Cruising the Coast of Victoria
Victoria can claim one of the smallest, yet most beautiful and diverse, slices of Australian coastline.
Cruises to Victoria berth at two different ports and tender out at interesting regional locations, offering cruise passengers easy access to wildlife, city life, wineries, breathtaking coastlines, lakes and mountains on a day trip.
Visitors can explore the cosmopolitan city of Melbourne and it’s labyrinthine laneways; and further afield near Portland is the Great Ocean Road and the iconic 12 Apostles. The small ports of Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island offer excursions to unforgettable wildlife experiences. Vineyards with open cellar doors and boutique restaurants tempt with delicious local produce.
Ask the Expert - Why Cruise Victoria?
“You can catch the 109 tram from the port of Melbourne straight into the city in five minutes, where you can explore hidden lane ways for some of the best shopping in Australia. And also taste the best coffee outside of Italy!”
- Rohan Ford - Manager & Luxury Cruise Consultant at Cruiseabout
Useful Facts
Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria
- Victoria’s coastline on the south eastern corner of Australia is 2512km including islands.
- Coastal temperatures in Victoria average 25°C in summer and 14°C in winter. Melbourne has a reputation for having 'four seasons in one day', so guests should bring a waterproof coat.
- Peak cruising season is from October to May.
- Cruise ships berth at Station Pier at Port Melbourne, on Port Phillip Bay, entering from Bass Straight.
- Port Melbourne is four kilometres from the city centre.
- The number 109 tram to Port Melbourne takes 20 minutes from Collins Street. Alternatively, take the City Express Bus.
- Melbourne Terminal is a 30 minute drive or 26.2km from Tullamarine, the city's domestic and international airport, with multiple daily services to hundreds of destinations.
- Time in Victoria is GMT + 10.
Must See Destinations
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Melbourne
With a population of 4.25 million people, Melbourne is a sprawling city on the Yarra River. Station Pier on Port Phillip Bay welcomes cruise passengers with beachside dining and high-end fashion. In the heart of town are café-lined laneways, unique restaurants, hidden bars, boutiques, and world-class art galleries. The city is wonderful to walk around, with lovely green spaces and architecture. Overnighters may join the locals at a large sporting event, live music venue or theatre performance in the vibrant CBD.
Mornington Peninsula – Shore excursion (tender location)
An hour from Melbourne, quaint coastal villages on rugged coastline, and hinterland hamlets offer excellent day trip activities. Passengers may visit acclaimed wineries and restaurants, ride horses, and swim with dolphins or seals. Relaxing activities include navigating the maze garden, picking strawberries, visiting hot springs, luxurious spas and golf courses.
Phillip Island – Shore excursion (tender location)
This wildlife island provides close encounters with seals, koalas, penguins and a variety of birdlife. Visit the historic farm on Churchill Island before you watch the most famous Penguin Parade.
Yarra Valley & the Dandenong Ranges – Shore excursion
This region of towering forests, secret fern glades and eclectic villages is a perfect day tour. Passengers can enjoy premium food and wine, native wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary, artisan outlets and galleries, and scenic drives through vineyards and rolling farmland.
Daylesford & Macedon Ranges – Shore excursion
Visitors flock to drink or bathe in the mineral spring water that flows through this mountainous region. Scattered towns boast luxury spas and holistic therapies, decadent food and wine and a resident artists community. Day tours take passengers to wander pretty regional gardens, spot wildlife on bush hikes, and linger at Mount Macedon and the mysterious Hanging Rock.
Geelong and the Bellarine – Port
Discover food and wine, historic seaside villages and breathtaking natural beauty just around the corner from Melbourne. Geelong has a stunning waterfront and the region is home to everything from craft breweries, wineries and contemporary galleries and cultural festivals. Excursions take passengers for wildlife encounters with koalas and kangaroos to the You Yang National Park.
Great Ocean Road, 12 Apostles and Portland – Shore Excursion
Bustling Portland is the birthplace of the state of Victoria and home to its oldest European settlement. Cruise ships berth at Portland Bay, a popular winter spot for migrating whales. Memorable half and full-day shore excursions visit Australia’s iconic Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, the acclaimed Coonawarra wine region to the west, and the rugged Grampians National Park to the north, featuring Aboriginal rock art and Australian wildlife.
Ballarat and Goldfields – Pre or Post cruise destination
At Sovereign Hill, where the dreams of the gold rush area are echoed in the landscape, travellers may pan for gold. Alternatively explore some of Australia’s best regional art galleries in the country towns of Ballarat and Bendigo.
Must Do Experiences
Centre Place, Melbourne, Victoria
- Ride Melbourne’s city circle tram with the locals.
- Sample Melbourne’s home roasted coffee in the maze of 19th century arcades.
- Taste local produce and shop for a bargain at Queen Victoria Market.
- Take a helicopter tour and see the 12 Apostles rock formations rising from the Southern Ocean.
- Travel the most famous road trip in the world, the Great Ocean Road.
- Watch seals play and see the sunset penguin parade on Phillip Island.
- Pan for gold in Ballarat at Sovereign Hill.
- Wildlife encounter at Healesville Sanctuary in the Yarra Valley.
- Go shopping in the quaint seaside villages and swim with the dolphins and sea-dragons on the Mornington Peninsula.
- Taste some of the best Shiraz and Pinot Noirs in the Yarra Valley.
Who Cruises?
Cruise ships, Melbourne, Victoria
Melbourne is the gateway to cruising the waters of the South Pacific, New Zealand and the east coast of Australia as well as Tasmania. Melbourne Station Pier welcomes a steady stream of ships over the summer months. A great range of short and long cruises depart Melbourne, from short, 3 day cruises to Sydney, Tasmania or Adelaide, to multi-continent encompassing world cruises.
Ships Passing...
Azamara: Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest
Carnival: Carnival Spirit, Carnival Legend, Ocean Dream Aurora
Costa: Costal Luminosa
Crystal Cruises: Crystal Symphony
Cunard: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria
Hapag Lloyd: Europa, Europa 2
Holland America: Maasdam, Noordam, Amsterdam, Oosterdam, Volendam
Insignia: Insignia
Norwegian: Norwegian Star, Norwegian Jewel
Oceania: MS Sirena
P&O: Pacific Aria, Pacific Jewel, Pacific Pearl, Pacific Eden, Pacific Explorer, Pacific Venus, Aurora
Phoenix Reisen: Artania
Prestige Cruises: Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Voyager
Princess Cruises: Dawn Princess, Sun Princess, Sea Princess, Golden Princess, Emerald Princess, Diamond Princess
Residences at Sea: The World
Royal Caribbean: Celebrity Solstice, Radiance of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, MS Insignia
Seabourn: Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Encore
Silver Seas: Silver Whisper, Silver Muse, Silver Shadow
Star Cruises: Superstar Virgo
Useful Links
Koala Conservation Centre, Phillip Island, Victoria
