Grand Australia Circumnavigation

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Sydney was founded as a penal colony in 1788 and is celebrated for its magnificent natural harbor. It has grown into the major cultural center of Australia, beloved for its all-embracing, free-spirited nature. The cultural jewel in its crown is the iconic Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled harborside like a gleaming white bird taking wing. Adjacent, the Royal Botanic Garden displays one of the world's most important horticultural collections across its 70 acres of flora-lined pathways.

Trace the scenic Australian coastline, indigenous people inhabited the continent for 60,000 years prior to European discovery. Enjoy the amenities of your ship as you sail. Perhaps take a breath of fresh air on a brisk walk around the Promenade or begin your day with a workout in the well-equipped Fitness Center.

The capital of Queensland, Brisbane is situated on its namesake river and spreads over picturesque hills rising from Moreton Bay. One of the oldest cities in Australia, its first European settlers were the secondary offenders from the Sydney penal colony. In addition to its riverside skyscrapers, the city is host to some decidedly less dramatic architecture: the quaint Queenslander homes characterized by their terraces and raised living spaces. Art galleries, museums and beloved musical venues also make the city one of Australia's most vibrant and active cultural centers.

Follow the route of English explorer James Cook, who famously laid eyes on Australia's “Sunshine Coast” from the deck of the HMS Endeavour. As you sail, take advantage of the array of delicious cuisine offered on board. You may visit Mamsen's, our casual gourmet deli, any time from early morning to late at night for a taste of traditional Norwegian fare. Or, dine at Manfredi's and savor an authentic Italian meal, with options ranging from Milanese risotto to Tuscan inspired classics.  

The Whitsunday archipelago emerges from the Coral Sea amid the Great Barrier Reef. The seafaring Ngaro people called this paradise home until 1870 and hunted these waters in bark canoes. Nature's brushstrokes are astonishing here: pure-white sands meet cerulean waters, swirling together at sandbars to merge into a palette of turquoise, cream and emerald-green hills. Glassy, invigorating and impossibly blue, the waters provide the ideal oasis for relaxing and idling away a few hours on the beach.

Townsville is the unofficial capital of North Queensland and a favorite cultural center. The city's location on the banks of the Ross River and along the shores of Cleveland Bay hints at the local love of outdoor life. Riverway, a path-lined green park that traces the Ross, leads walkers and joggers past scenic views and the city's original wharves and ports. Nearby, The Strand, a tranquil walkway, follows the long tropical beach. And no matter which corner of Townsville you are exploring, the red sandstone monolith of Castle Hill is always in view.

Queensland's seaside resort town, Cairns is the gateway to a rich array of natural beauty onshore and off. Catamarans take marine lovers to the Great Barrier Reef; stretching for 1,400 miles, it is the largest continuous coral reef system on Earth. Inland, the wet tropics have given rise to Daintree and Kuranda National Parks, vast rainforest systems of extraordinary biodiversity and a profusion of birdlife. For all its appeal to outdoor enthusiasts, Cairns' thriving culture is a pleasure to absorb from the outdoor cafés or along the scenic waterfront promenade.

Traverse the mineral-rich waters of the Coral Sea, where the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef welcomes divers to explore its spectacular marine life. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

Trace the route of early civilizations as you sail the Arafura Sea. During the Ice Age, entire populations were once able to walk between continents, exchanging languages and customs. As you sail, explore our well-curated Library, tucked in a private alcove of the Living Room, and select from a broad range of titles. Read a book by the Main Pool, a calming oasis in any weather with its retractable roof, allowing for year-round swimming.

Follow in the footsteps of Indonesia's indigenous people and sail the Timor Sea. This stretch of water shares its name with the independent state of East Timor, which lies to its north. Meet fellow guests and listen to the soothing sounds of classical music in the Living Room, an ideal setting for relaxation. Enjoy a cup of coffee or sip on a refreshing cocktail. 

Darwin is the cultural hub of the continent's northernmost region. The laid-back city got its name after the HMS Beagle sailed into the harbor during a surveying expedition in 1839. The famed naturalist Charles Darwin was so esteemed that its captain named this newest discovery for him. Today, it is the largest city in the thinly populated Northern Territory state. It boasts a rich and lively arts and culture scene, much of it centered on the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Its collection of art and artifacts reflects the region and its indigenous people.

