Polynesia To Indonesia: Culture, Coral & Cays

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. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia

Aitutaki - aka Araura, Ararau, Utataki - is one of the Cook Islands, 250 km north of the main island, Rarotonga. Bounded by a triangular barrier reef, Aitutaki boasts one of the most famous lagoons in the world and which is home to a large number of fish, hence making it a favourite spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. The lagoon is four times the area of the main island, and inside the lagoon are fifteen islets each its own paradise. Read more about Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Niue Island, 2,400 km NE of New Zealand, is an island country of 260 sq.km. and population of 1600 Polynesians. It lies at the centre of a triangle formed by Samoa, Tonga and Cook Islands. Read more about Niue Island, Niue

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. Read more about Apia, Samoa

Vava'u, and the other 40 odd islands that make up this stunningly beautiful group, is situated in the north of the Kingdom of the Tongan archipelago in the South Pacific. Despite now being easily accessible, it still remains off the beaten track of mass tourism. Neiafu, the tiny capital on Vava'u, is perched above the Port of Refuge Harbour, a delightful natural harbour regarded by many as one of the most beautiful in the world. Read more about Vava'u, Tonga

Yasawa is the main island of the Yasawa Group, an archipelago located in NW Fiji. The group’s 12 major islands lie along a SW-NE line 88 km stretch, directly north of Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu and its port Lautoka. These are high, grass-covered islands, populated by 30 or so modest backpacker resorts, and tracks running the length of each island: no shops, plenty of beaches, and much sunshine. Read more about Yasawa Islands, Fiji

Pentecost Island, which takes its name from the day on which it was first sighted by Europeans, is one of the 83 islands that make up the nation of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. It lies 190 km due N of the capital Port Vila. The island is long and narrow, with a mountainous interior, rain forest vegetation, streams and waterfalls. Read more about Pentecost, Vanuatu

Honiara, located on the northern coast of the island of Guadalcanal, is the capital of the Solomon Islands, which lie between Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Pijin is the principal language. The climate is tropical, and while the most pleasant time to visit is winter, July to September, the cooling sea breezes temper the humidity and heat along all coasts year-round. Read more about Honiara, Solomon Islands

Samarai is a small island (800m by 400m) in the China Straits, just three kilometres from the mainland, off the SE tip of the Bird’s Tail Peninsula of New Guinea. Milne Bay lies a few kilometres to the north. The island is part of the Samarai Islands of the Louisiade Archipelago. Read more about Samarai Island, Papua New Guinea

Agats is a village on the remote SE coast of the Asmat region of Papua Province in Indonesia. The province is also known as West Papua and Indira Jaya. The inhabitants are famed for their artistic ‘primitive’ woodcarving, and Agats has an interesting museum filled with woodcarvings and other objects. Read more about Agats, Asmat Region, Indonesia

Agats is a village on the remote SE coast of the Asmat region of Papua Province in Indonesia. The province is also known as West Papua and Indira Jaya. The inhabitants are famed for their artistic ‘primitive’ woodcarving, and Agats has an interesting museum filled with woodcarvings and other objects. Read more about Agats, Asmat Region, 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. Read more about Darwin, 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. Read more about Darwin, Australia