Cultures of Oceania & Wildlife of Asia

Tauranga - the largest city in the Bay of Plenty - was once home to three Maori tribes and visual evidence of early settlement can be seen dotted around the hills surrounding the harbour.[ReadmoreMob] Today it is a vibrant and attractive modern city, with many scenic walking routes, a pretty waterfront and plenty of cafes, shops and pubs to discover and enjoy.

Captain Cook - the first European to arrive here - named this area picturesque part of the world the “Bay of Plenty” and was followed by many 19th century missionaries. In Tauranga, the Elms Mission House dates from this period and is furnished in the same way as when it was home to the Reverend Alfred Brown and his family. His four-poster bed and his desk, complete with quill pen, are on show, along with household equipment, including a hand plough.

Mount Maunganui, overlooking the town and harbour, offers spectacular views for those energetic enough to hike to the top, while at the base of the hill, the Mount Hot Pools are the only hot sea-water pools in the country – they are filled with naturally heated salt water.

Situated at the heart of New Zealand’s Marlborough region, Picton is an ideal gateway between the north and south islands. But this charming little coastal township is much more than a stop-off point for tourists and travellers, it’s a destination worth visiting, exploring and enjoying in its own right.

Nestled within Shakespeare Bay, peaceful Picton is surrounded by beautifully scenic landscapes of rolling forested hills and valleys, and turquoise waters that beg for exploration. There are spectacular walking trails, passing through coastal forests, sandy bays and peaks that present superb views of Picton and across glorious waterways nearby, while you could opt to take to the Marlborough Sounds by boat in search of native marine life. The sounds are alive with dolphins, orcas, humpback whales, penguins, various seabird species, and much more.

From Picton, the Marlborough wine region – famous for its delicious Sauvignon Blanc – is within reach too; on tour, you can visit one of the local vineyards to learn about the local tipples, how they’re produced, and of course sample some of the finest wines at source.

Well known for it's picturesque natural harbour and pretty hillsides dotted with colonial villas, Wellington is one of the world's most beautiful capital cities. It attracts visitors from around the globe who come to explore the famous setting of a host of blockbuster movies including the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong and Avatar and sample the vibrant culture and atmosphere found within the city centre.

There's never a dull day in Wellington and thanks to the city's relatively small size, you can enjoy the diverse array of sites and attractions on offer without wasting hours travelling from place to place. Explore the abundance of boutiques, shops, fine restaurants and trendy galleries in the city, then wander the rolling hills and rugged coastline via stunning walking and hiking trails. Or if you prefer, you can always head to Oriental Bay - the inner city beach - and while away the hours on the golden sands.

The winner of several international awards as a garden city, Christchurch has some stunning parks and public spaces, including the 160-hectare city-centre Hagley Park, Botanic Gardens and delightful tree-lined avenues. It also has some fine 19th century buildings, including the home of the Canterbury Museum which includes a 19th century Christchurch street, as well as displays reflecting the city’s Maori, Pacific and European heritage.

Christchurch was built around the Anglican cathedral, which is the best-known church building in the country. In Cathedral Square there is an outdoor market where it’s possible to buy everything from bone carvings to healthcare products – and much more. In the city centre, former warehouses and factories have now been restored as boutiques, restaurants and bars. The Centre of Contemporary Art is also interesting to visit, with five galleries and over 50 exhibitions each year.

One of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the southern hemisphere, Dunedin has such a British feel that it is affectionately known as the ‘Edinburgh of New Zealand’. The city’s charm is in its enchanting beauty – it is surrounded by dramatic hills and situated at a picturesque harbour – and in it’s rich history and culture.

As Dunedin is relatively small, and easy to explore, it doesn’t take much to become fully immersed in the delights of this place; highlights and attractions appear at every turn it seems, from gothic churches and ornate grand mansions to streets overflowing with art, shopping and culinary treats and sleepy, elegant parks. Amongst the beautiful outskirts of the city, the surrounding hinterlands and their white sand beaches, hidden coves, dramatic cliffs and sweeping plateaus await discovery too.

With your smaller ship docking at nearby Port Chalmers, gateway to Dunedin, all this and more is yours to discover and explore.

