Australia
Small Ship Cruise Australia
Witness Australia's Coastal Wonders Unfold on a Small Ship Cruise
As the world's only island continent, Australia's vast coastline, World Heritage-listed reefs, and coastal state capitals make it ideal for exploring on a Small Ship Cruise. Queensland's spectacular Great Barrier Reef and Western Australia's Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay attract visitors from around the globe, keen to experience the regions' vibrant underwater world and diverse marine life. The extraordinary tidal movements of the Kimberley region produce unrivalled spectacles like the one witnessed at Montgomery Reef, best experienced on a thrilling Zodiac excursion, while ancient Indigenous rock art found in coastal caves, created tens of thousands of years ago are revealed on exciting land excursions. At the opposite corner in Australia's southeast, Tasmania delights visitors with its towering mountains, ancient old-growth forests, endemic wildlife, and distinctive cool-climate wines and fresh produce.
Your friendly expedition team will be there to ensure your safety, comfort and enjoyment at all time
With inflatable Zodiac vessels on board you'll always be close to the action
Thanks to your ship's small size, you can access remote and hard-to-reach destinations
Best-in-class Fleet
Explore the rugged Kimberley coast of Australia aboard the Seabourn Pursuit, where luxury meets the wild. This ship ensures a grand voyage to distant shores, featuring exquisite onboard spaces that allow you to travel in style while soaking in the dramatic landscapes, wildlife and rich cultural heritage of Australia's northwest coast.
Why Choose APT for Your Luxury Australia Small Ship Cruise
Expertize and Customization
With nearly a century of experience, few operators know Australia like APT. Our itineraries are meticulously crafted by experts, ensuring our guests experience the highlights of the destinations visited throughout Australia, plus offering unique experiences that are often not available to independent travellers, providing APT guests with a deeper insight into the Australia's rich Indigenous heritage and modern multicultural traditions. Our Small Ship Cruises showcase Australia's unique natural beauty, balanced with wildlife encounters, meeting local communities, and participating in culturally immersive experiences. With a wealth of included activities and excursions, from cultural, historical to active, and culinary experiences — APT provides a seamless holiday experience designed just for you.
Exclusivity and Access
Exploring Australia's remote coast by small ship allows you to access areas often unavailable to larger vessels. Australia's pristine natural environments such as national parks and marine parks, many with World Heritage status, operate under stringent guidelines to protect culturally and environmentally sensitive areas. A Small Ship Cruise in Australia is a more sustainable way to experience the stunning places and communities visited, leaving a smaller ecological footprint. Travelling in small groups also offers access to authentic local experiences not possible to larger tour groups.
Image credit: Graham Werner
Unmatched Onboard Experience
In 2027, APT celebrates its centenary. Few operators know Australia like APT. With a reputation for delivering exceptional travel experiences, APT's impeccable service standards are the cornerstone of each journey. From the moment you step aboard, you can relax knowing you're in the caring hands of experts. Your experienced APT Cruise Director and crew are always available to answer questions or arrange any special requests you may have. On an APT Small Ship Expedition Cruise to Australia's Kimberley region, Coral Coast, Great Barrier Reef, or Tasmania, a knowledgeable Expedition Team featuring individuals who are experts in their field, including naturalists, historians, geologists, and more, support the Expedition Leader on Zodiac adventures and shore landings, in bringing the destination to life. On board, you can enjoy informative and entertaining talks from the Expedition Team, relax in the bar with your fellow guests while sipping your favourite drink, and savour exquisite chef-prepared meals each day, showcasing the flavours of places visited.
See Australia Like Never Before
Discover Australia from an entirely new perspective on an intimate Small Ship Expedition Cruise with APT. Journey along remote coastlines and into wilderness regions that larger vessels can’t reach, guided by experts who bring each destination to life. In the Kimberley, cruise beneath towering red cliffs, witness powerful tidal phenomena and explore ancient landscapes rich in Indigenous culture. Along the Coral Coast and Great Barrier Reef, snorkel vibrant reefs, encounter extraordinary marine life and access pristine islands far from the crowds. In Tasmania, navigate dramatic waterways, walk untouched shores and experience cool-climate wilderness at its most raw and beautiful. With fewer guests onboard, APT’s small ships offer a relaxed, personalised atmosphere, exceptional service and immersive shore excursions designed to connect you deeply with each place. From exploratory Zodiac adventures to unforgettable wildlife encounters, every voyage is crafted to reveal Australia’s wild heart in comfort and style.
Australian Small Ship Cruises
Australia is the only continent that is entirely surrounded by water, making it a natural destination to explore by ship. Its northern reaches lies within the tropics, nurturing extraordinary marine environments such as the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, the breathtaking Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, and the pristine wilderness of the Kimberley, spanning Western Australia and the Northern Territory. At the opposite end of the country, Tasmania rests in Australia's southeastern corner, a remarkable island shaped by a cool temperate zone, home to ancient pine forests and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Surrounded by vast, untamed landscapes, you may feel as though you're standing at the edge of the world — and with only Antarctica beyond, you very nearly are.
With APT, uncover the hidden wonders of Australia's incomparable coast on a Small Ship Cruise defined by luxury, comfort and exclusive access. Cruise the remote Kimberley coast, discovering secluded marvels such Ashmore Reef Marine Park and witnessing extraordinary natural phenomena like Montgomery Reef by Zodiac. Dive into the sparkling waters of Western Australia and Queensland to snorkel among some of the world's most vibrant and colourful reefs. In Tasmania, dock at remote islands including Maria and Bruny islands, where guided nature walks reveal native wildlife and opportunities abound to indulge in the region's celebrated cuisine and cool-climate wines.
Wherever your journey takes you, an APT cruise along Australia's shores promises unforgettable encounters with staggering natural beauty, rich Indigenous heritage, unique flora and fauna and culinary scene that rivals the world's best.
Australia’s Kimberley Coast
Wild, rugged, and astonishingly remote, the Kimberley is a place that rewards those who approach it the right way. APT’s Small Ship Cruises give guests rare access to the powerful tidal phenomena of Horizontal Falls and Montgomery Reef, visit offshore islands, and seek out ancient rock art with the expert guidance of our Expedition Team.
Beyond the Great Barrier Reef
Travel beyond the well-traveled routes into the remote Northern Reefs aboard Coral Discoverer, a purpose-built vessel created for exploration. This luxury Small Ship Cruise seeks out the most vibrant coral gardens and pristine clear-water snorkeling while learning from guides who uncover the reef’s complexity and hidden beauty.
Tasmania’s East Coast
At Australia’s southern tip, Tasmania feels like the edge of the world. The rugged cliffs and quiet coves of its eastern coastline are untouched, and wildly beautiful. On a Small Ship Cruise around the East Coast, visit Freycinet National Park, Bruny Island, and Port Arthur on an intimate 10-night journey aboard Coral Discoverer, with only 72 guests.
Explore the biodiverse Coral Coast of Western Australia on a Small Ship Cruise between Broome and Perth aboard the Coral Adventurer, accommodating a maximum of 120 guests. From the stunning collection of islands along the Dampier Peninsula to abundant marine life at World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, and the snorkelling paradise of the Abrolhos Islands, immerse yourself in the striking beauty of these remote shores. A highlight of a Small Ship Expedition Cruise to the Coral Coast with APT is a relaxing wildlife cruise at picturesque Shark Bay, where you hope to spot the bay’s Big Five – dugongs, turtles, rays, dolphins and sharks.