AUSTRALIA PORTS AND CITIES
AUSTRALIA PORTS AND CITIES
Adelaide
Cruise to Adelaide, Australia's Most Graceful City
Cruise to Southern Australia's most graceful city which lies nestled on the coastal plain between Gulf St. Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. 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. Adelaide is also your gateway to the beautiful Limestone Coast. Cleland Conservation Park is a popular wildlife reserve on the slopes of Mt. Lofty features miles of trails and an authentic Australian bush experience. Rundle Mall is a broad, tree-lined avenue features graceful Victorian and Edwardian architecture, and boasts superb shopping, as well as sidewalk cafés and restaurants. Australia's vintners have received international acclaim in winemaking from cabernet and riesling, to sauvignon blanc and shiraz.
Airlie Beach
Cruise to Airlie Beach, Gateway to Australia's Beautiful Whitsunday Islands.
Cruise to the township of Airlie Beach which brims with island-bound tourists, yachties and backpackers, who crowd the bars of its jam-packed main drag. Around town, dozens of outlets sell crafts, clothing and souvenirs, and sociable restaurants and watering holes abound. A manmade lagoon lies along the shore and is a good place to cool off if travelling during stinger season. From here and nearby Shute Harbour, you can take day trips to resort islands such as Hamilton Island and Daydream Island, or cruise to snorkelling and dive sites on the outer Barrier Reef.
Albany's
Cruise into Albany's Superb Natural Harbour - Australia
Originally a penal colony, it was renamed Albany in honour of the Duke of York and Albany in 1832 with the first European settlement. And thanks to its superb natural harbour, Albany quickly became a busy port. The town served as a coaling station for steam ships, a commercial outlet for farmers, and a base for the whaling industry. Today, this small city of some 25,000 offers a wealth of restored historic buildings, museums, theatres and restaurants, as well as the natural beauty of its coast and scenic harbour. Princess Royal Fortress was a former Military Institute and Australia's first federal fortress, protecting the port from enemy attack. Now it is a visitors' centre and teahouse. Australia's last commercial whaling station is today a museum devoted to whales and whaling. Albany Residency Museum was built in the early 1850s, this former residency is now a museum on early European exploration and the region's flora, fauna and geology.
Brisbane
Cruise to Brisbane, Gateway to Dazzling Beaches of Queensland's Fabled Gold Coast - Australia
Cruise to this once considered "country cousin" of Australia's cities. Brisbane is today the nation's third largest metropolis. Lying on the banks of the Brisbane River, this cosmopolitan city boasts elegant 19th century sandstone buildings, a lively cultural scene and superb parklands. Brisbane is also the gateway to adventures with a uniquely Australian flavour, whether it is to a wildlife park, or the rain-forested Mount Tamborine plateau. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia's oldest koala sanctuary boasts the largest collection of these cute marsupials, along with other such photogenic wildlife. O' Reilly's Guesthouse is located in the heart of the subtropical rain forest, O' Reilly's is a favourite destination for eco-tourists. During your visit, hand feed king parrots and crimson rosellas. A resort guide leads an interpretive treetop walk through the rain forest of Lamington National Park, designated a World Heritage area.
Broome
Cruise to Broome, Gateway to the Vast Kimberley Wilderness - Australia
Bordered by the Indian Ocean and sandy beaches on one side and the arid red-green landscape of the Kimberley wilderness on the other, cruise to Western Australia's Broome, a place a beat apart from the rest of Australia. Established in 1883, Broome played host to speculators seeking their fortune from pearling rather than gold. And between 1889 and 1891 the record high price of mother of pearl helped to establish Broome as a port and major pearling centre. Today Broome is a vibrant city filled with a history and culture all its own, as well as the gateway to the vast Kimberley wilderness. The vast unspoiled landscape of the Kimberley wilderness offers miles and miles of solitude and is a perfect travel destination for outdoor adventurers and enthusiasts alike.
Bunbury
Cruise to Bunbury, Those Jarrah Trees are Mighty Big - Australia
Cruise to the southern end of Western Australia, to Bunbury which enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate and a gorgeous coastline bordered by the Indian Ocean, Koombana Bay and Leschenault inlet. The unique basalt rock formations on this city's beach were created thousands of years ago from lava flows. With a population of about 52,000, greater Bunbury is one of Australia's fastest growing areas and features a myriad of shops, eateries and a lively waterfront. The forest woodland is part of the Wellington National Park and home to the famous and rare, old growth Jarrah trees and their incredibly strong, termite-resistant wood. Walk the trails and see these huge physical specimens.
