South Pacific Cruise EVENTYRET BEGYNNER HER
Brisbane , Australia | Mystery Island , Vanuatu | Luganville , Vanuatu | Port Vila , Vanuatu | Mare , New Caledonia | Lifou , Loyalty Islands | Brisbane , Australia
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Brisbane, Australia
AN AUSS-OME TIME
The Airtrain effortlessly connects Brisbane city with the airport. If you have time pre-departure, step out of the city center and explore the inner-city suburbs. Affluent Paddington is known for its thrift stores, cafes and independent boutiques. Fortitude Valley is home to Chinatown, the James Street shopping district and great weekend markets.
The Airtrain effortlessly connects Brisbane city with the airport. If you have time pre-departure, step out of the city center and explore the inner-city suburbs. Affluent Paddington is known for its thrift stores, cafes and independent boutiques. Fortitude Valley is home to Chinatown, the James Street shopping district and great weekend markets.
in Brisbane
Head South
You can't miss South Bank when in Brisbane. Take in the view from the Wheel of Brisbane, the city's version of the London Eye. Stroll through the Arbour, a walkway awning with expertly curated plants and flowers. Take a dip at Streets Beach — Australia's only inner-city man-made beach — before heading to one of the neighborhood's upscale eateries.
Get a 360 View
See Brisbane from several different perspectives. Check out the wide-angled view from Mt Coot-tha Lookout, then face your fears and do the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Next, see the sunset from Kangaroo Points Cliff Park, or hop on a free CityCat ferry for skyline views from the Brisbane River.
Local Cuisine
It's always patio season in Brisbane. For the best riverside dining, check out Eagle Street Pier, which is bustling with city workers once the clock strikes 5 p.m. And don't miss Eat Street Northshore, a wharf that becomes a hub for forward-thinking street food on Friday and Saturday nights, where you can get a slice of Japanese pizza or a dessert of decadent churros.
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Mystery Island, Vanuatu
UNPLUG AND UNWIND
On Mystery Island, you can live the simple life. Stroll around the entire island and find your special secluded spot. Go on a hunt for the old military airstrip built during World War II. Melt into a traditional Vanuatu massage right on the beach. Or simply dive into the warm, turquoise waters and make friends with the exotic marine life and coral.
On Mystery Island, you can live the simple life. Stroll around the entire island and find your special secluded spot. Go on a hunt for the old military airstrip built during World War II. Melt into a traditional Vanuatu massage right on the beach. Or simply dive into the warm, turquoise waters and make friends with the exotic marine life and coral.
in Mystery Island
Go on a Coral Safari
Because Mystery Island is so secluded, the coral is exceptionally healthy and the fish plentiful. Whether you are swimming or snorkeling, you'll pass clown fish, parrot fish, barracudas and majestic sea turtles. You might even be lucky enough to glimpse a seahorse.
What's SUP?
Hop on a quick boat ride to the nearby inhabited island of Aneityum for a little adventure. From there, you'll be given a stand-up paddleboard (SUP) and a quick beginner's lesson on how to use it. Enjoy the remainder of your time by SUPing around the lush bay in cool island style.
Embrace the Escape
Unlike most of your other stops, this island is unfrequented and small — give yourself permission to slow down. Take a break from the real world and take in the shimmering turquoise ocean with your Mystery Island cruise. Dig your toes into the white powdery sand, and breathe in the warm, tropical air.
Local Cuisine
The inhabitants of the nearby Aneityum come to the island to prepare food and entertainment for visitors. They serve traditional Vanuatuan food, which is simple and delicious. Cruise to Mystery Island and tuck in to freshly caught grilled lobster for lunch, and treat yourself to island banana pie for dessert.
Shopping
Along the beach, you can find small market stalls set up by locals. They sell postcards, sarongs and traditional trinkets. For a more cultural experience, have your hair braided by one of the local women or enjoy a traditional Vanuatu massage on the beach.
Luganville, Vanuatu
"SECOND CITY"
Indulge your sense of adventure and visit the Nanda Blue Hole. It's so clear and so incredibly blue, many visitors wonder if a dye is used to tint its natural waters. Be sure to pop in at Ransak Cultural Village to learn local legends and crafts. After the day's activities, head back into the city and relax at the Euro-inspired cafes and homegrown kava bars.
Indulge your sense of adventure and visit the Nanda Blue Hole. It's so clear and so incredibly blue, many visitors wonder if a dye is used to tint its natural waters. Be sure to pop in at Ransak Cultural Village to learn local legends and crafts. After the day's activities, head back into the city and relax at the Euro-inspired cafes and homegrown kava bars.
in Luganville
DIVE THROUGH HISTORY
At the so-called Million Dollar Point, tons and tons of U.S. military equipment was dumped after the war. Dive down and be humbled at how nature is reclaiming the metals with thriving coral gardens. When the tide goes out, you can see hundreds of curious metal objects littering the beach.
