South Pacific from Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane, capital of Queensland, is a large city on the Brisbane River. Clustered in its South Bank cultural precinct are the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, with noted interactive exhibitions. Another South Bank cultural institution is Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, among Australia’s major contemporary art museums. Looming over the city is Mt. Coot-tha, site of Brisbane Botanic Gardens

It’s no mystery that Mystery Island is steeped in allure. Mystery Island came to be after it was headlined in a royal visit in 1974. Traditionally known as Inyeug (meaning: small island), the picture-perfect scenery of this unspoilt South Pacific paradise awaits on a majestic scale. The Island is uninhabited and the only people who visit are cruise passengers. So it’s all yours. And it’s the perfect size to explore the whole thing.

Mare is the South Pacific at its best; think water so crystal clear blue it looks fake, so full of fish and turtles you’ll want to snorkel forever, think untouched beauty, think a tropical paradise, think aaaahh, now I’m truly on holiday! Divided into eight districts, Maré offers something for everyone. Jagged basalt rocks are evidence of the island’s first volcanic activity, dark forests stretch to the cliffs’ edges and its central plane is scattered with grottos and natural pools where fish and turtles abound.

Carnival transports you to the heart of Noumea, in its vibrant capital city of New Caledonia. Renowned as the Paris of the Pacific, you can channel French-style savoir-faire. Aside from ordering delicious croissants (in perfect French of course), there’s plenty of other great stuff to keep you busy. All you gotta do is choose which is more your style. Are you more in the mood for a day at the beach? Or would you rather the hustle and bustle of the city? Perhaps a bit of both?

Brisbane, capital of Queensland, is a large city on the Brisbane River. Clustered in its South Bank cultural precinct are the Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, with noted interactive exhibitions. Another South Bank cultural institution is Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, among Australia’s major contemporary art museums. Looming over the city is Mt. Coot-tha, site of Brisbane Botanic Gardens