Burnie
Cruise to Burnie, Gateway to Scenic Tasmania - Australia
Cruise to Australia's fifth largest port, boasting a deep, natural harbour. Within its interior lie the rain forest and Cradle Mountain National Park, a World Heritage Site. The gentle rolling hills that grace this area include rich farmlands and pastures that produce some of the finest Merino wool in the world. Northern Tasmania is also rich in picturesque villages and historic houses, some dating from the Georgian colonial era. Annsleigh Gardens are English gardens, a haven for bird life and feature a miniature thatched cottage with working watermill. Cradle Mountain National Park is a World Heritage Site possessing a range of terrain, from a rain forest to sub-alpine lakes and rocky crags. The Visitors' Centre offers an excellent introduction to Tasmania's unique wilderness area. With over 30,000 items on display Pioneer Village Museum brings Burnie's pioneer days to life.
Cairns
Cruise to Cairns (Yorkeys Knob), Gateway to a Brace of World-Renowned Natural Wonders - Australia
Cruise to the Tropical North Queensland city of Cairns is one of Australia's hottest holiday hubs. The laidback city enjoys summer temperatures year-round, alleviated by balmy breezes blowing in off Trinity Bay. Cairns' wide, tree-lined esplanades and busy waterfront are perfect for promenading, and there's plenty to do around town. Cairns is the gateway to a brace of world-renowned natural wonders including the World-Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and ancient Daintree Rainforest. Enjoy a dive, snorkel or scenic cruise out to the reef, or take a day trip into or scenic flight over the rainforest. A string of superb beaches stretch north of the city, behind which lies the lush Atherton Tablelands, best accessed via the historic steam railway or cable car that glides above the canopy. En route to Kuranda, a charming hippie town, stop off for a guided rainforest tour and views of mighty Barron Falls.
Cid Harbour
Cruise to Cid Harbour, Gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Stretching 1,250 miles along the coast of North Queensland, Cruise Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the most massive structure on earth created by living organisms. Formed over 10,000 years by tiny, limestone-secreting coral polyps, the Great Barrier Reef is actually a vast coral complex composed of more than 2,000 individual reefs and 71 coral islands. Home to some 400 species of coral, the reef supports a rich web of marine life that includes over 1,300 species of fish. Take in panoramic views of the unique Australian wetlands as you travel through the pastures, saltpans and melaleuca forests of Goorganga Plains. Whitehaven Beach is one of the most unique on Earth. Situated on the eastern side of the uninhabited Whitsunday Island, cruise to this five-mile long stretch of white-silica sand a spectacular and pristine environment.
Cooktown
Cruise to Cooktown and Refresh in One of the Historic Watering Holes - Australia
Cruise to this fascinating frontier town in Queensland's tropical north, Cooktown was Australia's first non-indigenous settlement. The excellent James Cook Historical Museum details Cook's voyages and the town's colourful multi-ethnic past, including its gold rush days. Cooktown was the port through which precious cargo from the Palmer River goldfields was funnelled in the late 19th century – not surprisingly, it has more than its fair share of historic watering holes.
Darwin
Cruise to Quirky Darwin at the "Top End", Watch out for Those Jumping Crocodiles! - Australia
Cruise to the quirky outpost of Darwin which boasts museums, botanical gardens and the Adelaide River home to the famous jumping crocodiles. It's a place where memories are born and adventure is a given. Closer to Indonesia than any other Australian city, Darwin is the capital of the region known locally as the "Top End," the vast Northern Territory. Darwin is home to more than half of the territory's population, and the city and its people reflect the rugged individualism that comes from living in the harsh Outback. The Crocodylus Park research station boasts thousands of crocodiles, plus primates, birds and reptiles. Museum of Arts & Sciences is devoted to the history and geography of the Northern Territory, discover a superb collection of Aboriginal art and artifacts. Keep your camera at the ready to capture Adelaide river's famed leaping crocodiles as you cruise the banks of the river.
