Broome To Cairns

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

Talbot Bay encloses the 800, rugged and sparsely vegetated islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The major attraction, drawing thousands of visitors each year, is the Horizontal 'two way' Waterfall' that results from massive tidal movements that cause a waterfall effect as water banks up against one side of a narrow coastal gorge, then hurtles through, sideways, up to 5 metres high, to be repeated again on the turning tide! Naturalist David described the Horizontal Falls as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". Read more about Talbot Bay, Australia

The Montgomery Reef is Australia's largest inshore reef system covering more than 300km2, near the mouth of the Sale River off the Kimberley coast of West Australia. At high tide you see very little of the Reef but as the tide drops rapidly away a raging torrent of water, cascading off the top of this 400ha reef erupts, as miles of surrounding reef appears to slowly rise out of the ocean. Read more about Montgomery Reef, Australia

Raft Point is an uninhabited headland with imposing steep cliffs on the Timor Sea, near the mouth of the Sale River in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. It overlooks a small sandy bay served by several creeks, and is ideal for crabbing and some amazing fishing. Raft Point is a base for shore expeditions to some of the country's most remarkable Aboriginal rock art. Walk for about 20 minutes with a 150 m uphill climb to see the large spectacular pictures of many quality Wandjina figures amongst other depictions of marine and wildlife – dugongs, original inhabitants and X-ray fish. Read more about Raft Point, Australia

Hunter River has its headwaters in the Kimberley region of Western Australia and flows into the NE corner of the beautiful Prince Frederick Harbour and York Sound. The river was named in 1820 by the explorer Philip Parker King, after the surgeon, James Hunter, on the ship the Mermaid. Lined with green rainforest, mangroves and soaring red cliffs, the scenery is truly spectacular. The river is noted for a distinctive rock formation at its mouth, with cliffs reaching some 200m in height. Read more about Hunter River, Australia

Vansittart Bay lies 530km WSW of Darwin, on the Kimberley coast of Western Australia, facing the Indian Ocean. A small stream, low rock platforms, and the sparse Truscott-Mungalalu Plateau face the bay. This is a protected large bay with numerous small islands and secluded coves that offer plenty of fishing. It is best known for its excellent rock art, regarded by many as possibly the oldest known to man. Read more about Vansittart Bay, Australia

Wyndham, located where the King River meets the Cambridge Gulf, is the oldest and northernmost town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Over 5000 gold diggers entered the colony in 1885 through Wyndham, heading for the southern gold fields near Halls Creek. The large jarrah jetty, built in the 1890s to export cattle, was also a catalyst to its growth. A few kilometres along the Gulf, Wyndham East is the main residential and shopping area. Read more about Wyndham, Australia

Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada, and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. It is one of the oldest cities in the Pacific NW, with British settlement beginning in 1841, and it still retains a number of historic buildings close to the harbour. The city certainly has a unique blend of old world charm and new world experiences. As an island destination, Victoria offers visitors an escape from the hurried world and beams with ambience. Read more about Victoria, Canada

Elcho Island, located in the Arafura Sea off the coast of NE Arnhem Land in Australia’s Northern Territory, is a traditional Aboriginal community with restricted access and total alcohol restrictions. With its typical tropical weather, the best time to visit is from April to October, but magnificent sunsets are a feature all year round. The island is blessed with rugged yet beautiful tropical landscapes of stunning beaches, aqua seas, as well as mangroves that are home to numerous mud crabs and barramundi. The reefs full of fish, oysters and crayfish, cycad forests, unique wildlife, and rare brightly coloured ochre cliffs all add to the island’s appeal. Read more about Elcho Island, Australia

Yirrkala is a well-known indigenous community in Arnhem Land. The town is situated at the NE tip of the Northern Territory of Australia, 650 km due east of Darwin, where the Gulf of Carpentaria meets the Arafura Sea. Its 800 inhabitants are settled in the largest parcel of land in Australia owned by Aboriginals, and known for its isolation, bark painting art (found in galleries around the world), and Yolngu culture. This region has very little Western influence culturally speaking, and Arnhem Land is possibly the last area in Australia that could be seen as a completely separate country. Read more about Yirrkala, Australia

The Dutch gave the name (meaning "Big Island") to this largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria and although all of it belongs to the local Anindilyakwa people, it is still called by its old Dutch name (but often shortened to "Groot"). Near the Aboriginal community of Angurugu is the large manganese mine that pays royalties to the traditional owners of this land. The ore is shipped from the harbour at Alyangula, a modern town where most non-Aboriginal employees of the mine live. Read more about Groote Eylandt, Australia

Thursday Island, or 'T.I.' as it's usually known, is the name of the island and the town that is the administrative and commercial centre of the Torres Strait Islands. The island group is off the far north Queensland mainland in Torres Strait, just 39 km north of Cape York Peninsula. The lucrative pearling industry founded in 1885 attracted workers from around Asia, particularly South Pacific Islanders, and this has resulted in a fascinating cultural mosaic. Green Fort Hill provides views over the town of Thursday Island, and provides fascinating insights into the local history that dates back to 1880 when it acted as the defence centre for Australia. Read more about Thursday Island, Australia

Lizard Island, named after the numerous large but harmless lizards living there, is a national park in Queensland, Australia. It is situated 90 km north of Cooktown at the northern tip of Australia’s World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef. It is also the location of an award-winning and internationally famous resort. Lizard Island itself is fringed with spectacular coral reefs, and 24 powdery white beaches. Read more about Lizard Island, 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

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