7 Best Shore Excursions in Australia

The Land Down Under is certainly one of the most popular tourist destinations on Earth and for good reason. If you’re taking a cruise ship there, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to exciting locales and amazing activities. This variety makes planning your trip a bit more difficult though, as it’s impossible to do everything in the one go. To help you, here are seven of the best shore excursions that Australia has to offer:

1. Sydney. As Australia’s oldest and largest city, Sydney offers plenty for travellers of all types. Simply walking its streets offers stunning scenery of the harbour, beaches and coastline. Delving deeper, cruise passengers can experience theatrical performances at the Opera House, amazing cuisine in neighbourhoods such as The Rocks and Bondi, shopping in Darling Harbour and the QVB, and fantastic wildlife at Taronga Zoo. This is a city that really caters to all kinds of visitors.

   

2. Melbourne. Situated on Australia’s southern coast, Melbourne is a city filled with culture that also gives access to some amazing shopping destinations and wildlife locales. From buying souvenirs at Queen Victoria Market to placing some bets at Crown Casino, there is plenty to do for travellers in this idyllic city. Further afield, visitors can experience the wines of the Yarra Valley, take a car along the Great Ocean Road, or join the penguins on Phillip Island.

   

3. Cairns. As one of the Great Barrier Reef’s largest towns, Cairns is a great base for visitors to witness some of the finest beaches and most diverse marine life on Earth. As well as diving amongst colourful coral, seeing huge numbers of tropical fishes, you can head inland to some of the country’s most beautiful rainforests. From Daintree to Cape Tribulation, this is an area that caters to nature lovers of all types.

   

4. Darwin. Found in the tropical north, Darwin is the gateway to some of the country’s best attractions. If your Australian cruise stops here, you are in for a treat as you can then explore the natural wonders of Kakadu National Park, Katherine Gorge and the Indo Pacific Marine Centre. You can also enjoy a cultural show by the local Aboriginals, giving you an insightful view into the past and present of this incredible group of people.

   

5. Perth. On the western coast of Australia, Perth is probably one of the world’s most isolated capital cities. It makes up for this by offering a wide selection of attractions from the animals at Perth Zoo and the Aquarium of Western Australia to the wines of Swan Valley and the scenery of Yanchep National Park. There are also plenty of shopping districts, theatres and sporting facilities for those passengers preferring these activities while travelling.

   

6. Hobart.On the island of Tasmania in the far south of Australia, Hobart is a small state capital that boasts a wide array of activities. Filled with history, nature and culture, visitors stepping off their cruise ship can enjoy unique sites such as the Hobart Aquatic Centre, the Tasmania Botanical Gardens, and Cape Bruny Lighthouse. Further afield, explorers can witness superb natural landscapes in locales such as Mount Field National Park and Huon Valley

   

7. Gold Coast. Heading back to the east of Australia, the Gold Coast is one of the country’s premiere tourist destinations. With vibrant nightlife, action-packed theme parks and amazing beaches, this is an area that truly has it all. Those stopping here on their passenger liners will also be welcomed by a wide variety of extreme sports options, shopping districts and cultural scenes. Everything that you could want can be found on the Gold Coast.

When you decide to travel in Australia make sure you have time to visit these seven amazing tourist destinations.