Round Australia Cruise - 6209

Getting around Sydney is easy and accessible. You can jump on a train from Sydney airport to Circular Quay in approx.18 minutes, ride the hop on hop off bus around the city that offers multiple stops including Sydney Tower, Botanic Gardens, Australian Powerhouse and Maritime Museums, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge or the Bondi bus. If travelling on the water is more your style, catch a ferry to visit Sydney’s amusement park, Luna Park, visit the buzzing Manly Beach wharf which is linked to the Corso mall or cruise west of the city to join a Haunted History, Crooked Character or Convict Precinct tour at UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, Cockatoo Island. The best times to visit Sydney are September through November and from March to May as they offer the most comfortable temperatures, around mid 20°C. learn more

For those with a little more time to spend in and around Brisbane, Head down south to the Gold Coast - only an hour away - where you can experience the iconic Surfers Paradise main beach, shop at the unmissable Pacific Fair, hold a koala and pat a kangaroo at the nearby Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary or hop on the AquaDuck for a family fun tour of the Gold Coast. Heading north-west from Brisbane, you will come across the picturesque Maleny and Montville. These towns are perfect for a day-trip or a couple of nights located high on the Blackall Range, with magnificent views of the Sunshine Coast. They are home to lovely cafes and restaurants, once-off boutique purchases and art galleries. learn more

Milne Bay is home to almost five hundred islands, ranging from typical tropical islands and atolls through to huge volcanic and continental islands. It is situated at the easternmost inlet on the coast of mainland Papua New Guinea, and gives good access to coral reefs and diving. With no roads connecting it to the rest of the world, it truly is a quiet piece of paradise. It has some of the richest marine biodiversity in the world, and is fast becoming an established mecca for divers, as well as a destination for game and sports fishermen. learn more

Whether you're snorkeling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef or exploring the luscious Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a great base for you to start your tropical north Queensland adventure. The Cairns esplanade is the main hub with a host of lovely cafes and restaurants, waterfront boardwalks and also a swimming lagoon. A perfect meeting spot if you're catching up with family or friends. Head out on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef which departs from Cairns. learn more

The new Darwin cruise ship terminal at Fort Hill Wharf is adjacent to the convention centre, only one kilometre from Darwin’s CBD. Modern amenities, hotels and parking are there, plus a mini-market with beautiful local productions – Aboriginal art and crafts, diamonds and opals, and eateries, distinctive of the Top End. Darwin is a home port for the small luxury vessels Coral Princess and Coral Discoverer that explore the Kimberley coast to Broome. A score of cruise ship lines include Darwin in their itineraries for Australia, Indonesia, South-East Asia and World Cruises. learn more

The Kimberley is a region in the northern part of Western Australia, bordered to the west by the Indian Ocean, on the north by the Timor Sea, on the south by the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts, and to the east by the Northern Territory. It is one of the world's last great wilderness areas, with fewer people per square kilometre than almost any other place on Earth. Coral atolls of the Rowley Shoals are famed for their coral gardens and abundant marine life. Take a tour to the Horizontal Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world. learn more

Broome, situated on a peninsula in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, is known as the ‘pearl of the north’ due to its being the home of the South Sea pearls, among the largest commercially harvested cultured pearls in the world. In the 1800s Broome attracted pearl divers from Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines, resulting in the delightful multicultural town it is today. Visitors can witness first-hand how Broome pearls are cultured on a cruise to a local pearl farm, and hear the romantic stories of the original pearl luggers. Visit the amazing pearl showrooms of Chinatown. learn more

Another 'must', is a visit to the delightful Fremantle Markets, a precinct providing local arts, crafts, jewellery, specialty foods, and dining halls. The area also hosts buskers and other street performers. Fremantle offers seven-day shopping, a fantastic array of food, and the welcoming Cappuccino Strip, all of which adds up to fun and entertainment for all ages. It is truly an elegant and energetic city! learn more

Margaret River is a town in the SW of Western Australia, located in the valley of the Margaret River, 277 km south of Perth, the state capital. It is located 9 km inland from the Indian Ocean. An exciting dimension to the Margaret River cruises, passengers come ashore at Busselton, which has at 1.8km the world’s longest jetty. Also of interest is that with only 55 sq.km. learn more

Albany is situated on the south coast of Western Australia's tourist region. It faces the Southern Ocean and is on the shores of King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour. Being the site of the first European settlement, much of their legacy remains today with around 50 colonial buildings standing proudly as museums, galleries and restaurants. Visitors can take in almost two centuries of history on a 30-minute walk following the Amity Trail. learn more

The Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal is 22 km from Adelaide city centre. Access is via a vehicle drop-off zone, or a 200 m walk to Outer Harbour railway station. Park cars nearby, but note there is no long-term parking. Adelaide is an architecturally-planned city, set beside the River Torrens between the Adelaide Hills and Gulf St Vincent. learn more

For those with a little more time to spend in Melbourne, there are many easy day trips to enjoy beyond the city limits by guided tour or with a hire car. Not even an hour from Melbourne, you’ll find Australia’s best-preserved steam train Puffing Billy - the historic railway puffs through the leafy Dandenong Ranges. The Mornington Peninsula offers first-rate wineries, local cuisine, and both bay and ocean beaches. To get up close with native fauna, a trip to Healesville Sanctuary will give you a fix - the beautiful, bushland-set sanctuary gives you the chance to cosy up with koalas, kangaroos and wombats as well as lesser-known Australian animals. learn more

Burnie, on the NW coast of Tasmania, is a regional city best known for its busy container port and major industries. It is becoming famous for the wealth of unexpected places for visitors to explore. The central business district provides a thoroughfare to the beach-side board-walk, while Burnie Park with its historic tearoom the 'Burnie Inn', a wildlife sanctuary and a walking track to Oldaker Falls, are close to the city centre. Just a few minutes’ drive away you can view wild platypuses along the banks of the Emu River, then head to the Lactose Cheese Tasting centre and enjoy the region's famous cheeses, specialty products, and the best Tasmanian wines. learn more

Take a stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the view of the river lined with sailing boats, whilst admiring the sandstone architecture warehouses throughout the city centre. Make your way through the iconic and most visited Salamanca market which operates every Saturday showcasing Tasmania’s local artisans, designers and producers. Heading west of the city centre, Mount Wellington is a spectacular site to visit and one not to be missed! Take a tour or a scenic drive up to the summit and stroll along historic walking trails. learn more

Getting around Sydney is easy and accessible. You can jump on a train from Sydney airport to Circular Quay in approx.18 minutes, ride the hop on hop off bus around the city that offers multiple stops including Sydney Tower, Botanic Gardens, Australian Powerhouse and Maritime Museums, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge or the Bondi bus. If travelling on the water is more your style, catch a ferry to visit Sydney’s amusement park, Luna Park, visit the buzzing Manly Beach wharf which is linked to the Corso mall or cruise west of the city to join a Haunted History, Crooked Character or Convict Precinct tour at UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, Cockatoo Island. The best times to visit Sydney are September through November and from March to May as they offer the most comfortable temperatures, around mid 20°C. learn more