Published:
Readtime: 8 min
Every product is carefully selected by our editors and experts. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more. For more information on how we test products, click here.
Australia’s first dedicated heavy metal music cruise is set to sail in 2026 with local legends Parkway Drive to headline the inaugural Hellbound festival. Announced this week, the Hellbound cruise will see more than 15 of the nation’s top heavy acts take to a specially-designed stage on board the almost 300-metre long Carnival Splendour vessel for a three-day celebration of blast beats, breakdowns and brutality. The cruise will depart from Sydney on Thursday, 22 October 2026, before returning to shore on Sunday, 25 October 2026, with event organisers promising a “once-in-a-lifetime voyage of Great Barrier Riffs”.
Hellbound Cruise 2026 Key Information
- What: Australia’s first dedicated heavy metal music cruise
- When: Thursday 22 October – Sunday 25 October 2026
- Where: Departs & Arrives From Sydney
- Pre-Sale: Monday 12 May at 10am AEST Time
- Tickets: Thursday 15 May at 10am AEST Time
What is Hellbound?
Hellbound is a fully chartered, professionally managed cruise operated by Choose Your Cruise in partnership with music events and promotion company Destroy All Lines. Described as “Australia’s first dedicated heavy metal music cruise”, the three-day event delivers guests a suite of accommodation and food offerings, alongside a blockbuster lineup of live performances from some of the country’s best-loved heavy acts.
Byron Bay favourites Parkway Drive, who are set to headline a stunning symphony orchestra show at the Sydney Opera House in June, will helm the unique floating music festival, joined by Polaris, Northlane, The Butterfly Effect and a bunch more acts. The ‘headbanger’s paradise’ kicks off on Thursday, 22 October 2026, when the luxury Carnival Splendor cruise ship departs the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal on a round-trip voyage.
The 3,000 heavy music fans onboard will enjoy a custom-built main stage on the pool deck, an onboard fitness centre, Cloud 9 Spa and daily fitness classes, with the all-in-one ticket covering all entertainment, accommodation and food. According to Chris O’Brien, head promoter at Destroy All Lines, Hellbound is an event “for the ages”.
“I have been in discussion with Choose Your Cruise for years discussing a way to launch a Metal Cruise in Australia and I’m absolutely thrilled we have managed to pull this off,” he said. “At Destroy All Lines, we are always pushing the boundary with the experiences we offer the fans and ‘HELLBOUND’ is going to be one for the ages! Marius, Mick and his team are experts in their field and we couldn’t be in safer hands having them produce this incredible Festival on the open seas for our fans.”
Hellbound Cruise 2026 Lineup
The Hellbound lineup is headlined by Australia’s biggest heavy music act, Parkway Drive. The Byron Bay band is fresh off a critically acclaimed 20th anniversary tour and will bring an unbridled sense of energy and an impressive live show to the floating deck come departure time. The band recently announced a one-off full symphony orchestra show at the iconic Sydney Opera House for June, which promises to bring the band’s undeniable stage presence to new heights. With Hellbound, Parkway Drive is again rewriting the history books and this time, they are in good company.
Rising heavy act Polaris will join Parkway Drive on the Hellbound cruise, fresh off the success of their 224 album Fatalism which debuted at #1 on the ARIA Charts, won Best Independent Heavy Album at the 2024 AIR Awards and was nominated for Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album at the 2024 ARIA Music Awards. From there, attendees will also revel in the dynamic metalcore sounds of Northlane, the brutality of Make Them Suffer and The Butterfly Effect’s enthralling live show.
The full Hellbound cruise lineup 2026, as confirmed so far, includes:
- Parkway Drive
- Polaris
- Northlane
- The Butterfly Effect
- Make Them Suffer
- In Hearts Wake
- Belle Haven
- Bloom
- CHEZ
- Diamond Construct
- Future Static
- Ocean Sleeper
- Reliqa
- The Beautiful Monument
- The Gloom In The Corner
- To The Grave
- Windwaker
Hellbound Cruise 2026 Ticket Information
- Pre-Sale: Monday, 12 May 2025 at 10:00 AEST time via Destroy All Lines
- General Public: Thursday, 15 May 2025 at 10:00 AEST time via Destroy All Lines
Official pricing for the Hellbound cruise 2026 has not yet been revealed, however, event organisers have confirmed that further details about ticketing will be announced on Monday, 12 May 2025. The information will be available through the official Hellbound website, with links to pre-sale details to be provided at the same time. One thing to note is that payment plans will be available, with monthly or quarterly payment options offered once tickets go on sale.
