Australia Small Ship Cruises
Travel made your way ™
| Trip Name | From | Days | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Kimberley | $7,940 | 11 | Explore Western Australia’s Kimberley Coast on an 11-day cruise aboard Coral Adventurer. Cruise through King George Falls, Horizontal Falls, and mangrove waterways. Discover ancient Gwion and Wandjina rock art, remote islands, pristine beaches, and abundant wildlife. |
| Cape York and Arnhem Land | $8,770 | 12 | Set sail on a 12-day cruise from Cairns to Darwin aboard Coral Discoverer. Visit remote islands, explore cultural sites, snorkel reefs, meet local artists, and travel through unique landscapes. Engage in guided walks, community visits, and scenic waterways while experiencing Northern Australia’s rich history and diverse coastal environments. |
| Outerknown Adventures on the Great Barrier Reef | $4,580 | 8 | Explore exclusive private islands, tropical resort, and ancient rainforest trails on this 8-day Australian cruise aboard the Coral Discoverer. Explore the Great Barrier Reef by snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, and glass bottom boat accompanied by an expert Marine Biologist. Depart from Cooktown exploring the best of the Great Barrier Reef. |
| Abrolhos Islands & the Coral Coast | $8,990 | 13 | Experience a 13-day Australia cruise aboard Coral Adventurer. Visit the Abrolhos, Shark Bay, Ningaloo, Muiron, Montebello Islands and the Dampier Archipelago. Snorkel reefs, explore wildlife habitats, learn local history, and enjoy guided activities across diverse coastal and island locations. |
| The Kimberley | $7,975 | 11 | Experience Australia’s Kimberley coast on an 11-day cruise from Darwin to Broome aboard Coral Geographer. Navigate remote bays, explore rock art galleries, view cascading waterfalls, encounter wildlife-filled reefs, and visit storied sites. |
| Coral Futures with Australian Geographic | $5,830 | 9 | Embark on an 9-day Great Barrier Reef cruise on an immersive citizen science voyage aboard Coral Discoverer. Depart from Cairns and visit Mackay Reef, Howick Islands, Ribbon Reefs, Sudbury Cay, Moore Reef, Fitzroy Island, and Port Douglas while joining guided snorkeling, diving, reef monitoring, beach cleanups, and marine conservation programs. |
| Australia's Iconic Kimberley: Broome - Darwin | $10,200 | 11 | Join this 11-day expedition cruise across the Kimberley Coast. Explore the ?Horizontal Waterfalls?, Montgomery reef, the Bonaparte Archipelago, and a lot of amazing places in fascinating Australia. Embark Le Soleal from Broome to Darwin with stops in: Lacepede Islands, Collier Bay, Hunter River, Swift Bay, King George River, and more. |
| Trip Name | From | Days | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand Coastal Odyssey: The Ultimate Expedition Cruise of the New Zealand Coast | $5,985 | 12 | Experience a 12-day cruise through New Zealand's stunning scenery and heritage, starting in Queenstown and sailing on the Heritage Adventurer. Explore Fiordland's fjords, discover unique wildlife, and enjoy cultural highlights before ending in Auckland. |
| Unseen Fiordland and Stewart Island: Exploring New Zealand's Remote Backyard | $3,750 | 6 | Explore New Zealand's southernmost regions on a six-day journey aboard the Heritage Adventurer. Indulge in a rare opportunity to visit both the wildlife-rich Stewart and Ulva Islands and the glacier-cut summits only accessible by expedition ship on one voyage. This is an experience you won't want to miss out on. |
| New Zealand Delights | $28,790 | 12 | Embark on a 12-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Immerse yourself in New Zealand's stunning scenery and explore its captivating cities. Enjoy exceptional local cuisine and connect with the welcoming locals, making these experiences the highlights of your voyage. |
| Best of the Kimberley and Tiwi Islands | $8,845 | 11 | Explore natural wonders of the Kimberley coast. Witness magnificent coastal vistas created by towering rock ridges, silent secluded gorges, plunging waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and massive tidal movements on this 11-day cruise aboard Coral Discoverer. |
| Cape York and Arnhem Land - Art Themed | $8,845 | 12 | Embark on a 12-day artistic expedition from Darwin, exploring the Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land, and Torres Strait aboard Coral Discoverer. Experience indigenous art, culture, and history, with workshops, cultural performances, and scenic exploration. |
| Circumnavigation of Tasmania | $8,895 | 15 | Experience a 15-day cruise on Coral Discoverer, visiting national parks, remote islands, and stunning coastlines. Enjoy beach walks, wildlife encounters, and gourmet dining with fresh Tasmanian produce. |
