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Sydney , Australia | Brisbane , Australia | Willis Island (Cruising) , Australia | Cairns (Yorkeys Knob) , Australia | Airlie Beach , Queensland | Newcastle , Australia | Sydney , Australia
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Sydney, Australia
SUNSHINE
Circular Quay is where you'll find the Opera House, museums such as the Art Gallery of NSW and some of the best restaurants in the city. A short walk will take you to the historic George Street district, while top-tier shopping can be found in the historical Queen Victoria Building. A 45-minute ferry ride will take you to the heart of Manly Beach when you cruise from Sydney.
Circular Quay is where you'll find the Opera House, museums such as the Art Gallery of NSW and some of the best restaurants in the city. A short walk will take you to the historic George Street district, while top-tier shopping can be found in the historical Queen Victoria Building. A 45-minute ferry ride will take you to the heart of Manly Beach when you cruise from Sydney.
in Sydney
Go in Circles
Circular Quay is the perfect place to start exploring Sydney. You can find the Opera House here, and Harbour Bridge is within walking distance. Stride into one of the many walking and pub tours that leave from here. Just 20 minutes away, you can stretch your legs on the iconic Harbour Bridge walk, the first of its kind in the world.
Get Manly
Bondi Beach gets all the attention, but Manly Beach in the Northern Beaches is a bit more local. The Corso is lined with shops and restaurants, including local favorite, Hugo's. If surfing is your thing, this is the place to be. The walk from Spit Bridge to Manly is a fantastic way to soak in the city's coastline.
Walk Watsons
Hop on the ferry or one of the regular buses that go to Watsons Bay to enjoy the scenic hike around South Head. During your journey, you'll enjoy views of Sydney Harbour, North Head, the historic Hornby Lighthouse and, of course, the sapphire-blue Pacific Ocean. The Gap offers breathtaking views of the sea from the rocky cliffside.
Local Cuisine
With all the water surrounding you, it's no surprise seafood takes center stage on many plates in the city. Head to Sydney Fish Market for giant Sydney Rock oysters or classic fish and ships. Stop into a local pie shop for a traditional Australian meat pie, or explore Sydney's international side with udon or ramen noodles at a Japanese noodle bar, or seek out shrimp dumplings in Chinatown.
Shopping
There are plenty of shopping malls in the heart of the city, including Westfield Mall, Pitt Street Mall and the wonderful Queen Victoria Building, which is now a shopping mall featuring top designers. Seek out cutting boards made from local camphor laurel — they're not only beautiful but also have natural antimicrobial properties. During your Sydney cruise vacation, look for jewelry made from opal, the national gemstone of Australia.
CRUISING
FAVORITTER
TING Å GJØRE
ON PAR FOR ADVENTURE
Hit the links on the high seas! Refine your mini-golf game on a green that overlooks a sea of blue. Included in your fare, no reservation required.
A BOLDER BOULDER
Rise to the occasion and take on the signature Rock Climbing Wall. From beginners to speed climbers, everyone can enjoy an unparalleled view from 40 feet above deck. Included in your fare, no reservation required.
Brisbane, Australia
SUNNY SIDE UP
You won't run out of things to do in Brisbane's city center. South Bank is a can't-miss — head there and relax by the man-made lagoon, stroll through a weekend markets, peruse the museums and galleries and grab dinner at one the hip restaurants. A short walk across the Brisbane River will bring you to Queen Street Mall, the city's premier shopping district.
You won't run out of things to do in Brisbane's city center. South Bank is a can't-miss — head there and relax by the man-made lagoon, stroll through a weekend markets, peruse the museums and galleries and grab dinner at one the hip restaurants. A short walk across the Brisbane River will bring you to Queen Street Mall, the city's premier shopping district.
in Brisbane
Head South
You can't miss South Bank when in Brisbane. Take in the view from the Wheel of Brisbane, the city's version of the London Eye. Stroll through the Arbour, a walkway awning with expertly curated plants and flowers. Take a dip at Streets Beach — Australia's only inner-city man-made beach — before heading to one of the neighborhood's upscale eateries.
Get a 360 View
See Brisbane from several different perspectives. Check out the wide-angled view from Mt Coot-tha Lookout, then face your fears and do the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Next, see the sunset from Kangaroo Points Cliff Park, or hop on a free CityCat ferry for skyline views from the Brisbane River.