Exmouth
Cruise to Exmouth to Find a Spectacular Marine and National Park on Your Cabin Doorstep - Australia
Cruise to Exmouth one of the few towns in Australia with a "range to reef" experience, featuring a marine and national park as neighbours. A charming small town of approximately 2,500, Exmouth has pristine beaches and breathtaking gorges, offering fun by both land and sea for its visitors. Ningaloo Marine Park is an extensive marine park next door to the Cape Range National Park, which encompasses about 161 miles of coastline. The reef itself comprises 200 species of hard corals and 50 species of soft corals. Cape Range National Park is located on the west coast of the Cape, this park lies amongst some spectacular gorges and features many scenic opportunities to picnic, camp and hike. Bundegi Beach is located just north of Exmouth is Bundegi Beach. This beautiful beach borders Ningaloo Marine Park and is a great spot for swimming, snorkelling and fishing.
Geraldton
Cruise to Geraldton, the Place to Eat Rock Lobster, Yum! - Australia
An alluring mix of natural and historic attractions, cruise to the south-west Australian city of Geraldton-Greenough carpeted with wildflowers in spring and boasts a multi-million-dollar rock lobster industry. Visit one of the lovely waterfront restaurants to sample the local seafood. Geraldton is also home to Western Australia's two northernmost wineries. Just offshore lies the world's most southerly reef – enjoy snorkelling or dive the nearby South Tomi wreck. On shore, take a free guided tour of the HMAS Sydney II memorial, and check out the impressive Batavia Longboat, the faithful replica of a boat used following the Batavia tragedy in 1629. The replica was constructed in 2003 and is currently on display inside the Geraldton-Greenough airport terminal. Don't cruise out before you take a quick look around art-deco masterpiece, Geraldton Cathedral.
Hobart
Cruise to Colonial Hobart, State Capital of Tasmania - Australia
Cruise to Hobart Australia's second oldest city and state capital of Tasmania. Home to more than 90 National Trust buildings, Hobart combines colonial character with a metropolitan lifestyle. It is the gateway to Tasmania's other scenic attractions and a range of shore activities lets you experience the best of both worlds. Explore the historic core at the colonial village of Battery Point, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, as well as Theatre Royal, the country's oldest theatre. There's also wine-tasting and pub-hopping to enjoy. Tasmania's capital has much in common with Sydney. Founded but a few years later, Hobart also owes its origins to the establishment of a penal colony. It has a dramatic setting like Sydney. Seen from its fine deep-water harbour, Hobart spills over the lower reaches of the Derwent Valley as Mt. Wellington towers in the background. You will find much of the city's heritage centred on the waterfront. North of the city stretches the vast parkland of the Queen's Domain. Salamanca Place where restored waterfront warehouses hold restaurants, shops, art galleries and old hotels. Explore the fascinating ruins of the infamous penal colony of Port Arthur. Bonorong Wildlife Park is home to the Tasmanian devils, koalas, wombats, free-ranging kangaroos and wallabies.
Kimberley
Cruise the Kimberley Coast and its Wealth of Natural Attractions - Western Australia
Cruise the rugged Kimberley Coast which skirts north-western Australia and is sandwiched between the Indian Ocean and vast deserts. One of the earliest 'settled' regions in Australia, it's now a thriving tourist destination thanks to its wealth of natural attractions.
Melbourne
Cruise to Melbourne, Something for Everyone - Australia
Cruise to Melbourne, a huge, sprawling city with something for everyone—culture, art, fashion, and friendly Australians. It is also Australia's financial and commercial centre. Easy to explore, at the heart of the city is the Golden Mile, the city's governmental and business corridor, home to hotels, shops, restaurants and theatres. Melbourne also offers one of the world's finest parks - the Royal Botanic Gardens. Tour this city's charming Victorian-era architecture and visit the countryside via a vintage steam train. Princess Theatre is an elaborately decorated theatre built in 1882 for Queen Victoria's Jubilee. The Royal botanical gardens include the fascinating feature of an Aboriginal Heritage Walk. Take a ride on Puffing Billy through history, an authentic narrow-gauge steam train.
