Australian Cruise Association is the peak cruise industry association for Australia and the South Pacific, dedicated to marketing the region as an ideal destination for cruise ships.

Our organisation is made up of over 100 members and represents regional ports, national and state tourism agencies, shipping agents, inbound tour operators and companies dedicated to making the Australian and South Pacific region a major world class base and destination for cruise vessels.

Mission

The Australian Cruise Association is a peak body representing the cruise shipping industry in Australia to realise the region’s potential as one of the world’s leading cruise destinations.

Learn more about becoming a member of Australian Cruise Association

History Overview

In 1993, Australian and New Zealand ports and tourism organisations unified to present a single marketing front at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami, under the 'Cruising Down Under' brand.

Initially supported by the Australian Tourist Commission (ATC), the group became a formal non-profit in 1998 to better develop cruise industry relationships.

Over time, structural changes included separating Chairman and Executive Director roles, extending committee terms, and inviting members to host the Annual Conference and AGM.

The organisation began measuring the economic impact of cruise shipping in Australia in collaboration with CLIA in 2005, and in 2006 entered into a formal partnership with Cruise New Zealand to jointly promote the region.

In 2016, the organisation rebranded as the Australian Cruise Association to better reflect its role as an industry body representing a diverse range of members, as well as to reinforce its position as the leading marketing organisation for cruise tourism in the Australia and South Pacific region.

Read more on the history of Australian Cruise Association