Get Wild
Take a drive north to the Sunshine Coast — you'll find not only pristine beaches but also the untouched beauty of the region's hinterlands. Get onboard a Brisbane cruise to experience the volcanic peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains, or walk through the rock pools of Gardners Falls.
Local Cuisine
It's always patio season in Brisbane. For the best riverside dining, check out Eagle Street Pier, which is bustling with city workers once the clock strikes 5 p.m. And don't miss Eat Street Northshore, a wharf that becomes a hub for forward-thinking street food on Friday and Saturday nights, where you can get a slice of Japanese pizza or a dessert of decadent churros.
Shopping
Queen Street Mall is Brisbane's biggest shopping street. Meanwhile, James Street is lined with boutiques stocking some of Australia's favorite designers. For a unique souvenir, purchase a handmade treasure from Collective Markets in South Bank with Australia cruises. The market is made up of stalls where artisans of everything from jewelry to home decor set up shop.
CRUISING
FOR MATELSKERE
TING Å GJØRE
A CUT ABOVE THE REST
For more than a decade, the chefs of Chops Grille have proudly presented quality, hand-cut prime steaks at this hallmark Royal Caribbean restaurant.
AL DENTE INDULGENCE
A casual Italian trattoria, Giovanni's Table offers rustic dishes with a contemporary flair, including fresh pastas, braised meat dishes and stews.
Willis Island (Cruising), Australia
CORAL CLARITY
Cruising by Willis Island, you'll see a small sandy vegetated cay surrounded by reef. Situated in the Coral Sea, the island is home to much of the same ocean wildlife as the nearby Great Barrier Reef. Spot long-winged wedgetail shearwaters and black-and-white sooty terns flying over the turquoise waters. Try to spot hammerhead sharks or bright-yellow queen angelfish swimming among the reef.
Cruising by Willis Island, you'll see a small sandy vegetated cay surrounded by reef. Situated in the Coral Sea, the island is home to much of the same ocean wildlife as the nearby Great Barrier Reef. Spot long-winged wedgetail shearwaters and black-and-white sooty terns flying over the turquoise waters. Try to spot hammerhead sharks or bright-yellow queen angelfish swimming among the reef.
in Willis Island (Cruising)
Turtle Time
Being next door to the Great Barrier Reef means the area surrounding Willis Island is filled with magnificent coral and marine life. Green sea turtles call the reef and the island home. Meteorologists on Willis Island have said that the turtles nest on the island annually.
Jump for Jaws
Osprey Reef is also a part of the Coral Sea Islands Territory. Located on the outer Great Barrier Reef, Osprey is one of Australia's best dive sites. It's been a reef shark feeding site for 15 years, and divers can sit in a natural amphitheater to watch the daily action.
Cairns (Yorkeys Knob), Australia
MEETS THE SEA
There's a lot you can experience with a single day in Cairns. Take half-day trip to Green Island, where you can snorkel along the outer Great Barrier Reef. Or, you can head to the rainforest at Kuranda and visit the region's best beaches nearby at Palm Cove and Trinity Beach. Otherwise, stay in Cairns and relax at the Esplanade Lagoon before doing some souvenir shopping.
There's a lot you can experience with a single day in Cairns. Take half-day trip to Green Island, where you can snorkel along the outer Great Barrier Reef. Or, you can head to the rainforest at Kuranda and visit the region's best beaches nearby at Palm Cove and Trinity Beach. Otherwise, stay in Cairns and relax at the Esplanade Lagoon before doing some souvenir shopping.
in Cairns (Yorkeys Knob)
Dive the Reef
Experience the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's seven natural wonders. Take a half-day snorkeling tours to the outer reef via jet boat. There are also brief daily snorkeling trips to picturesque Green Island available.
Laze by the Lagoon
The Esplanade Lagoon is a man-made pool on the foreshore. With its sandy edges and saltwater from the Trinity Inlet in Cairns, it's the city's most visited attraction. While you're here, stroll on the boardwalk, where you'll find fitness equipment, playgrounds and volleyball courts.
Beachy Keen
If you want to swim in the sea, hop on a public bus and head to the region's northern beaches. Palm Cove is the most popular outer Cairns suburb, with luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches and boutiques. Trinity Beach is a more local alternative.