Established in 1824, Bluff is one of New Zealand’s oldest European settlements, steeped in the rich, varied history and heritage of seafaring, whaling, sealing and shipping industries that thrived here over the decades. For an insight into this fascinating past, Bluff’s Maritime Museum – with its array of interesting exhibits and displays – is a must-visit attraction.

Today, maritime industry remains an important part of life here. Bluff is a key port for ferries to and from Stewart Island, and a gateway for those embarking on an exploration of New Zealand’s Southlands. But, what Bluff is arguably best known for now is its world-famous oysters, which have been caught here since the late 1870s and are considered some of the finest and tastiest available – a claim that’s celebrated at Bluff’s iconic Food and Oyster Festival every May.

Aside from delving into deep history, and sampling delicious locally sourced seafood, you can be at one with nature during a visit to Bluff too; there are coastal walking routes to trail, spectacular landscapes to discover and picturesque waterways to sail. And, while you’re visiting, your time in Bluff isn’t complete without stopping by Stirling Point to have a photo with the famous signpost.

Sydney, Australia is one of the world's most exciting, must-see modern cities. Home to the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House – two of the most iconic cityscapes on Earth – the capital of New South Wales has a visual wow factor that most other cities can only dream of.

Defined by the rugged Pacific coastline that surrounds it, Sydney is a timeless, cosmopolitan metropolis that is easy to fall in love with. The imposing Darling Harbour, plus the smaller Circular Quay Port are the hubs of waterside life, with the revered Royal Botanic Garden nearby. For the more adventurous, Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

Compared with its Australian counterparts, Sydney is loud and brash. It has glamour and casualness in equal measure: there is a balance between the beach culture found on Bondi Beach and the fine dining and vibrant nightlife found in Kings Cross and Oxford Street.

Museums and memorials abound and include The Australian Museum, which opened in 1857 with the purpose of displaying the natural wealth of the colony, and the modern Museum of Sydney, which details the city's development. The Anzac War Memorial in Hyde Park is a public memorial dedicated to the achievement of Australia's armed forces in World War I.

The neoclassical Greek frontage of the NSW Art Gallery underlines the prominent and gregarious role art has in Sydney society. Major international exhibitions regularly arrive here and there's an outstanding permanent collection of indigenous art. And everything that’s best in contemporary Australian cuisine can be found at Circular Quay and The Rocks.

For those wanting to escape the city and go off the beaten path, the spectacular Blue Mountain or the Australian Bush offer spectacular sights and experiences. Sydney Harbour National Park protects large swathes of bushland, while Botany Bay’s history and connection to Britain is a big draw.

Hobart is the second-oldest city in Australia and it has many well-preserved colonial buildings, especially around the picturesque harbour and in the narrow lanes of Battery Point.

Many of the fine sandstone warehouses have been converted into cafés, galleries and artists’ workshops. The Narryna Heritage Museum, tells the story of wealthy merchants who settled on the island. If you're feeling energetic, climb the 259 steps of the Shot Tower for views out over the town and harbour.

Eden is a quiet former whaling town located on the southern coast of New South Wales. This sleepy settlement's rugged cliffs, rolling hills, national parks and areas of breathtaking natural beauty are a joy to explore, while it's beautiful beaches are the perfect place to relax and look out for whales that often swim close to the shore.

Overlooking the natural harbour on Twofold Bay, Eden was established in the 19th century as a whaling station and it is still an important fishing port. However, it’s the outstanding natural beauty of the local scenery and the beaches which attracts many visitors. The town is surrounded by the Ben Boyd National Park, named after the founder of the nearby settlement of Boydtown, which dates from 1842. It’s now disused, although the old Sea Horse Inn is still open, sitting among the ruins.

In Eden itself, the small Killer Whale Museum has interesting displays on whales and whaling. And from the top of the former lighthouse – Boyd’s Tower – there are panoramic views out over the sea and the sandstone cliffs of the National Park.

Newcastle might not be as familiar as Sydney or Melbourne, but Australia’s second oldest city still has much to offer: interesting historical and architectural sites, artistic and cultural gems, plus beautiful beaches bathed in New South Wales’ glorious sun-soaked climate.

