NT Australia Cruise from Darwin to Lautoka — 19 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)

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.

• Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

At Sea (At Sea)

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.

Fergusson Island PNG (Scenic Stop)

Dobu Island PNG (Scenic Stop)

Kuyau Island PNG (Scenic Stop)

Kimbe (Ask Travel Agent)

Rabaul

Rabaul occupies the rim of Simpson Harbour, where rainforest slopes meet a dramatic volcanic caldera. Tavurvur still steams above town, recalling the 1994 eruptions that buried old Rabaul in ash. Explore Japanese wartime tunnels and wreckage, then visit the Rabaul Museum for context. For a closer look at local life, Kokopo, the province’s quieter commercial centre, lies about 30 kilometres away.

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.

At Sea (At Sea)

Champagne Bay, Vanuatu

On Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu’s largest island, Champagne Bay makes a memorable first impression. Pale sand curves around clear, sheltered water, while green hills rise behind the shore. Ships anchor offshore, and tenders bring visitors ashore for swimming, snorkelling or a quiet stretch on the beach. Bring time to explore: the island’s lush interior and village life offer a rewarding contrast to the coast.

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.