Local Cuisine
Cairns offers an array of upscale and casual eateries specializing in everything from international fare to Australian classics. Fill up on local prawns and oysters at a harborside seafood spot. During your Cairns cruise, you can find top-tier Thai food and Korean food. Get adventurous with updated takes on Australian indigenous flavors, like char-grilled kangaroo sirloin with chili glaze.
Shopping
The Pier offers the best waterfront shopping experience in Cairns. Specialty shops at The Pier include Wild Sugar, a bright and bold women's clothing range by Cairns designer Sajeela Jamie. Along Abbott Street, you'll find several stores that stock Cairns-specific souvenirs, including kangaroo leather products and items inspired by the local rainforest.
Airlie Beach, Queensland
YOUR BARRIERS
Start your day exploring this seaside town: Stroll the Bicentennial Walkway along the oceanfront, then head to Airlie Beach Lagoon or Boathaven Beach for an afternoon dip. Or take a half-day trip to the famous Whitsunday Islands. There, you can snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef, or discover rain forest hiking paths and secluded beaches at Molle National Park.
Start your day exploring this seaside town: Stroll the Bicentennial Walkway along the oceanfront, then head to Airlie Beach Lagoon or Boathaven Beach for an afternoon dip. Or take a half-day trip to the famous Whitsunday Islands. There, you can snorkel along the Great Barrier Reef, or discover rain forest hiking paths and secluded beaches at Molle National Park.
in Airlie Beach
Islands Among the Reef
Doing a half or full-day trip to the Whitsunday Islands is the thing to do in Airlie Beach. For best Great Barrier Reef experience, do a tour to Hardy Reef's pontoon. There are also half-day trips available to both South Molle Island and award-winning Whitehaven Beach.
Wander the Rain Forest
Airlie Beach is not only an ocean gateway. Conway National Park — and its regional parks — are located minutes from Airlie Beach. The area is known for its lush rain forest, seasonal waterfalls, scenic lookouts and walking and biking trails. Locals recommend the easy Coastal Fringe Circuit, a 1.2-kilometer (0.7-mile) track.
Laze by the Lagoon
Located in the town center, the Airlie Beach Lagoon is a free, self-chlorinated swimming pool. The Lagoon is surrounded by grassed areas, barbecue facilities and swaying palm trees for sunbathing or reading in the shade. There's also a children's pool and sandy beach area attached to the Lagoon.
Local Cuisine
The Esplanade is Airlie Beach's go-to spot for dining. Head here for traditional fish and chips as well as higher-end seafood-focused fare — try tempura-battered local tiger prawns or wild-caught Barramundi with new potatoes. You can also find internationally inspired takes on the ocean's bounty, like Malaysian-style laksa, a noodle soup with curry broth, piled high with prawns, squid and scallops.
Shopping
The Airlie Beach Saturday Markets happens on the foreshore every Saturday. Drop by and browse the local art, craft and clothing stalls for a unique souvenir. PAYA Boutique also stocks a wide range of hand-selected fashion and lifestyle products, including women's fashion, accessories, jewelry, home wares and gifts.
CRUISING
SOLRIKE DAGER
TING Å GJØRE
SWIM IT TO WIN IT
Soak up the sun or savor the shade on expanded pool decks, with complimentary loungers, live music, and the opportunity to enjoy a frosty cocktail.
SUN AND SERENITY
Slip away to this adults-only indoor and outdoor retreat. The Solarium is your slice of paradise, with soothing whirlpools, warm sunshine and a refreshing water mist.
CRUISING
FANTASTISKE SHOW
TING Å GJØRE
STAGES SET FOR SPECTACULAR
From the world-revered theaters of Broadway to the star-studded studios of Hollywood, we bring you the greatest musicals to ever go from Stage to Screen.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE VIBE
Listen up— all your favorites are getting a fresh new twist with remixes of the music that defined an era.
Newcastle, Australia
URBAN VERVE
Start the day by the seaside — whether that means swimming in the surf or walking beside the water on the Bathers Way trail. For lunch, there are plenty of cafes and pub options on Hunter/Scott Streets. In the afternoon, head to Darby Street for independent boutique shopping or learn more about the city at the Newcastle Museum.
