Australia Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call

49 ships from 19 cruise lines

Australia cruises at a glance

Waterways Cruise lists 490 upcoming sailings on 49 ships from 19 cruise lines visiting Australia, calling at 40 places. Cruises can start in Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Fremantle, Broome, Melbourne and 2 more and end in Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Fremantle, Melbourne, Cairns and 2 more. Of 490 upcoming sailings, 301 start in Australia and 284 end there. More South Pacific & Australia cruises.

Request exclusive rates Read the Australia cruise port guide → Sailing data updated October 31, 2026

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Compare Australia cruise lines

See every Australia cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.

About Australia

Australia is a milestone trip with a scale that can overwhelm. For an American who dislikes being herded, the best approach is a small-ship or expedition coastal cruise—especially the Great Barrier Reef and Kimberley—plus a focused inland extension to Uluru. The country is safe, English-speaking, and spectacular, but distances are huge, prices are high, and the peak cruise season is the southern summer. Murray River cruises offer a charming, modest river option; the Kimberley and the Reef are the true once-in-a-lifetime anchors.

Typical routes

  • Coastal & River — East, South, West and Murray River
  • Expedition — Top End, Kimberley and remote reefs

Ports overview

Cruising in Australia is mostly ocean and coastal. Large-ship lines run East and South Coast circuits plus around-Australia voyages, while expedition ships handle the Great Barrier Reef, the Top End, and the Kimberley. Murray River ports are a niche river-cruise add-on for travelers who want a slower, small-ship experience.

Cruise season

Murray River: March-May and September-November are ideal; summer can be hot and winter nights cold. Coastal cruise season: November-March (southern summer). Kimberley and reef expeditions: April-October (dry season).

Find your Australia sailing

Upcoming sailings calling at Australia, earliest departure first.

490 Sailings Found
Darwin, Australia

18 Days One-Way from Darwin to Lautoka

Departs Darwin

Starts in Australia. Also visits Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

Paul Gauguin

Departs
March 29th 2027
Duration
17 nights
From
$8,650
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +1 more port
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Sydney, Australia

12 Days One-Way from Sydney to Fremantle

Departs Sydney Disembarks Fremantle

Starts and ends in Australia

Grand Princess

Departs
April 2nd 2027
Duration
11 nights
From
$2,179
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +1 more port
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Sydney, Australia

27 Days One-Way from Sydney to Brisbane

Departs Sydney Disembarks Brisbane

Starts and ends in Australia

Grand Princess

Departs
April 2nd 2027
Duration
26 nights
From
$6,615
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +6 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote

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Sydney, Australia

29 Days Sydney, Australia Round Trip

Departs Sydney Disembarks Sydney

Starts and ends in Australia

Grand Princess

Departs
April 2nd 2027
Duration
28 nights
From
$4,909
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +6 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Sydney, Australia

5 Days One-Way from Sydney to Melbourne

Departs Sydney Disembarks Melbourne

Starts and ends in Australia

Grand Princess

Departs
April 2nd 2027
Duration
4 nights
From
$684
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call:
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Sydney, Australia

7 Days One-Way from Sydney to Adelaide

Departs Sydney Disembarks Adelaide

Starts and ends in Australia

Grand Princess

Departs
April 2nd 2027
Duration
6 nights
From
$924
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call:
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Melbourne, Australia

25 Days One-Way from Melbourne to Sydney

Departs Melbourne Disembarks Sydney

Starts and ends in Australia

Grand Princess

Departs
April 6th 2027
Duration
24 nights
From
$5,129
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +5 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Adelaide, Australia

23 Days One-Way from Adelaide to Sydney

Departs Adelaide Disembarks Sydney

Starts and ends in Australia

Grand Princess

Departs
April 8th 2027
Duration
22 nights
From
$3,759
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +4 more ports
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Sydney, Australia

15 Days One-Way from Sydney to Honolulu

Departs Sydney

Starts in Australia. Also visits Fiji, Tutuila Island American Samoa, Samoa

Celebrity Solstice

Departs
April 9th 2027
Duration
14 nights
From
$2,796
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call:
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Brisbane, Australia

24 Days One-Way from Brisbane to Seattle

Departs Brisbane

Starts in Australia. Also visits French Polynesia, Society Islands French Polynesia, United States

Quantum Of The Seas

Departs
April 11th 2027
Duration
23 nights
From
$2,588
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call:
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Fremantle, Australia

18 Days One-Way from Fremantle to Sydney

Departs Fremantle Disembarks Sydney

Starts and ends in Australia

Grand Princess

Departs
April 13th 2027
Duration
17 nights
From
$2,836
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call: +1 more port
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote
Sydney, Australia

16 Days One-Way from Sydney to Honolulu

Departs Sydney

Starts in Australia. Also visits French Polynesia, Society Islands French Polynesia, United States

Anthem of the Seas

Departs
April 14th 2027
Duration
15 nights
From
$1,899
per person, double occupancy
Ports of call:
View Voyage & Fares Request a Quote

Where Australia cruises start and end

Embarkation ports (8)

Brisbane (163) (cruises from) · Broome (56) (cruises from) · Cairns (180) (cruises from) · Darwin (196) (cruises from) · Fremantle (76) (cruises from) · Hobart (114) (cruises from) · Melbourne (119) (cruises from) · Sydney (354) (cruises from)

Disembarkation ports (8)

Brisbane (163) · Broome (56) · Cairns (180) · Darwin (196) · Fremantle (76) · Hobart (114) · Melbourne (119) · Sydney (354)

49
Cruise ships
19
Cruise lines
40
Places ships visit
8
Embark / disembark places

Ships by type: 44 ocean 4 river 4 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.

Plan your Australia cruise

Australia cruise port guide

Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.

Australia cruise port guide →

More South Pacific & Australia cruises

French Polynesia · Society Islands French Polynesia · Fiji · New Zealand · Vanuatu · Cook Islands · New Caledonia · Papua New Guinea

South Pacific & Australia cruisesSouth Pacific & Australia cruise ports

Frequently asked questions about Australia cruises

How many places do cruises visit in Australia?

40 Australia places are visited by 49 ships from 19 cruise lines.

When is the best time to take a Australia cruise?

Murray River: March-May and September-November are ideal; summer can be hot and winter nights cold. Coastal cruise season: November-March (southern summer). Kimberley and reef expeditions: April-October (dry season).

Sources and further reading

Background on Australia draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.

Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by , Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.

Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026

Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.

Cruise Disclosure

Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.

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