Reefs, Rainforests & Island Cultures

18 Mar 27
Departs: 07:00 PM

Sydney might have its beaches, Melbourne great shops and restaurants, and Queensland is famous for its coastline but Brisbane is blessed by a mix of all three, albeit on a smaller scale. This city has a dynamic culinary scene, with local specialties including Moreton Bay Bugs, a lightly seasoned barbequed lobster cooked in its shell. The city's relative youth (200 years) means that it's a city hungry for art, music, and literature, and a fundamental stop for culture vultures would be QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art), which homes over 17,000 works including a fabulous selection of Aboriginal art.

19 Mar 27 - At Sea

20 Mar 27
07:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Airlie Beach is best experienced below the waves. The port is one of the main gateways for the Great Barrier Reef, so if underwater adventures surrounded by reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and countless colorful fish are on your bucket list then look no further. While the town's proximity to the 1,430 mile (2,300 km) living coral reef is undoubtedly one of Airlie Beach's main attractions, you can easily enjoy a day soaking up the sun and enjoying the town's relaxed backpacker vibe. For those who prefer their wildlife to be above the ground, Conway National Park offers tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and 447 native species.

21 Mar 27
Arrives: 10:00 AM

Located at the point where two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef – gently curve to the shoreline, Cairns is graced with inspiring natural attractions in all directions. Active discovery is enjoyed with kite surfing, swimming, snorkeling and Zodiac excursions; beyond the coast are mountains, rainforests, eucalyptus, waterfalls, lakes, rugged ravines and farmlands fed by freshwater streams.

22 Mar 27
Departs: 06:00 PM

Located at the point where two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef – gently curve to the shoreline, Cairns is graced with inspiring natural attractions in all directions. Active discovery is enjoyed with kite surfing, swimming, snorkeling and Zodiac excursions; beyond the coast are mountains, rainforests, eucalyptus, waterfalls, lakes, rugged ravines and farmlands fed by freshwater streams.

23 Mar 27 - At Sea

24 Mar 27
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Tucked just below the equator on the eastern shores of New Guinea (the other half belongs to Indonesia), the island nation of Papua New Guinea is home to beautiful tropical landscapes, azure waters, intricate coral reefs, exotic sealife and the wrecks of ships and aircraft that plunged into watery depths during World War II. From here, expeditions to the nearby isles of Samarai, Fergusson and Goodenough offer chances to delve further into history and spot wildlife amid unspoiled terrain.

25 Mar 27
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Longboats ply the waters of the Sepik river and tribal traditions still pepper everyday life in the rainforest-draped mountains, Papua New Guinea is a destination that delights the truly adventurous. That's true, too, of its urban capital, Port Moresby, a landscape shaped by the diverse fortunes of its people. Make a beeline for the National Museum & Art Gallery to understand more about this intriguing island's history and culture, illustrated by fascinating exhibits such as ceremonial musical instruments, canoes, and masks. Wander beneath the rainforest canopy of the city's Nature Park to see the giant flightless cassowary and the rainbow plumes of the male Raggiana bird-of-paradise, the island's national symbol. There is some of the best diving in the world off these shores, too, especially around the shipwrecks from World War II from hard-fought battles for this important strategic territory.

26-27 Mar 27 - At Sea

28 Mar 27
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Many travelers will think of Darwin as the jumping-off point for The Kimberley, the port is, of course, the gateway to the Northern Territory's famous 1,800-million-year-old red rocks, but Darwin has many other things to offer the day-tripper. Two of Australia's most spectacular National Parks (Kakadu and Litchfield) are within an easy drive of the city, so even if you don't want to get the full Kimberley experience, the ancient rock formations, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, jumping crocodiles and breathtaking gorges give a bite-sized version of the region's natural diversity. If you prefer to stay in the city, expect a multicultural experience. Darwin is closer to Jakarta than Canberra, so local markets, cafes, and restaurants overflow with Asian influence.

29 Mar 27 - At Sea

30 Mar 27
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Ringed by steep hillsides that fluctuate from jade green to rust red as the seasons shift, Komodo Island is a land of curious colors… and dragons. The largest island within the Komodo National Park, Komodo sports sandy beaches painted pink by the red coral that thrives on the reefs and locals who relish welcoming visitors. Besides the world's largest lizards, other wild residents include wild boars, deer, water buffalo, cockatoos and macaques.

31 Mar 27
Arrives: 12:00 PM

Deep-rooted Hindu spirituality meets an easy-going surfer mentality on the heavenly Indonesian island of Bali. Ancient temples stand alongside vegan cafés and yoga studios; sleek villas and boutique hotels are shrouded in lush, tropical jungle; and the pristine coastline is peppered with cliffside beach bars. A day spent lolling under a beach umbrella is a day well-spent, but should you wish to ramp up the activity there's plenty to do, from cooking lessons to kitesurfing.

01 Apr 27


Deep-rooted Hindu spirituality meets an easy-going surfer mentality on the heavenly Indonesian island of Bali. Ancient temples stand alongside vegan cafés and yoga studios; sleek villas and boutique hotels are shrouded in lush, tropical jungle; and the pristine coastline is peppered with cliffside beach bars. A day spent lolling under a beach umbrella is a day well-spent, but should you wish to ramp up the activity there's plenty to do, from cooking lessons to kitesurfing.