Get up close to these gentle giants on Australia’s only overnight humpback whale tour.
Whale season is upon us! Every year from May to November, over 30,000 humpback whales migrate along Australia’s east coast, showing off to those who book a day tour or admire them in the distance from the shore. But the best way to increase your chances of an encounter? Spend the night at sea.
A world-first whale watching experience
Get up close to these gentle giants.
Fraser Island Boat Charters is offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience you won’t find anywhere else in Australia with its new overnight humpback whale charters in Hervey Bay. Rather than spending just a few hours sightseeing, you can book an exclusive two-day and one-night tour or a three-day and two-night tour aboard a luxury sailing catamaran, seeing humpback whales, dolphins and other marine life.
Why Hervey Bay?
The pristine Hervey Bay is a haven for humpback whales.
In 2019, the picturesque Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast in Queensland was recognised as the world’s first Whale Heritage Site by the World Cetacean Alliance. This means the area is officially acknowledged for its unique and significant role in the conservation and protection of humpback whales. It’s an essential location in their life, providing a safe haven for mothers and calves. On a Fraser Island Boat Charters tour, you’ll set sail along the UNESCO Heritage-listed Great Sandy Strait – an aquatic haven teeming with marine life, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. You’ll pass through the calm, sheltered waters of Platypus Bay to admire the humpback whales that stop here to rest and play.
The boat
The 12-metre K’gari Breeze offers plenty of room for up to six people.
Wake up to the sound of whales surfacing beside you. The 12-metre K’gari Breezecan host up to six people for its overnight skippered charters, featuring four double cabins, two showers, and two toilets – perfect for large groups and families. There are spacious indoor and outdoor lounging areas to relax while you calmly sail panoramic ocean views with your morning coffee or a glass of bubbles in the evening. All charters are fully catered and chartered by an experienced skipper who can offer insider knowledge on whale behaviour and show you hidden gems along the coast.
There are a select number of shared overnight charters available in 2025 for solo travellers or couples. Prices for full vessel tours are $5000 for two nights and $6500 for three nights.
This is more than a whale tour – it’s a front-row seat to one of nature’s greatest migrations.
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and a self-proclaimed cheese and Chablis connoisseur. In her role, she creates and manages online content that remains relevant and valuable over time. With a background in publishing and e-commerce in both interior design and travel, Rachael is dedicated to curating engaging content that informs and inspires. She began her career at Belle magazine, then went on to become Senior Content Producer at Homes to Love focusing on Australian House & Garden and Belle, followed by Editor at Bed Threads. Her work has also appeared in Qantas Travel Insider. When she's not writing, editing, or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars, and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list are Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park and Lord Howe Island.
Why settle for another landlocked weekend away when you could spend a thrilling few days sipping cocktails poolside with friends and family, taking in a Broadway-style musical, and having once-in-a-lifetime adventures—all without leaving Australia?
Royal Caribbean’s summer 2025/26 season packs all the excitement and variety of a cruise holiday into a new lineup of weekend getaways. There’s something for everyone on board, from your mum who just wants to relax at a spa to your adrenaline-junkie mate who is keen to skydive in a simulator on the deck. With two world-class ships making debut voyages from Brisbane and Sydney, there’s never been a better time to plan the ultimate short getaway with a Royal Caribbean Australia cruise.
Why cruise?
The ultimate adventure, close to home.
On a short cruise holiday, you’ll set sail with zero planning stress, booking drama, or traffic woes, knowing your itinerary is jam-packed with fine dining and adventure (or relaxation, if that’s more your vibe). And everyone’s needs will be catered to, from your parents to your gourmand partner to your toddler niece. All main meals* and most onboard activities are seamlessly included in your fare, from Royal Caribbean Entertainment to the Adventure Ocean® Kids’ Club.
The ship
Scale new heights at sea with onboard rock climbing.
Sailing from Sydney for the first time, Anthem of the Seas® is an award-winning ship. It boasts 360-degree views from its thrilling North Star® observation capsule – the tallest viewing deck on any cruise ship, anywhere, stretching an astonishing 91 meters above the ocean. And it offers tailored adventures for families and friend groups alike.
Thrill-seekers can on the FlowRider® Surf Simulator, or try out the bumper cars. For those looking to chill, relax poolside at the adults-only Solarium with a cocktail in hand. Experience some culture and show-stopping entertainment with a Broadway-style production of We Will Rock You.
Or set sail aboard Voyager of the Seas® , making her debut voyages from Brisbane this summer with a turbo-charged slate of activities, including mini golf and ice skating, as well as The Perfect Storm℠ – a three-storey high-speed waterslide.
Onboard activities
The onboard dining scene is legendary.
Royal Caribbean’s onboard dining scene rivals what you’d find in any top global city, bringing top chefs and inventive flavours from around the world right to your ship’s deck. From Japanese sushi bars to old-world Italian joints, late-night cafes, private room service and five-course, white-tableclothed Chef’s Table culinary journeys, there’s something to suit every mood and palate.
For those craving relaxation, the Vitality℠ Spa and Fitness Centre offers a full menu of massages, facials, hair and nails, teeth whitening and even medi-spa treatments to plump skin and smooth wrinkles. Not to mention state-of-the-art gym facilities. Or take in the pristine views at the adults-only Solarium, a serene retreat space featuring tranquil pools and whirlpools.
Meanwhile, the thrill-seekers in your group can pack more adrenaline into three or four nights than most holidays do in a week. Royal Caribbean’s signature RipCord® by iFLY® skydiving simulator* delivers the singular rush of a freefall without ever boarding a plane. And the 12-metre-long FlowRider® surf simulator lets everyone from beginner boogie-boarders to advanced shredders catch a wave without ever leaving the deck. Launch yourself down a multi-story waterslide against a backdrop of ocean views or grab the whole crew for Battle for Planet Z℠*, a glow-in-the-dark laser tag experience. Top it all off with rock climbing, ice skating, pickleball, or a game of basketball on the sports court.
When night falls, the drama amps up with a slate of award-winning shows: We Will Rock You, the Queen musical playing on board Anthem of the Seas®, or Ice Odyssey, a dazzling and futuristic spectacle performed on Voyager of the Seas® ’ very own ice rink. Or bar hop before catching some live music, a comedy show, a silent disco, an outdoor film night, and so much more.
Where can you sail?
Snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef.
Departing from Brisbane, take a four-night getaway to stunning Airlie Beach, Queensland on board Voyager of the Seas®. Along the way, spend time immersed in Airlie Beach, where you can take a Segway tour, hop on a glass-bottom boat and try an ocean rafting eco-adventure. Book a Shore Excursion and take a trip to the Whitsunday Islands for snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, or hike to secluded beaches in Molle National Park.
If you prefer to depart from Sydney, hop on board Anthem of the Seas® for a five-night holiday to Hobart, Tasmania. You’ll spend time docked in Hobart experiencing Tasmania’s other-worldly beauty and famous culinary scene, from hikes and horse rides on Mount Wellington to strolls through the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens to winery tours in the countryside and up-close encounters with Tasmanian devils.
Days at sea are a chance to create your own adventure and savour it all, from the ships’ astonishing breadth of dining experiences and activities to the serenity of the open seas to unhurried moments with loved ones – the most memorable part of any holiday.
Book a short getaway that everyone will love (and don’t compromise on forever memories) at RoyalCaribbean.com.au.
*T&Cs apply. Specialty dining and select beverages and some activities incur an additional cost. Activities vary by ship.
