Deluxe Cruises - 01202 767926

Your voyage highlights... 01202 767926 Sydney, Australia Sydney is a cosmopolitan, multicultural city surrounded by golden sand beaches, World Heritage areas, lush national parks and acclaimed wine regions. Sydney owes much of its splendour to its magnificent harbour. Sailing by ship provides an unequalled impression, showing off the city’s famous landmarks: the dramatic white sails of the iconic Opera House and the celebrated Harbour Bridge, looming over the skyline. Moreton Island, Queensland, Australia At 23 miles long and 72 square miles in area, Moreton is the third-largest sand island in the world. It is part of a sand barrier system that includes the larger Fraser Island, and separates Moreton Bay from the Coral Sea about 27 miles north of Brisbane. Moreton Island National Park encompasses 98 percent of the island, where visitors flock to experience activities such as “sand- tobogganing” down the slopes of 920-foot Mount Tempest, the highest stable coastal sand hill on earth. They also enjoy fishing, kayaking, surfing and snorkelling over the Tangalooma Wrecks offshore. Tangalooma is the largest of four small towns on the island’s west coast. There are no roads on Moreton Island, so visitors get around by 4x4 vehicles. A popular site to visit is the picturesque red-and-white Cape Moreton lighthouse, built in 1857 and Australia’s oldest. Airlie Beach, Queensland, Australia The 74 Whitsunday Islands are Australia’s tropical marine playground, scattered along the Queensland coast inshore from the Great Barrier Reef. Airlie Beach is the resort hub for exploration of the islands, the reef and the tropical forests of the region. Activities abound, from snorkelling on the reef, spectacular flight tours, fishing excursions to treks along the coastal cliffs with breathtaking views. Whitehaven Beach, a picturesque five-mile strand of pure white silica sand, is among the world’s most beautiful and famous beaches, its swirling offshore sandbars shining through the clear, aquamarine waters. Airlie Beach is a town dedicated to leisure and relaxation, with abundant boutiques, restaurants and cafes offering alfresco dining. including the old Market Hall, now used as a Congressional Centre. Outside of town, on the Cape Fatucama headland, is a large statue of Cristo Rei, with wonderful views over the sea and the surroundings. One of the island’s best beaches, the Jesus Backside Beach, is located just under the statue. Timor is renowned for the indigenous textiles and baskets of its various ethnic groups, which you will likely find for sale in the city’s markets and galleries. Komodo Island, Indonesia This island national park isn’t the only place the large (up to 10-foot) monitor lizards known as “Komodo Dragons” live. But they are protected here, and flourish as they have in the region for millions of years. Follow your guide and listen carefully to his instructions, because despite their torpid appearance, these giants can really move when they want to, and they apparently aren’t picky about what sort of prey they pursue. Lembar, Lombok, Indonesia Lembar is noticeably different than its close neighbour, Bali. The northern part of the island is mountainous and lush with tall trees and shrubs, and the south is arid and covered by savannas. Large Asian mammals are absent and replaced instead by marsupials, lizards, cockatoos and parrots. Lembar experienced strong Balinese influences, but has retained a unique identity. The indigenous people of Lembar, the Sasaks, are predominantly Muslim and have a strong, distinguished tradition. Famous for its ikat hand-woven textiles, the island has exceptional charm and is relatively undiscovered. Benoa (Denpasar), Bali, Indonesia Located on the southeastern coast of Bali is the small village of Tanjung Benoa. Still considered a fishing village, Benoa has developed over the past 20 years into a major player in the tourism sector. The calm waters and the beautiful white sand beaches have made Benoa the prime water sport area of Bali. Being a peninsula that is only accessible from one direction, Tanjung Benoa is still relatively quiet with a more relaxed feeling. Townsville, Australia The unofficial capital of North Queensland, Townsville is tucked inside the Great Barrier Reef in the northern tropics. Its municipal beach, The Strand, is consistently rated among Australia’s cleanest. Take a ferry to Magnetic Island, an unspoiled UNESCO World Heritage Site just offshore, or visit the Billabong Sanctuary wildlife reserve. Cairns, Australia A cosmopolitan city flanked by pristine rainforests and golden beaches, Cairns is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Kuranda, and the Daintree rainforest, a World Heritage protected area. The city was recently renovated to enhance its image and provide a relaxing place for visitors and locals to congregate and have fun. Cairns Esplanade, once a huge grassy park, now features an excellent facility incorporating an outdoor amphitheatre, a sandy swimming lagoon, walking tracks, shops and restaurants, and an environmental interpretation centre. Darwin, Australia Despite its small size, Darwin is a modern, multi-cultural city, and its proximity to Asia makes it ideal for travel. Named after the famous scientist, Charles Darwin, the area was originally settled by the Larrakia Aboriginals. The Dutch arrived and mapped the land in the 1600s, followed by the British in 1939, when the town was given its English name. Darwin has a beautiful coastline, as well as numerous parks and gardens, making the city a top spot for outdoor activities. Dili, East Timor Timor is a large, curved island tucked among the Lesser Sunda Islands in the Sunda Sea. The island is divided, as it has been for centuries, with the western half a province of Indonesia and the eastern side an independent nation of Timor-Leste. In the past, these segments were colonies of the Dutch (West) and Portuguese (East). There are 11 distinct local languages spoken by various ethnic groups on the island. The official languages of East Timor are Tetum and Portuguese. The city’s old colonial section is located near the waterfront, and contains some impressive Portuguese-style buildings