The majority of Australia's population is clustered around the coastline, with much of the centre of the country covered in desert, so many of the country's famous sites are accessible by cruise ship.

When talking about Australian cruises, the obvious place to begin is Sydney. Featured on practically all cruise itineraries, Australia's most renowned city is home to the iconic Harbour Bridge and Opera House, and is an excellent gateway to the Blue Mountains and the Hunter Valley. Melbourne is Australia's cultural heartland, and has a slower pace of life than Sydney.

From Melbourne you can travel along the famous Great Ocean Road to Adelaide, which is famed for the surrounding wine region - a highlight is definitely the Barossa Valley. Cairns is often the last port of call for ships travelling to Asia, and this bustling town is a gateway to the tropical rainforest of Cape Tribulation.

For obvious reasons the Red Centre is not on cruising itineraries, but a visit to Uluru, Kings Canyon and the Olgas should be a part of any trip. The Great Barrier Reef, Whitsundays and Frazer Island on the East Coast also showcase Australia's unique geography.

Whether considering a short sailing along the fabulous east coast or even a circumnavigation of the whole country most itineraries start in Sydney, one of the world most magical cities to sail from.