming to rest like sun-baking seals on ocean-facing heated tile loungers.
Photography excursion in Eden
Eden’s historic Hotel Australasia was restored in 2022. (Credit: Imogen Eveson)
We disembark for a day in Eden on NSW’s far South Coast, joining a guided tour with a local photographer who shares image-making tips alongside insights into the history of this old whaling town. We have enough time at the end to nip into town for a drink at restored pub Hotel Australasia, before catching the shuttle back to the ship.
Weekly travel news, experiences insider tips, offers, and more.
A day exploring Hobart
The ship anchors long enough to have lunch at Hobart’s Mona. (Credit: Imogen Eveson)
We know Hobart well so opt out of excursions, enjoying the ease of stepping off the ship into the heart of the Tassie capital and heading off on our own adventure. We choose to revisit Mona – but this time shake things up with a Mona Like A Rockstar package from Cultural Attractions of Australia. We spend a day learning behind-the-scenes secrets of Australia’s wildest museum while eating and drinking so much that we are almost too full for one more night of epicurean exploration onboard. But not quite.
Sailing back from Hobart, I stand out on deck and spot the jagged forms of the Three Capes. Over the past few days, the view outside has been a passive backdrop to eating, drinking and lounging. Here I tune into the coastal landscape for the first time. The sky is bruised with drama and I remember the time I hiked the Tasman Peninsula. But a whiff of the wild is enough for me on this trip; the warmth of the ship and tonight’s diversions soon lure me back inside.
The details
As part of the upcoming season, Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Edge sails a similar, four-night Tasmania round trip from Sydney from $1574 per person, with the chanced to experience life onboard and spend a day in Hobart. Departs 16 April 2027.
Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Imogen Eveson is Australian Traveller’s Print Editor. She was named Editor of the Year at the 2024 Mumbrella Publish Awards and in 2023, was awarded the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) Australia’s Media Award. Before joining Australian Traveller Media as sub-editor in 2017, Imogen wrote for publications including Broadsheet, Russh and SilverKris. She launched her career in London, where she graduated with a BA Hons degree in fashion communication from world-renowned arts and design college Central Saint Martins. She is the author/designer of The Wapping Project on Paper, published by Black Dog Publishing in 2014. Growing up in Glastonbury, home to the largest music and performing arts festival in the world, instilled in Imogen a passion for cultural cross-pollination that finds perfect expression today in shaping Australia’s leading travel titles. Imogen regularly appears as a guest on radio travel segments, including ABC National Nightlife, and is invited to attend global travel expos such as IMM, ILTM, Further East and We Are Africa.
There’s more to Australia’s Garden City than meets the eye.
With Victorian-era and traditional Queenslander buildings, an abundance of manicured gardens and the famous Carnival of Flowers painting the streets in vibrant colours each spring, Toowoomba is one of the most charming regional cities in Queensland Country.
While its beauty alone is reason enough to visit, there are lesser-known sides to Toowoomba that locals love most, from its burgeoning culinary scene to its artistic flair. Located just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane (or a direct flight from Sydney), it’s all too easy to discover on a long weekend away.
1. There’s an awesome local arts scene
Find incredible works of art around Toowoomba’s streets. (Credit: Nathan McNeil)
Australia’s second largest inland city is a flourishing arts and culture hub waiting to be discovered. Over 100 vibrant street art murals and graffiti works decorate the city, and they’re best viewed along Bank Lane and Searles Walk.
As a regional city, Toowoomba has direct access to incredibly fresh produce that’s shaping its culinary scene. At sunset, head to the verandah at Rosalie House Cellar Door Restaurant for a grazing-style dining experience and to discover Queensland’s underrated wine scene. Indulge in dishes such as Warilba lamb rump and roasted pumpkin with ginger-roasted potatoes and lime yoghurt, paired with their delicious cool-climate wines.
