Have you been wanting to visit Australia but are looking for something other than a regular flight? It might surprise you to learn that there are many cruise lines now offering trips from North America to the land down under. Many people consider cruise life as the ultimate luxury vacation package, so if you have the time, why not take a leisurely trip to Australia?
There are several options that a vacationer can choose from. One is to cruise to Australia from North America, a trip that usually takes anywhere from ten to fourteen days and requires several days at sea. Some vacationers choose to make this part of an extended or world cruise. Still others will cruise to Australia, spend some time enjoying the country, and then fly home, or vice versa. If you choose to cruise to Australia, be prepared to do so during the fall and winter months. You’ll be crossing the equator which means that North America’s winter is Australia’s summer, making it an excellent time for cruise travel. One option is to take a repositioning cruise at the end of the season. Cruise lines need to move their ships to different parts of the world, depending on the time of year, so it may be possible to take a ship home from Australia that is being repositioned to North America. These cruises can be slightly more affordable, but can also require more days at sea.
Another excellent option is to fly to and from Australia, but enjoy a cruise while you are there. There are many cruise lines offering a wide variety of trips, from simple three day jaunts to a trip around the entire continent of Australia. These cruises often also feature New Zealand, Fiji, and other areas in the South Pacific.
If you’re looking for an Australian luxury vacation package, it doesn’t get much better than a visit to the Whitsundays region of Queensland. Here you can experience the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef in as luxurious accommodations as you can afford. The Whitsundays area is home to an amazing seventy-four separate islands, some of which are home to exclusive and private resorts where guests can immerse themselves in luxury while enjoying the unique setting of the Great Barrier Reef.
With warm, tropical temperatures, crystal clear water, and an incredible array of sealife, it’s no wonder that this area has so many resorts. If island life suits you, try the five star boutique hotel, the Beach Club, on Hamilton Island, the area’s largest inhabited island. Looking for something a little more private? Check out the Hayman Island Resort. As the only facilities on the island, this five star resort offers luxurious rooms, lovely gardens, and a unique swimming pool. There is no end of things to do on the island, both outdoor and water activities as well as in the resort’s spa.
If staying on the mainland seems more your speed, the resort town of Airlie Beach offers no end of fantastic accommodation. The Martinique Whitsundays resort is known as one of the best, and its unique architecture was inspired by the French Caribbean style. Just entering the resort is a journey in itself, as guests make their way into the lobby via a walkway over the pool. The exclusive Coral Sea Resort is another fantastic facility with luxury apartments and penthouses, two swimming pools, and unique dining.
Travelers can also enjoy trips to the Great Barrier Reef in utter luxury due to the wealth of luxury cruises available in the area. Whether you wish to travel by yacht, catamaran, or on the fastest vessel in the harbour, the ReefJet, you’ll find what you are looking for here. Helicopter flights over the region are also popular.
As one of Australia’s premier natural attractions, the Great Barrier Reef attracts visitors from all over the world. The reef is truly an amazing sight, and with so many different tours available, can be enjoyed by visitors of all diving and swimming experience. Over 2600 kilometers long, the reef also has more than 1000 islands, so it can be difficult to know where to start planning your visit. Whether you are planning on just spending a day on the reef, or whether it is the focal point of your trip, the best place to start is the city of Cairns in northern Queensland.
Cairns is considered the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and here you’ll find a multitude of tour companies offering a large variety of reef tours on all kinds of vessels. Most tours enjoy a three hour stop on the reef for diving and snorkeling, and a stop on Fitzroy or Green Island. Depending on the tour you decide upon, you might enjoy a relaxing day out on a boat or spend your time listening to marine biologists explain more about the reef habitat. There really is something for everyone.
Tours usually leave early in the morning and are gone all day. Consider leaving valuables and passports back at the hotel, and don’t forget to wear your swimsuit with light clothing over top. A towel, sunglasses, and shoes for walking on hot pavement will all make your trip more enjoyable. You’ll probably want to take lots of pictures, so an underwater camera and lots of film is a must. Most tour companies do provide some kind of lunch, usually buffet style.
Those who prefer to enjoy the area on their own terms might want to consider taking the ferry across to Green or Fitzroy Island where there are a handful of resort hotels offering snorkeling and diving packages.
