Secrets of Indonesia: Spice Islands & Raja Ampat

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 Banda Islands are a volcanic group of ten small volcanic islands in the Banda Sea, about 2,000 km east of Java, and are part of the Indonesian province of Maluku. Until the mid-19th century the Banda Islands were the world's only source of the spices nutmeg and mace produced from the nutmeg tree. These days the islands are also popular destinations for scuba diving and snorkelling. Read more about Banda Islands, Indonesia

Ambon is a tiny though mountainous, well-watered and fertile island in the middle of the Maluku islands in Indonesia. The favourite activity of visitors is diving, as Ambon is home to an underwater garden of very healthy coral growth, and resultant varied marine life that is easily accessible, and shows no indication of human interference. Discover centuries-old fortresses and the literature of local kingdoms that traces the story of the people, from periods of prosperity to escalating and controlled trades, harsh colonialism, a gruelling struggle, and finally, to independence. Read more about Ambon Island, Indonesia

Ternate is a visually dramatic cone-shaped island in the Maluku Islands of eastern Indonesia. Dominated by the volcanic Mount Gamalama, its foothills are home to groves of trees that produce the condiment that has become an essential ingredient in many recipes, cloves. The capital of the province of North Maluku, Ternate City, is also found here. Read more about Ternate Island, Indonesia

Pulau Gam is a small island located in the Raja Ampat archipelago, off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula in West Papua, Indonesia. Raja Ampat (“Four Kings”) constitutes 1,500 greatly varied islands. As the archipelago is remote and relatively undisturbed by outsiders, there is an amazing diversity of marine life, with perhaps the richest coral reef ecosystem in the world. Read more about Pulau Gam (Raja Ampat), Indonesia

Wayag Island is one of the islands within the Raja Ampat district in the province of West Papua, Indonesia. It lies 10 km north of the equator, and just 144 km NW of the NW tip of New Guinea. The island is known for its beautiful atolls and amazing underwater life. Read more about Wayag Island, Indonesia

Pulau Misool (Misool Island) is one of the four largest islands of the Raja Ampat (the Realm of Four Kings) archipelago, comprising over 1,500 islands, in West Papua, Indonesia. They create a spectacular view of closely-spaced islands covered with bright tropical flora and fauna. In addition there are caves everywhere. Read more about Pulau Misool, Indonesia

Pulau Misool (Misool Island) is one of the four largest islands of the Raja Ampat (the Realm of Four Kings) archipelago, comprising over 1,500 islands, in West Papua, Indonesia. They create a spectacular view of closely-spaced islands covered with bright tropical flora and fauna. In addition there are caves everywhere. Read more about Pulau Misool, Indonesia

The Kei Islands of Indonesia lie on the edge of the Banda Sea, South of the Bird's Head Peninsula of New Guinea. Very few tourists visit the islands, but to many this adds to the attraction. The islands areas made of sand and coral, and as such are completely flat and covered with dense coconut tree foliage. Read more about Kei Islands, 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