Sunshine State Sun-Soaker Cruise

Day 1 - Brisbane

Arrive: Sat 04 January 2025 / Depart: Sat 04 January 2025 at 16:30

Discover the capital of Queensland, Australia's Sunshine State. Laid-back Brisbane feels like a big country town, but it's actually Australia's third-largest city. Cruise from Brisbane, Australia and experience its charm in any season thanks to year-round warm temperatures. Head to South Bank, where you join the locals cooling down in one of the many museums and galleries, or enjoy the sunshine at the man-made Streets Beach. Two of Australia's beach-going meccas, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, border Brisbane – take a short drive out and hop on a surfboard or relax in the sun-soaked sand.

Day 2 - Cruising

Day 3 - Airlie Beach

Arrive: Mon 06 January 2025 at 07:00

Airlie Beach is the Queensland coast's go-to spot for maritime adventure. It's the mainland town that allows the easiest access to the 74 incredible Whitsunday Islands — take the ferry out and spend your day relaxing by clear aqua waters at Whitehaven Beach or snorkeling among the heart-shaped portion of the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or stick to the mainland: Walk the Bicentennial Walkway along the Airlie Beach waterfront, popping into a cafe for a late-morning flat white (the Australian signature latte). Take a dip in Airlie Beach Lagoon, or head to Conway National Park, where you can hike your way through rain forest to panoramic views of the city and the harbor.

Day 4 - Airlie Beach

Depart: Tue 07 January 2025 at 17:00

Airlie Beach is the Queensland coast's go-to spot for maritime adventure. It's the mainland town that allows the easiest access to the 74 incredible Whitsunday Islands — take the ferry out and spend your day relaxing by clear aqua waters at Whitehaven Beach or snorkeling among the heart-shaped portion of the Great Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or stick to the mainland: Walk the Bicentennial Walkway along the Airlie Beach waterfront, popping into a cafe for a late-morning flat white (the Australian signature latte). Take a dip in Airlie Beach Lagoon, or head to Conway National Park, where you can hike your way through rain forest to panoramic views of the city and the harbor.

Day 5 - Willis Island, Australia

Arrive: Wed 08 January 2025 at 09:00 / Depart: Wed 08 January 2025 at 10:00

Willis Island is the only permanently inhabited island in the Coral Sea Islands Territory. Located beyond the Great Barrier Reef, this island stands 280 miles from Cairns. The only residents on the 7.7-hectare sandy island are a handful of Australian Bureau of Meteorology staff members working at the weather monitoring station.The main attractions are the sights you'll see as you cruise through the Coral Sea. Spot tropical birds like black noodies, sooty terns and wedge-tailed shearwaters. Cruise to Willis Island to see the Great Barrier Reef stretch beneath the turquoise waters and the exotic fish that swim here, including angel fish, clown fish and hammerhead sharks.

Day 6 - Cruising

Day 7 - Brisbane

Arrive: Fri 10 January 2025 at 06:30 / Depart: Fri 10 January 2025

Discover the capital of Queensland, Australia's Sunshine State. Laid-back Brisbane feels like a big country town, but it's actually Australia's third-largest city. Cruise from Brisbane, Australia and experience its charm in any season thanks to year-round warm temperatures. Head to South Bank, where you join the locals cooling down in one of the many museums and galleries, or enjoy the sunshine at the man-made Streets Beach. Two of Australia's beach-going meccas, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, border Brisbane – take a short drive out and hop on a surfboard or relax in the sun-soaked sand.