ONWARD AND UPWARD!
The trip to the Millennium Cave is not quick — but it's certainly worth it. Visit Vanuatu and follow a guide through a rainforest, climb up bamboo ladders, scramble over rocks and find the hideaway cave. To get home, float down the river surrounded by stunning, untouched nature.
MORE THAN MUSIC
Head to Leweton Village for a demonstration that'll blow you away with authenticity. Watch women expertly mold the sounds of water into "Water Music," dance spiritedly with locals and learn how to start a fire from scratch. A pure reflection of Vanuatu culture and lifestyle.
LOCAL CUISINE
Tuck into Vanuatu favorites like the coconutty lap-lap or just-grilled seafood caught early that morning. The Market Meal Booths are always popular, consistently winning cruisers over with fresh, fast and cheap meals. Choose a booth, order a dish and sit down at one of the cozy rustic tables. You won't be disappointed!
SHOPPING
While Luganville market has plenty of fresh produce, Mama Handicraft & Souvenir Shop at the east end of town is where you can find the largest variety of locally made "Kastom" crafts. Cruise to Luganville, Vanuatu to browse island clothing, turtle jewelry, carvings, dyed clothes and woven bags to take back home.
Port Vila, Vanuatu
ECLECTIC ISLAND PARADISE
Small, bustling and surrounded by sky blue waters, Port Vila is the perfect spot to soak up Vanuatu's natural beauty. Learn about the islands' rich history at the Vanuatu Cultural Center, which showcases indigenous artifacts and features exhibitions on the practice of sand drawing. Marvel at rainforest-surrounded waterfalls of Mele Cascades. Or ride a water taxi to nearby Pele Island and soak up the sun on a powdery white beach.
Small, bustling and surrounded by sky blue waters, Port Vila is the perfect spot to soak up Vanuatu's natural beauty. Learn about the islands' rich history at the Vanuatu Cultural Center, which showcases indigenous artifacts and features exhibitions on the practice of sand drawing. Marvel at rainforest-surrounded waterfalls of Mele Cascades. Or ride a water taxi to nearby Pele Island and soak up the sun on a powdery white beach.
in Port Vila
One for the History Books
The history of Port Vila alone is impressive — add that to the story of the entire South Pacific, and you've got the Vanuatu Cultural Center. It houses one of the most extensive collections of South Pacific artifacts on the planet. Outrigger canoes, photos, videos and traditional sand drawing exhibitions await.
Natural Heat Remedy
It gets pretty hot and sticky on a tropical island. Do like the locals do and cool down at the Mele Cascades Waterfall. At 150 feet high, the spray alone is refreshing. A bus ride and a brief walk up the valley gets you to this spectacular feat of nature.
Find the Perfect Hideaway
A quick drive and a water taxi trip will bring you to the tiny Hideaway Island. Jump right in and snorkel in crystal clear waters teeming with rainbows of fish. Jump onboard a Port Vila, Vanuatu cruise to swim to the world's only underwater post office, and post a waterproof postcard to your friends back home.
Local Cuisine
For cheap eats, go to Mama's Market, where you can sample taro root pancakes, Vanuatu French fries — delicious flakes of coconut deep fried and salted to perfection —or traditional lap lap, grated yam and banana cooked with coconut cream in an earthen oven. Or dine al fresco along the waterfront: Modern eateries serve up French-inspired takes on local fish and grass-fed beef, which is some of the world's best.
Shopping
Along Wharf Road in the center of town, you'll see the charming Vanuatu Handicraft Market. Here, local vendors sell authentic Vanuatu wooden carvings, as well as prints and other crafts. If you're looking for something a bit more tailored during your cruise, pop in at the nearby Pandanus shop, which supports local creators.
Mare, New Caledonia
CLEAR BLUE WATERS
Explore nature at its purest in Mare — of all the Loyalty Islands, it's the least influenced by tourism. See Le Saut du Guerrier, a famous gap in the cliffs above the clear blue water — legend has it local warrior Here Hnor leapt over the chasm to escape his enemies. Plumb the depths of the natural caves at Trou de Bone, and see the gardens and pool below. Or go snorkeling among the coral outcrops and tropical fish at Yejele Beach.
Explore nature at its purest in Mare — of all the Loyalty Islands, it's the least influenced by tourism. See Le Saut du Guerrier, a famous gap in the cliffs above the clear blue water — legend has it local warrior Here Hnor leapt over the chasm to escape his enemies. Plumb the depths of the natural caves at Trou de Bone, and see the gardens and pool below. Or go snorkeling among the coral outcrops and tropical fish at Yejele Beach.
in Mare
A Legendary Leap
Head to Wakone called to see Le Saut du Guerrier — the Warrior's Leap. According to island legend, warrior Here Hnor was once cornered here by his enemies, and to escape, he made a daring seven-meter leap over to the other side of the cliff. Soak up the history as you stand in the same spot as the warriors of old.
