Australia Circumnavigation Cruise

Day 1 - Fremantle

Arrive: Sun 08 December 2024

Located between the Indian Ocean and Australia's famed Outback, Perth and Fremantle are rich in Aboriginal and British colonial history. Explore historic Fremantle and modern Perth; visit the Swan Valley region for vineyard tours and witness koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat; and travel to the Outback and watch a desert sunrise over Ayers Rock. Sample shore excursions: Perth & Fremantle Highlights; Vines & Wines; Ayers Rock, the Olgas & the Outback Overland Adventure.

Day 2 - Fremantle

Depart: Mon 09 December 2024

Located between the Indian Ocean and Australia's famed Outback, Perth and Fremantle are rich in Aboriginal and British colonial history. Explore historic Fremantle and modern Perth; visit the Swan Valley region for vineyard tours and witness koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat; and travel to the Outback and watch a desert sunrise over Ayers Rock. Sample shore excursions: Perth & Fremantle Highlights; Vines & Wines; Ayers Rock, the Olgas & the Outback Overland Adventure.

Day 3 - Albany, Australia

Arrive: Tue 10 December 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Tue 10 December 2024 at 18:00

Established in 1826, Albany was the first European settlement in Western Australia and quickly grew into a bustling commercial hub. Its historic heart has a certain faded grandeur, while the modern waterfront is undergoing major redevelopment. The area’s most striking features, however, predate the original settlement. Its natural wonders include stunning coastline stretching from Torndirrup National Park’s majestic cliffs to the tranquil bay at King George Sound. In the interior, the peaks of the Stirling Range reach heights of more than 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) and offer opportunities for day hikes with breathtaking views. During the 19th century, Albany played an important role as a center of shipping between Britain and its Australian colonies, as it was long the only deepwater port on the continent. It was through Albany that some 40,000 Anzac troops departed for Europe, an event that is being recognized through 2018 with a series of events marking the centennial of World War I. The Whaling Station here, which did not cease operations until 1978, has been converted to a fascinating museum on the history of the industry. It has the distinction of being the last operating station in both the Southern Hemisphere and the English-speaking world. Humpback, southern right and blue whales continue to be pursued here, though now by curious sightseers on whale-watching cruises during the annual whale season from June to October. Today, “Amazing Albany” earns the adjective the city has bestowed upon itself, as it draws travelers eager to explore an unexpected and amazing corner of Australia.

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island

Arrive: Fri 13 December 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 13 December 2024 at 17:00

The Australian continent’s third-largest island—Kangaroo—enchants visitors with its mellow rhythms, which seem to be coming from a quieter and much simpler time. Even Penneshaw, its main ferry port, has a population of less than 300 people . . . and farmers sometimes still advertise for spouses on bulletin boards. Long roads run arrow-straight through the fields, scrub and dense gum forests of this spectacular unspoiled destination. It remains one of the best places to see Australian marsupials in the wild. Almost half the island remains bushland or national park, sheltering koalas, echidnas and a million or so tammar wallabies. Weighing just five to seven kilograms (11 to 15 pounds), these mini-roos flourish here, thanks to a dearth of foxes and other mainland predators. (Despite this strong population, the species, Macropus eugenii, remains on the endangered list.) Marine mammals also make a healthy showing on Kangaroo Island. Visitors can walk through one of the country's largest sea lion colonies and watch for rare southern right whales offshore.

Day 7 - Adelaide

Arrive: Sat 14 December 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sat 14 December 2024 at 18:00

With a burgeoning creative class, top-notch wining and dining, and a pace of life that feels distinctly more leisurely than high-profile siblings Melbourne and Sydney, Adelaide has evolved into a must-visit destination. The biggest buzz is going on in the city's Central Business District, which has become the hub for artists, designers and restaurateurs, all breathing new life into a once-sleepy capital. Not everything changes though: The town's reputation as a genteel, leafy haven is still justified, and Adelaideans' love of sport—particularly Australian Rules football and cricket—continues unabated. You'll also soon notice that the citizens of Adelaide are devoted to fine wine and great food, and they're particularly proud of the world-class vintages being produced in the famous Barossa Valley wine region, another must-see when visiting South Australia. Even if you can't make it to the source, the city's excellent restaurants and bars showcase local wines, many of which—like the country's most famous red, Grange Hermitage—are worth traveling across the world for.

Day 8 - Port Lincoln

Arrive: Sun 15 December 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 15 December 2024 at 17:00

Up the coast from Adelaide, Australia, the nutrient-rich waters and sheltered bays surrounding the Eyre Peninsula—bounded by the Spencer Gulf to its east and the Great Australian Bight, an enormous bay, to its west—support an abundant marine life. And that marine life, in turn, supports Port Lincoln, a town at the tip of the peninsula that's the seafood capital of South Australia. In addition to ensuring delicious tuna and plump oysters on local menus, the wealth of fish means there is a variety of wildlife here, including aquatic birds, sea lions, dolphins, whales and great white sharks. (For the particularly adventurous, there are opportunities to join the sharks in their natural habitat by signing up for a cage dive).Among the highlights of Port Lincoln are the spectacular views of Boston Bay (a natural harbor three times the size of Sydney’s), mansions built by local tuna millionaires and several interesting art and handicrafts galleries. Nearby Coffin Bay is home to oyster farms where you can sample one of the area’s most famous products, as well as a national park with wild ponies. The Eyre Peninsula also has several award-winning vineyards that produce wines to complement your visit to Port Lincoln.