Measuring approximately 300 miles wide and reaching a maximum depth of almost 11,000 feet in the Timor Trough, the Timor Sea is home to numerous reefs, uninhabited islands and important underwater deposits of oil and gas. As you sail today, attend an informative lecture or watch a film in our state-of-the-art theater. A range of insightful TED Talks and desination-inspired seminars are offered daily.

Komodo is one of the world's most unique and prehistoric-feeling national parks with a magnificent menagerie of wildlife. Its most famous denizen is the legendary Komodo dragon, the largest lizard in the world. These breathtaking creatures can grow up to ten feet long and typically weigh about 150 pounds. Gentler-looking animals also roam, including the island's graceful Timor deer, beautiful wild horses and stout little boars. Resident giant fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are a sight to behold with their jet-black capes.

With a thriving arts scene, lush beauty and magnificent seaside vistas, Bali has long beckoned travelers in search of ultimate beauty. The island's rich Hindu culture has forever held that gods live in all things natural—from mountains to streams to pebbles on the beach—lending the island a peaceful air. Denpasar is the island's thriving capital. Founded as a market town, it still bustles with colorful stalls and vast emporiums selling bright sarongs and intricately patterned batik.

With its distinct flavors and traditions, Bali's food culture stands apart from that of the rest of Indonesia. Indigenous ingredients, recipes and techniques blend with influences from the island's Chinese and Indian heritages to create dishes found nowhere else. For many, a daily ritual may involve shopping for ginger, turmeric and kaffir lime in spice markets or for fruits, vegetables and meats in a pasar pagi. Traditional warungs, tiny family-owned food stands, often specialize in a particular dish, such as babi guling (suckling pig) or bebek betutu (crispy duck).

Humankind has traversed the vast waters of the Indian Ocean for 7,000 years. Indeed, the world's ancient civilizations, from Mesopotamia to India, relied on these waters to bypass the more trying terrain on land, stocking their ships with gold, myrrh, pottery, grain, dates and countless other products. Two factors allowed trade to develop here far earlier than in the Atlantic or Pacific: Indian Ocean waters were calmer, and sailors learned to use the cycle of monsoon currents to their advantage. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired Spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Situated along Champion Bay, Geraldton was originally a military post before being declared a town in 1871. It is a gateway to Australia's Coral Coast, a striking combination of pristine islands, rugged outback landscapes and undersea attractions. Offshore lie the Abrolhos Islands, the “Galapagos Islands of the Indian Ocean,” a biodiverse archipelago that is home to an array of terrestrial and marine wildlife. Onshore, the city's most famous landmark is the Point Moore Lighthouse; operating since 1878, it is the oldest surviving Commonwealth lighthouse in Western Australia.

Culture-rich Perth is located along the banks of the Swan River just before it flows into the Indian Ocean. While other settlements were established as penal outposts, Perth was founded as a true British colony. The city's 19th century gold rush days were followed by the completion of the continental railroad, opening new economic opportunity. Today, Perth is home to one of the largest city parks in the world, Kings Park and Botanic Garden. This massive swath of green space covers almost 1,000 acres, hosting planned gardens, untamed bushland and 80 species of birds.

Located on the south shore of Geographe Bay, Busselton was settled by the Bussell family during the early 1830s. Traditionally focused on agriculture and cattle ranching, the city is also a popular resort destination, renowned for its sheltered beaches, mild climate and the nearby Margaret River wine region. Its charming beachfront features the 19th-century Busselton Jetty; the longest wooden pier in the Southern Hemisphere, stretching 6,000 feet into the bay and culminating at the Underwater Observatory, where visitors can view a vibrant coral reef.

Long before the Portuguese, the Greeks and Romans sailed the Indian Ocean to establish trade with southern India. The Tamils exported spices, silk and exotic animals, which can be seen in the mosaics of ancient Roman villas. As you sail today, relax in the Explorers' Lounge, inspired by epic journeys of discovery. Marvel at the views through the two-story panoramic windows as you share a cocktail with friends, or settle down to read a book.