Crazy for Coral
At the Shabadran Terraces, layers of coral form an expansive reef under turquoise water and crashing waves. Every so often, water rushes through blowholes, exploding into the air with a rainbow spray. Reach the terraces with a short drive through swaying coconut trees or a two-hour hike.
Turtle Time
Head to the La Baie des Tortues at high tide to find a wealth of sea turtles milling about, casually munching sea grass as they go. After checking with a local, you can swim with these gentle creatures in their natural habitat during your cruise.
Local Cuisine
For the best eating on Mare island, head to the casual beach-side huts. Settle down and indulge in a few brochettes — island-style skewers of chicken grilled over a fire. Eager to share the catch of the day, locals will offer you freshly caught lobster and crab platters with a rustic charm.
Shopping
There are a few small market stalls where you can find little handicrafts and keepsakes. Experience Kanak fashion and get your hair braided in a traditional native style by one of the local women. You can use Australian Dollars on the island to pay for any goods you want to buy. Cruise to Mare and bring home a tribal turtle sculpture for good luck.
Lifou, Loyalty Islands
EXPLORE CORAL CASTLES
Stretch your legs on Luengoni or Luecila Beach, home to powdery white, flour-like sand. Jinek Bay is a must for snorkeling enthusiasts — Lifou has one of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. Peruse the village of Easo and experience the local culture: Check out the quaint church of Notre Dames de Lourdes, perched on a cliff that offers great views of bay, and see the traditional huts that still exist in the gardens of many modern homes.
Stretch your legs on Luengoni or Luecila Beach, home to powdery white, flour-like sand. Jinek Bay is a must for snorkeling enthusiasts — Lifou has one of the most diverse coral reefs in the world. Peruse the village of Easo and experience the local culture: Check out the quaint church of Notre Dames de Lourdes, perched on a cliff that offers great views of bay, and see the traditional huts that still exist in the gardens of many modern homes.
in Lifou
Rainbow of Fish
Jinek Bay is a marine reserve, a natural swimming pool and a delightful aquarium. In its aquamarine waters, you'll snorkel among 2,000 varieties of fish darting around the pristine coral reef. Each visitor makes a donation that goes towards the upkeep of this natural marvel.
Wander the Water's Edge
Lifou's beaches are long stretches of postcard perfection. Sand as soft as talc powder and oceans as blue as the lapis lazuli will tempt you to stay forever. Luengoni Beach is a prime spot to work on your island tan. If you want to do some exploring, take a special tour of the nearby limestone caves.
Get Cultural
Native culture still thrives in Lifou. The Melanesian people on the island follow a meaningful traditional way of life in harmony with nature. Find out more about their culture by visiting one of the traditional huts — while most are private, a few are marked with signposts that invite visitors to view them, including one on the route to Notre Dame de Lourdes church.
Local Cuisine
Try the native dish bougna, a melt-in-your-mouth combination of crab and island yams cooked to perfection in banana leaves during your Lifou cruise. The dish is sometimes served with chicken instead of seafood and often contains sweet fruits like taro or pawpaw. The marketplace is near the port and is the perfect place to grab lunch on the go.
Shopping
At the open-air marketplace, you'll find vendors dressed in traditional island garb selling native creations. The local culture is called Kanak, and they create beautiful tribal masks and jewelry you can take home as a keepsake. While you shop, grab a freshly hulled coconut to stay hydrated island-style.
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Brisbane, Australia
SUNNY SIDE UP
When you visit Australia's Sunshine State, you have to spend a day at the beach. Head one hour south of the city to the Gold Coast; a rental car or public transit will get you there. Local favorites include Burleigh Beach, Rainbow Bay and Currumbin Creek — you won't go wrong with any of these beaches.
When you visit Australia's Sunshine State, you have to spend a day at the beach. Head one hour south of the city to the Gold Coast; a rental car or public transit will get you there. Local favorites include Burleigh Beach, Rainbow Bay and Currumbin Creek — you won't go wrong with any of these beaches.
in Brisbane
Get Wild
Take a drive north to the Sunshine Coast — you'll find not only pristine beaches but also the untouched beauty of the region's hinterlands. Get onboard a Brisbane cruise to experience the volcanic peaks of the Glasshouse Mountains, or walk through the rock pools of Gardners Falls.
Shopping
Queen Street Mall is Brisbane's biggest shopping street. Meanwhile, James Street is lined with boutiques stocking some of Australia's favorite designers. For a unique souvenir, purchase a handmade treasure from Collective Markets in South Bank with Australia cruises. The market is made up of stalls where artisans of everything from jewelry to home decor set up shop.
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