The good news is that a Hellbound ticket grants you more than just access to the ship. Destroy All Lines has confirmed that all artist performances, onboard activities and entertainment are included in the ticket price. Once you pay your deposit, you can access the Hellbound lineup, rather than specific individual performers. Importantly, if an artist cancels or there is a significant change to the lineup, a replacement artist will be arranged. Additionally, the event organisers have confirmed that children over the age of 12 months at the time of sailing are welcome onboard.
Pre-Sale
Early-bird and pre-sale tickets for Hellbound officially open on Monday, 12 May 2025 at 10am AEST time. Interested parties can sign up for early-bird reminders now through the official Hellbound cruise website. The general on-sale tickets will then be available from 10am AEST on Thursday, 15 May 2025.
Onboard Activities
The only exception to this relates to the additional shipboard activities available on Carnival Splendor. The event organisers have confirmed that additional activities, such as spa treatments and specialised fitness classes, are not included in the ticket price and will incur additional charges. Onboard facilities include the two-deck Cloud 9 Spa, which provides a variety of wellness treatments and a “state-of-the-art” fitness centre. New dining options arrived in 2024, including the “Mad Sizzle” steakhouse and a refreshed Masala Tiger.
Hellbound Cruise 2026 Dates
The Hellbound cruise dates are Thursday, 22 October 2026 to Sunday, 25 October 2026. The voyage departs and arrives from Sydney, with guests to arrange their own travel to the New South Wales capital.
Full Itinerary
As mentioned, the Hellbound cruise will feature full set performances from Parkway Drive, Polaris, The Butterfly Effect and many more acts; however, there is much more on offer for those attending. Across the two uninterrupted days and three nights, event organisers will host DJ sets, themed nights and artist-hosted experiences.
| Day | Date | Port | Arrival/Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 22 October 2026 | Sydney, Australia | Departs 3:30pm |
| Friday | 23 October 2026 | At Sea | – |
| Saturday | 24 October 2026 | At Sea | – |
| Sunday | 25 October 2026 | Sydney, Australia | Arrives 6:30am |
Where Does the Hellbound Cruise Depart From?
The Hellbound cruise 2026 will depart from the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) located on the corner of Argyle and George streets, Circular Quay West, The Rocks NSW 2000 on a return trip back to Sydney. According to the official booking details, check-in for the cruise will run for three hours, starting at 11am and closing 30 minutes prior to departure. As a result, it is recommended that those flying into Sydney from interstate either arrive the night before or on the earliest possible flight to avoid unexpected delays.
The event is being held onboard the Carnival Splendor, a large cruise ship operated by Carnival Cruise Line. The vessel boasts a gross tonnage of 113,300 and stretches approximately 290 metres in length, accommodating over 3,000 passengers with a crew of around 1,150. Accommodation includes interior cabins, ocean view rooms, and balcony staterooms, with the option for premium options such as wrap-around balconies at the aft corners of the ship and extended balcony cabins at the stern that offer panoramic ocean views.
Marius Els, joint CEO at Choose Your Cruise revealed that the project has been in the works for some time, however, it was the support of Parkway Drive and Destroy All Lines that finally got Hellbound over the line.
“We have talked about launching a metal cruise for many years, and the Choose Your Cruise team is thrilled to finally bring this vision to life,” Els said. “We’re excited to add HELLBOUND to our lineup of successful cruise brands, and we have the perfect ship to deliver an unforgettable experience. A huge thanks to Destroy All Lines and Parkway Drive for their support in making this happen.”
For more information on the upcoming Hellbound metal cruise, visit the official website or follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok & Threads. Pre-sale ticketing begins on Monday, May 12, 2025, with general public ticketing available from 10am AEST, Thursday, 15 May.
