27-DAY POLYNESIA, MELANESIA & INDONESIA EXPLORER

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

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

Lautoka is situated on the western side of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji, and just 20 km north of Nadi. The Fiji archipelago lies just to the western side of the International Date Line. Lautoka is Fiji's second largest city. Read more about Lautoka, 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

Luganville is a port on the south coast of Espirito Santo, the largest island in Vanuatu. It belongs to the archipelago of Vanuatu (the New Hebrides before 1980) in the Pacific region of Melanesia. Luganville on the SE coast is Vanuatu's second-largest settlement, and the provincial capital. Read more about Santo (Luganville), Vanuatu

Milne Bay is home to almost five hundred islands, ranging from typical tropical islands and atolls through to huge volcanic and continental islands. It is situated at the easternmost inlet on the coast of mainland Papua New Guinea, and gives good access to coral reefs and diving. With no roads connecting it to the rest of the world, it truly is a quiet piece of paradise. Read more about Milne Bay (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

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