Windstar Cruises announced that Star Breeze made its first call in Sydney, Australia on November 22.

The 312-passenger ship arrived in Sydney where it will set sail on a 13-night privately chartered cruise to Melbourne, according to a press statement. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on December 4 and continue with a series of Australia-centric cruises through February 2023. 

“In addition to expected Australian tourist highlights like the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef, Windstar strives to take its guests down the road less traveled to immerse them in the region’s history, traditional culture, and incredible wine country,” said Windstar president Christopher Prelog.

“Windstar goes to rarely visited small ports like Thursday and Middle Percy islands and offers a series of thoughtfully curated shore excursions ranging from meeting with researchers at the Lizard Island Research Station to sampling Tasmania’s finest produce. We are all about getting our guests away from the crowds, up close with wildlife, and tasting the best flavors of the region.”

This is the first time that a Windstar ship has sailed long itineraries in this region including visits to Mooloolaba and Phillip Island.

The cruise line’s upcoming Australian itinerary is a 14-night Tasman Sea Treasures: New Zealand Fiords & Southern Australia which departs from Melbourne on December 4 with visits to Burnie, Tasmania, Freycinet, Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Bluff, New Zealand, Dunedin, New Zealand, and Tauranga, New Zealand among other destinations.