Gems Of The Southern Seas - 8184A

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

Lembar is a port in Tawun Harbour on the island of Lombok, located 100 km E of Bali in Indonesia. The island has been promoted as "an unspoiled Bali" for quite some time, with beautiful beaches and the large, looming volcano of Mount Rinjan (3600m). In Lembar are idyllic conditions for snorkelling amongst pretty coral formations and many colourful fish, swimming, or just relaxing on the island's white sandy beach. Traditional fishing boats known as perahu with their twin outriggers and floating fishing houses are features of the surrounding waters. Read more about Lembar, Indonesia

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

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

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

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 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

Originally a whaling station, Tangalooma is a resort township on the west side of Moreton Island, just a 70 minute catamaran trip from Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia. Cruise ships from Sydney anchor offshore for a day on the island. Moreton is home to Queensland's oldest operating lighthouse located at Cape Moreton on the northern tip of the island. The star attraction at the resort is undoubtedly the unique experience of hand-feeding a pod of the amazing wild bottlenose dolphins. Read more about Tangalooma, 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

Phillip Island is approximately 140 km SE of Melbourne, joined to the mainland by bridge, and is the home of the world famous Penguin Parade that can be viewed each evening at dusk when the fairy penguins stroll up the beach to their burrows. There's a great range of activities to enjoy that include surfing, snorkelling, and swimming in summer, kayaking, jet skiing, aqua biking and yachting. Add to this: bush walking on the many tracks and enjoying the many parks; bird watching; pelican feeding; and don’t miss out of visiting some of the wineries. But Phillip Island is synonymous with the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix held annually in October. Read more about Phillip 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

Milford Sound is a stunningly beautiful fjord in the SW of New Zealand's South Island and lying within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'eighth wonder of the world', it has been judged 'the world's top travel destination' in an international survey, and is acclaimed as New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. Milford Sound runs 15 km inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces, such as the Elephant and Lion Peaks that rise to 1200 m or more on either side. Lush rain forests cling precariously to these cliffs, and seals, penguins and dolphins frequent the waters, while whales are sometimes seen. Read more about Milford Sound, New Zealand

Stewart Island/Rakiura (pop. c. 380) is the third largest island of New Zealand and lies just 30 km S of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait from the port of Bluff. It was charted by Lt. Read more about Stewart Island, New Zealand

Dunedin is the principal city of the Otago Region of New Zealand. It was founded in 1848 by Scottish migrants, and today the city still contains many Scottish relics, including a statue of the Scottish Bard Robbie Burns. Fine examples of working heritage include the Speight’s Brewery, the Gasworks Museum and the very popular Taieri Gorge Railway. Then there are the standout Victorian and Edwardian buildings like First Church and Dunedin Railway Station, as well as the stately homes such as Larnach Castle and Olveston. Read more about Dunedin, New Zealand

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

The seaside settlement of Kaikoura, situated midway between Christchurch and Picton on the rugged east coast of New Zealand's South Island, is overlooked by majestic mountains in the north reaching 2600m, which are snow-capped for many months of the year. Kaikoura is mostly settled on a peninsula that drops off sharply to the 3000 m deep Hikurangi Trench. The resulting upwelling currents bring an abundance of marine life that attracts whales, hence the town’s history as a whaling centre. This unique combination of ocean and mountains offers stunning coastal alpine scenery. Read more about Kaikoura, New Zealand

The picturesque seaside town of Picton near the NE corner of New Zealand's South Island is the South Island base for the ferry service that links the main islands of New Zealand. It’s also the gateway to the marine, forest and island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds. It offers a relaxed setting with beautiful beaches, easy bush walks and an outstanding climate. The town itself has an attractive seafront dotted with cafés, restaurants and various galleries. Read more about Picton, 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

Waiheke Island lies in the Hauraki Gulf on the north island of New Zealand, 20 km east of Auckland. It is New Zealand’s most populated island with over 9000 residents, and another 3400 have second or holiday homes there. Regular passenger and car-ferries service the island. The island is very hilly with few flat areas. Read more about Waiheke Island, 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