Cruises along the East Coast of Australia

It’s a great time to get out and about again and although we can’t go “anywhere" we want in the world, the majority of us can go anywhere we want to go in Australia.

If you’re having trouble deciding what to do, or you have an idea of where you want to go, and you’re after a holiday with a difference, a cruise is a perfect option.

With an itinerary that’s already set, cruises offer a stress-free holiday option that provide excellent value for money.

Carnival Cruise Line offers everything from simple three-day getaway cruises that are ideal for first-time cruisers or those with limited time, through to 10-day adventures that will take you into open East Coast waters and north to the Great Barrier Reef.

Cruises depart from Sydney or Brisbane , and allow you the freedom to do as much as you want, or as little as possible, while you’re on a break from reality.

Where to go and for how long

Departing from both capitals, three-day cruises take you out to explore local waters, into the open ocean and back, as you enjoy the onboard facilities.

These getaways give you a great taste of life onboard – and they’re an ideal way to escape the pressures of life and technology, too.

If you have an extra day, why not take a cruise from Brisbane up to Airlie Beach and jump on a shore excursion to see the Whitsunday Islands?

Airlie Beach, QLD — Onboard a short cruise from Brisbane take an extra day to explore the Whitsundays from Airlie Beach. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

You’ll sail past secret beaches teeming with white sands, admire the view of the Great Barrier Reef from the deck, and you’ll have a full day to explore the beauty of Airlie Beach itself, including the lagoon, boardwalk, and local shops and markets (if you’re there on a Saturday).

From Sydney, a four-day cruise will take you up to Tangalooma Resort on Moreton Island, where you’ll have a full day off-ship to explore the beautiful beaches near Tangalooma Island Resort.

Snorkelling Moreton Island, QLD — Snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks, Moreton Island, QLD. Image courtesy Carnival Corp

Book in a Sea Scooter Safari to get up close to the famous Tangalooma Shipwrecks, which were deliberately sunk in the 1960s to create a break wall for small boats. In that time, they have become home and a haven to abundant coral and marine life.

Tangalooma Wrecks, Moreton Island, QLD — The Tangalooma Wrecks were sunk in the ’60’s off, Moreton Island, QLD to create a reef for snorkelling. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

Further itineraries departing Sydney will take you past Victoria and across into Tasmanian waters, where you’ll cruise through to the Tasman Peninsula, stopping off at the historic Port Arthur site on five-day cruises.

This World Heritage-listed site is one of the best-preserved convict sites in Australia and is a former penal colony steeped in history.

Enjoy a day exploring here, before setting sail for the capital Hobart*, where you can explore the convict-era architecture, Salamanca Market, museums, shopping, parks, and much more. (*Port orders vary).

The best of the ocean

If you’re planning a cruise, you likely already have a love of the ocean, and without a doubt, one of the most popular destinations in Australia is the Great Barrier Reef.

Sea turtle Great Barrier reef, QLD — A sea turtle swims over the Great Barrier Reef, QLD. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

With Carnival Cruise Line, you can set sail to this impressive World Heritage playground, departing Brisbane for seven days and Sydney for 10 days.

Snorkelling Great Barrier Reef, QLD — Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, QLD. Image Courtesy Carnival Corp.

Explore the world’s largest and longest coral reef system, stretching more than 2,300 kilometres in length – with more than 2,900 reefs and 900 islands.

Cruise along the Coral Sea with dolphins alongside and, if you depart between June and October, you might even share the waters with majestic humpback whales, as they make their annual migration.

An aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef, QLD. Image courtesy Carnival Corp.

The Great Barrier Reef is so magnificent it can be seen from outer space, and it is home to more than 1,500 fish species, 134 species of sharks and rays, six species of marine turtle and more than 30 species of marine mammals.

If you’ve never been, a Great Barrier Reef cruise is a must-have on your bucket list.

Why choose an Aussie cruise?

Aside from the views and exploration experience, a domestic cruise also offers much more.

To start with, departing and cruising locally means you don’t have to worry about passports and visas.

With flights now back in action between most capital cities and relaxation on quarantine rules for most states, you can easily book a flight to get to Sydney or Brisbane for departure. This saves you any stress in the preparation.

With Carnival, all you need to do is choose your cruise, pack your bags and arrive at the cruise terminal. Carnival handles the rest.

If you’re on limited holiday leave, you won’t waste any time waiting around in airport lounges or trying to find your hotels. Instead, you’ll have one room for the entire journey, and all you need to do is wake up each day, make your way to the dining room or the pool, and start enjoying the view.

There are days where you will have the choice to leave the ship and explore the mainland, while other days the toughest decision you’ll have is whether you want 24/7 pizza or a la carte dining.

There’s plenty on board to keep the entire family happy, including waterslides, swimming pools, karaoke, an international food plaza, piano bar, seaside movies, spa and even the adults-only Carnival Serenity Retreat. But by far the best thing about a cruise is that everything is done for you.

Once you’re onboard and have your room settled, all you need to worry about is what you’re going to do next. Your meals are all prepared for you, your room is attended to by friendly cabin stewards, and you have your own “driver" taking you to some of Australia’s most intriguing destinations.

What more could you want?

Beyond the winding bitumen and coastal views lies another side to Victoria’s most famous route.