Discovered by Lieutenant John Shortland while chasing escaped convicts from Sydney, Newcastle quickly became one of Australia’s most important cities. A major exporter of coal, it was dubbed the ‘hellhole’ by the criminals who were sent there to mine as a punishment.

While still considered a ‘coal city’, the Newcastle of today is now a thriving, modern metropolis is a true delight. Architectural highlights include the 19th century Christ Church Cathedral, which was rebuilt after the 1997 earthquake. The iconic Fort Scratchley is famous for being the only place Australians opened fire on an enemy (the Japanese in World War II). Newcastle’s exciting cultural scene includes the Civic Theatre – one of Australia’s great grand theatres, the bustling Darby Street Precinct, the Foghorn Brewhouse – which crafts delicious local beers, the Art Gallery and the Maritime Centre.

Nature comes to life in the rainforest of Blackbutt Nature Reserve, Hunter Wetlands Centre and Glenrock State Reserve, which are in easy reach. For sun-worshippers Dixon Park is popular for surfing, while Horseshoe Beach, Merewether Beach and Newcastle Beach are some of Australia’s best beaches. Nobby’s Beach is a particular hot spot for swimming and sunbathing.

Brisbane, the sophisticated capital city of Queensland on Australia’s east coast, is one of the world's fastest developing cities. With its harmonious mix of elegant colonial sandstone structures and modern glass skyscrapers, this friendly, welcoming city has a laid back, vibrant atmosphere. 

Art and outdoor adventure are always on the agenda; the South Bank's cultural institutions and restaurants combine with riverside gardens and a lagoon. Take the paddle steamer or ferry down the Brisbane River, or bike ride through the City Botanic Gardens. A day trip to Moreton Island, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast hinterland are regular favourites, while, for the more adventurous, Kangaroo Point cliffs offer abseiling.

A more sedate day can be spent exploring the city’s numerous walks, reserves and barbecue hotspots. Australia Zoo – owned by the family of the late Steve Irwin – and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, are home to various native Australian animals. 

Townsville is a vibrant region that encompasses beautiful coastal towns, rainforests, rugged Outback and country terrain. But the appeal of this lovely region expands further from the city of Townsville.

To the east sprawls the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven wonders of the natural world, and it isn’t hard to see why. It is larger than the Great Wall of China and is the only living thing on earth visible from space. To the west of Townsville you will find the vast outback while to the north stands lush rainforest, while in the city centre you will find the world renowned Reef HQ - the world's largest living coral reef aquarium - the Billabong Sanctuary, where you can learn all about Australia's fascinating wildlife, and many other cultural and heritage attractions.

Cairns is the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north, and renowned for its sultry climate and laid back ambience. The city used to be popular with visitors who came in search of gold, but now they visit to discover something even more precious: the Great Barrier Reef. The unmissable coral reef is easily accessible via boat trips from the city.

The focal point of Cairns itself is the 2km-long Esplanade, with its cafés, bars, piazzas, fine historic buildings and swimming lagoon.  The Tanks Art Centre and nearby Flecker Botanical Gardens are worth uncovering, while the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park recounts stories of indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait people through music and dance.

Cairns is also home to the beautiful Wet Tropics Rainforest. The best way to see this natural wonder is to take the Kuranda Scenic Railway north from the city, passing over bridges and through tunnels carved from the cliff-face and to the village of Kuranda. From there, the 7.5km Skyrail Rainforest Cableway offers a ride above the rainforest canopy in glass-sided gondolas. 

Australia's only tropical capital city, Darwin, is an astonishing, confident city on the Timor Sea with a personality all of its own.

Darwin's small, diverse city has all the vibrancy of a cosmopolitan metropolis combined with the breath-taking natural landscapes of the Outback. People from more than 50 nations make up its population and fill the many fine street-side restaurants and bars. Innovative museums celebrate the city's past, and smart galleries showcase the Indigenous art unique to the region. The Darwin Military Museum – which reveals dark tales of World War II, is well worth discovering.

Darwin's backyard is packed with nature: the gardens and mangroves of Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks are close, and the stunning unique Tiwi Islands can be reached by boat. Visitors can also enjoy a fishing trip for barramundi in a tinny (small boat). For more wildlife, Crocodylus Park has hundreds of crocodiles, big cats, spider monkeys, marmosets and many large birds.

