Why a cruise is the best way to discover the secrets of Australia and New Zealand

With Australia and New Zealand being so vast and patchily populated, some of their major highlights are remote and not easy to get to. The answer? Choose a cruise that puts less accessible spots within reach. From Milford Sound and the Murray River to the Kimberley Coast and Great Barrier Reef, there are ships that venture beyond the expected for thorough explorations Down Under.

Island state

There's nowhere like Tasmania for encountering Aussie wildlife. Seek wallabies, wombats and Tasmanian devils on a week-long sailing from Hobart, the capital of Australia's island state. Head ashore to discover ancient forests and rolling countryside, then hike to stunning Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park and explore the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Along the way, taste local treats (including the world's best oysters) and sip crisp, cool-climate wines produced in Tassie.

How to do it: Coral Expeditions offers seven-night round-trip cruises from Hobart on Coral Discoverer, from £3,360pp, excluding flights; departs annually from January to March (coralexpeditions.com).

Forgotten isles

So remote and little-visited are New Zealand's sub-Antarctic isles that they are frequently omitted from maps of the region, hence their nickname 'Forgotten Islands'. Lost in the Southern Ocean, these scattered landfalls are home to an astounding array of wildlife. Visit Campbell Island, The Snares and Auckland Islands on a week-long voyage, coming face-to-face with penguins, sea lions, albatrosses and meadows of 'megaherbs' – flowering plants endemic to these isles.

How to do it: Heritage Expeditions offers a seven-night round-trip cruise from Invercargill aboard Spirit of Enderby from around £3,793pp, excluding flights. Departs January 3 or December 23, 2020 (heritage-expeditions.com).

Wilderness coast

Considered alongside the polar regions as one of the world's last great wildernesses, the hard-to-reach Kimberley coast is best discovered by small-ship cruise. This wild and sparsely populated portion of Western Australia harbours impressive waterfalls, Aboriginal rock art and wildlife such as humpback whales, sea turtles and crocodiles. Take it all in on an expedition cruise from Kununarra to Broome, with plenty of shore excursions using a fleet of Zodiacs.

How to do it: APT offers a nine-night cruise from £7,995pp, including flights, transfers and hotel stays (one night each) in Perth, Kununarra and Broome; departs May 20, 2020 (14 nights total, aptouring.co.uk).

Killer whales and quokkas

Western Australia's far-flung southwest is wild and wonderful too. Discover it aboard True North on a journey around this remote stretch of coast, taking in shocking-pink Lake Hillier, whale-watching (including orcas) in Bremer Bay and a chance to swim with dolphins in the wild. A final highlight before arriving in Perth is visiting Rottnest Island, home of the delightful quokka - an adorably cuddly marsupial.

How to do it:Original Travel offers a seven-night cruise (departing January 21, 2021) from Esperance to Perth from £9,351pp, including flights, transfers, three nights in Perth and a wine-tasting experience (12 nights total; originaltravel.co.uk).

Reef and rainforest

No less wild are Arnhem Land and Cape York, way up in Australia's Top End. Home to indigenous peoples whose cultures stretch back over 40 millennia, much of the region is inaccessible and thus rarely seen by outsiders. Be among the privileged few to experience this ancient land, taking in the Tiwi and Torres Strait Islands, the magical Great Barrier Reef and the very tip of Australia, Cape York.

How to do it: Discover the World offers an 11-night cruise from Cairns to Darwin (departs March 29, 2020) from £7,109pp, including flights, transfers and two nights' hotel accommodation (15 nights total, discover-the-world.com).

Western wonders

For coral encounters on the other side of the country, try a short cruise to the Abrolhos Islands. These isolated outposts of Western Australia are easily explored in a couple of days aboard the 38-passenger Eco Abrolhos. Stroll along empty beaches, snorkel on shipwrecks and vibrant reefs or forage for crayfish and oysters - all the while keeping your eyes peeled for dolphins and other wildlife.

How to do it:Eco Abrolhos Cruises offers a four-night Abrolhos Islands cruise from Geraldton, Western Australia from around £1,328pp, excluding flights; departures in February, March, April and October, 2020 (ecoabrolhos.com.au).

Inland adventure

America's Deep South meets the Australian Outback on the Murray River, whose vast drainage basin stretches across four states. Sail a portion of this mighty waterway as it flows through South Australia on Murray Princess, a Mississippi-style paddle steamer. A week-long trip (which can be broken into three- or four-night segments if tight for time) allows ample opportunity for bush walks, wine tasting, riverside barbecues or simply admiring the gorges, cliffs and wildlife en route.

How to do it: Freedom Destinations offers a seven-night cruise round-trip from Mannum, South Australia from £1,175pp, excluding flights; departs year-round (freedomaustralia.co.uk).

Island hopping

The Land of the Long White Cloud is full of marvellous discoveries. Encounter the best of both North and South Island on a semi-circumnavigation from Auckland to Dunedin via hot springs, volcanoes and fjords. Along the way, tick off sights such as charming Napier's Art Deco architecture and Rotorua's impressive geothermal scenery and Maori heritage, then visit sites (such as Ship Cove and Cook Strait) explored by Captain Cook when he first sailed here 250 years ago.

How to do it:Silversea Cruises offers the nine-night voyage from £5,490pp, including flights, transfers and one night's pre-cruise accommodation; departs December 11, 2020 (silversea.com).