Australia Circumnavigation

From the Sydney Opera House to Bondi Beach, man and Mother Nature contribute in equal measure to this splendid city.

Cosmopolitan Brisbane attracts millions of visitors each year thanks to its eclectic mix of attractions, beautiful skyline and climate.

Airlie Beach, a coastal town in Queensland, Australia, is a vibrant hub nestled against the aquamarine waters of the Whitsundays.

A friendly city loved by residents and popular with tourists. More than just a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns offers plenty to do.

The Great Barrier Reef is made of many types of reefs, from offshore bommies that rise from the depths like undersea skyscrapers, to atolls where rings of coral surround placid lagoons. The Ribbon Reefs are another unique formation—long, narrow ridges of coral running parallel to the shore. They act like breakwaters, providing calm seas on their western sides, facing the Australian mainland. The Ribbon Reefs run for around 50 miles (80 kilometers), with a total of 10 ribbon reefs named by number, from south to north. Remote Lizard Island marks the northern reaches of this section of the Great Barrier Reef—the final landmark before sailing on to the Cape York Peninsula and the Torres Strait. The greatest highlights of the Ribbon Reefs are found below the water, where divers and snorkelers can explore undersea gardens bursting with corals, tropical fish, sharks and much more. Topside explorers should keep watch from the ship for dolphins and whales, especially during the months of June and July, when dwarf minke whales arrive from Antarctica to birth their young.

Surrounded on three sides by the turquoise Timor Sea, the Northern Territory’s capital is closer in both distance and temperament to Southeast Asia than it is to most of Australia’s major cities. The lifestyle here is tropical, which means a relaxed atmosphere, balmy weather, fabulous fusion food and vibrant outdoor markets. This cosmopolitan city has fewer than 140,000 residents, but they include some 50 nationalities. After heavy bombing in World War II and a disastrous cyclone in 1974, Darwin has been largely rebuilt, and it's modern and well planned. In the downtown area you'll find everything from great shopping to a crocodile park. You can trace the region's dramatic history at innovative museums and gallery-hop to see indigenous art. After your sightseeing stroll, have a late lunch at one of the many excellent restaurants. The food options range from authentic Malaysian dishes like laksa, a spicy noodle soup, to a plethora of fresh seafood—mud crab, barramundi and more. You may find it hard to leave this laid-back lifestyle, but there's much more to see close by. Darwin is the gateway to two famous national parks, Kakadu and Litchfield, as well as the spectacular Aboriginal-owned Tiwi Islands. Make sure you take the time to "go bush," as they say in Australia—that is, get out of town and relax. There's no better place to do it than this glorious part of the country.

One of 17,000 islands in Indonesia, Komodo Island is famous for its bright blue waters, steep sloping hills, and the four thousand giant lizards who call the island home.

Broome, Australia's exotic pearling town, emerges from the ochre-red dirt of the Kimberley region, offering a picturesque mosaic of culture, history and natural wonders.

Located on the North West Cape of Western Australia, the port of Exmouth is home to the wonders of Ningaloo Reef. Ningaloo Marine Park boasts hundreds of miles of beach fringed coast, where you can watch dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles and more. Away from the beach you’ll find an Outback range with caves and red rock gorges to explore. Sample shore excursions: Western Australia Scenic Beauty; Snorkel Ningaloo Reef; Top of the Range: Cape Range National Park.

This sun-washed coastal city in the Mid West region of Western Australia has roots that extend back 40,000 years through the Wajarri people. Their distinctive paintings, combining dots of ochre and earth-based pigments, are among the many treasures on display in the Geraldton Museum. You can experience the past and present of a working Western Australian farm at the Oakabella Pioneering Homestead, built in 1860. Tour the original homestead, cookhouse, shearing shed, stables and blacksmith shop. This is wine country, so you’ll want to stop by a local winery and sample the region’s award-winning sauvignon blancs, chardonnays and more. The pleasant Mediterranean climate is perfect for kitesurfing, windsurfing, saltwater fishing, boating and sailing, so take your choice. For outback adventures, head to Kalbarri National Park, where the Murchison River has sculpted deep gorges and breathtaking vistas

A welcoming destination, Perth has much more to offer than you would probably expect from an isolated Western Australian city.