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Australia Small Ship Cruises

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Discover the remote corners of Australia on a small ship cruise with Adventure Life. The cruises we feature are aboard small expedition ship engineered especially for cruises in Australia where you can snorkel from the ship accommodate less than 50 passengers, or larger luxury-class expedition ships that will take you beyond Australia. Your journey will give you the chance to snorkel in the world's biggest coral reef, the vibrant Great Barrier Reef, or witness the rugged landscapes of the Kimberley region of the country, home to the signature King George Falls. As you get to know the Outback, you will see Aboriginal rock art indigenous to the vast desert in Kakadu National Park. The untamed wilderness of Cape York or pristine islands like Tasmania are also staple parts of many Australian cruises. Contact us if you need help planning your trip.
All Cruises to Australia

10 Best Small Ship Cruises to Australia for 2025-2026

All Cruises to Australia

Top Small Ship Cruises from Australia to Exotic Asian Islands for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Summary
Papua New Guinea $8,235 13 This 13-day cruise aboard the Coral Discoverer takes you into the cultural heart of Papua New Guinea from Cairns to Rabaul. You'll snorkel in crystal turquoise waters around Fly Island, cruise the renowned Sepik region, and even witness a traditional Trobriand dance performed by costumed locals.
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Best of Micronesia: Rabaul to Palau $13,980 15 This 15-day cruise aboard the Caledonian Sky immerses you in the South Pacific as you cruise from Cairns, Australia, through idyllic Micronesia, visiting the various tropical atolls, and finally arriving in Koror in the Republic of Palau. Enjoy daily snorkeling, bird-watching, and exploration.
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Indonesian Archipelagos $5,800 12 This 12-day cruise takes you to the diverse lands of Malaysia and Indonesia aboard the luxury ship L'Austral. Visit Borneo, an island considered as the last primitive paradise on Earth and home to the orangutan. Then set sail to Pulau Saronde, Ternate, Ambodon, and much more on your way to Darwin, the final location of this wild and unique voyage.
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West Papua - Wewak to Darwin $9,370 14 Board the Coral Discoverer in Papua New Guinea for an exciting 14-day cruise from Wewak to Darwin through the crystal-clear waters & colorful reefs of the Spice Islands & Raja Ampat. Swim, snorkel & dive with diverse tropical marine wildlife, kayak through the rainforests of the Mesemta Channel, and come face to face with indigenous villagers.
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Corals, Carvings and Cloves $9,900 15 Board the Silver Discoverer for a 15-day cruise of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to Papua, Indonesia, the Banda Islands, and the Lesser Sunda Islands. This voyage is a kaleidoscope of culture, adventure, and nature, with chances to snorkel, canoe, and witness indigenous ceremonies like the Pasola, a ceremonial fight on horseback in Kodi.
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From Australia to Indonesia $6,110 12 Discover one of the most beautiful destinations in the world: Indonesia. Starting in Darwin, Australia and making your way to enchanting Bali, this cruise offers you visits to magical landscapes such as Maluku, West Papua, Sulawesi and more!
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Kimberley to Komodo $9,750 13 Enjoy the magnificent Kimberley region while you make your way up through the Timor Sea to paradisaical Bali. Join the Silver Discoverer on this 13-day sailing expedition across Australia and Indonesia. Relax and admire the wonders this region has to offer.
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Our Favorite Small Cruise Ships Sailing Australia