There’s something hypnotic about this stretch of Victoria’s coast. Maybe it’s the way the road hugs the ocean so tightly, or how the cliffs catch the sun in colours you can’t name. Or, for local Victorians who drove this route as kids, maybe it’s the memories of winding through the impossibly tall trees as they seemingly guide you on your journey like wooden guardian angels. Most travellers know it for the 12 Apostles, but there are plenty of alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road equally as worthy of your time.

So, next time you’re in that neck of the woods, park that car, stretch those legs and try these experiences.

1. Discover living culture at Budj Bim

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism — Walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Breakaway Creek’s Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is a masterclass in educational storytelling. Join a guided tour with Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tourism to walk across the world’s oldest known aquaculture system, where the Gunditjmara people built sophisticated eel traps and stone channels more than 6,000 years ago.

Budj Bim’s aquaculture system predates Egypt’s pyramids by roughly 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest examples of human engineering on Earth. If that’s not enough to get your history-loving family members involved in this road trip, we’re out of ideas.

2. Unwind in the hot springs at Warnambool

woman relaxing at Deep Blue Hot Springs — Let mineral-rich water heal you.

If your legs need a break after a long drive, Deep Blue Hot Springs is your remedy. The geothermal pools sit just metres from the coastline, filled with mineral-rich water that bubbles up from deep underground. Move between open-air baths, waterfall pools and quiet zones made for meditation.

The water in Deep Blue’s geothermal pools comes from an ancient aquifer nearly 850 metres below the Earth’s surface, which, in non-scientific terms, means it’s far more likely to have healing properties than the mineral water you’d find at the supermarket.

3. Take to the air at Princetown

12 Apostles Helicopters flight alternate experiences on the Great Ocean Road — See an icon from a different view.

You may have seen the Twelve Apostles from the trusty viewing platform, but a helicopter flight with 12 Apostles Helicopters shows you just how sprawling and rugged this coastline really is.

The trip covers everything from Port Campbell to London Bridge (not to be confused with the UK’s own), giving you a rare chance to watch waves carving the limestone cliffs from above. It’s worth noting that the limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles are said to erode by roughly two centimetres each year, so the longer you leave it, the less of the Apostles you’ll see.

4. Step into the past at Flagstaff Hill

Continue the tour through Warnambool at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum , a recreated 19th-century port town. Hear stories from the days when shipwrecks were as common as seagulls, with an astounding 180 ships believed to have sunk along the Shipwreck Coast in less than five years.

The night show, complete with lights, sound, and sea spray, brings the coastline’s most dramatic stories to life.

If you’re staying the night, Simon’s Waterfront offers relaxed dining with fresh local seafood and oceanfront views. Order the catch of the day and toast to the sailors who never made it ashore.

5. Learn to surf in Torquay, Lorne, or Anglesea

kid having a lesson with Go Ride A Wave — Learn how to hang 10. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Whether you’ve surfed before or can barely stand on a board, Go Ride A Wave will have you upright in no time. Torquay’s calm beaches are ideal for first-timers, while Lorne and Anglesea bring a bit more energy for those unafraid to get dunked.

Bells Beach, just down the road from Torquay, has even hosted the world’s longest-running professional surfing competition since 1962. So, for those eager to have a gander at pros using surfboards like they’re an additional appendage, the competition usually runs sometime in autumn.

6. Tackle the trails in Forrest

Barwon Flow Trails Otways Flow MTB — Hire a bike and explore MTB trails through the Otways.

Forrest is a haven for mountain bikers thanks to an expansive network of trails through stunning natural scenery. The Forrest trail network has almost 100 kilometres of singletrack across 36 trails, so there’s something for every level of rider. That’s including more than 60 kilometres of purpose-built mountain bike trails winding through the Otways’ dense forest. Cycle through ancient myrtle beech trees and towering tree ferns, with smaller ferns and soft mosses forming a carpet at your feet.

Hire a bike from Forrest MTB Hire and take your pick from easy, scenic rides to more challenging singletracks, such as Red Carpet or Rollercoaster.

7. See wildlife up close in Apollo Bay

bush rat on Wildlife Wonders tour — Get help spotting the locals. (Image: Doug Gimsey)

If spotting koalas and kangaroos in the wild feels like winning the lottery, Wildlife Wonders gives you guaranteed sightings without cages or crowds. Every visit to the sanctuary helps fund the Conservation Ecology Centre which supports endangered species across the Otways, so your business is appreciated by humans and animals alike.

The guided walk takes you through protected Otways habitat where you might spot potoroos (or joey lookalikes for those unfamiliar with a potoroo), wallabies, and sleepy koalas lounging in the trees.

8. Visit the Cape Otway Lightstation

Towering over the sea on a cliff above the Southern Ocean, Cape Otway Lightstation has been guiding ships since 1848. Before the lighthouse was built, Cape Otway was one of the most treacherous points on the Victorian coast, with dozens of shipwrecks occurring in its surrounding waters. Pick the right day, and you may bump into a local willing to tell you about the wreck of Eric the Red .

While at the Cape Otway Lightstation, explore the keeper’s quarters, walk the coastal trails, and take in views that only stop short at the horizon.

And no, contrary to popular belief, the Round the Twist lighthouse is actually located in Split Point, just shy of two hours in the direction of Melbourne. Nothing’s stopping you from embarking on a lighthouse crawl, though.

Plan your next no-stone-unturned journey along this iconic Aussie road at visitgreatoceanroad.org.au.