Australia Circumnavigation - O181

Getting around Sydney is easy and accessible. You can jump on a train from Sydney airport to Circular Quay in approx.18 minutes, ride the hop on hop off bus around the city that offers multiple stops including Sydney Tower, Botanic Gardens, Australian Powerhouse and Maritime Museums, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge or the Bondi bus. If travelling on the water is more your style, catch a ferry to visit Sydney’s amusement park, Luna Park, visit the buzzing Manly Beach wharf which is linked to the Corso mall or cruise west of the city to join a Haunted History, Crooked Character or Convict Precinct tour at UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, Cockatoo Island. The best times to visit Sydney are September through November and from March to May as they offer the most comfortable temperatures, around mid 20°C. Read more about Sydney, Australia

Whether you’re Stand Up Paddle Boarding to take in a different view of Airlie Beach or visiting the must-see Whitehaven Beach full of white sand and crystal-clear water, Airlie Beach experiences temperatures of 23 – 30 degrees all year round. June through August is the best time of year for spotting humpback whales up close as they migrate through the Whitsundays. Read more about Airlie Beach, Australia

Townsville is a city on the NE coast of Queensland, Australia. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, the city has direct access to the beach. It lies in the dry tropics region, with old gold mining towns, rainforest waterfalls and a relaxed Queensland ambience that add up to 'life in Townsville'. A couple of notable 'must-dos' include viewing the city and Magnetic Island from Castle Hill that overlooks the CBD. Read more about Townsville, Australia

Whether you're snorkeling or diving on the Great Barrier Reef or exploring the luscious Daintree Rainforest, Cairns is a great base for you to start your tropical north Queensland adventure. The Cairns esplanade is the main hub with a host of lovely cafes and restaurants, waterfront boardwalks and also a swimming lagoon. A perfect meeting spot if you're catching up with family or friends. Head out on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef which departs from Cairns. Read more about Cairns, Australia

The Ribbon Reefs is a system of 10 large reefs in the Coral Sea, stretching over 100 km along the edge of and parallel to Australia's eastern continental shelf. Each reef is separated by a deep water channel. Located about 110 km to 190 km NE of Cairns and Port Douglas, they lie beyond the reach of day boats. Cooktown due W is closer at 58 km. Read more about Ribbon Reef 5, Australia

The new Darwin cruise ship terminal at Fort Hill Wharf is adjacent to the convention centre, only one kilometre from Darwin’s CBD. Modern amenities, hotels and parking are there, plus a mini-market with beautiful local productions – Aboriginal art and crafts, diamonds and opals, and eateries, distinctive of the Top End. Darwin is a home port for the small luxury vessels Coral Princess and Coral Discoverer that explore the Kimberley coast to Broome. A score of cruise ship lines include Darwin in their itineraries for Australia, Indonesia, South-East Asia and World Cruises. Read more about Darwin, Australia

Dili is the capital, largest city, chief port and commercial centre of East Timor (Timor-Leste). It lies on the north coast of the island of Timur, the southern half of which is Indonesian territory. Darwin lies 715 km to the SE. The island was a Portuguese colony, and an Indonesian province from 1975 to 1999, a period marked by violence. Read more about Dili, Timor-Leste

Komodo Island may be closed to visitors throughout 2020, following which numbers may be limited to 5000 annually. The decision will be made in mid 2019. Komodo Island lies in the Wallacea Region of Indonesia, identified by Conservation International as a global conservation priority area, and is located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago between the islands of Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east. It makes up part of the Komodo National Park that consists of generally young, oceanic volcanic islands that are constantly rising, eroding and subsiding in the sea. Read more about Komodo Island, Indonesia

Broome, situated on a peninsula in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, is known as the ‘pearl of the north’ due to its being the home of the South Sea pearls, among the largest commercially harvested cultured pearls in the world. In the 1800s Broome attracted pearl divers from Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines, resulting in the delightful multicultural town it is today. Visitors can witness first-hand how Broome pearls are cultured on a cruise to a local pearl farm, and hear the romantic stories of the original pearl luggers. Visit the amazing pearl showrooms of Chinatown. Read more about Broome, Australia

Exmouth is a small resort town situated just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, 1100km north of Perth in Western Australia. The location was a WWII military base, and the town was established in 1967 to support the nearby US Naval Communication Station. Some structures are still used by the Australian navy. The town lies on the eastern shore of North West Cape, facing Exmouth Gulf. Read more about Exmouth, Australia