Start the day by the seaside — whether that means swimming in the surf or walking beside the water on the Bathers Way trail. For lunch, there are plenty of cafes and pub options on Hunter/Scott Streets. In the afternoon, head to Darby Street for independent boutique shopping or learn more about the city at the Newcastle Museum.
in Newcastle
Find Your Best Beach
Nobbys Beach is a popular option for families and surfers. Meanwhile, Mereweather Beach is home to the Southern Hemisphere's largest ocean baths complex, which is essentially an open saltwater swimming pool. Newcastle Beach also has ocean baths and is one of Australia's best surf locations. Which beach will you choose?
Walk the Bathers Way
The Bathers Way is a scenic five-kilometer walk. It takes you from Nobbys Headland's lighthouse to Glenrock Reserve and Burwood Beach. Along the way, you can stop for a swim at Newcastle Beach and visit Fort Scratchley, which is Australia's only fort to engage an enemy in a maritime attack.
Cool Off With Culture
If you're ready to head indoors, visit the Newcastle Museum or Newcastle Art Gallery. The art gallery has a large Australian art collection, spanning from settlement to today. It includes Aboriginal bark paintings and Australian ceramics. Newcastle Museum's collection features 11,000 objects of local significance, such as the historic Fishing Tree and iconic trains.
Local Cuisine
Newcastle is home to a wealth of excellent eateries serving up creative takes on the local bounty for you to enjoy during your cruise. Try Spanner Crab from nearby Fraser Island, spiced duck confit served charred celeriac or garlic prawns caught straight from the ocean. For breakfast, grab a bacon and egg roll from local favorite The Edwards.
Shopping
For a Newcastle souvenir, such as local postcards and shirts, visit the aptly named Newcastle Shop at Newcastle Museum. Alternatively, Blackbird Corner is a locally owned store stocked with clothing and gifts from various independent Australian designers. Darby Street is the city's go-to spot for boutique shopping: Head here for unique fashions and handmade jewelry.
Sydney, Australia
SUNSHINE
The Blue Mountains, just an hour west of central Sydney, feel like they're world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With more than 1 million hectares of forests, cliffs, canyons, caves and waterfalls — and plenty of walking paths to take you there — this is one of the best day trips Sydney has to offer. Quaint towns such as Katoomba stand in stark contrast to iconic landmarks such as the Three Sisters, the towering rock formation overlooking the valley.
The Blue Mountains, just an hour west of central Sydney, feel like they're world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With more than 1 million hectares of forests, cliffs, canyons, caves and waterfalls — and plenty of walking paths to take you there — this is one of the best day trips Sydney has to offer. Quaint towns such as Katoomba stand in stark contrast to iconic landmarks such as the Three Sisters, the towering rock formation overlooking the valley.
in Sydney
Go in Circles
Circular Quay is the perfect place to start exploring Sydney. You can find the Opera House here, and Harbour Bridge is within walking distance. Stride into one of the many walking and pub tours that leave from here. Just 20 minutes away, you can stretch your legs on the iconic Harbour Bridge walk, the first of its kind in the world.
Get Manly
Bondi Beach gets all the attention, but Manly Beach in the Northern Beaches is a bit more local. The Corso is lined with shops and restaurants, including local favorite, Hugo's. If surfing is your thing, this is the place to be. The walk from Spit Bridge to Manly is a fantastic way to soak in the city's coastline.
Walk Watsons
Hop on the ferry or one of the regular buses that go to Watsons Bay to enjoy the scenic hike around South Head. During your journey, you'll enjoy views of Sydney Harbour, North Head, the historic Hornby Lighthouse and, of course, the sapphire-blue Pacific Ocean. The Gap offers breathtaking views of the sea from the rocky cliffside.
Local Cuisine
With all the water surrounding you, it's no surprise seafood takes center stage on many plates in the city. Head to Sydney Fish Market for giant Sydney Rock oysters or classic fish and ships. Stop into a local pie shop for a traditional Australian meat pie, or explore Sydney's international side with udon or ramen noodles at a Japanese noodle bar, or seek out shrimp dumplings in Chinatown.
Shopping
There are plenty of shopping malls in the heart of the city, including Westfield Mall, Pitt Street Mall and the wonderful Queen Victoria Building, which is now a shopping mall featuring top designers. Seek out cutting boards made from local camphor laurel — they're not only beautiful but also have natural antimicrobial properties. During your Sydney cruise vacation, look for jewelry made from opal, the national gemstone of Australia.
© 2019 Royal Caribbean International
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