Best Australia Shore Excursions in 30 Cruise Ports
If you want to experience some of Australia's most famous highlights, cruising is the ideal way to do it. If you want to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, sail around the Whitsundays, see kangaroos and koalas, or discover Australia's convict history at Port Arthur, you can do all this and more.
Your biggest challenge will be deciding what to do, so we've come up with this handy guide to the 30 most visited Australian cruise ports, with suggestions from our readers who have already been there.
If you would prefer to strike out on your own, check out our comprehensive Australia port guides for more information.
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- Adelaide is a Foodie’s Delight
- Albany is Filled With Historic Buildings and Churches
- Tour the Great Barrier Reef From Airlie Beach
- Walkable Brisbane Has Great Museums and Galleries
- Delve into Australia’s Pearling Industry in Broome
- Bunbury is Famous for Dolphins, Bush Walks and Whale Watching
- Take a Day Trip to Cradle Mountain National Park From Burnie
- Busselton is a Gateway to the Margaret River Wine Region
- Visit the Reef and the Rainforest in Cairns
- Raise a Glass at a Traditional Aussie Pub in Cooktown
- Learn About Australia’s World War 2 History in Darwin
- Eden Appeals to Nature Lovers
- Esperance has Kangaroos on the Beach
- Swim With Whale Sharks in Exmouth
- Fraser Island is the World’s Largest Sand Island
- Tour the Great Ocean Road from Geelong
- Dive into Maritime History in Geraldton
- Visit Seaside Towns and Reef-Fringed Islands from Gladstone
- See Contemporary Art at a World-Famous Gallery in Hobart
- Spot Dolphins, Seals and Kangaroos at Kangaroo Island
- Melbourne is Famous for its Art and Culture
- Go Snorkelling and Sand Tobogganing on Moreton Island
- Explore Pretty Seaside Towns Along the Mornington Peninsula
- Tour the Hunter Valley Wine Region from Newcastle
- Shop at the Historic Fremantle Markets in Perth
- Discover Australia’s Convict History at Port Arthur
- Connect With Australia’s First Nations Culture at Port Douglas
- Shop for Indigenous Art on Thursday Island
- Step Onto the White Sands of Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays
Adelaide is a Foodie’s Delight
The charming CBD of Adelaide is a foodie's delight with restaurants, cafes and bars galore and a colourful inner-city market that you can learn about on a tour. Top adventures further afield include catching a vintage tram to Glenelg Beach or touring the nearby Adelaide Hills or McLaren Vale wine regions.
Albany is Filled With Historic Buildings and Churches
Western Australia's oldest European settlement, Albany, is filled with elegant public buildings, historic homes, ornate churches, and surrounded by rugged beaches. Enjoy a stroll around town, visit the National Anzac Centre or learn about the town's whaling history at the Historic Whaling Station.
Tour the Great Barrier Reef From Airlie Beach
Most passengers head offshore from Airlie Beach to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef or soak up the sun on Whitehaven Beach. But the attractive main street in Airlie Beach is also worth a look, as are the local markets. The 4,300 sq. m Airlie Beach Lagoon has stunning Coral Sea views and is free to use.
Whitsundays (Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island) Shore Excursion Reviews
Walkable Brisbane Has Great Museums and Galleries
Queensland's capital is renowned for its sunny weather and laidback charm. Explore the excellent museums and galleries in Brisbane or go swimming at South Bank's free inner-city beach. Most major sights are easy to walk to and the Gold Coast is a little over a hour away by car.
Delve into Australia’s Pearling Industry in Broome
Broome offers a taste of the outback along with a refreshing sea breeze. Top activities include learning about the city's 19th-century pearling industry on a Pearl Luggers Tour, or riding camels or spotting dinosaur footprints on Cable Beach.
Bunbury is Famous for Dolphins, Bush Walks and Whale Watching
Raise a glass to one of Australia's most famous wine regions at Bunbury, a popular jumping off point for tours to Margaret River. This coastal town has plenty of natural attractions such as swimming with dolphins, scenic bush walks, and whale watching.
Take a Day Trip to Cradle Mountain National Park From Burnie
With its Art Deco buildings, thriving food scene, and vibrant artistic community, Burnie is a delight. Don't miss Hellyers Road Distillery and Burnie Arts which has, among other things, a recreated local street from the 1900s. Day trips to Cradle Mountain National Park are also popular.
Busselton is a Gateway to the Margaret River Wine Region
Most passengers tour the picturesque Margaret River wine region, but the pretty town of Busselton is a lovely spot for a stroll. It's home to a much-photographed Heritage-listed 1.8km-long jetty, which has a Cultural Heritage Museum and Underwater Observatory.
Visit the Reef and the Rainforest in Cairns
Day tours abound at the tropical tourist-friendly city of Cairns. Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef or enjoy a bird's eye view of the rainforest from a gondola on the 7.5km-long Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. Cruisers can also cool down at the city's free swimming lagoon.
Raise a Glass at a Traditional Aussie Pub in Cooktown
Named after Captain James Cook, verdent Cooktown has a museum honouring its most famous visitor and quintessential Aussie pubs with wide verandas and ice-cold beer. You'll probably need one after hiking to Grassy Hill Lookout, which offers 360-degree views of the town and surrounding ocean.
Learn About Australia’s World War 2 History in Darwin
Darwin is a winner when it comes to entertaining passengers with diverse interests. You can go shopping for Aboriginal art in downtown Darwin or discover Australia's war history at World War 2 oil storage tunnels near the port. Day trips to Litchfield National Park are also popular.
