Cunard is basing Queen Mary 2 in Australia for a world-first circumnavigation cruise around the country in 2012.

The ship will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey’s Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. The circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali. 

The Australian deployment will be the longest Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.

Details were announced today during the ship’s visit to Sydney, when Cunard managing director Peter Shanks said he expected strong demand for the voyage from Australian and international markets.

“Recognising the strong growth of cruising in the Australian market and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to base the most famous ship in the world, Queen Mary 2, in Australia in 2012,” he said.

In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as it sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each have two visits from the liner during her Australian season.

The Royal Circumnavigation will not go on sale until mid-2010 but Cunard will be taking expressions of interest from this Friday, March 12, 2010 from travellers interested in sailing from Sydney, Fremantle or Adelaide.

Final itinerary details are being finalised with port authorities in Australia.