Australia Explorer

Historic Fremantle is the gateway port for Perth, the capital of Western Australia. Located 12 miles upriver from Fremantle on the banks of the Swan River, Perth was founded on June12, 1829 by Captain James Stirling, the political center of the free settler Swan River Colony. Perth is considered one of the most isolated metropolitan areas on Earth, with Adelaide in South Australia, the closest city with a population over one million. Perth is geographically closer to East Timor, Singapore and Jakarta than it is to Sydney or Melbourne. Today, Perth is a lively cosmopolitan city, and the Swan Valley Region is home to more that 40 vineyards, many of which are still run by their original families. Perth became known worldwide as the “City of Lights” when city residents lit their house and street lights as American astronaut John Glenn passed overhead while orbiting the earth on Friendship 7 in 1962.

Geraldton is the center of Western Australia’s Coral Coast, and a gateway to the agricultural Chapman Valley. City attractions include the Western Australia Museum and a stirring monument to the HMAS Sydney II, which was sunk with great loss of life off the coast here during WW II. See the red and white-striped Point Moore Lighthouse, and the lovingly preserved keeper’s cottage. Drive into the Moresby Ranges to visit a lavender farm, or visit the restored Oakabella homestead to see how the early settlers lived.

Just off shore is the Ningaloo Reef, the largest fringing reef in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to an amazing variety of marine life throughout the year. The Cape Range National Park shows off land-based wildlife including emus and wallabies. Visit the rugged gorges of the Yardie Creek Station, or watch for nesting sea turtles on the nearby beaches. The Vlamingh Head Lighthouse is just over 100 years old.

Isolated on the farthest northwest corner of the continent, Broome thrived from its founding in 1883 based on the bounty of South Sea pearls found in offshore oyster beds. Even today, the pearling industry is active here, though most are now cultured. But Broome has grown into one of Australia’s premier holiday destinations, offering an amazing variety of attractions and activities for visitors. It boasts a splendid, 14-mile strand of soft white sand at Cable Beach, where people flock to enjoy sunset camel rides. And with 2,600 islands in the area and warm seas, it is a sportsman’s paradise. But the unique allure of the region is the unspoiled expanse of bizarre geological formations, waterways and ancient Aboriginal lands called the Kimberley. Corrugated with red-hued cliffs and escarpments, and laced with pristine waterways, swimming holes and waterfalls, the Kimberley is unlike any other landscape on earth. It invites visitors to cruise the coast, fly over the ranges, kayak the islands and explore the rugged terrain in 4WD vehicles. The only difficulty is deciding which adventure to partake of next.

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.

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.

Alotau, Papua New Guinea. Alotau is the capital of the Milne Bay province of Papua New Guinea, located on a peninsula in Milne Bay in the Coral Sea. The town and water comprise the site of the 1942 battle of Milne Bay, in which the invading Japanese army suffered its first decisive defeat in the Pacific Theater of World War II at the hands of Allied, mostly Australian forces. A War Memorial commemorates the battle. Today the area is largely given over the palm oil plantations. The local people keep their Tawala cultural traditions alive, with the exception of the long-past ritual cannibalism. In Bibiko Village, they will be pleased to show them off in displays of prowess with Kundu drum ceremonies and exhibitions of their impressive war canoes. At the Ahioma village of Dodobana, the many specialized skills of daily Melanesian life are demonstrated in a family-style setting, such as basket weaving, grass skirt making and gardening.

Don’t let the name scare you. This idyllic archipelago of 21 coral atolls off the coast of New Guinea was named after the British ship HMS Conflict by its discoverer, a most patriotic captain. You could hardly ask for a more conflict-free paradise. The island group is privately owned by a passionate conservationist, who insists on sustainable methods for any activity within his tropical domain. Activities are therefore tailored for enjoying the exceptionally beautiful beaches, the supremely biodiverse coral reefs and the clear, warm waters. Kayaking, snorkeling and paddle-boarding are the more strenuous varieties. Simply relaxing mindfully on the sugary fringes of the lagoon are also acceptable. The area is under consideration for UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

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 center.

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.

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 snorkeling 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. It is a place in which to enjoy Australia’s tropical pleasures in the same casual, fun-loving style the Aussies employ.

Once a harsh penal settlement, Brisbane is now Queensland’s dynamic capital city. A blend of steel and glass defines the skyline, while riverside delights – botanical gardens, promenades, cafes and markets – mesmerize at eye level. Sample shore excursions: Brisbane Sights & Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.