Top 10 Small Ship Cruises visiting Australia and New Zealand

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
New Zealand Coastal Odyssey: The Ultimate Expedition Cruise of the New Zealand Coast $5,985 12 Mar 03, 2026 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.
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Unseen Fiordland and Stewart Island: Exploring New Zealand's Remote Backyard $3,750 6 Dec 27, 2025 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.
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Australia’s Top End: Cape York & the Great Barrier Reef $35,890 16 Oct 11, 2025 Embark on a 16-day cruise from Darwin to Cairns aboard the Scenic Eclipse II. Dive into Australia's ancient indigenous culture and discover the country's natural wonders.
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New Zealand Delights $28,790 12 Feb 21, 2026 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.
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Pure New Zealand: North & South Islands $81,390 13 Dec 03, 2025 Experience the best of New Zealand on this 13-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II, visiting 13 iconic destinations. From Auckland's vibrant cityscape to the serene beauty of Milford Sound, this journey promises unforgettable moments.
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Pure New Zealand: North & South Islands $24,990 13 Dec 03, 2025 Experience the best of New Zealand on this 13-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II, visiting 13 iconic destinations. From Auckland's vibrant cityscape to the serene beauty of Milford Sound, this journey promises unforgettable moments.
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Discover the Kimberley Coastline: An Ancient Wilderness $26,590 11 Jul 21, 2025 Embark on an 11-day cruise aboard the Scenic Eclipse II from Darwin to Broome. Explore Australia's remote and pristine Kimberley Coast, a wilderness known for its rugged landscape, ancient terrain, vibrant natural features like tropical oases, and powerful waterfalls.
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Abrolhos Islands & the Coral Coast $8,360 13 Aug 01, 2025 Explore Western Australia's mainly unspoiled coast on this 13-day expedition cruise, which features a stunning contrast between red sand beaches and blue waters. Explore the islands of Ningaloo, Montebello, and Abrolhos from the comfort of Coral Geographer's spacious interiors.
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Kimberley Icons, Ashmore & The Rowley Shoals $6,935 13 Sep 10, 2025 Embark on a 13-day cruise through Australia’s rugged Kimberley coastline from Darwin to Broome aboard Coral Adventurer. This expedition offers a unique route, covering iconic sites like Montgomery Reef, Horizontal Falls, and Rowley Shoals.
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Cape York & Arnhem Land - Art Themed $8,420 12 Aug 08, 2025 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.
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Australia Travel Tips & Guide

Fun Facts about Australia
You might know that Australia's nickname is the "Outback" and that it is full of kangaroos, but what else do you know about the "land down under"? Test your trivia knowledge here:

How many people live in Australia?
According to the 2012 census, 22 million.

What is the capital of Australia?
Canberra. Contrary to popular belief, Sydney is not the capital city, although it is the largest city.

How many cities are there in Australia?
Despite the fact that it is the world's 6th biggest country by land size, it only has 45 major cities (population over 30,000). 

What does the Latin word "australis" mean? 
Australis means literally means south in Latin.

What is the name of Australia's reef system (the biggest in the world)?
The Great Barrier Reef.
Highlights of Australia
Tucked between the Pacific and the Antarctic, Australia claims a unique geography both on land and in the water. Our tours highlight the tropical region of this country, offering explorers a diversity of adventurous opportunities to snorkel, hike, and share in the local culture that has developed on this island continent:
  • Explore the Kimberly region of Australia, including its expansive arid plains, where waterfalls and desert critters abound.
  • View well-preserved Aboriginal paintings at Raft Point and Bigge Island.
  • Snorkel in the rainbow of marine life of the Great Barrier Reef.
  • Hike through various national parks, like Kakadu National Park
  • Explore the famous and mighty Horizontal Waterfalls by zodiak. 
  • See the reefs from above in a glass-bottomed boat.
  • Meet local artisans.
  • See the animals of the area, like koalas, wallabies, and kangaroos.
Best Australia Small Ship Cruise Lines for 2025-2026
 
  • Ponant - operates 52 itineraries that sail to Australia, including the iconic Kimberley at the top of the list. Environmentally friendly, equipped with cutting-edge technology, and with lounges that are largely open to the exterior, the new and intimately sized yacht, Le Laperouse, offers a unique type of cruise experience.
  • Silversea Cruises - has a fleet of small, ultra-luxury cruise ships such as the Silver Explorer, which offers extensive coverage of the entire Australian region, with 79 cruises ranging from tracking Aboriginal art in the Kimberley to diving the Great Barrier Reef. 
  • 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.




 

Australia FAQs

Do I need a visa to travel to Australia?

You must have a valid passport and a visa or Electronic Travel Authority at the time of entry into Australia.

Is tipping customary in Australia?

For servers: 10-15 percent of the bill.
At hotels: Porters can get $1/bag; concierge can get $10-20 for favors; housekeeping might get $1/day.
Guides and drivers: $5-20 based on whether you got private service and how good it was. 

What is Internet access like in Australia?

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.

Can I use my cell phone while in 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

Do I need power adapters in Australia?

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).

What are the toilets like in Australia?

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.

Are credit cards accepted in Australia? Will I be able to find ATMs?

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.

Should I purchase travel insurance?

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.

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