1. Cedar Creek Falls, Airlie Beach, Qld

When you’re surrounded by the postcard-perfect Whitsunday coastline, heading inland might seem an unusual move – that is, until you witness the beauty of Cedar Creek Falls. A short drive from Airlie Beach, the hidden gem waterhole is a refreshing spot to swim or simply relax, surrounded by towering cedar trees. For extra special views, you can hike to the falls’ peak, exploring rockpools along the way. The falls are one of the highlights of Carnival’s “Creek to Cape” excursion, which also includes visits to beaches at Cape Gloucester Resort and Frog Rock Reserve. 

2. The Pinnacles and Lancelin Sand Dunes, WA

Ten hours, two otherworldly landscapes, and one delicious seafood meal straight from the source – it’s all the makings of one epic daytrip when Silversea ship Silver Whisper drops into Fremantle in December. The brilliant white sand dunes of Lancelin are the biggest of their kind in WA, and ready for exploration on a thrilling 4WD tour. Arguably even more remarkable is The Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park, where an eerie landscape of limestone pillars dates back some 25,000 years. The top-notch sightseeing is paired with lunch in the lobster fishing town of Cervantes. 

3. Moreton Island, Qld

Sure, the snorkelling is incredible and the whale watching is wonderful, but if you’re going to Moreton Island, you want to spend some time on the sand. After all, it’s the third biggest sand island in the world, and home to the world’s tallest coastal sand dune. Part thrill ride, part scenic tour, an ATV Quad Bike Adventure leads you to the island’s best viewpoints as you take the wheel of your own quad bike along the beach and a series of bush trails. Rated the best tour on the island, it’s garnered huge fans among P&O Cruises passengers. In the words of one reviewer: “Beautiful scenery. Would do it again and again.” 

4. Valley of the Giants and Greens Pool, WA

Green is the theme when you join a tour in search of some of Southern WA’s most extraordinary views. At the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk in Walpole-Nornalup National Park, sightseers get a bird’s eye view of the thick forest canopy from a height of 40m. And down at sea level, the captivating Elephant Rocks and striking Greens Pool practically beg you to take a dip – or at least a photo. The tour is among the excursions on offer when Princess Cruises' Coral Princess visits Albany next month as part of a 28-day Round Australia cruise. 

5. Cottage Point Inn, Sydney, NSW

If you thought Sydney Harbour was spectacular from the deck of a ship, wait until you see it from the air. Sweeping views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House are just the amuse-bouche when you board a seaplane flight from Rose Bay to the city’s Northern Beaches. You’ll be dropped right outside Cottage Point Inn, a fine-dining restaurant on the banks of the Hawkesbury River, for a leisurely lunch. Billed as one of Sydney’s best-kept secrets, the inn has undergone a major renovation ahead of the summer season. Holland America passengers can book the “Seaplane Flight & Fine Dining” excursion on the cruise line’s Sydney itineraries. 

6. French Island, Victoria

Twice the size of neighbouring Phillip Island, but much less well known, French Island is home to one of Australia’s biggest koala populations and described as one of Australia’s best-kept secrets. The off-grid island, accessible by a short ferry ride from Phillip Island, has no sealed roads and is two-thirds national park. A guided 4WD tour sees visitors head off-road to explore the island’s bush, farmland and historic sites, with a chance of spotting koalas, echidnas and birdlife. The half-day tour is offered when Oceania Cruises’ ship Regatta calls at Phillip Island on an Australia Panorama voyage in January. 

7. Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, Barossa Valley, SA

If there’s one thing better than the countryside scenery of the Barossa Valley, it’s enjoying said scenery over a glass of wine and platter of delicacies courtesy of an Australian food legend. This perfect scenario awaits at Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop, set on the property that’s inspired her farm-to-fork creations for more than 40 years. On an excursion when Celebrity Edge stops in Adelaide, visitors will be treated to a VIP cooking demonstration in Maggie Beer’s kitchen, boasting a lakeside setting ideal for spotting turtles and local birdlife. The experience is available as part of a 10-day Australia Wine itinerary, also stopping at Kangaroo Island, Melbourne and Hobart.

8. The Nut, Stanley, Tasmania

If Uluru was dropped on to a beautiful beach, it would give you an idea of what to expect at The Nut. In Tasmania’s far northwest corner – aka The Edge of the World – the core of an extinct volcano rises from the ocean alongside the picturesque town of Stanley. Rather than tackle the steep, 152m climb to the top, the less sweat-inducing option is to take a scenic five-minute chairlift before admiring panoramic views at the summit. You can join the “Stunning Stanley and the Nut” excursion when Norwegian Spirit calls into Burnie this summer season. 

9. Barron Gorge, Cairns, Qld

Cairns may be best known as a jumping-off point for the Great Barrier Reef, but there’s another local body of water that warrants exploring. Barron Falls is a highlight of the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail from Cairns, but there’s an even more immersive way to experience the Barron River – by paddling along grade two and three rapids, surrounded by the lush rainforest of the Barron Gorge National Park. Join a small group white water rafting excursion when Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady calls into Cairns on a 15-night Australia, Bali & Singapore itinerary. 

10. Eagles Claw Nature Reserve, Eden, NSW

Come for the stunning coastal scenery and stay for the heartwarming story of little penguins returning to their long-lost home. At Eden on the NSW south coast, Eagles Claw Nature Reserve was home to one of mainland Australia’s few little penguin colonies, until they were wiped out by feral dogs in the 1990s. Now the colony is being re-established with an innovative project to lure penguins back. The “Scenic Views and Eagles Claw Reserve” excursion is offered on Disney Wonder’s calls to Eden, teaming the penguin discovery with breathtaking coastal vistas from the viewing platforms at Boyd’s Tower.

See also: 

12 awesome new cruises from Australia

8 cruises Australia can’t get enough of

Cheap travel tricks only cruise addicts know