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.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
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.
13 Days One-Way from Cairns to Port Moresby
Starts in Australia. Also visits Papua New Guinea
Emerald Xara
24 Days One-Way from Cairns to Benoa
Starts in Australia. Also visits Papua New Guinea, Indonesia
Emerald Xara
21 Days One-Way from Sydney to Auckland
Starts in Australia. Also visits New Zealand
Scenic Eclipse 2
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8 Days One-Way from Sydney to Hobart
Starts and ends in Australia
Scenic Eclipse 2
24 Days One-Way from Port Moresby to Darwin
Ends in Australia. Also visits Papua New Guinea, Indonesia
Emerald Xara
14 Days One-Way from Hobart to Auckland
Starts in Australia. Also visits New Zealand
Scenic Eclipse 2
25 Days Benoa, Indonesia Round Trip
Visits Australia. Also visits Indonesia, Timor Indonesia
Emerald Xara
25 Days One-Way from Singapore to Sydney
Ends in Australia. Also visits Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia
Seven Seas Explorer
15 Days One-Way from Benoa to Sydney
Ends in Australia. Also visits Indonesia
Seven Seas Explorer
29 Days One-Way from Singapore to Sydney
Ends in Australia. Also visits Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand
Oceania Marina
44 Days One-Way from Singapore to Auckland
Visits Australia. Also visits Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand
Oceania Marina
17 Days One-Way from Sydney to Papeete
Starts in Australia. Also visits New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji
Seven Seas Explorer
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)
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
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.
- Tourism Australia: Australia.com — Official Tourism Site
- Lonely Planet: Australia Travel Guide
- U.S. Department of State: Australia International Travel Information
- Coral Expeditions: Australian Expedition Cruises
- APT: Murray River Cruises
- Captain Cook Cruises: Murray River Cruises
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, 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.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!