Queensland Australia Cruise from Cairns to Benoa — 24 Days

Cairns, Australia

Cairns puts two World Heritage landscapes within reach: the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest. Boats leave the marina for coral reefs and islands. Inland, the scenic railway and Skyrail connect Cairns with Kuranda, a mountain village above the rainforest. The Esplanade’s waterfront lagoon offers a refreshing pause in the tropical city. Allow time for Cairns itself: its markets, cafés and relaxed waterfront reward a slower pace between excursions.

Doini Island PNG (Scenic Stop)

Alotau

Alotau sits on Papua New Guinea’s southeastern coast, where rainforest hills frame the sheltered waters of Milne Bay. The town is the gateway to a province of islands, reefs and traditional coastal communities. History is close: in 1942, Allied forces defeated Japanese troops at the Battle of Milne Bay. It was the first major Japanese defeat on land in the Pacific War. Visit the local market, then look out across a bay made for slow exploration.

Tufi PNG (Ask Travel Agent)

Tami Islands PNG (Scenic Stop)

Garove Island PNG (Scenic Stop)

Kimbe (Ask Travel Agent)

Madang PNG

Madang sits on Papua New Guinea’s north coast, where a palm-lined peninsula reaches into a sheltered lagoon. Nearby volcanic islands and coral reefs invite snorkeling and diving; the lagoon also holds World War II wrecks. At the local market, baskets, produce and seafood offer a glimpse of daily life. Choose Madang for a quieter Papua New Guinea call, with reef adventures close to shore.

Crown Island PNG (Scenic Stop)

Lae-Morobe PNG (Ask Travel Agent)

River Cruising (River Cruising)

Wewak PNG

Wewak sits on Papua New Guinea’s north coast, facing the Bismarck Sea and the Sepik region. Its palm-fringed shoreline and compact market town offer a quieter introduction to the country. On Wewak Hill, wartime memorials and Japanese gun positions recall the Pacific campaign. Inland, the Sepik River is known for carved houses and ceremonial traditions. Nearby islands provide a striking change of scene, reached by local boat.

Jayapura, Indonesia

Jayapura, capital of Indonesia’s Papua province, sits on the island’s north coast. Curving around Humboldt Bay, it pairs a busy waterfront with steep, forested hills and lively local markets. Nearby Lake Sentani offers island scenery and a window into the region’s enduring traditions. The city was called Hollandia during the Allied campaign in New Guinea during World War II. Come for a rare encounter with Indonesia’s far eastern frontier and a gateway to Papua’s landscapes and cultures.

Auri Islands Indonesia (Scenic Stop)

Manokwari (Ask Travel Agent)

Amsterdam Island France (Scenic Stop)

Waigeo Island Indonesia, Indonesia

Waigeo is the largest of Raja Ampat’s four main islands, a forested outpost in Indonesia’s far west. Waisai, the regency capital, is the usual base for reaching nearby reefs and island villages. Divers come for clear water, coral gardens and exceptional marine life in the Dampier Strait. On land, guided dawn walks offer a chance to see the red bird-of-paradise, native to Waigeo and nearby Batanta.

Benoa, Indonesia

Benoa is Bali’s principal cruise gateway, set on the island’s sheltered southeast coast. From the pier, Bali’s contrasts are close at hand: Nusa Dua’s resorts and Sanur’s seafront. Denpasar offers markets, museums, and a glimpse of daily life beyond the resort belt. Allow time for traffic; journeys inland can take longer than the map suggests. For a deeper excursion, Ubud pairs galleries and rice terraces with a lively arts scene.

• Sorong (Ask Travel Agent)