Anna is a co-founder of Adventure in You and has been traveling the world for the last 9 years. She has spent time living in Thailand, Mexico, Indonesia, and Spain and is our local expert in these areas. Her expertise on travel, gear, and building businesses have been featured on Foundr, Business Insider, Yahoo Travel, and more.
When it comes to traveling, a great way to take in all the sights and sounds without the hecticness of actually moving around, cruise ships are the way to go. Nowadays, given the popularity of cruise ships, more and more people are opting to travel this way.
Although we usually prefer to explore on our own, I totally understand the appeal of cruise ships. Between the all-inclusive getaways, luxurious amenities, off-shore excursions, and more, cruise ships are definitely a great way to travel.
Whilst most cruise ships travel around North America, Europe, and the Carribean, Australia has their fair share of ships that travel to neighboring destinations. Unlike popular cruise ship destinations in Europe where excursions include exploring cities, the majority of the destinations from Australia involve a lot of nature and adventure which we love.
Sailing in untouched pristine waters, here are some of the best luxury cruises from Australia and the various destinations that they visit.
If you want to sail locally, the Kimberley is a top-notch destination that comes highly recommended. Located in the North Western part of Australia, the Kimberly region is a ruggedly beautiful area which is three times larger than England.
If you want to do it in style, PONANT cruises offer guests an unforgettable adventure experience exploring everything that the Kimberley region can offer. From untamed waterfalls, rugged cliffs, and remote mountain ranges, this place is one of the most pristine places in the world and would be amazing to explore via the high seas. Click the link if you want more details on this incredible expedition to find out how you can cruise the Kimberley.
If you’re not convinced, did I mention that the largest population of migratory humpback whales can be found cruising along in this region? How’s that for a once in a lifetime experience.
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If you’re looking to relish in incredible scenery and beautiful wildlife, the Sub Antartic Islands of New Zealand make a great getaway. Often referred to as the “Galapagos Island of the Southern Ocean”, expect to see loads of UNESCO protected areas and exotic wildlife.
The wildlife is a huge part of these cruise expeditions which is why land excursions where you can do guided walks or tours from the sea are considered a highlight in this region. Most cruise ships in this region will sail to the Fiords, giving guests a glimpse of ancient glaciers and untouched lands.
Wildlife sightings of New Zealand fur seals, sea lions, birds, and even bottlenose dolphins are often seen which provides even more incentive for wildlife enthusiasts.
New Zealand
Naturally, the neighboring island of New Zealand makes the list as one of the best places to visit from Australia. The cruises here usually take you around the best of what this country can offer, allowing you to explore geysers, rivers, and gorges during your trip.
While there are longer cruises, most average 10-13 days, which gives you enough time to see and do everything. Most of the cruises from Australia take you to Tauranga, Wellington, and of course, the legendary Milford Sound, all while learning about their incredible culture and wildlife.
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If snorkeling and exploring the marine life is on the top of your list head on over to a cruise ship and sail towards the Spice Islands. Located in the heart of Indonesia, these islands are set amongst idyllic tropical islands, allowing you to explore really remote destinations
Having explored remote parts of Indonesia, I can see why this place would be considered as a must visit from Australia. Sailing through the famous Great Barrier Reef all the way to the Maluku Islands, this expedition is perfect for those who want modern luxuries while still exploring some of the most remote destinations in the world. In our books, scuba diving and snorkeling are one of the best adventures in Australia so why not do it in style and explore remote destinations while you’re at it?
Papua New Guinea
If you’re looking for an epic destination to explore, why not venture to Papua New Guinea on a cruise ship, taking you to one of the most exotic destinations in the South Pacific. To be perfectly honest, this, along with a cruise to Antartica are on my bucket.
One of the best things about traveling by boat is it allows you to go to places that are largely unexplored, giving you a trip of a lifetime. From Australia, take a flight to Honiara where most luxury cruise ships sail through the Solomon Islands, down to Papua New Guinea where you can find at least 700 different ethnic groups.
Between the lush landscape, iconic islands, and the lush terrain of this region, a trip to Papua New Guinea is a perfect getaway.
While I could go on and on about the many other destinations, here are our top picks for places to visit via cruise ship. Hopefully, this article has inspired you to start planning your next getaway.
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Those sound amazing! I would go for Papua the most, looks so interesing!