South Pacific

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.

Time will stop when you first lay eyes on the Isle of Pines’ glittering blue water and white, powdery beaches. Nicknamed “The Jewel of the Pacific,” this small isle greets you with the spiny trees that line its shores — these pines give the island its name. Formed from nutritious volcanic rock, the isle is surrounded by the New Calendonia Barrier Reef. Cruise to Isle of Pines and head to secluded Upi Bay, where you can go snorkeling and see the reef up-close, as well as clownfish, sea turtles and other exotic sea life. Or take the one-hour hike through lush rainforest to the top of N’Ga Peak. From the summit, you can spot the natural pool at Oro Bay — head there afterward to relax and splash around in the clear waters surrounded by pines.

A melting pot of ethnicity and culture, sunny Noumea will quickly win you over with its upbeat city vibe. The capital city of New Caledonia offers some of the best weather in the South Pacific. Noumea’s cultural pride shines through in its museums, theatres and art galleries – check out the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre to explore the traditional Kanak culture. Head to the top of the Noumea Cathedral for views of the island, dotted with palms, hibiscuses and coconut trees. Hop a ferry out to Amedee Island to see its lighthouse and swim with turtles. Cruise to Noumea and relax on the picturesque beach at lemon tree-lined Baie des Citrons, or go snorkelling in Anse Vata Bay.

As the southernmost Loyalty island, Mare is the first to welcome the sun’s golden rays in the morning. Untouched by the outside world, the island holds a wild beauty supported by environmentally sustainable tourism. The landmass itself is formed from layers of coral, and the entire island is honeycombed with secret freshwater lagoons, grottoes and sinkholes. Cruise to Mare and head to Yejele Beach to walk the white sands and wade in the aquamarine waters punctuated by colourful coral. Descend into Trou de Bone, a limestone cave leading to lush gardens and a natural pool. Or check out the Yeiwene Yeiwene Cultural Centre to learn more about the indigenous Kanak culture and see the stone ruins of the Hnaenedr wall, which dates back to 250 AD.

Uninhabited and untouched by modern society, Mystery Island will make you believe it wouldn’t be so bad to be a marooned sailor in an old storybook. You’ll find no electricity, roads or telephones here. A comfortable 30-minute walk will take you on a self-guided tour of the entire island. Only accessible by cruise ship and the nearby inhabitants of Aneityum, you’ll truly get to experience life on a deserted island. Cruise to Mystery Island and explore the white-sand shoreline and its warm waters – go for a snorkel and see an incredible underwater world untouched by human influence.

Port Vila is the harborside capital and main hub of Vanuatu, on Efate island. Its small downtown is home to colorful market stalls selling produce and local handicrafts. The National Museum of Vanuatu, inside the Vanuatu Cultural Centre, displays artifacts such as slit-gong drums and outrigger canoes. The town is a base for diving and trips to Mele Cascades, a multi-tiered waterfall with rock pools in a rainforest.

The largest of three islands in the diverse Loyalty Island coral archipelago, Lifou is surrounded by secluded coral reefs, limestone grottoes and powdery white beaches. The locals protect their coral reefs with reverence — head to Jinek Bay to find some of the world’s most beautiful and untouched coral gardens. Cruise to Lifou and take a dip in the natural pool at Jinek, surrounded by steep cliffs, or go snorkeling with the vast array of tropical fish. Stroll the village of Easo, and visit the Notre Dame de Lourdes church, dating back to 1898 — its cliff-top perch is the perfect spot for views of the coral sea.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales and one of Australia’s largest cities, is best known for its harbourfront Sydney Opera House, with a distinctive sail-like design. Massive Darling Harbour and the smaller Circular Quay port are hubs of waterside life, with the arched Harbour Bridge and esteemed Royal Botanic Garden nearby. Sydney Tower’s outdoor platform, the Skywalk, offers 360-degree views of the city and suburbs.