Cruises are an adventure, allowing you to visit amazing corners of the world and travel to places beyond your wildest dreams. For intrepid cruisers, what could be more thrilling than exploring the other side of the globe on a long-haul cruise? Here are 19 fabulous destinations in Australasia that will have you itching to take a voyage to the lands down under.
Cairns, Australia
Cairns is the gateway to one of the biggest draws of Australia cruises, the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Scuba dive or snorkel among the vibrant coral and enchanting marine life or take ahot air balloon ride to admire the sensational views of the reef from above.
For natural beauty of a land-based kind, visit Cairns’ vast rainforest. Head to the Rainforestation Nature Park to take a rainforest tour and learn about Australian indigenous cultures through the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience.
If you simply can’t choose between seeing the magnificent rainforest and the awe-inspiring barrier reef, why not see both with a helicopter tour.
Cairns is also home to some spectacular waterfalls and lakes, including Lake Placid, the Crystal Cascades, and Fairy Falls.
Brisbane, Australia
A heaven for animal lovers- visit the wonderful Steve Irwin Zoo or the adorable Lone Pinc Koala Sanctuary. Sun worshippers will adore Brisbane too, with its 283 days of sunshine a year meaning it’s the perfect place to catch a tan.
For families, the Queensland Museum and Science Centre has lots of brilliant educational activities for kids. Your youngsters will learn about Australia’s aboriginal heritage whilst having fun and giving you a break from any nagging.
If you’re feeling daring, take an exhilarating climb up Brisbane’s famous Story Bridge. Or to enjoy Story Bridge in a less terrifying way, see it light up at night.
Fremantle, Australia
One of the best things about Australia cruises is the opportunity to visit some truly marvellous national parks. From Fremantle you can visit Nambung National Park, home to the limestone pillars of the Pinnacles Dessert, or Yanchep National Park where you can spot Western Grey Kangaroos.
For those interested in nautical history, you can find both the Western Australian Maritime Museum and the Western Australian Shipwreck Museum in Fremantle. Finish your museum day with a coffee from the Cappuccino Strip or a beer from one of the fantastic local microbreweries.
In nearby Perth, you can explore King’s Park (Kargattup) a place of rich aboriginal history, which you can learn about from the plaques around the park whilst enjoying treetop walks and taking in the exquisite scenery.
Melbourne, Australia
Stroll around the UNESCO listed Carlton Gardens and visit the Royal Exhibition Museum and Melbourne Museum. Perhaps you’d rather wander about Federation Square with its gorgeous architecture and visit the Australian Centre of the Moving Image, an absolute must for film geeks. Keen horticulturalists should head to the Melbourne botanic gardens, home to over 8, 500 plant species.
Kids will love riding the Puffing Billy Steam Train or learning about Melbourne’s gold rush heritage at the interactive museum on Sovereign Hill. Adults, on the other hand, might prefer a trip to the Yarra Valley Wineries.
Sydney, Australia
Perhaps Australia’s most iconic city, and a key port on almost all Australia cruises, Sydney boasts the wonderfully weird looking Sydney Opera House and the awesome Sydney Harbour Bridge.
If you’re looking for a family beach day, head to the glorious golden sands of Bondi Beach.
For those seeking education, visit one of Sydney’s excellent museums. Creative minds will be inspired at the Powerhouse Museum, whilst history enthusiasts will love the nearly 200-year-old Australian Museum.
For an active day, take a hiking tour through the world heritage listed Blue Mountains.
Darwin, Australia
Want to come face to face with some real Australian crocodiles? You’ll love Darwin. Take a boat tour down Adelaide River to see the amazing jumping saltwater crocodiles. You can even hold a baby croc in your bare hands at Crocosaurus Cove.
If crocodiles aren’t your thing, perhaps you’ll prefer the animals of Territory Wildlife Park or Litchfield National Park. Maybe you’d like to embrace the fascinating cultures of the native Australian people with the Pudakul Aboriginal Culture Tour.
Adelaide, Australia
For those who like their Australia cruises a little spooky, take a ghost tour around the historic Adelaide Gaol. And for those who want to learn the history of the region in a fear-free manner, see the cultural collections of the South Australian Museum. Adelaide is also home to the marvellous MOD science and technology museum, a fabulous place to visit for those obsessed with all things STEM.
To relax, swan around the gorgeous 1800s Botanic Garden with its enchanting Amazon Waterlily Pavillion. Or see some wonderful paintings at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Tasmania, Australia
One of the most richly historical destinations on Australia cruises, much of Tasmania was built by convicts sent there from Britain. Visit Port Arthur, a World Heritage Listed convict settlement and the place many of these men called home. The Battery Point Sculpture Trail will take you around Tasmania’s state capital of Hobart to see the incredible convict-built architecture, including the magnificent Georgian sandstone building of Salamanca Place.
In addition to its fascinating convict heritage, Tasmania is also a place of breath-taking natural beauty. Freycinet National Park is one such stunning place, as is the spectacular Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. You can also take an excursion to Maria Island to see the magical painted cliffs, which are adorned with a completely natural spiralling pattern. Or frolic in the fairy-tale fields of the Bridestowe Lavender Estate and sample some delicious Lavender Ice Cream.
Wellington, New Zealand
Beautiful Wellington is perhaps most famous for providing the gorgeous scenery of the Lord of the Rings movies – and cruising here allows you to geek out on Wellington’s own Lord of the Rings tour. To enjoy Wellington’s beauty without a Tolkien twist, follow one of the exquisite nature trails to Mount Victoria lookout for some breath-taking views, or take a cable car from Lambton Quay to Kelburn.
