Harbors & Havens

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

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

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

Timaru is a major New Zealand port that is located 160km SW of Christchurch. Timaru has been constructed on rolling hills created from the lava flows of the extinct Mt Horrible volcano. This results in most of the main streets being undulated, a clear contrast with the flat landscape of the Canterbury Plains to the north. Timaru also has many grand Victorian and Edwardian buildings constructed in local volcanic bluestone. Read more about Timaru, New Zealand

Christchurch, in the Province of Canterbury, is the largest city of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located mid-way down the island's east coast just north of Banks Peninsula, on the edge of the Canterbury Plains. It is a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and award-winning attractions. Christchurch was a planned settlement founded by English colonialists, and this rich English history is still apparent in the city's atmosphere. Read more about Christchurch, New Zealand

Wellington, New Zealand's capital city, is situated on the SW tip of the North Island, and is set on the edge of a stunning harbour surrounded by rolling hills. As the political centre of New Zealand, it houses Parliamentary buildings as well as the bulk of foreign diplomatic missions. However, it is also renowned for its cafe-culture, as there are more cafes per capita than in New York City, and they rival the world’s top culinary destinations for flavour and variety. The city’s world-class film industry attracts many visitors who are taken by expert tour operators to locations of several famous movies (e.g. Read more about Wellington, New Zealand

Napier is a port city in Hawkes Bay on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is known as the 'Art Deco' capital of the world because following the earthquake which almost levelled the city in 1931 the rapid rebuilding was strongly influenced by Art Deco architecture. The building style of clean simple lines and bas-relief decoration was not only at its height of popularity, it also suited the needs of the city. It is now maintained by the Art Deco Trust. Read more about Napier, New Zealand

The city of Gisborne is located at the north end of Poverty Bay in the east coast region of North Island, New Zealand. The Gisborne region has been settled by Maori tribes for over 700 years, where they built their fishing villages and hill forts. Here Captain Cook made his first landing in New Zealand with the Endeavour in 1769. European traders and whalers began to settle in the river and port area. Read more about Gisborne, New Zealand

Rotorua (Tauranga) is a centre of tourism and a place of extraordinary natural beauty. It is a smallish city on the shores of a lake of the same name, in the crater of an ancient volcano in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The entire area is thermally active, and the smell of sulphur, a 'rotten eggs’ smell that is never far, results in the nicknames 'Sulphur City' and 'Rottenrua'. The surrounding geothermal wonderland including 16 beautiful lakes and the lush green of the abundant native flora, soon causes one to get used to the odour. Read more about Rotorua (Tauranga), New Zealand

The city centre of Auckland is perfect for shopping, discovering New Zealand arts, culture and challenging your adventure side. Wander through The New Zealand Maritime Museum or Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki. Sky Tower is a must-do, where you can experience 360 degree views on the SkyWalk or go for it and attempt the SkyJump! View Auckland’s most iconic volcano! Read more about Auckland, New Zealand

Noumea is a culturally diverse city and it is reflected throughout its streets. Take a look around the art galleries or the beautifully restored Nouméa City Hall, which now houses the city museum. Take the time to visit and learn about the rich local Kanak culture. The largest cultural group of New Caledonia and very warm and welcoming in nature, you can experience it by visiting a tribe, attending one of the Tribal island festivals or tasting the local cuisine. Read more about Noumea, New Caledonia

Lined with lucious coconut trees, Maré has some local stalls offering snacks, drinks and souvenirs however if the beach is calling your name, Yelele Beach has been known to be one of the most beautiful. Perfect for snorkelling and crystal clear waters, be sure to not miss out on this wonderful sight! If you happen to be on Maré Island in May, there is a local Avocado Festival to experience that you will love! Meet the locals, partake in the activities and even try some avocado based delights! Read more about Mare Island, New Caledonia

Even though there is an US built airstrip dating back to WWII, Mystery island is only accessible by cruise ship. Once you step off your tender boat, your breath is taken away by the natural beauty. Whether you are staying close to the island facilities or want to venture off to find your perfect snorkeling spot, you will have a lovely relaxing day soaking up the sun! When you are ready to explore the island, start with the local markets and see what souvenir gifts they have to offer. Read more about Mystery Island, Vanuatu

Lautoka is situated on the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji, and just 20 km north of Nadi. The Fiji archipelago lies just to the western side of the International Date Line. Lautoka is Fiji's second largest city. Though a popular tourist destination, it does not rely on tourism for its economy. Read more about Lautoka, Fiji

Suva is the capital and largest city of Fiji, perched on a hilly peninsula between Laucala Bay and Suva Harbour in the SE corner of the island of Viti Levu. It is a beautiful tropical city full of colour and diverse cultures. Although it is the only place in Fiji where you will see buildings taller than palm trees, local folk traditions such as fire walks, welcoming ceremonies, wood-carving and the fabrication of tree-bark cloth, remain strong. Hire a taxi for the day or take a tour and enjoy its tall modern buildings which are beautifully balanced by rich traditional colonial architecture. Read more about Suva, Fiji

Apia (pop. 37,000), city and capital of Samoa, is located on the northern shore of Upolu Island in the South Pacific Ocean. Samoa (Western Samoa to 1997) consists of two main islands and four smaller islands. (American Samoa lies 72 km to the ESE.) Apia is on the second largest island. Read more about Apia, Samoa

Pago Pago Bay (pronounced "Pango Pango") on the island of Tutuila is the capital of American Samoa, a chain of seven South Pacific isles about 4,000 km south of Hawaii. Due to a massive seaward wall of a volcano collapsing aeons ago and opening to the sea, the harbor is hemmed in by towering mountains. Mt. Matafao (653m) and Mt. Read more about Pago Pago, American Samoa

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. The mysteries and romance associated with the words Bora Bora bring an almost mystical presence to the island; it is arguably the most famous island in the world. Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the centre of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that dazzle the eyes. Read more about Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia. The mysteries and romance associated with the words Bora Bora bring an almost mystical presence to the island; it is arguably the most famous island in the world. Part of the allure has to be its almost unbelievable beauty. Two towering peaks of sheer black rock dominate the centre of the island and make an impressive backdrop to an assortment of blue waters that dazzle the eyes. Read more about Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Raiatea is a South Pacific island in the west of French Polynesia. It is the second largest of the French Polynesian Archipelago. The same coral reef encloses both Raiatea and the smaller island of Tahaa just 4 km south. As it is believed by historians that Raiatea was the main stopover point for early Polynesians newly arrived from Hawaii, it is recognised as being the cultural heart of all Tahiti Polynesia. Read more about Raiatea, French Polynesia

The city of Papeete (Tahitian Pape'ete; pop. 27,000) is the capital of Tahiti, the largest of the French Polynesian Islands. With its pleasant warm tropical climate, city-lovers will enjoy Papeete's chic shops, specialist stores and boutiques, together with the lively mix of French, Polynesian, and Chinese cultures. Shop around for the best hire car deal and enjoy driving along the broad avenue by the famous waterfront, and then venture forth along the four-lane express way that links the city with the trendy suburban districts of Punaauia and Paea on the west coast. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia