6 Best Small Ship Australia Cruises for 2026

How Long is a Cruise to Australia?

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:

Best Australia Cruises for 2026 to Book Now

1. Silversea

Silversea have an extensive Australia programme, with the 596-guest Silver Moon and 728-guest Silver Nova wintering Down Under in the 2025/26 season and 2026/27 season. Sailings that catch our eye include Silver Moon's 3 January 2027 sailing up the east coast with the chance to explore Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne. Or you can extend this and depart earlier, with Moon's 30-day Auckland to Sydney itinerary departing on 18 December 2026 for a Christmas with a difference.

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 1,250-guest Riviera offers some fantastic Australia itineraries, including a sought-after full circumnavigation with New Zealand in December 2026. Alternatively, you can choose the sector taking in the region which interests you, such as this Southern coast exploration in January 2027.

The smaller 1,200 guest Vista is s also a visitor in 2026 and 2027 with some longer itineraries bringing in the Pacific Islands and New Zealand, like this 62-night 8 February 2027 departure with a focus on Melanesia, Australia and Southeast Asia.

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 496-guest Seven Seas Navigator sails from Singapore to Sydney on 5 January 2026 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. 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 the 264-guest Le Soléal in 2026 and 2027. 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 2027 Australia's West Coast Odyssey departures, sailing from Broome to Fremantle (Perth) or vice versa on 29 July and 8 August, with highlights including the Dampier Archipelago, home to the greatest concentration of rock engravings on Earth and wildlife including flatback and hawksbill turtles, ospreys, sea eagles and the Rothschild's rock wallaby; Cape Peron, with its rugged cliffs and offshore reefs for diving and snorkelling; the beautiful beaches of Jurien Bay; and Ningaloo Reef where, in July, whale sharks, humpback whales, manta rays, and turtles can be seen.

5. 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 23-day 12 March 2026 on board the 458-guest Seabourn Sojourn is an interesting voyage taking you all the way from Perth to Hong Kong via the west and north coast of Australia, or the 39-day 24 February 2026 sailing begins in Sydney where you might choose to spend a few days, before heading to south Australia including Melbourne and Tasmania, then sailing up the west coast before going 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, and they offer regular departures throughout the season.

6. 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.