35-DAY INDONESIA, NEW GUINEA & CULTURES OF OCEANIA

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

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

Jayapura is the capital of the Indonesian-administered territory of Papua on the island of New Guinea. It is situated on a bay called Teluk Yos Sudarso, aka Humboldt Bay. The city lies just 32 km west of the border with Papua New Guinea. Read more about Jayapura, Indonesia

The Vitu Islands are located in the Bismarck Sea north of New Britain, a part of Papua New Guinea in the SW Pacific. The islands are volcanic ocean peaks arising from very deep water and fringed with reefs, hence not atolls. Formerly called the French Islands, they are also known as the Witu Islands. Read more about Vitu Islands, Papua New Guinea

Rabaul is a town on the Gazelle Peninsula in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. A busy commercial centre, it is situated on Simpson Harbour, a sheltered inlet of Blanche Bay. Almost the entire old town of Rabaul is buried under volcanic ash, the result of a volcanic eruption in 1994, and one is in awe of the scenery, which resembles an alien prehistoric landscape. Read more about Rabaul, Papua New Guinea

Gizo is the capital of the Western Province in the Solomon Islands, situated on Ghizo Island, approximately 380 km WNW of the capital Honiara, and is the second largest town in the country. According to local stories the area had a history of head-hunting, so nearby tribes took the unusual step of joining together to obliterate the Gizo tribe. As a result, the land became state-owned and prospered as an administrative and business centre. Read more about Gizo, Solomon Islands

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

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

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

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

Huahine is an island located among the Society Islands, and is arguably the most picturesque island in all of French Polynesia. It actually consists of two islands, Huahine-Nui (big) and Huahine Iti (little) interconnected by a bridge. With steep mountains descending into protected bays of azure blue and emerald green colours, the island is also one of the more geographically diverse of the Society Group. Read more about Huahine, 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