The propulsion system was capable of generating 1,000 indicated horsepower (750 kW), for a top speed of 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).

On her initial sea trials, Aurora reached a top speed of 11.2 knots (20.7 km/h; 12.9 mph) from 1,165 ihp (869 kW).

One of her chief responsibilities during the cruise was to determine whether Austro-Hungarian merchant vessels should extend their routes to ports beyond Hong Kong.

[5] Aurora and the gunboat Nautilus conducted extensive surveys and scientific research in the region during this period, building on the knowledge gained during the Novara Expedition.

[6] After a brief return home in 1899, Aurora immediately went on another cruise abroad, this time through the Suez Canal to East Africa and the Indian Ocean.

After Austria-Hungary's defeat in World War I in 1918, the Austro-Hungarian fleet was divided between the victorious Allied powers, and Aurora was allocated to the Royal Yugoslav Navy in 1920.