Day 1: Sydney, Australia
Make the most of your time in one of the liveliest, must-see cities of the Pacific Rim. From bustling Circular Quay along the glamorous waterfront, take in the graceful sails of Sydney’s iconic Opera House. Catch a glimpse of the past along the narrow, twisting laneways of the historic Rocks district in the shadow of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Head west to the spectacular, untamed beauty of the Blue Mountains for a ride on the world’s steepest perpendicular railway. Get up close with Australia’s charming wildlife at the Koala Park Sanctuary, then end your day with a refreshing stop at a traditional Aussie pub.
Day 2: Cruising the Tasman Sea
Day 3: Brisbane, Australia
Queenland’s capital city is a sun-drenched jewel with a spectacular riverfront, lush gardens and staggering variety of international cuisines. In popular South Bank, feel the white sand of Streets Beach while gazing at the sparkling ‘Brissie’ skyline. Walk amid brilliant jacarandas, flame trees and bougainvillea on your way to Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct, where the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art beckons. Head north to the Sunshine Coast and the Australian Zoo, renowned for its conservation efforts and crocodile shows, or travel south for encounters with the famed fauna of Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Visit Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast for a taste of ‘Stralia heaven.
Day 4: Willis Island (Technical Call)
Day 5: Airlie Beach, Australia
Soak up the laid-back, tropical atmosphere of the coastal village of Airlie Beach. This vibrant town is filled with palm-fringed beaches, waterfront parks and alfresco dining restaurants. Walk down Shute Harbour Road, the main street and back bone of Airlie Beach that is lined with outdoor restaurants, cafes and bars. Airlie Beach is also the gateway to the Whitsundays, the 74 pristine islands in the north of Queensland's Great Barrier Reef where you can visit luxurious resorts and sip cocktails by the pool, bask in the sun or relax in a spa.
Day 6: Townsville, Australia
This lush metropolis among the tropical treasures of northern Queensland may be a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, but it has unmissable attractions within reach. Take a short ferry ride to the coral-fringed beaches and walking trails of Magnetic Island. Wander among the cafes, galleries and boutiques of Townsville’s sprawling seaside esplanade. Visit the much-lauded Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium, a marine wonderland. Take a scenic ride to Billabong Sanctuary for up-close encounters with cassowaries, kookaburras, dingoes and other Aussie wildlife. Trek to the top of Castle Hill – a giant, pink-granite monolith that is Townsville’s centerpiece – for the city’s finest panoramic views.
Day 7: Willis Island (Technical Call)
Day 8: Cruising the Coral Sea
Day 9: Thursday Island, Australia
Discover the distinct Torres Strait culture of this remote island and its people, who follow a traditional lifestyle. Enjoy the spectacular scenery and expansive views over the Torres Strait. Visit the historic fortress, the Pearl Divers monument and see historic buildings. Or journey across the strait to Cape York and its wilderness. Select some local souvenirs. Enjoy fresh seafood and other dishes in delightful waterfront settings.
Day 10: Cruising the Coral Sea
Day 11: Cooktown, Australia
This quaint frontier town, scenically located on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Cooktown is the site of Australia’s first European settlement. The town is named after the famous South Seas explorer Captain Cook, and Cook’s Pillar marks the spot where his ship, the Endeavour landed ashore in 1770. Grassy Hill offers a 360° panorama of the countryside and pristine beaches. The area remains a near-wilderness offering dramatic mountains, eucalypts, mangroves and rainforests, heathlands, grasslands, and rivers for the adventurous traveler.
Day 12 & 13: Cairns, Australia
This laid-back city in Far North Queensland is the gateway to a pair of World Heritage-listed treasures: the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef and spectacular Wet Tropics Rainforest. Sail by luxury catamaran to a pontoon moored atop the Outer Reef for a once-in-a-lifetime marine experience. Glide over miles of verdant jungle aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, stopping to explore on foot the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest. In Cairns (pronounced ‘cans’), walk the city’s Esplanade overlooking the Coral Sea, pausing to dip your toes in an artificial saltwater lagoon. Encounter natural splendor at the city’s Botanic Garden and Cairns Aquarium or hit some lively shops and cafes.
Day 14: Cruising the Coral Sea
Day 15: Cruising the Coral Sea
Day 16: Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
This is a hidden gem known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, WWII history and vibrant local culture. You can explore the haunting remains of the 1994 volcanic eruption, dive or snorkel in Simpson Harbour’s crystal-clear waters and visit the fascinating Kokopo War Museum. Don’t miss the chance to see the Baining fire dance — a mesmerizing traditional ritual. Rabaul offers an unforgettable mix of adventure, history and raw natural beauty.
Day 17: Cruising the Coral Sea
Day 18: Alotau, Papua New Guinea
Alotau is one of the world’s last great frontiers. This port is the gateway to a land of thriving tribal cultures, smoldering volcanoes and vast pristine mountainous rainforests of Papua New Guinea, as well as many historical memorials and relics from the Battle of Milne Bay during WWII. If you stay in town, stroll along the bustling harbor filled with fishing boats, outriggers and small ferries to arrive at the market. Delight in the scents and tastes of fresh tropical fruits from pineapples to guavas to kumquats.
Day 19: Kiriwina, Papua New Guinea
Kiriwina, the largest of the Trobriand Islands in Papua New Guinea, offers a fascinating glimpse into a unique and vibrant culture. Known as the "Islands of Love," it’s famous for traditional yam houses, intricate wood carvings and colorful dances. Visitors can explore pristine beaches, snorkel vibrant coral reefs and experience authentic village life. The island’s strong matrilineal society and ancient customs make Kiriwina a captivating destination for those seeking culture, nature and true off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Day 20: Samarai Islands, Papua New Guinea
Located off the southeastern tip of Papua New Guinea, a remote scatter of palm-fringed isles set within the turquoise waters of Milne Bay. Once a thriving colonial trading post in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Samarai was known as the “Jewel of the East,” a legacy still visible in its weathered wharves and remnants of European-era architecture. Today, the islands offer a slower rhythm shaped by village life, crystalline lagoons and some of the South Pacific’s most pristine coral reefs.
Day 21: Cruising the Coral Sea
Day 22: Cairns, Australia
This laid-back city in Far North Queensland is the gateway to a pair of World Heritage-listed treasures: the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef and spectacular Wet Tropics Rainforest. Sail by luxury catamaran to a pontoon moored atop the Outer Reef for a once-in-a-lifetime marine experience. Glide over miles of verdant jungle aboard the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, stopping to explore on foot the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest. In Cairns (pronounced ‘cans’), walk the city’s Esplanade overlooking the Coral Sea, pausing to dip your toes in an artificial saltwater lagoon. Encounter natural splendor at the city’s Botanic Garden and Cairns Aquarium or hit some lively shops and cafes.
