NT Australia Cruise from Darwin to Lautoka — 17 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.

At Sea (At Sea)

Elcho Island Australia (Scenic Stop)

At Sea (At Sea)

Thursday Island, Australia

Thursday Island, known as Waiben, is the administrative centre of Australia’s Torres Strait Islands, north of Cape York. Its sheltered harbour once drew pearling fleets, and the industry’s history remains visible in the town’s multicultural character. At Green Hill Fort, a former coastal defence post, island views frame the passage between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Visit the Gab Titui Cultural Centre for Torres Strait art and stories that bring this remote maritime world into focus.

At Sea (At Sea)

Rogeia Island PNG (Scenic Stop)

At Sea (At Sea)

Solomon Islands

Honiara, the capital, lies on Guadalcanal’s north coast, the gateway to an archipelago of more than 900 islands. The capital’s Central Market brings island produce, fish and handwoven goods into vivid view. Beyond town, the Battle of Guadalcanal left a powerful legacy, while clear-water reefs invite snorkelling and diving. Pair market browsing with wartime memorials, or arrange a guided reef excursion.

Florida Islands

The Florida Islands, also called the Nggela Islands, lie north of Guadalcanal. Forested shores, small villages and clear channels offer a quieter view of the Solomons. Snorkellers can explore reefs, while history-minded visitors may recognize names tied to the Pacific campaign, including Tulagi and Gavutu. These islands reward an unhurried day. Arrange local transport in advance, then leave time for the water, village life and views across the strait.

Solomon Islands

Honiara, the capital, lies on Guadalcanal’s north coast, the gateway to an archipelago of more than 900 islands. The capital’s Central Market brings island produce, fish and handwoven goods into vivid view. Beyond town, the Battle of Guadalcanal left a powerful legacy, while clear-water reefs invite snorkelling and diving. Pair market browsing with wartime memorials, or arrange a guided reef excursion.

Ureparapara Island Vanuatu (Scenic Stop)

Luganville, Vanuatu

Luganville is the gateway to Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island, where wartime history meets clear-water lagoons. Explore the SS President Coolidge, a luxury liner sunk during World War II. At Million Dollar Point, Allied equipment was dumped into the sea after the war. Beyond town, freshwater blue holes and beaches reward a drive through the island’s green interior. Choose Luganville for accessible history, warm-water diving and unhurried island scenery.

Ambrym Island Vanuatu, Vanuatu

Ambrym is one of Vanuatu’s most volcanic islands, shaped by a vast caldera. Marum and Benbow rise within it, though access depends on current volcanic conditions and local guidance. Along the coast, village life offers another perspective: carved slit gongs, known locally as tam-tams, and ceremonial Rom dances. Come for an island where living traditions and an elemental landscape share the same horizon.

At Sea (At Sea)

Lautoka, Fiji

Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city, sits on Viti Levu’s western coast, where sugar fields meet the Pacific. Known as the Sugar City, it offers a glimpse of everyday Fijian life beyond the resorts. Browse the municipal market, stroll the botanical gardens, or take in the waterfront before heading farther west. Lautoka is also a departure point for excursions to the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups.