Australia & New Zealand

Auckland, one of New Zealand's most populous cities, is located on the North Island of New Zealand. Auckland, known as Tamaki Makaurau, is based around twin harbours called Waitemata and Manukau Harbour extending up to volcanic hills to the west. Auckland has so much to offer when you combine an urban environment, stunning diverse landscapes and warming polynesian culture. Read more about Auckland, New Zealand

Rotorua (Tauranga) is a centre of tourism and a place of extraordinary natural beauty. It is a smallish city on the shores of a lake of the same name, in the crater of an ancient volcano in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. The entire area is thermally active, and the smell of sulphur, a 'rotten eggs’ smell that is never far, results in the nicknames 'Sulphur City' and 'Rottenrua'. Read more about Rotorua (Tauranga), New Zealand

Christchurch, in the Province of Canterbury, is the largest city of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located mid-way down the island's east coast just north of Banks Peninsula, on the edge of the Canterbury Plains. It is a vibrant, cosmopolitan place with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and award-winning attractions. Read more about Christchurch, 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. Read more about Timaru, New Zealand

Dusky Sound is a fjord on the SW corner of New Zealand, in Fjordland National Park. In 1770 it was given its name by Captain Cook and his crew as that was the time of night when they found it. They encountered groups of shy Maoris, but nowadays the area is almost uninhabited. Read more about Dusky Sound, New Zealand

Doubtful Sound, despite its name, is a very large and naturally imposing fjord in the far SW of New Zealand. It is located in the same region as the smaller but more famous and accessible Milford Sound, but it is three times longer, and has a surface area ten times larger. Often referred to as the 'Sound of Silence', Doubtful Sound is a tranquil, awe-inspiring destination known for its cascading waterfalls, looming mountains and rare marine life. Read more about Doubtful Sound, New Zealand

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. Read more about Milford Sound, New Zealand

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is also known as the cultural, culinary, and sporting capital of Australia. Set on the Yarra River, the city is home to world-class sporting facilities, museums, galleries and theatres and many revered restaurants. The Central Business District (CBD) has become renowned for its tiny laneways, boutique shopping, street art, and impeccable barista-made coffee. Read more about Melbourne, Australia

Sydney is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. Located on the waterfront, visitors are amazed to see the "Largest Ceilidh Fiddle in the World" (at 18m). Sydney's tourism draw is increasingly linked to this cultural asset. Read more about Sydney, Canada

Queensland's Capital city Brisbane, which boasts more than 280 sunny days annually, is situated in what's called the "sunshine state." Brisbane is renowned for its sophisticated museums and art galleries, gorgeous botanic gardens, premium shopping in the CBD and Moreton Bay. The city is traversed by the Brisbane River, which provides excellent access to the north and south via the public transport system and well-known CityCats. Admire the sights of the river city and explore the riverfront landmarks with the wind in your hair. Read more about Brisbane, Australia

Bordered by the Great Barrier Reef in the calm waters of the Coral Sea, the 74 tropical islands of the Whitsundays lie midway up the Queensland coast. A secluded haven of natural wonders, they are Australia's answer to the cruising grounds of the Caribbean. A visit to the Whitsundays - surrounded by natural beauty, dotted with secluded beaches, and friendly towns from which to explore - is a wonderful experience. Read more about Whitsundays, Australia

Cairns is a Far North Queensland city located on the northeast coast of Australia. This laid-back city is just over a 2 hour flight from Brisbane, Queensland’s state capital. With a backdrop of rainforest mountains, Cairns is known to be the gateway of 2 iconic Australian sites, The Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Read more about Cairns, Australia

Cairns is a Far North Queensland city located on the northeast coast of Australia. This laid-back city is just over a 2 hour flight from Brisbane, Queensland’s state capital. With a backdrop of rainforest mountains, Cairns is known to be the gateway of 2 iconic Australian sites, The Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforest. Read more about Cairns, 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. Read more about Thursday Island, 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

Kupang is the capital of the Indonesian Province of Nusa Tenggara. It is the southernmost city of Indonesia, on the island of Timor, with a population of 350,000. (The NE half of the island is the independent country of Timor Leste.) During the 1600s the Dutch and Portuguese colonials vied for power and trade, dominated by the Dutch East India Company. Read more about Kupang, 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. Read more about Komodo Island, Indonesia

Sandakan is the second largest city in Sabah, East Malaysia, on the NE coast of Borneo. While perhaps being best known as the Gateway for Ecotourism in Sabah, the area is also remembered for WWII events. After its complete destruction and rebuild 1948-1955, it has become a main port for oil, tobacco, coffee, sago, and timber exports. Read more about Sandakan, Malaysia

Puerto Princesa City (pop. 255,000) is the westernmost city of the Philippines, situated on the island of Palawan. Spanish colonisers founded the city in 1872, and since then it has passed through administrations of the US and Japan. Read more about Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Borocay is a small island of the Philippines, located approximately 315 km south of Manila. This long (7 km) thin island is a tourist resort, one of the world's top destinations for relaxation. The island has long white talcum-fine beaches that rival many of the world’s best. Read more about Boracay, Philippines

Manila, the capital of the Philippines and the most densely populated city in the world, is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay, on the western side of the island of Luzon. This metropolis has certainly come a long way from being a fortified settlement and renowned trading centre in the 13th century. The city attracts over one million visitors from all over the world annually. Read more about Manila, Philippines

Manila, the capital of the Philippines and the most densely populated city in the world, is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay, on the western side of the island of Luzon. This metropolis has certainly come a long way from being a fortified settlement and renowned trading centre in the 13th century. The city attracts over one million visitors from all over the world annually. Read more about Manila, Philippines

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. Read more about Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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. Read more about Hong Kong, Hong Kong