16-day South Australia discovery holiday

Your voyage begins in Sydney, Australia. As your ship passes Harbour Heads, you are presented with the shimmering skyline of Sydney - hailed by many seafarers as "the most beautiful harbor in the world." Two prominent landmarks, Harbour Bridge and the sail-like curves of the Sydney Opera House, grace the backdrop of this picturesque harbor. There is a wealth of adventure waiting in Sydney - from its cosmopolitan city center to miles of beautiful beaches and the Blue Mountains.Australia's oldest and largest city was born in 1788 with the arrival of the "First Fleet" transporting 760 British convicts. Today, Sydney is the largest port in the South Pacific and is often voted the most popular destination in the South Pacific.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Westerdam's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Your ship calls at Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia.

Victoria may be Australia's smallest continental state, but Melbourne, its capital, is big on everything. With a population of 4.25 million people living in 59 separately named communities within 715 square miles, Melbourne is a sprawling city offering culture, art, fashion and friendly, sports-minded Australians. It is also an easy city to explore. At the heart of the city is the Golden Mile, the city's governmental and commercial center, home to hotels, shops, restaurants and theaters.Originally part of New South Wales, Victoria became a colony in its own right in 1851. The discovery of gold propelled Melbourne's growth to prominence and prosperity.Travel Tip: Melbourne is pronounced "mell-burn."

A second day in Melbourne, Australia - time to explore at your own pace.

Your ship calls at Burnie, Tasmania, Australia.

Continue your voyage aboard Westerdam with a leisurely day at sea.

Founded in 1836, this graceful city lies nestled on the coastal plain between Gulf St. Vincent and the Adelaide Hills. Adelaide was the vision of Colonel William Light, Australia's Surveyor General, who created a one-mile-square grid for the city's center and surrounded it with a belt of stunning parkland. Today, Adelaide is a metropolis of over one million people, boasting wide, tree-lined boulevards, superb Victorian and Edwardian architecture, tranquil parks, world-class shopping, and the highest number of restaurants per capita of any city in Australia. Beyond the city and the rugged Adelaide Hills lie the Barossa and Eden Valleys. Here Australian vintners are winning international acclaim for their Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz.

Your ship calls at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island, Australia.

Another day at sea to explore the ship at your own pace.

A full day at sea - time to enjoy Westerdam's restaurants, pools and entertainment.

Tasmania's capital has much in common with Sydney. Founded but a few years later, Hobart also owes its origins to the establishment of a penal colony - and its natural setting is just as impressive. Seen from its fine deep-water harbor, Hobart spills over the lower reaches of the Derwent Valley as Mt. Wellington towers in the background. Much of the city's heritage is centered on the historic waterfront. North of the city stretches the vast parkland of the Queen's Domain. Many of Tasmania's other attractions are within easy reach of Hobart.With more than 90 National Trust buildings, Hobart, founded in 1804, combines colonial character with a sophisticated metropolitan lifestyle.

Your ship calls at Port Arthur, Australia.

Continue your voyage aboard Westerdam with a leisurely day at sea.

Your ship calls at Eden, New South Wales, Australia.

In 1770, Captain James Cook christened Nobbys Headland on his journey north along the Australian coast. European settlement of Newcastle, however, began 17 years later when Lt. John Shortland sailed up a fine broad river while searching for escaped convicts. Shortland named the stream the Hunter River after Australia's then Governor-General. During that short voyage the lieutenant also discovered vast deposits of coal. In 1804 the burgeoning mining settlement and lumber port was christened Newcastle after the famed English coal city. Newcastle, Australia, also served as a gateway to the rich lands of the Hunter Valley - a region producing internationally acclaimed wines by the mid-19th century.Christ Church Cathedral is the symbol of Newcastle. The restored church has survived both devastating earthquake and Japanese attack. In 1942, the Japanese submarine I-21 surfaced to shell the city and its dockyards.

Your voyage concludes in Sydney, Australia.