Top Queensland cruise holidays to kickstart your next adventure

The Great Barrier Reef is in the DNA of Coral Expeditions, a pioneer of cruising Australia’s favourite natural wonder for over 36 years. Your adventure is in the hands of those who know the reef the best, and it’s a more intimate small-ship cruising experience where the boat becomes your sanctuary after exciting days exploring rainforest shores, uninhabited sand cays, remote islands and pristine reef systems. Cruises depart from Cairns, and current itineraries include a 7 night adventure on the outer reef, 10 nights exploring natural beauty and Indigenous culture between Cape York and Torres Strait, or the chance to get hands-on in conservation on a 14 night citizen science project – truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Serious diver? Check out the best Queensland liveaboard cruises where you can spend a few days or a whole week discovering the most remote corners of this natural world wonder – or even snorkel with rare dwarf minke whales along the way.

Holiday in the Great Barrier Reef

Whether you’re looking to clock up some island time, snorkel among vibrant coral gardens, soak up sunshine on secluded beaches or even explore Queensland’s tropical towns, there’s a Great Barrier Reef cruise that will let you do it in style, and with a cocktail in hand.

P&O Cruises has a popular seven-night round-trip Barrier Reef Discovery cruise departing from Brisbane, with many departure dates during the year. Switch-off and rejuvenate on your sea day before arriving in Cairns, where you can explore the local beaches, head into World Heritage rainforest, experience the city’s biggest adventure activities and day trip to the reef. On the way back to Brisbane you’ll even drop anchor at remote Willis Island, where it’ll be just you and your shipmates to enjoy the views. Shorter on time? P&O also offers ‘taster’ style four day cruises departing Cairns, where you’ll catch island life in The Whitsundays before cruising toward Brisbane.

Royal Caribbean will put you in the heart of the action on a Great Barrier Reef cruise departing from Sydney or Brisbane, calling into ports at Airlie Beach and Cairns. Princess Cruises offers similar itineraries for blissful ocean time and ports at Airlie Beach, Port Douglas and Cairns, with shore excursions that range from kayaking safaris to croc cruises and fast-boat expeditions to Whitsunday islands and reef locations.

Want to jump on board in Sydney? Award-winning Celebrity Cruises offers 10 or 11 day Great Barrier Reef cruise holidays, with a day each to explore Brisbane, Airlie Beach, Cairns and Port Douglas. If you have a little more time and want a taste of Asia, extend your annual leave by a few more days and you could sail beyond the reef to Bali and Singapore.

No matter which you choose, there’s an adventure waiting.

Reach out and touch paradise in The Whitsundays

The Whitsundays’ sparkling jewel-like waters make the perfect cruise destination that combines Great Barrier Reef beauty with pristine islands and beaches that feel untouched, despite their popularity.

Several major cruise liners put Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island in their sights, including P&O Cruises (5 days return from Brisbane), Royal Caribbean (5 days return from Brisbane), and Princess Cruises (stops in Airlie Beach on its 11 day Queensland cruise, return from Sydney).

If you can pull yourself away from the fun on the ship, more awaits: visit famous Whitehaven Beach, take a kayaking trip, or even take a scenic flight over Heart Reef. Whatever you do to fill your time, leave some for exploring underwater: the coral reef and marine life here is something you’ll remember forever.

Take a short break from Brisbane

Sometimes it’s as simple as getting away for a long weekend to reset the body clock. If you’re in need of a mini getaway with plenty of fun, check out P&O’s 2-3 night cruises from Brisbane – themes include a comedy cruise, country music cruise, or even a tribute to the King himself, Elvis.

Cruise to Moreton Island from Sydney

One of the world’s largest sand islands, Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) has been a getaway hotspot for Queenslanders for generations. Conveniently located a short skip from Brisbane, those of us in the Sunshine State’s capital can conquer it in a day trip or long weekend – but P&O Cruises puts it in the reach of our southern Sydney neighbours on a 4 day ‘short break’ adventure. The fastest way to slow down, spend a day at sea then arrive at Tangalooma to spend a full day snorkeling the famous wrecks, feeding wild dolphins, paddleboarding and soaking up all the adventures the island has to offer.

Have seven days up your sleeve? Princess Cruises offers a longer sail to Moreton Island, with ports at Eden and Newcastle on the NSW coast.

Experience luxury cruising at every level

Queensland cruise holidays have a way of making you feel reignited by nature and really spoilt by your crew, but YOTSPACE superyacht voyages really take the celebrity treatment to the next level in a luxury cruise experience like no other.

For those who want to live like a millionaire, even just for a week, these extravagant superyachts will lead you in an all-inclusive adventure to destinations like The Whitsundays, Lizard Island and Cairns. Typically hosting up to 12 guests maximum on board, the experience feels very personal as you explore Queensland’s natural wonderland from pristine reefs to secluded beaches, while feasting like a king and soaking up palatial surrounds.

Visit Queensland as part of a longer Aussie adventure

Besides locally-based ships, a number of international cruise lines head Down Under each summer to explore the Australian backyard, including Queensland. These floating palaces offer Australian and overseas cruise fans the opportunity to explore the Sunshine State in five-star style, as well as adding a few more unusual ports of call to their lineups.

For an all-Aussie adventure, discover Princess Cruises’ longer getaways. Spend 26 days heading north along the Queensland coastline from Brisbane, before nearly circumnavigating the continent via the Kimberley Coast, Perth and Hobart to arrive in Sydney. Or explore the highlights of Willis Island and Cairns before hopping throughout the Northern Territory and Western Australia over 15 days.