Cruising in Australia

On an island like Australia, water indulgences are found at every turn. In the Whitsundays you can bareboat charter your own yacht and take off to explore the islands and inlets. Or hire a skipper and a whole crew to cook for you and attend to your every need. Choose a spectacular cruise or a barefoot luxury adventure sailing between tropical islands and warm water reefs.

Enjoy the pleasure of sailing in Australia’s many harbours and tranquil bays. You can go champagne sailing at sunset or have lunch or dinner served while you cruise Sydney or Darwin Harbour or charter a yacht from almost any resort or island in Queensland to explore the coast or the reef at your own speed. Sleep on board listening to the sound of gentle lapping waves against the side of your boat. On inland rivers such as the Murray River you can hire a paddle steamer or captain your own houseboat and in the Margaret River region take a luxury cruise to the vineyards.

The Kimberley region of Western Australia is one of the last untouched wilderness areas on earth much of it only accessible by sea. Several adventure luxury cruises provide an amazing view of the Kimberley from a different perspective on luxury guided cruises on purpose built ships. Here, and in the Top End, luxury expedition cruises have onboard experts, speakers who can bring the voyage alive, as well as kayaks, canoes and helicopters on which to take off and explore these remote areas.

Whatever your preference, be it the slap of sail and creak of timber of a classic tall ship or the pleasures of luxury cruising, we have some of the most beautiful sailing and cruising destinations in the world. Australian cruises and charters will take you to magnificent tropical islands, white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, sheltered coves or idyllic calm sailing waters. The scenery is spectacular beyond words, the marine life is teeming with vivid colours and magnificent corals and also waiting to be explored are our red cliffs, rugged ranges and spectacular gorges.

Key facts
* The Kimberley wilderness of Western Australia is three times larger than England but with a population of just 30,000.
* There are 74 islands in the Whitsundays but only a handful have resorts on them.
* The Great Australian Bight is the largest indentation on the Australian coastline and is said to be the longest line of seacliffs – some up to 60 metres high in the world.
* The Bay of Fires in Tasmania was named by international guide book The Lonely Planet the world's hottest travel destination in 2009, described as a castaway bay with a 29 kilometres ribbon of sea and surf.
Discover the magical north-west of Western Australia in luxury and comfort and experience wilderness in surroundings more akin to one of the world’s most exclusive hotels on a luxury cruise aboard the True North. Cruise in luxury through the Kimberley Range gorges to the remote cattle station of El Questro and the thunderous King George Falls onboard this luxury cruise ship with its own helipad and onboard helicopter for aerial flights over waterfalls, gorges and remote wilderness.

Explore the Kimberley Coast, one of the last untouched wildernesses on earth. Wild and beautiful, it is one of the planet’s oldest and most awe-inspiring landscapes – much of it only accessible by sea – on one of a number of luxury adventure cruises including Coral Princess Cruises, Seven Star Cruises and the magnificent Orion Expeditions.

Cruise the Top End in comfort on an Orion Expeditions Cruise departing from Darwin or Broome. Visit remote locations on the stunning Gove Peninsula, the Arnhem Land coastline and see the magnificent Mitchell Falls on a purpose built vessel designed to access the inaccessible, all in 5-star luxury. The ship combines the best and the latest in design with maritime and environmental technology, comfort and casual elegance. From the ice-strengthened hull to the chilled champagne and superb cuisine, this is expedition cruising at its finest, with onboard speakers and shoreside expeditions to areas that even most Australians don’t get to see.

Sail Darwin Harbour, the location for the movie Australia. Take in the glorious sunset and see the lights of Darwin and the night stars on a day, evening or overnight cruise on Darwin Harbour and its surrounding waters aboard Daymirri 2, a luxury 10 metre Seawind catamaran.

Treat yourself to a full or half day luxurious chartered sailing experience taking in the sights of majestic, world famous Sydney Harbour. Anchor for the night at Athol Bay where you’ll watch the lights of the city come alive and illuminate the Opera House – a truly memorable experience.

Sail Sydney Harbour at twilight, with the city framed by the Harbour Bridge- a magical experience aboard a luxury Beneteau yacht for just one couple plus the skipper. At sunset, the yacht is anchored in a secluded cove, a seafood dinner is served and then guests are left alone overnight to take in the tranquillity, the stars and the soothing sound of waves lapping the beach. After breakfast, the skipper returns and hoists sail for the return trip.

See the best of Sydney from the water when you charter a crewed private yacht on Sydney Harbour. Sail past the Opera House, under the bridge, by Taronga Zoo, visit Pittwater for a night, or slowly tack around Farm Cove and Rose Bay. Anchor overnight in a secluded bay in Sydney Harbour or set sail through the heads and explore Pittwater.