Southern Australia Explorer Cruise

Day 1 - Sydney

Arrive: Wed 07 October 2026 / Depart: Wed 07 October 2026 at 18:45

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia's largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby.

Day 2 - Newcastle, NSW, Australia

Arrive: Thu 08 October 2026 at 09:00 / Depart: Thu 08 October 2026 at 18:00

Newcastle is a harbour city in the Australian state of New South Wales. Its plentiful beaches are linked by the Bathers Way, a coastal walk stretching between Nobbys Beach and Merewether Beach. The walk provides access to Bogey Hole, a convict-built ocean bath from the colonial period. Also on the path is the 1880s Fort Scratchley, a historic site and a viewpoint for spotting migrating whales.

Day 3 - At Sea

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - Melbourne

Arrive: Sun 11 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 11 October 2026 at 17:00

Victoria may be Australia's smallest continental state, but Melbourne, its capital, is big on everything. With a population of 2.7 million people living in 59 separately named communities within 715 square miles, Melbourne is a sprawling city offering culture, art, fashion and friendly, sports-minded Australians. It is also an easy city to explore. At the heart of the city is the Golden Mile, the city's governmental and commercial center, home to hotels, shops, restaurants and theaters. Originally part of New South Wales, Victoria became a colony in its own right in 1851. The discovery of gold propelled Melbourne's growth to prominence and prosperity.

Day 6 - At Sea

Day 7 - Adelaide

Arrive: Tue 13 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 13 October 2026 at 17:00

Founded in 1836, this graceful city lies nestled on the coastal plain between Gulf St. Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. Adelaide was the vision of Colonel William Light, Australia's Surveyor General, who created a one-mile-square grid for the city's center and surrounded it with a belt of stunning parkland. Today, Adelaide is a metropolis of over one million people, boasting wide, tree-lined boulevards, superb Victorian and Edwardian architecture, tranquil parks, world-class shopping, and the highest number of restaurants per capita of any city in Australia. Beyond the city and the rugged Adelaide Hills lie the Barossa and Eden Valleys. Here Australian vintners are winning international acclaim for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz.

Day 8 - At Sea

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - Albany, Australia

Arrive: Fri 16 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Fri 16 October 2026 at 18:00

On December 26, 1826 - Boxing Day - Major Edmund Lockyer and his party of convicts and soldiers landed at Princess Royal Harbor to establish a penal colony. Originally named Frederickstown in honor of the Duke of York and Albany, the first European settlement in Western Australia was renamed Albany in 1832. Thanks to its superb harbor, the town quickly became a busy port. Albany served as a coaling station for steam ships, as a commercial outlet for the rich farms of the interior, and as a base for the highly profitable whaling industry. The whaling station at Frenchman Bay was the last whaling station in all Australia, closing in 1978. Today it is home to Whale World, one of the world's largest whaling museums. This small city of some 25,000 souls is off the beaten track. Which makes exploring all the more fun, whether visiting Whale World Museum or touring one of the area's excellent wineries.

Day 11 - Margaret River, Australia

Arrive: Sat 17 October 2026 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 17 October 2026 at 18:00

This vibrant coastal city is a laid-back charmer with an enticing array of natural wonders and active pursuits. Just steps from the mile-long Jetty are glistening white sand beaches and sun-drenched seaside villages. Yet the magic of the Margaret River area beckons with 120 premium wineries; ancient caves boasting a subterranean world of jaw-dropping stalactite, stalagmite, helictite and shawl formations; a fascinating Aboriginal culture rooted in ancient history; and a picture perfect landscape of meandering country roads and spectacular scenery.

Day 12 - Fremantle

Arrive: Sun 18 October 2026 at 07:00 / Depart: Sun 18 October 2026

Lying at the mouth of the Swan River, historic Fremantle - founded in 1829 - is your gateway to Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Situated on the banks of the Swan River some 15 miles upriver from Fremantle, Perth is a bustling city where soaring high-rises co-exist with elegant sandstone buildings from the colonial era. Life here moves at a slower pace, so during your visit, relax and savor the bounties of Western Australia, from the wonders of the bush to the wineries of the Swan Valley, from excellent shopping to a leisurely cruise on the Swan River.