| Coral Frontiers & Kimberley Icons | $6,265 | 11 | Explore Australia’s Kimberley Coast on an 11-day cruise between Broome and Darwin aboard Coral Geographer. Experience King George River, Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls, Ashmore Reef, Scott Reef, Lacepede Islands, and Rowley Shoals. Discover ancient rock art, snorkel pristine atolls, and encounter seabirds, turtles, dolphins, and dugongs. |
| New Zealand Sounds and Steward Island | $5,835 | 9 | Explore New Zealand’s southern coast on a 9-day voyage aboard Coral Adventurer. Journey through Stewart Island, Dusky, Doubtful, and Milford Sounds. Hike forest tracks, kayak quiet inlets, spot rare wildlife, and enjoy expert-led shore excursions across remote Fiordland landscapes. |
| Tasmanian Coastal Discovery | $6,040 | 11 | Experience Tasmania on an 11-day cruise aboard Coral Discoverer as you explore Bruny Island, Maria Island, Freycinet, Port Davey, the D’entrecasteaux Channel and Port Arthur. You cruise rugged coastlines, join guided walks, meet local producers and discover wildlife-rich national parks. |
| Coastal Adventures: Tasmania | $3,340 | 5 | Set sail on a 5-day Tasmania expedition from Hobart to Bruny Island, Maria Island, and Freycinet National Park aboard Coral Discoverer. Hike scenic trails, explore historic sites, kayak sheltered bays, view wildlife, and enjoy Tasmanian cuisine. Experience remote coastlines and national parks with close-up access and expert-guided activities. |
Best Australia Small Ship Cruise Lines for 2025-2026
Ponant - a 245-passenger luxury hybrid-electric icebreaker built for low-impact polar exploration. Powered by LNG and electric batteries, it features cutting-edge technology, elegant French design, an infinity-style heated pool, full-service spa, and Inuit-inspired interiors. Le Commandant Charcot offers one of the most innovative and immersive polar experiences at sea.
Silversea Cruises - has a fleet of small, ultra-luxury expedition ships including the Silver Cloud, a 260-passenger ice-class vessel featuring 80% balcony suites, five dining options, and a swimming pool. Refurbished in 2017, it offers extensive onboard amenities like the two-story Explorer Lounge, Photo Academy, and cozy spaces such as Tor’s Observation Lounge and the Humidor.
Aurora Expeditions - has a 2022 maiden voyage to Raja Ampat and the West Papua Islands with Darwin, Australia as its disembarkation. The revolutionary ULSTEIN X-BOW® on the Sylvia Earle provides improved stability in rough seas, enhanced ship speed, and reduced environmental impact.
Coral Expeditions - proudly sails under the Australian Flag. Coral Geographer discovers the hidden nooks and crannies of Australia's Kimberley, West, and South Coasts, and the Great Barrier Reef.
Heritage Expeditions - is a New Zealand-based family-owned and operated company, a pioneer in environmentally-responsible expedition travel, offering intimate group excursions to Australia's Subantarctic Islands. Heritage Adventurer combines the highest passenger ship ice-class rating (1A Super) with an impressive history of polar exploration.
You must have a valid passport and a visa or Electronic Travel Authority at the time of entry into Australia.
For servers: Typically a gratuity based on service quality.
At hotels: Porters, concierge, and housekeeping may be tipped for their assistance.
Guides and drivers: Tipping depends on whether you received private service and how good it was.
Australia is a developed country with access to high-speed WiFi in the bigger cities that you will visit - especially in hotels and public spaces like restaurants or cafes - but if you are on a cruise on the open water or a camp or lodge in the outback area, don't count on having internet so isolated from the rest of modern Australia.
If you want to use your cell phone in Australia while you are in the more developed parts of the country, like major cities, then you can purchase a SIM chip that you can replace in your smartphone. However, do note that most of our itineraries spend days in the most isolated corners of the country where you will not get a signal
You will need plug adapters and step-down converters for your devices if they are 110v and not compatible with Australia's 220-240v. The outlets in Australia are three slanted flat prongs (AS-3112).
Most of Australia and all of the cruise vessels of the area feature modern flushing toilets. If you are in the more remote rural areas, then you may have to use a latrine.
Yes to both. While you are in the major cities (for at least several days on most tours) you will find businesses that accept cards and ATMs where you can withdraw money. In the backcountry where there are less available, there also aren't many things to buy. Our tours are all-inclusive so you only really need to budget for souvenir and before and after-trip expenses.
You should always purchase travel insurance for vacations; it just might save you thousands of dollars. Check out TravelGuard's deals on the Once You're Booked page.