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - Melbourne

Arrive: Tue 17 December 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 17 December 2024 at 17:00

Melbourne is consistently voted one of the world's most livable cities—and for good reason. This is Australia’s cosmopolitan heart with cutting-edge art and architecture, historic galleries, attractions and museums, plus a dizzying range of restaurants, bistros, markets and bars. It's renowned for its sporting culture, home to the esteemed Melbourne Cricket Ground and Australian rules football teams. The famous laneways of Melbourne bustle with hidden bars and eateries, while myriad beaches and parks allow for the ultimate outdoor lifestyle and active things to do. It’s a melting pot of cultures and a city of gourmands who demand excellent food and find it everywhere—from modern Australian cuisine and delicious Asian fusion fare to low-key cafés serving the best coffee you’ve ever tasted. If you want to leave the city, Melbourne is the gateway to Victoria's world-class wineries and spectacular coastline sights. Visit the famous penguins at nearby Phillip Island or feast on local produce in the picture-perfect Yarra Valley. Wherever you go in and around Melbourne, you’ll be sure to understand why so many choose to call this beautiful corner of the world home.

Day 11 - At Sea

Day 12 - Hobart

Arrive: Thu 19 December 2024 at 08:00

Tasmania, once the butt of many jokes, is finally cool. The little Australian island is home to stunning landscapes, old-growth forests and exceptional local produce. Lording over all this goodness is Hobart, the island’s creative capital. Although its remoteness might once have made it feel provincial, the city has truly come into its own in recent years. It’s got one of the world’s best museums of contemporary art, vibrant markets, a cosmopolitan dining scene and eclectic music festivals. It’s also achingly beautiful, with a natural harbor setting and rugged Mount Wellington looming in the background. The city is compact enough to easily explore on foot. Start at the sandstone area of Salamanca Place with its hip galleries, artist studios and bustling cafés and bars, and then roam the quaint streets of Battery Point, one of Hobart’s oldest neighborhoods. Immerse yourself in nature at the gorgeous Botanical Gardens or head out of town to learn more about Tasmania’s dark—but fascinating—past. Fuel up on the freshest seafood straight from the Southern Ocean down at the waterfront, or feast on gourmet Tassie produce at one of the many excellent restaurants in town. Whatever you choose to do, we promise you won’t be bored.

Day 13 - Hobart

Depart: Fri 20 December 2024 at 18:00

Tasmania, once the butt of many jokes, is finally cool. The little Australian island is home to stunning landscapes, old-growth forests and exceptional local produce. Lording over all this goodness is Hobart, the island’s creative capital. Although its remoteness might once have made it feel provincial, the city has truly come into its own in recent years. It’s got one of the world’s best museums of contemporary art, vibrant markets, a cosmopolitan dining scene and eclectic music festivals. It’s also achingly beautiful, with a natural harbor setting and rugged Mount Wellington looming in the background. The city is compact enough to easily explore on foot. Start at the sandstone area of Salamanca Place with its hip galleries, artist studios and bustling cafés and bars, and then roam the quaint streets of Battery Point, one of Hobart’s oldest neighborhoods. Immerse yourself in nature at the gorgeous Botanical Gardens or head out of town to learn more about Tasmania’s dark—but fascinating—past. Fuel up on the freshest seafood straight from the Southern Ocean down at the waterfront, or feast on gourmet Tassie produce at one of the many excellent restaurants in town. Whatever you choose to do, we promise you won’t be bored.

Day 13 - Port Arthur, Tasmania

Arrive: Fri 20 December 2024 at 11:00 / Depart: Fri 20 December 2024 at 18:00

The Port Arthur Historic Site is the best preserved convict site in Australia and one of the country’s most visited heritage attractions. Take a drive down Arthur Highway which forms part of the Convict Trail Touring Route and passes through breathtaking seascapes, rolling farmlands and little villages, vineyards, artists studios and sweeping bays.

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - Sydney

Arrive: Sun 22 December 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 22 December 2024

If you want a snapshot of Australia's appeal, look no further than Sydney: The idyllic lifestyle, friendly locals and drop-dead natural beauty of this approachable metropolis and its attractions explain why the country tops so many travelers' wish lists. But Sydney is more than just the embodiment of classic antipodean cool—the city is in a constant state of evolution. A list of what to do in Sydney might start with the white-hot nightlife, with its new cocktail bars and idiosyncratic mixology dens. Inventive restaurants helmed by high-caliber chefs are dishing up everything from posh pan-Asian to Argentine street food, while the famous dining temples that put Sydney on the gastronomic map are still going strong too. The famed harbor is among the top sights—home to twin icons the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is the stepping-off point for some of the city's best cultural attractions and sightseeing. In one day you can sail around the harbor, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the opera house and climb the bridge, with time to spare for people-watching over a flat white at a waterfront café. Speaking of water, when you plan what to do in Sydney, you will want to include the iconic beaches, where surfers, office workers and tourists alike converge on some of the most gorgeous shoreline scenery anywhere. Bondi, Bronte and Clovelly are all within easy reach of the Central Business District, as is Manly, a charming seaside town located a short ferry ride from Circular Quay. Beyond the city you'll discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the chance to encounter Australia's cuddliest wildlife—a perfect way to round out your envy-inducing Sydney photo collection.