Australasia

For eating, drinking, shopping and people-watching, it`s hard to beat. And cruising into port is a fantastic way to arrive! Standing on your balcony or out on deck, your ship will sail you right past the magnificent Opera House.

An outdoor city, everything here centres around its sun-drenched natural attractions, beautiful beaches and lively streets.

But there’s a wilder side to this part of the world too. Take the croc` infested Kakadu wilderness which is reachable from Darwin. It shows a completely different side to the country.

Whilst from Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef is a diver`s or snorkeller`s paradise. Teeming with colourful fish and coral, this underwater world is as exciting and varied as you’ll find anywhere.

Beyond the many sights and attractions of Australia, New Zealand beckons. Offering stunning scenery and a place to get away from it all, it must surely be every nature lover’s dream.

From the bubbling mud pools of Rotorua, you’ll find a wealth of natural splendours. Call at Bay of Islands and in addition to abundant marine life you’ll find a unique insight into colonial New Zealand.

But it’s not all about scenery, there’s a lively city life to discover too. Situated on a promontory between two bays, Auckland is virtually surrounded by water and is New Zealand’s largest, most vibrant city.

The redeveloped pierside offers intimate bars and splendid restaurants, while the harbour is a constantly shifting panorama of yachts that has earned the city its nickname, the ‘City of Sails’.

The city is also known for its ethnic dining, glittering skyscrapers and boundless optimism.