Of course, it's a long way from the UK, so you will want to make the most of your visit. A small ship cruise is a great way to see Australia, with pretty much all of the main attractions situated on or near the coast, although the vastness of this continent-sized country means you'll need to think carefully about which region you want to explore.
The east coast is the most popular area to focus on, with highlights including the wonderful cities of Sydney and Melbourne, the spectacular Great Barrier Reef and the wineries of the Hunter Valley. Itineraries also often include the fascinating island of Tasmania or exotic Indonesia, and may combine the east coast of Australia with neighbouring New Zealand.
Cruises exploring the more sparsely populated west of the country are rarer, with easy-going Perth a highlight. Expedition ships focus mainly on the north coast, and in particular the rugged Kimberley region, with its otherworldly geology, rich marine life and aboriginal rock art. If you have a month or more to spare, look out for occasional itineraries that make a full circumnavigation of the country, the ultimate Australian adventure!
There are plenty of options to choose from, depending on the style and length of cruise you're looking for, and which parts of the country you want to see. It's also worth carefully considering embarkation and disembarkation ports, as you may wish to spend a few extra days in one of the big east coast cities, or add on a trip to the Red Centre and magnificent Uluru. To help you with your search, here is our pick of the best small ship cruise lines visiting Australia:
1. Silversea
Silversea have an extensive Australia programme, with the 596-guest Silver Muse and 728-guest Silver Nova wintering Down Under in the 2024/2025 season, and Silver Moon and Silver Nova there in winter 2025/26. Sailings that catch the eye include Nova's 22-night voyage in October 2025 sailing up the east coast with overnights to explore Sydney, Cairns and Darwin. Or you can extend this and take on their Grand Australia 2025 circumnavigation voyage.
For a more intrepid adventure, the 254-guest expedition vessel Silver Cloud explores the Kimberley region, with extended voyages taking in the western coast down to Perth, or into Indonesia.
2. Oceania Cruises
Oceania's Regatta is a lovely size at 684 guests, and offers some fantastic Australia itineraries, including a sought-after full circumnavigation with New Zealand in December 2024, although limited availability remains. Alternatively, you can choose the sector taking in the region which interests you, such as this Southern coast exploration in January 2025.
The larger 1238-guest Riviera is also a visitor in 2025 and 2026 with itineraries bringing in the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, like this 15 March 2026 departure with a focus on New Zealand but with an overnight in Melbourne and two calls in Tasmania, plus finishing in Sydney where you can choose to extend your stay.
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent's generous all-inclusive offering make them a great choice for an Australia cruise, with even your shore excursions included, and voyages sell out fast. The 698-guest Seven Seas Voyager sails from Singapore to Sydney on 10 January 2025 visiting the Indonesian islands of Java, Bali, and Komodo before crossing the Timor Sea to Darwin then on to the east coast.
If the south is more to your interest, the 746-guest Seven Seas Explorer journeys from Sydney to Singapore on 27 January 2026 taking in artsy Melbourne, the idyllic shores of Esperance, and wildlife-rich Kangaroo Island.
4. Scenic
Australian company Scenic's second 'discovery yacht', the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse II, launched last year and she will undertake several Australian voyages which are a little different from the norm, taking advantage of the yacht's small size to visit lesser-travelled gems. If a tropical island escape is what you're looking for, their 6 March 2025 sailing departs from Auckland and visits the isolated Norfolk Island, rarely visited Percy Islands, and coral cays in the Great Barrier Reef.
Alternatively, explore the coastline of Western Australia between Broome and Fremantle during Scenic's Australian Odyssey itinerary, during which you can discover the protected coral atolls of Rowley Shoals and make use of the yacht's marina to snorkel, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, and witness the incredible biodiversity of the Abrolhos Islands. Scenic also explore the Kimberley Coast and Australia's Far North, both regions combining spectacular natural landscapes, diverse wildlife, and rich cultrural heritage.
5. Ponant
French cruise line Ponant operates a number of interesting Australian itineraries on its fleet of stylish yachts. If a tropical expedition appeals, Ponant explores the Kimberley Coast on board one of their explorer yachts or the 264-guest Le Soléal in 2025. Highlights of this incredible region include the mighty King George River and the towering Twin Falls, fascinating ancient Aboriginal artwork on Jar Island, and the 'Horizontal Falls' of Talbot Bay.
Another eye-catching option is the 23 December 2024 circumnavigation of Tasmania, sailing round-trip from Hobart and timed to coincide with the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. This is a very popular sailing and availability can be limited. Alternatively, an exploration of the southern coast on 10 December 2024 takes in the biodiverse Recherche Archipelago and the opportunity to visit the renowned wine region of McLaren Vale, on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
6. Seabourn
Seabourn's fleet of contemporary small ships offer interesting options in Australia, including some nice longer sailings combining Australia with South East Asia, New Zealand, or the islands of the South Pacific. The 33-day 28 January 2025 voyage on board Seabourn Quest is an interesting voyage taking you all the way from Auckland to Bali via the east coast of Australia, or the 30-day 14 February 2025 sailing begins in Sydney where you might choose to spend a few days, before heading northwards through Indonesia and the Philippines.
Seabourn's latest purpose-built expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, is another visitor to the spectacular Kimberley Region, and in fact, the ship's Godparents were named as the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners, symbolising Seabourn's commitment to sustainable travel in this region.
7. True North Adventure Cruises
With one tiny 36-guest vessel and a second even smaller 22-guest vessel, the eponymous True North is a specialist Australian company focusing on in-depth itineraries in Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The intimate True North experience provides guests with an unmatched opportunity to get off the beaten track and discover an amazing and remote part of the world.
Their programme includes voyages to the Kimberley, the spectacular Rowley Shoals, northern Australia's 'Top End', the Great Barrier Reef, and the Southern Coast. True North's style is intimate, relaxed, and adventurous, with the expertise of an onboard biologist and team of specialist guides and, depending on the itinerary, the opportunity for activities such as diving, snorkelling, fishing, helicopter trips, expedition photography, and small-boat tours to get you up close to the action.
