Itinerary

Day 1 Sydney, Australia (overnight in port)

Sydney Harbour frames the city's defining image: the Opera House's shell vaults and the Harbour Bridge's steel arch framing the skyline from every angle. Beyond the icons, Sydney offers the Bondi-to-Coogee coastal walk, the galleries of the Art Gallery of NSW, and the remarkable Aboriginal heritage of the Blue Mountains within 90 minutes of the city centre.

Day 2 Sydney, Australia

Day 3 Newcastle, Australia

Newcastle, Australia's second-oldest city, has reinvented itself since the steel mills closed in 1999. The Honeysuckle precinct transformed former industrial wharves into a lively waterfront of hotels, cafes, and restaurants, and the city's six beaches - including the celebrated Nobbys Beach - remain among the finest along Australia's Pacific coast.

Day 4 At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and pursue personal interests, whether visiting the gym, the spa, or simply watching for whales from deck. These blue sea days offer an ideal balance to busy days spent exploring ashore.

Day 5 K'Gari (formerly Fraser Island), Australia

Fraser Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed for its diversity and beauty, with over 100 freshwater lakes despite being a sand island, and over 350 recorded bird species qualifying it as an Important Bird Area. The island can be explored by 4WD coach and kayak, and is home to the Butchulla Aboriginal culture. Lake McKenzie is the island's most spectacular lake, and the historic central station offers walks along the rainforest banks of Wanggoolba Creek.

Day 6 At Sea

Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax, unwind, and pursue personal interests, whether visiting the gym, the spa, or simply watching for whales from deck. These blue sea days offer an ideal balance to busy days spent exploring ashore.

Day 7 Shute Harbour (Whitsunday Islands), Australia

The 74 Whitsunday Islands are accessible from Shute Harbour - a quieter departure point than Airlie Beach, separated from it by Conway National Park. The islands offer Whitehaven Beach's silica sands, reef snorkelling, and sailing among some of the Queensland coast's most beautiful tropical scenery, with the Great Barrier Reef protecting the surrounding waters.

Day 8 Willis Island, Australia

Willis Island, 450 kilometres east of Cairns, is one of the least-visited places on Earth. Accessible only by government permit, it is home to millions of seabirds, turtles, crabs, and eels within the Coral Sea Commonwealth Marine Reserve. Wedge-tailed shearwaters, sooty terns, and common noddies breed here in numbers that create a constant cacophony day and night.

Day 9 Townsville, Australia

Townsville, on Queensland's north-east coast, basks in 320 sunny days a year and sits across a scenic 20-minute ferry ride from Magnetic Island. The 52-square-kilometre national park offers excellent diving on World War II wrecks, koala-filled eucalyptus forests, and secluded beaches. The Great Barrier Reef is accessible by boat, and Castle Hill's pink granite summit frames the bay in panoramic views.

Day 10 Port Douglas, Australia

Port Douglas sits at the point where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef - the only place on Earth where two UNESCO World Heritage Sites adjoin. The town's relaxed tree-lined main street, Four Mile Beach, and proximity to Agincourt Reef have made it the luxury gateway to tropical North Queensland's two great natural wonders.

Day 11 Cairns, Australia

Cairns is uniquely positioned between two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Great Barrier Reef and the lush rainforest that borders Australia's tropical coast. Boats depart for the turquoise waters of the Outer Reef and nearby islands, where vibrant coral and marine life flourish beneath the surface. Inland, a historic railway and scenic cable car wind through the rainforest, offering a different perspective on one of the world's oldest living landscapes.

Disembark Silver Moon today and make your way to your nearby Cairns hotel.  Check in for two nights.

Day 12 Cairns, Australia

Today, enjoy a Silverswift Outer Barrier Reef Cruise including morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea. 

Departing daily from Cairns, Silverswift is ready to whisk you away to three spectacular Outer Great Barrier Reef sites at Flynn, Pellowe, Milln and/or Thetford Reefs. 

Custom-built for snorkelling and diving adventures, enjoy 5 hours of aquatic fun for unlimited snorkelling.  With a state-of-the-art ride control system, change rooms, hot freshwater shower, air conditioned lounges and a licensed bar, you'll be travelling in comfort and style. 

Please note: scuba diving package options are available - ask your travel advisor for more details. 

Itinerary* (subject to change due to local conditions) 

• 7:30am: Check-in at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal 
• 8am: Vessel boarding and complimentary tea and coffee, light breakfast/pastries served 
• 8:30am: Depart for the Outer Barrier Reef 
• 9:50am: Arrival at the first Reef Site 
• 11:15am: Transit to the second Reef Site 
• 11:45am-1:15pm: Buffet lunch served 
• 1:40pm: Transit to the third Reef Site 
• 2:15pm: Afternoon tea served
• 3pm: Vessel boarding for final passenger count 
• 3:15pm: Commence return journey 
• 4:30pm: Arrival at the Cairns Reef Fleet Terminal

Day 13 Cairns, Australia

Check out of your Cairns accommodation this morning and take a private transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Terms and Conditions

1. All prices are quoted in Australian dollars (AUD), are based on per person twin-share occupancy unless otherwise stated, and include applicable taxes, fees, and discounts available at the time of publication.
2. Prices, itineraries, availability, and inclusions are correct at the time of publication (10th Nov 2026) but are subject to change without notice due to supplier availability, currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, airline costs, government taxes, or other operational factors outside our control.  
3. Advertised “from” pricing is based on lead-in cabin categories, including Inside, Oceanview, or Balcony cabins where specified. Some cabins may feature obstructed views. Cabin categories, layouts, and inclusions are subject to cruise line availability and conditions.
4. Advertised packages may include bonus nights, upgrades, package savings, onboard credit, promotional offers, or other value-added inclusions where specified. Offers are subject to availability and may be amended or withdrawn by suppliers without notice.
5. Airfares included in packages are subject to airline availability and fare conditions at the time of booking. Unless otherwise stated, fares are based on economy class travel from Sydney and may be non-refundable and non-changeable. Additional charges may apply for alternative departure cities, airfare upgrades, flexible fare options, routing variations, or seasonal surcharges.
6. Flight schedules, airlines, stopovers, and routing are subject to change by the airline or supplier. ecruising is not responsible for schedule changes, delays, or cancellations made by third-party travel providers, however your rights under the Australian Consumer Law remain unaffected.
7. Travel packages may include products and services provided by multiple independent suppliers, including airlines, cruise lines, hotels, and tour operators. Each supplier’s own booking terms, conditions, cancellation policies, and conditions of carriage apply to the relevant travel component.
8. Accommodation providers may charge additional resort fees, city taxes, gratuities, security deposits, or incidental charges payable directly by the guest at check-in or check-out unless otherwise stated.
9. It is the responsibility of each traveller to ensure they hold a valid passport, visas, travel permits, vaccinations, travel insurance, and any other required travel documentation for their journey. Travellers should confirm all entry and health requirements with the relevant authorities prior to departure.
10. Supplier-specific promotional terms and conditions may apply to advertised inclusions and cruise offers. Please refer to the relevant supplier website or contact ecruising for full details.
11. To the extent permitted by law, ecruising acts as an agent for third-party travel suppliers and is not liable for the acts or omissions of those suppliers. Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any consumer guarantees, rights, or remedies available under the Australian Consumer Law.
12. We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions, including pricing errors, at any time prior to confirmation of your booking.
13. Additional accommodation may be required pre or post the cruise to fit in with flight schedules and surcharges will apply. Please check with your travel agent.