5 top destinations to visit on a New Zealand & Australia cruise

Australia and New Zealand cruises unveil some true gems, some well-known and others that you might never have heard of.

Exploring Down Under has just got a lot easier for cruise fans, too. Virgin Voyages is now operating a series of incredible cruises to New Zealand and Australia in 2023 and 2024 as newest ship Resilient Lady homeports in Melbourne, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand uncovering the wonders of the southern hemisphere.

Resilient Lady arrived in Darwin Australia for her maiden call on November 27, having stopped at Dubai, Mumbai, Phuket, Singapore and Bali en route from Athens where the vessel had spent the summer season.

The ship will proceed to travel down Australia’s east coast, calling at Cairns, Airlie Beach and Sydney before heading to Melbourne ahead of the Virgin Voyages maiden voyage from Melbourne on December 11 – a round-trip cruise visiting Hobart and Burnie.

Resilient Lady will then go on to carry out 12 brand-new itineraries sailing across the Tasman Sea, offering short getaways or full 14-night cruises to Australia and New Zealand.

The first cruise to New Zealand will be the Virgin Voyages New Year’s sailing, departing Auckland on December 29.

To get you inspired we’ve rounded up five incredible destinations you’ll visit on these Australia and New Zealand cruises, and the best itineraries to take with Virgin Voyages.

Hobart, on the island of Tasmania, is Oz’s southernmost capital and offers a brilliant food and wine scene, world-famous art and adventurous activities on an Australia cruise.

Cycle, walk or drive up to the top of Mount Wellington for amazing views [above, left] of the city, Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula, and check out the local markets complete with unique boutiques and vintage shops.

Be sure to visit the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) for eclectic art and intriguing exhibitions, stop by the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to get up close to Tasmanian devils [above, right], and explore Hobart’s historic waterfront.

– READ MORE: The best LGBT-friendly cruises in 2024/25 –

Melbourne [above] is considered Australia’s culture capital and is famous for its galleries, coffee and sporting events.

Visitors on cruises to Australia can take in all manner of international and local exhibitions and shows. In fact, Melbourne hosts Australia’s oldest gallery! Strolling around the city on foot is fun, too, as there’s lots of vibrant street art to admire plus any number of cute wine bars and cafes to take a pew in.

The shopping is fab here and the live music scene is buzzing. Culture and entertainment hub, Federation Square is the centre of all action with lots of events, pop-ups and more. You can also hit the beach – they’re dotted around Port Philip Bay and are both calm and sheltered.

Tauranga, on New Zealand’s North Island, is the largest city in the Bay of Plenty; its name means means “place of rest or anchorage” in Māori.

Mount Maunganui is Tauranga’s most distinctive landmark and there’s a popular walking trail up to the top so you can enjoy views [above, left] of the small city, with the Pacific Ocean on one side and pretty Pilot Bay on the other during a stop on your New Zealand cruise.

Beaches are top-notch here and attract swimmers, sunbathers and surfers in the summer months. You can also arrange fishing, sailing, diving and dolphin tours at Tauranga’s harbour.

The Strand waterfront area is where to go for cafés, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs and, if you have time, visit local beauty spots McLaren Falls, Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park or ancient Maori burial site Hopukiore (aka Mount Drury).

– READ MORE: New Zealand cruise guide – where to go –

Christchurch is also on the South Island; here some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand rub shoulders with ultra-modern architecture. The city also serves as a base camp for the beautiful surrounding Canterbury countryside.

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens [above, right] have been a central-city attraction since 1863 and river punting down the Avon is also popular. On a cruise to New Zealand, look out for the WWI monument The Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch, the Victoria Clock Tower dating back to 1860 and the Isaac Theatre Royal which opened in 1908 and is New Zealand’s only operational Edwardian-style theatre.

A good way to pack in Christchurch’s treasures is to ride one of the city’s heritage trams which take passengers on a guided tour past the best landmarks and must-visit attractions. Meanwhile, for sun, sea and sand, check out Sumner Beach, beloved by locals.

The small city of Dunedin [above] on New Zealand’s South Island was built on the riches of the gold rush and consequently boasts one of the best assortments of Victorian and Edwardian architecture in the southern hemisphere.

Beautiful Larnach Castle is a must-see and Dunedin Railway Station, opened in 1906, is considered the most photographed building in the country and has been described as ‘the outstanding monument of Edwardian architecture in New Zealand.” It now houses the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame and the Otago Art Society’s gallery.

Learn about Dunedin’s history at Toitu Otago Early Settlers Museum and the Otago Museum, enjoy some peace at the Dunedin Chinese Gardens or admire the ever-growing collection of street art.

Keep your eyes peeled for rare wildlife on cruises to New Zealand – yellow-eyed penguins, fur seals and sea lions live on the Otago Peninsula and there’s also the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Northern Royal Albatross!

– READ MORE: The thrillseeker’s guide to Auckland –

What is the best month to cruise Australia?

The best time to cruise Australia is between December and February, during the southern Hemisphere’s summer. Sydney and Melbourne, both key Australia cruise ports, are dry at this time and benefit from plenty of sun.

In the summer temperatures range from around 15°C to 25°C on average but they can sometimes exceed 30°C during heatwaves!

Where do Australian cruises depart from?

The main cruise ports in Australia include:

Sydney: One of the most popular cruise ports in Australia, offering iconic views of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Melbourne: Known for its cultural attractions, Melbourne’s cruise terminal is at Station Pier, providing access to the city’s buzzy atmosphere.

Brisbane: The Portside Wharf and the Brisbane Cruise Terminal cater to cruise ships, offering access to Queensland’s attractions and the Great Barrier Reef.

Fremantle (Perth): Located on the west coast, Fremantle serves as a gateway to Perth and Western Australia’s diverse landscapes.

Darwin: Positioned in the north, Darwin serves as a port for cruises exploring the Top End and its unique natural landscapes and indigenous culture.

Cairns: A gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns is often a stop for cruises exploring this natural wonder.

Adelaide: Ships dock at Outer Harbor, providing access to Adelaide and its surrounding wine regions and cultural sites.

– READ MORE: Where in the world to cruise in December –

What is the best month to cruise New Zealand?

The best time to cruise New Zealand is during the region’s summer thanks to warmer temperatures.

Temperatures typically range from around 20°C to 30°C on the North Island in such destinations as Auckland and Wellington while in the South Island – for instance, Christchurch and Queenstown – it can range from around 15°C to 25°C.

Do Virgin Voyages include flights from the UK?

No, the prices of Virgin Voyages cruises do not include flights but air travel can be added once your cruise is booked.

The first step is to purchase your sailing and then get in touch with Virgin’s Sailor Services Crew via phone, email or chat who will work with you to source flights that suits your need and budget.

Virgin Voyages has partnered with major airlines across the country (as well as hotels) to make organising your holiday simpler.