NT Australia Cruise from Darwin to Port Moresby — 24 Days

Darwin, Australia

Darwin is Australia’s northern gateway, where the Timor Sea meets a city shaped by tropical heat and Asian influence. Its compact waterfront puts the harbour within easy reach. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory offers insight into Indigenous cultures and the region’s wartime past. Beyond town, Kakadu’s wetlands and Litchfield’s waterfalls reward a longer stay. Visit in the dry season for easier travel and clear, warm days.

Kai Islands Indonesia (Scenic Stop)

Triton Bay, Indonesia

Triton Bay rewards the journey to Indonesia’s remote West Papua with vivid reefs and limestone islands rising from calm water. Near Kaimana, this little-visited coast is known for rich marine life, including whale sharks that gather around traditional fishing platforms. Explore quiet coves, local villages and forest-fringed beaches by boat. Leave time to snorkel: the bay’s coral gardens are its chief attraction, best seen below the surface.

Koon Island Indonesia (Scenic Stop)

Fakfak (Ask Travel Agent)

Misool Island Indonesia, Indonesia

Misool is the southernmost of Raja Ampat’s four main islands, set among the reefs of Indonesia’s Southwest Papua province. Limestone towers rise above clear lagoons, while coral reefs shelter manta rays, turtles and abundant reef fish. Reaching Misool requires a boat journey, commonly aboard a liveaboard or via a remote resort. Bring time for diving or snorkeling: the island’s appeal lies beneath the surface as much as along its dramatic coastline.

Raja Ampat Islands Indonesia, Indonesia

Raja Ampat rewards travellers who value wild places over polished resorts. This Indonesian archipelago lies off West Papua’s Bird’s Head Peninsula, famed for exceptional marine life and clear, warm seas. Its four principal islands—Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool—anchor a maze of forested islets and limestone karsts. Snorkel above coral gardens, look for manta rays, or boat into sheltered lagoons. Here, nature sets the itinerary.

Sorong (Ask Travel Agent)

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.

Amsterdam Island France (Scenic Stop)

Manokwari (Ask Travel Agent)

Auri Islands Indonesia (Scenic Stop)

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.

Vanimo PNG

Vanimo sits on Papua New Guinea’s remote north coast, near the Indonesian border. Its beaches and offshore reefs offer a quieter encounter with the country than its better-known eastern ports. Surf is the town’s calling card, with seasonal swells drawing riders to the coast. Inland, forested hills frame a small working town where daily life remains part of the appeal.

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.

River Cruising (River Cruising)

Port Moresby

Port Moresby is Papua New Guinea’s capital, set beside the Gulf of Papua and framed by dry hills. The National Museum and Art Gallery introduces the country’s cultural diversity. Parliament Haus draws on traditional Haus Tambaran design and is a striking landmark. At Port Moresby Nature Park, forest paths reveal native birds and tree kangaroos. Beyond the city, coastal scenery and village visits offer a different perspective on the capital.

• Lae-Morobe PNG (Ask Travel Agent)