Australia: Harbour Views and Wildlife Encounters
Australia gave me plenty to look up at, from the enormous Moreton Bay fig trees in Sydney to the familiar sails of the Opera House, but some of my favorite moments happened down at kangaroo level. Exploring Sydney and visiting wildlife sanctuaries in Tasmania brought together the sights I’d hoped to see and encounters I hadn’t quite expected. There were rainy beach stops, days spent wandering, and kangaroos eating straight from my hand. Scroll down to join me in Sydney, Port Arthur, and Hobart, with the photos and stories that made each stop memorable.
Regional Port Highlights
New South Wales’ Harbour and Coast
Locations: Sydney
Sydney spreads around a harbour framed by the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, with leafy parks, waterfront walks, and beaches offering plenty of reasons to stay a few days beyond the cruise.
Tasmania’s Wildlife and Southern Shores
Locations: Port Arthur and Hobart
Tasmania brought a quieter side of Australia into view, where wooded shores and historic waterfronts formed the backdrop to sanctuary visits with Tasmanian devils, wallabies, and kangaroos.
Jeremy’s Quick Tips
Give Sydney a few days beyond your cruise. Staying after disembarkation gave me time to explore without squeezing everything into a single port call. It also meant a rainy first day didn’t decide the whole visit.
Let the kangaroos set the pace. Hand-feeding them was a highlight, but they weren’t equally interested at both sanctuaries. Follow the staff’s guidance and enjoy the encounter without expecting every animal to come over
Choose your Tasmanian wildlife excursion around the experience you want. I visited the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo from Port Arthur and Bonorong from Hobart. The Unzoo felt more intimate on my visit, while Bonorong was busier and had a wider variety of animals.
Confirm your Sydney cruise terminal before arranging transport. Sydney uses both the Overseas Passenger Terminal and White Bay Cruise Terminal. Check your sailing details so your hotel and transfer plans start from the right place.
Leave time for the walk between attractions. The Moreton Bay fig trees and fountain sculptures in Hyde Park were highlights before I even reached the sightseeing bus. Some of the best stops don’t need a booking.
Use the hop-on hop-off bus to get your bearings. I bought a two-day pass after dropping my suitcase at the hotel. It gave me a way to see more of Sydney while waiting for my room, including a stop at Bondi Beach.
Sydney
A few days in Sydney after my cruise took me from harbour landmarks and koi ponds to an aquarium tunnel with sharks overhead. A Blue Mountains outing added forested cliffs, a steep railway ride, and a kangaroo burger in Leura that I swear was better than beef.
Tasmania
My cruise stops in Port Arthur and Hobart brought close encounters with Tasmanian devils, sleepy wombats, and kangaroos eating from my hand. Two wildlife sanctuaries offered very different experiences, with the space and smaller group at the Tasmanian Devil Unzoo making it my favourite.