6 of the best cruises in Australia for 2025 and 2026
From snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef to traversing the Outback, here are some of the most incredible Australian cruise itineraries to inspire your next booking
From beautiful beaches to the rugged Outback, there is lots to explore in Australia – and much of the country can be discovered on a cruise.
Australia covers plenty of ground and its expansive terrain encompasses everything from coral reefs to cosmopolitan cities.
With such a scintillating and diverse landscape available to explore by land and sea, it’s hardly surprising that Australia is a popular cruise destination, especially as smaller ships can get passengers to more intimate and unique areas.
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There are a range of routes and a variety of vessels available, plus trips that cover myriad interests and hobbies, from sampling Hobart’s delectable oysters to some much-needed R&R on a secluded beach.
It is also an ideal way to catch some winter sun by touring the southern hemisphere during the Australian summer.
Whether it’s dedicated antipodean cruises you’re looking for, or stop-offs as part of a longer voyage to other countries, we’ve rounded up some of the best itineraries to help you plan your travels.
Scenic: Australia’s Top End: Cape York & the Great Barrier Reef
Darwin – Cobourg Peninsula – Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island) – Wessel Islands – English Company Islands – Yirrkala – Thursday Island – Cape York – Piper Islands – Sandy Cay, Creech Reef – Davie Reef –Osprey Reef – Cooktown – Port Douglas – Willis Island – Cairns
Scenic’s 16-day voyage aboard Scenic Eclipse II explores Australia’s diverse northern coastline, from the Cape York Peninsula and the Great Barrier Reef to the enchanting Piper Islands and secluded Sandy Cay, only accessible by small vessels. With just 228 guests on board Scenic Eclipse II, this cruise promises an intimate exploration of Australia’s northern tip. It’s also set to steeped in luxury, with butler service for every passenger and six-star luxury suites on offer.
Departs 11 October 2025. Prices from £12,806; flights included
Read more: The best Northern Lights cruises, from Iceland to Canada
Norwegian Cruise Line: Australia and Asia
Singapore – Surabaya, Indonesia – Bali, Indonesia – Fremantle, Australia – Busselton, Australia – Albany, Australia – Adelaide, Australia – Kangaroo Island, Australia – Melbourne, Australia – Tasmania, Australia – Eden, Australia – Sydney, Australia
Embarking in Singapore, this 19-day sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line takes in the beaches of Bali before hitting a selection of top cultural towns and cities in Australia. You can visit Fremantle Prison in Fremantle, sample top wineskin Adelaide and meet the locals on Kangaroo Island en route to Sydney.
Sailing aboard Norwegian Spirit, you can enjoy a variety of restaurants from Italian to sushi and steak and there is an Ibiza-inspired adult-only area called SpiceH20 to relax in.
Departs 2 December 2025. From £2,215pp
Viking Cruises: Grand Australia Circumnavigation
Sydney – Brisbane – Whitsunday Islands (Airlie Beach) – Townsville – Cairns – Darwin – Komodo – Bali (Benoa), Geraldton – Perth (Fremantle) – Busselton Albany – Adelaide – Melbourne – Burnie – Eden – Sydney
Take a tour around Australia and parts of Indonesia with Viking Cruises’ epic 31-night cruise aboard Viking Orion that encompasses the Whitsunday archipelago, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, as well as Indonesia’s Komodo Island and Bali. Fifteen guided tours are included in the package, as well as return flights from select UK airports.
It’s a great way to take in Australia’s expansive coastline, as well as a variety of seas and straits including the Coral Sea, Arafura Sea, Timor Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Bass Strait.
Departs 30 December 2025. From £12,290pp. Flights included
Brisbane – Airlie Beach – Townsville – Cairns – Port Douglas – Willis Island - Brisbane
Setting sail in January 2026, Princess Cruises’ seven-night Queensland roundtrip from Brisbane calls at hotspots including Airlie Beach, Cairns and Port Douglas, and is a great option if you’d like to get acquainted with this northern Australian state. There are almost 900 balcony cabins on Crown Princess, guaranteeing a decent view of the landscape when you are not relaxing by the ship’s choice of four pool or feasting on seafood at the onboard Crab Shack popup in the buffet.
Port excursions include exploring Brisbane and discovering the Great Barrier Reef by catamaran with an on-board marine biologist.
Departs 14 January 2026. From £679pp
Oceania Cruises: Bali to Sydney
Bali, Indonesia – Komodo, Indonesia – Kupang West Timor, Indonesia – Darwin, Australia – Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – Alotau, Papua New Guinea – Honiara, Solomon Islands – Luganville, Vanuatu – Port Vila, Vanuatu – Lautoka, Fiji – Suva, Fiji – Noumea, New Caledonia – Sydney, Australia
Traversing the Indonesian archipelago, the Australian coast and island hotspots of the south Pacific, this 21-day voyages with luxury small ship brand Oceania Cruises is guaranteed to be an animal- and culture-filled adventure. The cruise line’s smaller ships help get to more exclusive destinations.
From Komodo dragons on Komodo Island to jumping crocodiles in the Northern Territory, there are plenty of opportunities to uncover the diverse habitats of this exciting landscape. Highlights include an exploration of the Komodo National Park as well as stop-offs in Darwin to venture into the outback.
Departs 22 February 2026. From £4,489pp
Sydney, Australia – Hobart, Tasmania – Hobart, Tasmania –Sydney, Australia
Explore Hobart, the capital of Australia’s historical and cultural island state of Tasmania aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas during a five-night cruise.
You can discover the island’s roots as a British penal colony before visiting the sandstone warehouses that have been transformed into shops and restaurants in Salamanca Place.
Onboard, Anthem has its own rock climbing wall, sky diving simulator and the North Star capsule, providing must-see aerial views of the region.
Departs 8 March 2026. From £708pp
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