Razed to the ground by bombing raids in World War II, but since revived and developed into one of Borneo’s most important and thriving cities, Sandakan – once connected to German, Arab and Indian traders, pearl divers and Chinese planters – is now a buzzing hub of industry and culture once again.

You can really feel the energy of modern Sandakan, as the locals go about their daily lives, making their contribution to the local palm oil, tobacco, coffee, cocoa and numerous other industries, but there are plenty of reminders of the city’s fascinating past to discover too. Sandakan Memorial Park and the Heritage Museum offer a wonderful insight into the history here, while visiting the Chinese and Japanese cemeteries is always an emotive experience. Don’t miss the magnificent temples of Puu Jih Syh and Sam Sing Kong – the city’s oldest building – too.

Beyond the city, Sandakan also serves as a gateway to encountering some of Borneo’s most mesmerising natural treasures and wildlife; on tour, it’s possible to visit Sepilok and see orphaned orangutans up-close, explore the Gomantong Caves, and visit Turtle Island, to name just a few of the highlights.

Sihanoukville is the gateway to the eerily impressive Angor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, one of the main reasons visitors travel to Cambodia. The second reason being that Sihanoukville is surrounded by white-sand beaches of Occheuteal and Serendipity beach, and undeveloped tropical islands. Sihanoukville is a place to unwind by the surf, enjoy the fresh from-the-ocean seafood, and generally slow down and relax.

Sihanoukville has a different look and feel than most Cambodian towns. With an abundance of things to see and do, from snorkelling to scuba diving, your batteries will be recharged in no time at all. There is often a balmy heat that wavers over the palm trees and grass umbrellas, making Sihanoukville the ideal spot to roll out a towel and sip on a refreshing cocktail, or two.

Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, this dynamic city-state is the perfect cocktail of culture, cruising, arts and architecture. This global financial centre with a tropical climate and multicultural population is passionately working towards its dream of a ‘City in a Garden’.

Getting around Singapore is a fairly rapid affair, thanks to one of the world’s most efficient and widespread public transport systems. Its colonial core centres on the Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s and now flanked by grand buildings such as City Hall, and its multitude of Corinthian columns. The 19th century red-and-gold Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, allegedly houses one of Buddha's teeth.

The concrete that once dominated the city skyline is slowly being replaced by ‘green skyscrapers’, which look more like living ecosystems than office buildings. Visitors stepping out of the centre will find walking trails, treetop bridges, indigenous wildlife and the city's green jewel, the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Singapore Botanic Gardens.

A tantalizing selection of food sold from street markets is dotted around the city. Food is taken very seriously: from cheap street fare to Michelin-starred dining, Singaporean foodies will happily queue for it. Of course, for sheer elegance, nothing beats a Singapore Sling in the Raffles Hotel.

Singapore has always drawn visits from a variety of sea craft. Merchants of every race, colour and faith were quickly drawn to the island, and by 1911, Singapore’s population comprised of 48 races, speaking 54 languages. Malay is now the official language.  

The rain-forested, mountainous island of Phuket in the Andaman Sea, has some of Thailand’s most spectacular beaches situated along the clear blue waters of its western shore. This idyllic high-end island resort contrasts nicely with the culturally-rich capital, Phuket Town, which offers busy markets and fabulous food.

Thailand’s largest island, Phuket, is connected to the southern tip of the country by a couple of short road bridges. The island has wonderful soft white beaches, fringed by shady palm trees and grass huts. Just offshore, many uninhabited outcrops of tall limestone crags rise straight out of the sea and cry out to be explored. Phuket is the ideal spot to truly relax and unwind with incredible views of the surrounding bays. 

In Phuket Town, the Thalang National Museum has fascinating displays about the island’s indigenous culture. There are a couple of Hindu Temples on the island, as well as a number of Buddhist shrines, including the Wat Chalong Temple, which is the centre for worship on Phuket. High in the Nakkerd Hills, northwest of Chalong Circle, the 45m-high Big Buddha sits in imposing fashion on the island's finest viewpoint.