Geraldton, located about 450 km north of Perth, boasts a beautiful coastline overlooking the Indian Ocean and rolling hills and breakaway ranges inland. The Chapman and Greenough Rivers frame the city to the north and south. This superb positioning, year-round sunny climate, combined with the friendly feel of a modern country town, makes for an enjoyable visit. A highlight is to take a tour on a small plane to the spectacular Abrolhos Islands and even Monkey Mia. Read more about Geraldton, Australia

Another 'must', is a visit to the delightful Fremantle Markets, a precinct providing local arts, crafts, jewellery, specialty foods, and dining halls. The area also hosts buskers and other street performers. Fremantle offers seven-day shopping, a fantastic array of food, and the welcoming Cappuccino Strip, all of which adds up to fun and entertainment for all ages. It is truly an elegant and energetic city! Read more about Fremantle, Australia

Another 'must', is a visit to the delightful Fremantle Markets, a precinct providing local arts, crafts, jewellery, specialty foods, and dining halls. The area also hosts buskers and other street performers. Fremantle offers seven-day shopping, a fantastic array of food, and the welcoming Cappuccino Strip, all of which adds up to fun and entertainment for all ages. It is truly an elegant and energetic city! Read more about Fremantle, Australia

Albany is situated on the south coast of Western Australia's tourist region. It faces the Southern Ocean and is on the shores of King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour. Being the site of the first European settlement, much of their legacy remains today with around 50 colonial buildings standing proudly as museums, galleries and restaurants. Visitors can take in almost two centuries of history on a 30-minute walk following the Amity Trail. Read more about Albany, Australia

Port Lincoln is a city of 16,000 situated on Boston Bay which opens into Spencer Gulf, at the southern extremity of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. It lies 270 km due west of the State capital Adelaide. The waters are fished for southern bluefin tuna and sardines, and are home to Australia’s largest commercial fishing fleet. Aquaculture is a thriving industry, and large quantities raised in tuna ranches supply the Japanese market. Read more about Port Lincoln, Australia

The Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal is 22 km from Adelaide city centre. Access is via a vehicle drop-off zone, or a 200 m walk to Outer Harbour railway station. Park cars nearby, but note there is no long-term parking. Adelaide is an architecturally-planned city, set beside the River Torrens between the Adelaide Hills and Gulf St Vincent. Read more about Adelaide, Australia

Cruise ships anchor off the town of Penneshaw and tender to the jetty. Kangaroo Island, named by Matthew Flinders in 1802, is Australia's third largest island. Situated 112 km SW of Adelaide, it is a pristine untamed wilderness where the koalas aren't being cuddled, they're relaxing at home in native trees. The seals aren't performing, they're lazing beside you on the beach. Read more about Kangaroo Island, Australia

For those with a little more time to spend in Melbourne, there are many easy day trips to enjoy beyond the city limits by guided tour or with a hire car. Not even an hour from Melbourne, you’ll find Australia’s best-preserved steam train Puffing Billy - the historic railway puffs through the leafy Dandenong Ranges. The Mornington Peninsula offers first-rate wineries, local cuisine, and both bay and ocean beaches. To get up close with native fauna, a trip to Healesville Sanctuary will give you a fix - the beautiful, bushland-set sanctuary gives you the chance to cosy up with koalas, kangaroos and wombats as well as lesser-known Australian animals. Read more about Melbourne, Australia

Burnie, on the NW coast of Tasmania, is a regional city best known for its busy container port and major industries. It is becoming famous for the wealth of unexpected places for visitors to explore. The central business district provides a thoroughfare to the beach-side board-walk, while Burnie Park with its historic tearoom the 'Burnie Inn', a wildlife sanctuary and a walking track to Oldaker Falls, are close to the city centre. Just a few minutes’ drive away you can view wild platypuses along the banks of the Emu River, then head to the Lactose Cheese Tasting centre and enjoy the region's famous cheeses, specialty products, and the best Tasmanian wines. Read more about Burnie, Australia

Getting around Sydney is easy and accessible. You can jump on a train from Sydney airport to Circular Quay in approx.18 minutes, ride the hop on hop off bus around the city that offers multiple stops including Sydney Tower, Botanic Gardens, Australian Powerhouse and Maritime Museums, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge or the Bondi bus. If travelling on the water is more your style, catch a ferry to visit Sydney’s amusement park, Luna Park, visit the buzzing Manly Beach wharf which is linked to the Corso mall or cruise west of the city to join a Haunted History, Crooked Character or Convict Precinct tour at UNESCO’s World Heritage Site, Cockatoo Island. The best times to visit Sydney are September through November and from March to May as they offer the most comfortable temperatures, around mid 20°C. Read more about Sydney, Australia