Western Australia's southernmost city, Albany was the first settlement in the state of Western Australia. The city was established in 1826 as a military garrison to defend against possible French encroachment on the Crown's new colonies. Before long, it also served as a penal colony. Throughout its first 70 years, Albany enjoyed prosperity as home to the colony's only deepwater port. As other ports opened, agriculture, timber and whaling sustained the city. Stone churches and other public buildings exude a distinctly British charm, many boasting English garden landscaping.

Australia's south-central coast boasts dramatic vistas of the wide Nullarbor Plain and towering oceanside cliffs. From the sea, the striated limestone walls seem to stand guard like sentries watching over the Great Australian Bight, the massive open bay that stretches some 720 miles along the continent's southern shore. This is one of the largest bights in the world. Today, much of this rich marine ecosystem comprises the Great Australian Bight Marine National Park, designated to protect the calving grounds of the southern right whale and the Australian sea lion. Admire the views as you sail today and enjoy an al fresco dining experience. The Aquavit Terrace serves a range of International fare and casual dining favorites, as well as a range of superb cocktails inspired by our destinations.

The oldest European settlement on the mainland and one of the continent's few cities without a penal past, Adelaide is Australia's unsung center of high culture, history and beauty. Often called a “city within a park,” almost half of Adelaide comprises green spaces, from the lush flora and gurgling fountains of the Adelaide Botanic Garden to the Japanese-style retreat at Adelaide Himeji Garden. The surrounding Mount Lofty Ranges enhance the city's close-to-nature atmosphere, and its progressive politics contribute to its oft-cited standing as Australia's most livable city.

Separating mainland Australia from the island of Tasmania, the Bass Strait was discovered by British explorers George Bass and Matthew Flinders in 1799. This discovery allowed merchants and explorers to cut 700 miles off their journeys from Europe or India. The largest archipelago in the waterway's eastern reaches, the Furneaux Islands, once formed a land bridge between Tasmania and Australia. In the strait's western region, King Island hosts several settlements and is on the migration route of several bird species.

Melbourne has been called the world's most livable city. It enjoys a scenic setting on the large bay of Port Phillip. Soon after Queen Victoria declared it a city of the Crown in 1847, the rush to find gold in its rivers made it one of the world's largest and wealthiest cities. Today, it is celebrated as the country's cultural capital of the arts and exudes a rich and lively British flair, from its narrow shopping lanes to the fanciful Victorian buildings along Collins Street. A literal slice of England can be found within 64 acres of beautiful blooms at Fitzroy Gardens.

Burnie sits on Emu Bay, an inlet of the Bass Strait, at the mouth of the Emu River. Founded in 1827, it was later named after William Burnie, the director of Van Diemen's Land Company. One of Tasmania's largest cities, its deepwater harbor makes it an important commercial center. The city is also a gateway to Tasmania's rugged natural beauty, including Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. Part of the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area, the park is a breathtaking landscape of trails, streams, ancient pines and wildlife set in the shadow of jagged Cradle Mountain.

Trace one of Australia's most scenic regions along the southeastern shore of the continent on the Bass Strait. Spend a relaxing day at sea to unwind and admire the vistas from your stateroom veranda.

Eden was an important port for Australia's powerful whaling industry for more than a century. The whalers who operated out of Eden had an advantage over their competitors. In a unique example of mutualism, a local pod of orcas, apocryphally led by Old Tom, would assist in the hunt by herding the whales into nearby bays for easy dispatching by the whalers, in exchange for an easy meal. Today, the town's focus is on whale conservation, but its intriguing whaling history is on display at the Eden Killer Whale Museum, including the skeleton of Old Tom.

In the heart of Sydney, The Rocks is the city's district of restaurants, galleries and shops. But its streets were not always so welcoming; during the 19th century, they were the haunt of ex-convicts and sailors who wandered among buildings made of clay and wood, thatched roofs or locally quarried sandstone—the district was named for the latter—looking for trouble. Many original structures have been razed and replaced, however one of the few to have survived in this is the Lord Nelson, Sydney's oldest pub brewery that has been serving pints and other libations since 1841. After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.