Auckland, New Zealand
Test your courage in Auckland, New Zealand by bungee jumping from the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere at over a thousand feet. If you aren’t feeling quite that brave, fear not, there are plenty of other brilliant things to do in Auckland. Visit the Toi o Tamaki art gallery or the Auckland War Memorial Museum to take in some culture. Want something to do with the kids? Head to SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s aquarium.
Work out those arms whilst basking in sensational natural beauty with a kayaking excursion around the volcanic cone of Rangitoto island. Or taste some fabulous vino at the Waineke Island of Wine.
Dunedin, New Zealand
Dunedin is built on the dormant volcano Rakiriri, the formation of which created some truly sensational natural features. These include the incredible natural pyramids of the Ōkia Reserve and the bizarre Organ Pipes rock formation of the Mount Cargill track. Dunedin is also home to Larnach Castle, the only castle in New Zealand and a relic of its Scottish heritage.
Rotorua, New Zealand
Visit Rotorua’s geothermal parks to see the amazing hot pools and mud pools.
If you’re hoping to incorporate some exercise into your trip, hire a mountain bike and take on Whakarewarewa forest.
In nearby Tauranga you can hike the colossal Mount Maunganui or see the remarkable sculptures and fabulous exotic plants of Te Puna Quarry Park.
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Steeped in history, the Bay of Islands is a truly fascinating New Zealand cruise destination. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand’s founding treaty was signed in 1840. New Zealand’s oldest European building can be found on the Bay of Islands too. And the historic pioneer village of Kaikhoe allows you to truly get a feel of New Zealand’s colonial roots.
For a very unique and somewhat absurd attraction, visit the Hundertwasser toilets of Kawakawa. Whilst public toilets may not sound like the most appealing tourist site, these unusual loos are decorated with the marvellous mosaics and quirky sculptures of artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
Tahiti
When on a French Polynesia cruise, your ship will usually dock at the tranquil port of Papeete, the name of which roughly translates to “no worries”. From Papeete you can take excursions to many of Tahiti’s wonderful sights. Perhaps you would like to see peaceful lagoons, such as the Huahine natural aquarium. Or head inland to see the majestic Les Trois Cascades waterfalls. Maybe you would rather visit the spectacular tomb of King Pompare the Fifth, Tahiti’s only royal ruler. Or instead, you might take a trip to the fantastical Arahurahu Marae Religious Site honouring Tahiti’s ancient deities.
If you’d prefer a beach day to sightseeing, Tahiti is full of them. Pick one of Tahiti’s stunning black sand beaches to relax on, or head to the white sand beach of La Plage de Maui to enjoy activities like snorkelling and kite surfing.
Bora Bora
Cruise to Bora Bora for some of the world’s most spellbinding scenery. See the famous overwater bungalows, beautiful huts that seem to float on the water’s surface. Head to the Matira white sand beach to snorkel in Bora Bora’s sensational reefs or try some brilliant water sports like jet-skiing and stand up paddleboarding.
For the most phenomenal views of Bora Bora, take a Jeep excursion up Mount Otemanu and stop at Tupitipi point. Or book a photography tour of the island.
And for a trip that will melt your heart, go to the Turtle Centre Project, a sanctuary for injured sea turtles.
Vanatu
The waters surrounding Vanatu’s 83 islands are perhaps the world’s most incredible place to scuba dive. Divers here can explore the underwater wreck of the SS Coolidge, post a letter at the world’s only underwater post office, see discarded World War Two military equipment, and swim in underwater caves and fabulous coral reefs.
Fiji
Take a French Polynesia cruise to Fiji, a place so welcoming that its very name means “Hello”. On the island of Viti Levu you can white water raft down the Navvu River, a brilliant activity for families of adrenaline junkies. Or maybe your kids would rather go to the Kula Wild Adventure Park for animal fun with ziplines and waterslides.
If you’d prefer a tranquil visit, head to the Garden of the Sleeping Giant or visit the mud pools and hot springs.
For explorers, take an excursion to the Sawa-i-Lau caves, the legendary resting place of the ten headed god Ultiwi. Or marvel at the Dravidian architecture of the Sri Siva Submarinya Temple to the Hindu god Mangan.
If you’re keen to tick off as many UNESCO listed places as possible, visit the historic centre of Levuka, the first colonial capital of Fiji.
Tonga
See the spectacular Mapu ‘A Vea blowholes of Tonga, humongous spurts of water than can reach eighteen metres in height. Swim in the freshwater pool of the magical Anahulu cave. Or wander along Tonga’s shoreline to spot one of the must-see sights of a French Polynesia cruise, the swimming pigs.
Mo’orea
If your kids love the Disney movie Moana (set in Polynesia, by the way) take them snorkelling in the Moana Lagoon, where you can swim with black tip sharks- don’t worry, they’re harmless!
To learn about Polynesian culture, visit the fantastic Tiki Village where you may even be treated to a show.
To take in views of Mo’orea there are two key places to go. The first is the Belvedere lookout, from which you can admire Mo’orea’s heart shaped twin bays. The second is the peak of the aptly named Magical Mountain, which you can reach by ATV tour.
To experience these fantastic places, simply book one of our Australasia Cruises or call 0808 278 3940 to speak to one of our expert cruise concierge!
Your magical trip to the other side of our beautiful planet awaits!
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