The best Australian cruise destinations

Spanning over 2,300km (1,430mi), the Great Barrier Reef is a true bucket list cruise experience. Depending on where you depart, a typical itinerary includes port stops at Brisbane, Cairns, Airlie Beach (the gateway to the iconic Whitsundays with its 74 idyllic islands) and Port Douglas. While large cruise ships can’t tour the reef itself (you’ll need to join smaller day tours for this), they can take you to the outer reef and Green Island, perfect for snorkelling and diving.

While the Kimberley often steals the spotlight as Western Australia’s main cruise destination, small expedition ships visit the Coral Coast between Perth and Broome. Here, white sandy beaches, rugged cliffs and turquoise waters frame the coastline. Home to the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, it’s one of the few places where you can swim alongside whale sharks and manta rays. Shark Bay is a must-see for its ancient living fossils, friendly dolphins and a beach made entirely of tiny seashells.

While South Australia’s coastline offers a wonderful seabound adventure, the mighty Murray River offers a unique inland detour. This iconic waterway, running through South Australia and bordering New South Wales and Victoria, is a treasure trove of Aboriginal heritage and colonial history. Cruise past ancient sites, learn about the river's role in shaping inland exploration and take in the stunning orange cliffs, weeping willows and towering red river gums that border the bank.

Australia's island state of Tasmania is a cruising paradise, with its stunning coastline, rich maritime history and unique wildlife. Big ships depart from Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney, offering short itineraries that showcase the best of the island state. You won’t want to miss the capital city of Hobart, the heritage-listed Port Arthur or the town of Burnie, which provides a gateway to Cradle Mountain National Park. For a more rugged encounter, consider an expedition cruise on a small vessel, which will take you to Freycinet National Park, Maria Island and otherwise inaccessible wilderness areas.

Circumnavigations (a full journey around Australia) are the ultimate cruising experience, offering an exploration of the entire country’s vast and diverse coastline in one epic trip. You’ll visit everything from major capital cities to small coastal ports, historic towns, islands, reefs and national parks. With a mix of natural wonders, cultural landmarks and unique wildlife encounters, circumnavigations deliver the very best of Australia. The journey usually takes a minimum of thirty days, and ships depart from various major cities.