Newcastle
Cruise to Newcastle, Home to Aboriginal Outback Art - Australia
Cruise to the industrial coastal city of Newcastle, two hours north of Sydney, which has more to offer than coal - historic buildings, trendy beachfront eateries, friendly pubs and a burgeoning arts scene. Newcastle Region Art Gallery houses one of the nation's most substantial public art collections outside a major capital. The Aboriginal Outback Art Gallery in Mayfield, occupying a heritage-listed stone cottage built in 1852, showcases more than 1500 works from Arnhem Land and Central Desert artists. Half a dozen patrolled ocean beaches lie within a few kilometers of town. The dramatic coastline is best viewed from the Bathers Way, a five-kilometer walk linking Nobbys and Merewether beaches. If time permits, a day trip to the Hunter Valley, just over an hour's drive inland, is an another attractive option. One of New South Wales' premier viticultural districts, it also brims with gourmet restaurants, farms and open gardens.
Perth
Cruise to Fremantle for Perth, the Wonders of the Bush to the Wineries of the Swan Valley - Australia
Cruise to historic Fremantle your gateway to Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Situated some 15 miles upriver from Fremantle on the banks of the Swan River, Perth is a growing, bustling city where soaring high rises coexist with sandstone buildings from the colonial era. The population in and around Perth makes up some 8% of Western Australia's population. And it's here that life moves at a slower pace, from the wonders of the bush to the wineries of the Swan Valley. Kings Park gardens atop Mt. Eliza offer a glorious panorama of Perth and its environs. Fishermans Harbour is a popular tourist area, the setting for the 1987 America's Cup races. Built by convict labour in the early 19th century, Fremantle Art Centre museum's exhibits trace the history of Western Australia from convict days to the present.
Port Douglas
Cruise to Port Douglas and Have Breakfast with the Birds - Australia
Cruise to Port Douglas, located north of Cairns in Far North Queensland, a resort playground with much to offer. Stroll along Four Mile Beach, browse boutiques and galleries, or dine on fresh seafood at one of the many fine restaurants. At The Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary, open-plan aviaries and enclosures allow for close encounters with more than 1600 well-tended native birds and animals, including the endangered cassowary. At the award-winning Sanctuary's Breakfast with the Birds, you'll share your tropical buffet with wandering waders and bright-plumed parrots. A Low Isles cruise takes you to coral isles ringed by calm, crystalline lagoons, ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Many cruise tours have marine biologists on board to explain the complex, delicate reef ecosystem, and offer turtle, coral and giant-clam viewing from glass-bottomed boats. Tour inland to the wetlands west of Mareeba and the World-Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest.
Sydney Harbour
Cruise into Sydney Harbour, your Heart will miss a Beat - Australia
Cruise to Sydney, Australia's most renowned and thriving city. From its dramatic harbour and cosmopolitan city centre, to its sheltered coves, miles of beautiful beaches, and the spectacular Blue Mountains. cruising into Sydney Harbour is one of the most magical cruise experiences and the Opera House is the city's most popular tourist attraction. Its unique design is considered a wonder of the modern world.
Townsville
Cruise to Townsville and See the World's Largest Re-Creation of a Coral Reef - Australia
Sprawled around an isthmus between Castle Hill and the Ross River, cruise to the regional city of Townsville which has a sleepy tropical ambience, but there is actually lots to do. Stroll along The Strand, Townsville's spruced-up, park-lined waterfront; or climb to the top of Castle Hill for an overview of the hinterland and Magnetic Island, located offshore. See the world's largest re-creation of a coral reef at Reef HQ Aquarium on Flinders Street. The aquarium offers an excellent introduction to the region's marine life, including colourful tropical fish, turtles and sea snakes. Located in the same complex as the aquarium, The Cultural Centre displays Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island art and artefacts. Its shop sells original indigenous paintings, carved toy animals and quality textiles. Next door is the Museum of Tropical North Queensland, boasting a significant collection of maritime archaeology and exhibits on coral ecology and fossil discoveries in Queensland's outback.
Willis Island
Cruise to Tropical Willis Island, Australia (anchor only)
Cruise to Willis Island part of Australia's Coral Sea Islands Territory, a group of small and mostly uninhabited tropical islands and reefs scattered some 420 kilometres east of Cairns beyond the Great Barrier Reef. It is the southernmost of a trio of tiny isles collectively known as the Willis Islets, and is an important nesting ground for birds and turtles. First charted in 1803 and mined for guano in the 1870s and 1880s, the islands were never developed, thanks to the absence of a permanent freshwater supply. Willis Island is the only permanently inhabited island in the 780,000-square-kilometre Territory, but has no port or wharf. Enjoy a short on-board interlude as the ship anchors here.
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