For a more relaxed affair, sweet tooths should make a beeline for award-winning The Baker’s Duck. Be sure to try their cult favourite strawberry cheesecake danish; you’ll learn why 35,000 of these treats are sold annually.
3. Small bars are doing big work
Pop into small bars like Uno Más.
Toowoomba doesn’t disappoint with fantastic pubs, but discerning drinkers can take happy hour to the next level at one of the city’s impressive small bars. Savour Spanish-style bites paired with a thoughtful line-up of wines at the newly opened Uno Más Tapas & Wine Bar. On Thursdays, head to Cork & Lever to tap your feet to live music over creative cocktails made with their all-Australian gin collection. And enjoy elevated toasties and premium drops at the cosy Press’d Coffee & Wine. Or try newly opened The Book Pour.
4. There’s no shortage of fabulous stays
Chill out in beautiful surrounds at Bunnyconnellen. (Credit: Salt Media)
Whether you prefer the buzz of the city centre or retreating to the hinterland, there are stylish stays aplenty to settle into in this idyllic corner of the world. Apartment-style living can be found at Quest Toowoomba; partly housed in a heritage church building in the city, it’s a comfortable and convenient base. And at The Arbour Boutique Apartments, spacious rooms are injected with old-world charm.
In the hinterland, enjoy bucolic bliss at the boutique Bunnyconnellen, where an 1880s farmhouse and self-contained cottage are backdropped by rolling hills. And at the secluded Ravensbourne Escape, one-bedroom studios, two-bedroom chalets and three-bedroom holiday homes overlook Ravensbourne National Park and the Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys.
5. It’s a nature-lovers paradise
Tackle Table Top Mountain. (Credit: Ariana Potamianakis)
Toowoomba is hugged by national parks, making it a haven for nature lovers. On its doorstep you’ll find the extinct volcanic peak Table Top Mountain, where keen hikers can tackle the challenging two-kilometre return trail which rewards them with 360° views of the Lockyer Valley and surrounds.
For a more gentle experience, Ravensbourne National Park offers peaceful walking trails within lush rainforest. It’s a top spot for bird watching as there are over 110 bird species that call the area home, including the paradise riflebird. Crows Nest National Park is home to platypus and koalas, and its refreshing natural swimming spots, like Kauyoo Pool, are a great place to beat the heat.
6. Wellness enthusiasts are well looked after
Toowoomba’s cool and calm energy lends itself to a wellness-focused getaway. Slated to open in August 2026, soak in the serenity at Vikasati Toowoomba, a bathhouse oasis with outdoor hot and cold magnesium pools, ice baths and Finnish saunas. Rest and recharge at City Cave Toowoomba, which offers float therapy, infrared sauna and massage services, or visit Kalm Springs for LED therapy, cryotherapy and float therapy.
7. It’s preserved its 19th-century charm
Learn all about the history of Cobb+Co.
History buffs can step back in time at Toowoomba’s fascinating cultural and historical museums.
Explore 50,000 years of Darling Downs and Toowoomba history at the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co; it’s known for its impressive National Carriage Collection of 47 restored horse-drawn vehicles, which were put to use for Queensland’s urban expansion. Visitors can also try their hand at blacksmithing or leadlighting in heritage workshops, refuelling with traditional scones at the onsite cafe.
Train enthusiasts can celebrate the golden era of rail travel on a heritage steam locomotive thanks to the volunteer-driven, community-led organisation DownsSteam Toowoomba. Vintage train rides range from a two-hour journey between Toowoomba Station and DownsSteam Railway Museum to an overnight adventure from Toowoomba to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt
8. There are vintage gems waiting to be found
Whether it’s to pick up a unique piece for your home or a one-of-a-kind accessory for a loved one, you’re guaranteed to find something special in one of Toowoomba’s antique and vintage stores. Range Antiques sells everything from furniture, rugs and lamps to fine porcelain, jewellery and art, while Toowoomba Antiques & Collectables is a treasure trove of Art Deco, farmhouse, retro and mid-century modern pieces.
