16 nights · NSW Australia · Departs Sydney (Australia) · Visiting Phillip Island, Melbourne, Burnie, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Hobart, Port Arthur, Eden, Newcastle NSW · Aboard Holland America on the ms Westerdam
Image courtesy of Holland America ©
| Cruise line | Holland America |
|---|---|
| Ship | ms Westerdam |
| Duration | 16 nights |
| Port calls | 10 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $2,949 per person |
| Year built | 2004 |
| Guests | 2362 |
| Cabins | 984 |
| Crew | 817 |
| Length | 285 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
From the water, Sydney’s harbour frames the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and ferries crossing between historic quays. Beyond the waterfront, central Sydney pairs nineteenth-century buildings with contemporary architecture and leafy streets. Walk the Royal Botanic Garden for harbour views, or take a ferry to Manly for a coastal perspective. Allow time to explore The Rocks, where the city’s colonial beginnings meet galleries, cafés and a lively weekend market.
Phillip Island, 90 minutes southeast of Melbourne, pairs rugged coastal scenery with wildlife encounters few Australian destinations match. At the Penguin Parade, little penguins return ashore at dusk, drawing visitors to the island’s best-known spectacle. See seals and seabirds around the Nobbies, then follow coastal paths above Bass Strait. Cowes offers cafés and sheltered beaches, while the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit brings a different kind of speed.
Melbourne is a city best explored with curiosity, a good appetite and comfortable walking shoes. From Station Pier, the centre is roughly six kilometres away, with tram and taxi connections into town. Explore its arcades and laneways, lined with shops, espresso bars and street art, then visit the National Gallery of Victoria. At Queen Victoria Market, browse local produce and Australian specialties; along the Yarra, find restaurants and skyline views.
Burnie brings Tasmania’s working character into sharp focus. On Tasmania’s north-west coast, this compact port pairs a busy harbour with a proud paper-making past and lively arts scene. At the waterfront Makers’ Workshop, local craftspeople turn timber, glass and wool into distinctive souvenirs. Come at dusk in season, and the Little Penguin Observation Centre offers a memorable glimpse of penguins returning ashore. Beyond town, green valleys lead toward Tasmania’s wild interior.
Adelaide pairs a polished city centre with easy access to South Australia’s celebrated wine country. Outer Harbor, the cruise terminal, lies about 20 kilometres from central Adelaide. A train connects the area with the city. Explore the Central Market, North Terrace’s museums and galleries, or the broad encircling parklands. Glenelg’s beachside cafés and the vineyards of the Barossa Valley make rewarding excursions beyond town.
Step ashore at Penneshaw and discover an island where wildlife remains part of daily life. Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third-largest island, with rugged coast, eucalyptus forests and open farmland. At Seal Bay, guided walks bring you close to a breeding colony of Australian sea lions. Flinders Chase National Park rewards the drive west with Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch. Leave time for local honey, seafood and wines, and watch for koalas and kangaroos along the road.
Hobart gives you a rare pairing: a handsome harbour, a lively food scene and wilderness within easy reach. Founded in 1804, Tasmania’s capital sits beneath kunanyi / Mount Wellington, whose changing weather shapes the city’s skyline. Browse Salamanca Place’s sandstone warehouses, then sample local oysters, cheese and cool-climate wine along the waterfront. Beyond town, MONA offers a provocative art collection, while Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula reward a longer excursion.
On Tasmania’s rugged Tasman Peninsula, Port Arthur makes the country’s convict history tangible. From 1830 to 1877, this isolated settlement held prisoners sent from Britain and its colonies. Today, its UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins, restored buildings and harbour setting reward a thoughtful visit. Walk the former prison grounds. Then take the included harbour cruise for a wider view of the settlement and coastline.
Eden sits above Twofold Bay on New South Wales’s Sapphire Coast, where deep water meets forested headlands. Its harbour once supported a thriving whaling industry. The Killer Whale Museum tells how orcas famously worked alongside local whalers. Migrating humpback whales can be spotted from shore. Explore Ben Boyd National Park’s rugged coves, or try oysters from nearby Pambula Lake. Coastal walks and quiet beaches make Eden a rewarding base for exploring this stretch of New South Wales.
Newcastle is a working harbour city with surf beaches, sandstone heritage and a confident food scene. Begin in the East End, where Fort Scratchley overlooks the Pacific and recalls the city’s military past. Follow the Bathers Way, a coastal walk linking beaches, ocean baths and dramatic headlands. At the table, look for fresh seafood and Hunter Valley wines, produced in the region west of the city.
From the water, Sydney’s harbour frames the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and ferries crossing between historic quays. Beyond the waterfront, central Sydney pairs nineteenth-century buildings with contemporary architecture and leafy streets. Walk the Royal Botanic Garden for harbour views, or take a ferry to Manly for a coastal perspective. Allow time to explore The Rocks, where the city’s colonial beginnings meet galleries, cafés and a lively weekend market.
Published August 27, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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