Eden Appeals to Nature Lovers
Venture beyond the main street of the sleepy town of Eden and you'll be rewarded with beautiful coastal wilderness areas, bush walks in Ben Boyd National Park, rugged surf beaches, and foodie tours featuring local oysters and cheeses from nearby Bega.
Esperance has Kangaroos on the Beach
Esperance in Western Australia is famous for its kangaroos, which sunbake on the beach, and Lucky Bay, Australia's whitest beach. Day trips to Cape Le Grand National Park make the most of the area's natural beauty and usually include time for a swim.
Swim With Whale Sharks in Exmouth
Ocean-based pursuits are the drawcard at Exmouth. Swimming with whale sharks is available from April to July. Snorkelling over pristine coral with hundreds of tropical fish just offshore at World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Fraser Island is the World’s Largest Sand Island
Rugged headlands tower over silica sand beaches, lush rainforests hug the shore, and more than 100 freshwater lakes are waiting to be discovered on the world's largest sand island. If you want to do more than swim on Fraser Island, you'll need to book a 4WD island tour.
Tour the Great Ocean Road from Geelong
Stroll along the Waterfront Art Trail, learn about the local Wathaurong people at the Narana Aboriginal and Cultural Centre, or explore the Geelong wine region, which is just 30 minutes' away by car. Day tours along the Great Ocean Road are also popular.
Dive into Maritime History in Geraldton
Dine on fresh lobsters straight off the trawler Geraldton or explore the region's maritime history at the modern, purpose built Museum of Geraldton, which features archaeological finds from the Batavia, Gilt Dragon, Zuytdorp, and Zeewijk shipwrecks.
Visit Seaside Towns and Reef-Fringed Islands from Gladstone
The friendly, laidback city of Gladstone is the ideal jumping-off point for exploring the Great Barrier Reef and nearby islands such as Lady Musgrave. Tours to the seaside towns of 1770 and Agnes Water are also available. In town, the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum is worth a visit.
See Contemporary Art at a World-Famous Gallery in Hobart
The waterfront area of Hobart filled with historic buildings and atmospheric pubs is hard to beat, but those who venture beyond the city centre can see contemporary art at the world-famous MONA gallery and experience Australia's convict history at Port Arthur.
Spot Dolphins, Seals and Kangaroos at Kangaroo Island
Remote Kangaroo Island is one of Australia's most beautiful cruise ports. Sample local cheeses and bush honey, freshly caught seafood, and locally grown produce on a food safari. As you tour around the island, look out for Australian sea lions, dolphins, wedge-tailed eagles and kangaroos in the wild.
Melbourne is Famous for its Art and Culture
Discover Melbourne's famous hidden laneways and their funky boutiques, restaurants, cafes and bars or enjoy some art and culture at one of the many museums in Melbourne. Join a walking tour that takes in some of the fabulous graffiti art in Hosier Lane and around the CBD.
Go Snorkelling and Sand Tobogganing on Moreton Island
Moreton Island is the world's third largest sand island and the jewel in Moreton Bay's crown, with snorkelling available just offshore. Other activities range from sand tobogganing to Segway tours along the beach and quad biking through the dunes.
Explore Pretty Seaside Towns Along the Mornington Peninsula
Mornington Peninsula is home to some of Victoria's prettiest seaside towns featuring historic, brightly coloured bathing boxes. Activities range from wine tours or foodie cycling day trips to soaking in natural thermal springs and swimming at one of the many beaches.
Tour the Hunter Valley Wine Region from Newcastle
Newcastle is the unsung hero of Australian ports with beautiful inner-city beaches and one of the country's most famous wine regions -- the Hunter Valley -- located just 45 minutes away from the cruise terminal by car. Downtown you’ll find some great cafes and a thriving local dining scene.
Shop at the Historic Fremantle Markets in Perth
Perth is one of Australia's easiest ports to explore thanks to the free Central Area Transit buses, which cover the city's main attractions. If you’re in town on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, check out the 150 plus stalls and lively atmosphere at Fremantle Markets which have been trading since 1897.
Discover Australia’s Convict History at Port Arthur
Step back in time at the historic penal colony of Port Arthur, where more than 12,000 convicts served their time between 1830 and 1877. This deeply moving open-air museum is one of Australia's most fascinating historic attractions. Don't miss the guided tour.
Connect With Australia’s First Nations Culture at Port Douglas
Walk to the gorge and learn about Aboriginal culture at the Mossman Gorge Centre, see crocs up close on the Daintree River, or swim with tropical fish on a snorkelling trip. Port Douglas offers an impressive choice of tours and easy access to the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef.
Sail Past the Opera House in Sydney
Climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, explore the historic area in and around The Rocks, go jetboating past the Sydney Opera House or stroll around the harbour. Sydney is Australia's most popular cruise departure port, as it offers plenty of entertainment just a few steps away from the ship.
Shop for Indigenous Art on Thursday Island
Enjoy a refreshing drink at a classic Aussie pub or take in the view from Green Hill Fort, which was built in the late 1800s to defend Australia against Russian invasion. Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday Island is worth a visit for its contemporary indigenous art and historical artefacts.
Step Onto the White Sands of Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays
Whether you visit the Whitsundays from Hamilton Island or Airlie Beach, there is plenty to see and do. Soar over lush green landscape and sandy atolls on a helicopter tour, join a snorkelling or sailing tour, go windsurfing or take day trip to famous Whitehaven Beach.
Whitsundays (Airlie Beach, Hamilton Island) Shore Excursion Reviews