Far East To Down Under

Hong Kong, situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea, is a kaleidoscope of life, a sophisticated fusion of East and West, a city of diversity where new and old meet at every turn. Hong Kong offers a host of memorable tourist attractions within its compact area. Victoria Harbour and the Giant Buddha are among the most awe-inspiring. Then take the famous Escalator and the Tram to the Peak, the tallest point on the island, with some of the most expensive homes to be found anywhere. Read more about Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Hong Gai – aka Halong, Hanoi – is a port city located about 160 km NE of Hanoi in Vietnam. The city lies mainly on Bai Tu Long Bay, a part of the beautiful Halong Bay. This huge bay is famous for its wonderful landscape of over 200 cliff islands covered with beautiful tropical vegetation and surrounded by the mysterious, beautiful, quiet waters of the bay. Over innumerable centuries the lapping waves at the bases of the cliffs have resulted in the many strangely shaped limestone inlets, striking caves and grottos. Read more about Hong Gai, Viet Nam

Hue is the former Imperial capital of Vietnam and is intimately connected to the imperial Nguyen Dynasty that ruled from 1804 to 1945. The Perfume River is the main landmark and distinctly divides the city in two, with the old city on the north side and the newer city, including most hotels and restaurants, on the south side. Much of the riverside has wisely been done up as a pleasant promenade and park dotted with most unusual sculptures. The Citadel in the old city is of great historical interest. Read more about Hue, Viet Nam

Hue is the former Imperial capital of Vietnam and is intimately connected to the imperial Nguyen Dynasty that ruled from 1804 to 1945. The Perfume River is the main landmark and distinctly divides the city in two, with the old city on the north side and the newer city, including most hotels and restaurants, on the south side. Much of the riverside has wisely been done up as a pleasant promenade and park dotted with most unusual sculptures. The Citadel in the old city is of great historical interest. Read more about Hue, Viet Nam

Nha Trang is a coastal city and capital of Khánh Hòa province, Vietnam. It is possibly best known for its bay, one of the most beautiful in the world, and the excellent scuba diving. It is a popular destination for locals, international tourists and large numbers of backpackers. The setting is stunning, with towering mountains looming up behind the city and the sweeping beach stretching into the distance, the turquoise waters dotted with little islands. Read more about Nha Trang, Viet Nam

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the largest city of Vietnam in SE Asia, is situated on the banks of the Saigon River which flows into the Mekong delta, in the south of the country. Phu My, 70km to the SE, is one of the many ports used by tourist ships bringing visitors to this rapidly developing and dynamic city with more than 6 million citizens. Ho Chi Minh City’s architecture and lifestyle is a combination of American and Chinese influences. Modern office skyscrapers, amidst Chinese style pagodas and food stalls along the street, create a dynamic urban area in a very special sense. Read more about Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the largest city of Vietnam in SE Asia, is situated on the banks of the Saigon River which flows into the Mekong delta, in the south of the country. Phu My, 70km to the SE, is one of the many ports used by tourist ships bringing visitors to this rapidly developing and dynamic city with more than 6 million citizens. Ho Chi Minh City’s architecture and lifestyle is a combination of American and Chinese influences. Modern office skyscrapers, amidst Chinese style pagodas and food stalls along the street, create a dynamic urban area in a very special sense. Read more about Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Sihanoukville (aka Kampong Som) is a port city in southern Cambodia on the Gulf of Thailand, 185 km SW of the capital Phnom Penh. Historically, it was the site of the last official battle of the U.S. Army in the war, and two shipwrecks 40 m down, off one of its islands, are of interest to divers. It is the only deep water port in the country, and one of the main centres of economic growth in Cambodia. Read more about Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Bangkok, the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand, is about a two-hour trip from Laem Chabang Port. The city is situated at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. It is a place where the past, present, and future live harmoniously together, as reflected by the luxury hotels and gleaming skyscrapers that grace the skyline alongside dazzling, historical temples. The city's wealth of cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious entertainment venues has made it synonymous with exoticism. Read more about Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand

Bangkok, the capital, largest urban area and primary city of Thailand, is about a two-hour trip from Laem Chabang Port. The city is situated at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River. It is a place where the past, present, and future live harmoniously together, as reflected by the luxury hotels and gleaming skyscrapers that grace the skyline alongside dazzling, historical temples. The city's wealth of cultural landmarks and attractions in addition to its notorious entertainment venues has made it synonymous with exoticism. Read more about Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand

Ko Samui is an island off the E coast of the Kra Isthmus in Thailand, about 35 km NE of Surat Thani town on the mainland peninsula. It lies in the Gulf of Thailand, and is Thailand's second largest island, though only 15 km across. The central part of the island is an uninhabitable mountainous jungle. The various lowland areas are connected by a single road that circumnavigates the island. Read more about Ko Samui, Thailand

Singapore is an island nation located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. It lies 137 km N of the Equator, just south of the Malaysian state of Johor. One of the few remaining city-states in the world, Singapore is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is brimming with diversity and has a multiplicity of culture, language, arts and architecture and a world famous variety of cuisine. You'll find historic sites like the Thian Hock Keng temple, superlative shopping, including gargantuan malls, and numerous beaches. Read more about Singapore, Singapore

Semarang, on the N coast of Java, is the capital of the Province of Central Java and one of the largest cities in Indonesia. Northern Semarang has a lot of old Dutch colonial buildings, especially in the area called The Old City. Here is found the fascinating Dutch fortress that is pentagonal in shape, and nearby the Lawang Sewu building, once a company head office for the Dutch East Indies, with an old locomotive, to name but a few of about 50 old buildings that recall the history of colonialism. Benowo waterfall is located near Mount Ungaran, Read more about Semarang, Indonesia

Surabaya is Indonesia’s second largest city and the capital of East Java. It is located on the NE coast of Java, sheltered by the island of Madura in the Java Sea. This is “the city of heroes”, whereby during a battle between Indonesian nationalists and British/Dutch forces in 1945 Indonesia galvanised its claims to independence. The city’s 800-year recorded history includes sultanates, Dutch East India Company trading, and Japanese occupation. Read more about Surabaya, Indonesia

Bali is an Indonesian island at the western-most of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of Indonesia’s 33 provinces, with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island. Bali is home to the most of Indonesia's Hindu minority, and also the largest tourist destination in the Archipelago. Activities on offer include white water rafting, jungle trekking, river kayaking, mountain cycling and scuba diving. Read more about Denpasar (Bali), Indonesia

Bali is an Indonesian island at the western-most of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of Indonesia’s 33 provinces, with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island. Bali is home to the most of Indonesia's Hindu minority, and also the largest tourist destination in the Archipelago. Activities on offer include white water rafting, jungle trekking, river kayaking, mountain cycling and scuba diving. Read more about Denpasar (Bali), 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

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

Margaret River is a town in the SW of Western Australia, located in the valley of the Margaret River, 277 km south of Perth, the state capital. It is located 9 km inland from the Indian Ocean. An exciting dimension to the Margaret River cruises, passengers come ashore at Busselton, which has at 1.8km the world’s longest jetty. Also of interest is that with only 55 sq.km. Read more about Margaret River, 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

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

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