Star Collector: Grand South Pacific Adventure

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

Fakarava is a coral atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It lies 420 km ENE from Tahiti. The rectangular form of the atoll is 20 km by 55 km, with the larger of two passes from the deep lagoon to the sea at the northern end. Read more about Fakarava, French Polynesia

Fatu Hiva - aka Fatu Iva - is the southernmost and most isolated of the inhabited Marquesas Island in French Polynesia. Fatu Hiva is the island of superlatives: the furthest south, the wettest, the lushest, the most isolated, and the most authentic. Hanavave Bay on Fatu Hiva is one of the most beautiful bays in the world, and it is surprising that it has been able to remain an untouched paradise. Read more about Fatu Hiva, French Polynesia

Hiva Oa is the largest island of the southern Marquesas group, 1400 km NE of Tahiti. Its population is around 2200. Hiva Oa means “long ridgepole,” likely so named because of its long central ridge. Read more about Hiva Oa, French Polynesia

Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France. The Marquises lie 1400 km NE of Tahiti. The island is about 25 km across, with a high inland plateau and the highest peak Tekao at 1224 m. Read more about Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia

Rangiroa, also known as The Endless Lagoon, is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. It lies 325 km to the NE of Tahiti. The lagoon is 80 km long and rather narrower, with two main sea passages to the ocean at the northern end. Read more about Rangiroa, 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. 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. Read more about Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Mo'orea is French Polynesia's second-most popular tourist attraction after Tahiti. Located a mere seven kilometres west of the island of Tahiti, Mo'orea is distinctive for its jagged peaks cloaked with lush greenery, its white and black sand beaches that are among the finest in the world.The island is encircled by a lagoon of translucent green, fringed by the deep blue of the ocean and light blue sky. Then there are the fascinating threads of waterfalls that tumble down fern-softened cliffs, all of which sets one in awe of the majesty of nature. Read more about Moorea, 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. Read more about Papeete, 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. Read more about Papeete, French Polynesia

Mo'orea is French Polynesia's second-most popular tourist attraction after Tahiti. Located a mere seven kilometres west of the island of Tahiti, Mo'orea is distinctive for its jagged peaks cloaked with lush greenery, its white and black sand beaches that are among the finest in the world.The island is encircled by a lagoon of translucent green, fringed by the deep blue of the ocean and light blue sky. Then there are the fascinating threads of waterfalls that tumble down fern-softened cliffs, all of which sets one in awe of the majesty of nature. Read more about Moorea, 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. Read more about Bora Bora, 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

Rarotonga is the emerald jewel of the South Pacific. It lies midway between French Polynesia to the east, and Samoa and Tonga to the west. One of 15 Cook Islands, it is a popular tourist destination. Read more about Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Nuku'alofa Town is the capital of Tonga, sitting on a narrow isthmus facing the Pacific Ocean to the north, and the Fanga'uta Lagoon to the south. With a population of just 30,000 it is a quiet, sprawling and functional town with buses and internet cafes. It provides a window to a picturesque nation, where tradition and religion are paramount in everyday life. Read more about Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Taveuni, the fourth largest island in Fiji, is known as the Garden Island. It is an eco-tourist's dream with nature reserves harbouring an abundance of native plants and wildlife. The island is covered in tropical rainforest and surrounded by tropical reefs with some of the world’s best dive sites. Read more about Taveuni, Fiji

Nestled between green hills and the deep water of Namaka Creek to the SE of Vanua Levu, is Fiji's second largest island, Savusavu – a natural, lush and beautiful paradise. It is as though time has stood still for thirty years. With only one main street that is a hub of activity, it does have all the essentials, including quaint cafes and restaurants, banks, a post office, and a fascinating busy local open-air vegetable market. Read more about Savusavu, Fiji

Dravuni Island is a dramatically rugged volcanic island 70 km south of Suva, Fiji. It is part of the scenic Kadavu group of islands. Dravuni is home to a couple of hundred friendly Fijians, concentrated in a delightful village that shelters beneath tall palm trees. Read more about Dravuni, Fiji

Nadi, known as the 'gateway to Fiji', is the third largest centre in Fiji, on the island of Viti Levu. The local economy is based on sugar cane production and tourism. Nadi lives up to its reputation of 'the most often visited Fijian city' thanks to its international airport in the middle of town. Read more about Nadi, Fiji

Nadi, known as the 'gateway to Fiji', is the third largest centre in Fiji, on the island of Viti Levu. The local economy is based on sugar cane production and tourism. Nadi lives up to its reputation of 'the most often visited Fijian city' thanks to its international airport in the middle of town. Read more about Nadi, Fiji

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

Isla del Espíritu Santo is an uninhabited island in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) off the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Some regard this as the most beautiful island in the Gulf. It lies between Isla Partida to the north, and the city of La Paz on the mainland of Baja California Sur (South Lower California). Read more about Espiritu Santo, Mexico

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

Read more about Alotau, Papua New Guinea

The Conflict Islands form an atoll in the Coral Sea, 115 km east of the eastern-most tip of Papua New Guinea, in the province of Milne Bay. Nineteen islands enclose a pear-shaped lagoon roughly 10 km by 22 km, plus two small islets in the lagoon. The Islands are owned freehold by international entrepreneur Ian Gowrie-Smith. Read more about Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea

Dili is the capital, largest city, chief port and commercial centre of East Timor (Timor-Leste). It lies on the north coast of the island of Timur, the southern half of which is Indonesian territory. Darwin lies 715 km to the SE. Read more about Dili, Timor-Leste

Read more about Loh Island, Vanuatu

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. 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. Read more about Denpasar (Bali), Indonesia

Singapore, sometimes referred to as the "Lion City," is a vibrant, multiethnic city-state in Southeast Asia. Well-known for its spotless public transport system, profusion of open space, and ability to seamlessly blend a rich cultural history with contemporary comforts. Despite its tiny size, Singapore has enough attractions to suit the interests of all kinds of travellers. Read more about Singapore, Singapore