13 Night Australia Cruise

Sydney, New South Wales

Sydney is Australia's most popular tourist hotspot, luring
millions of holidaymakers every year with the promise of sun, sand,
merry-making and culture. It is slick and smart, the streets are
clean, the parks sublime, the water in the huge harbour bright
blue, and the landmark buildings breathtaking. Sydney's population
is approaching five million, but it is easy to leave the frenetic
urban pace behind with just a simple ferry ride to the North Shore
for a bush walk, or a stroll along the harbour beaches, or any one
of a number of daytrips to explore the 'real' Australia on the
city's doorstep.

Just like its characteristic white-sailed Opera House, Sydney
seems to cruise effortlessly through nights and days filled with
myriad entertainment opportunities, sophisticated shopping,
memorable museums, and strings of beautiful beaches. It can be
exhausting to take it all in, even though the tourist precinct
where most of the interesting attractions are to be found is
concentrated in quite a small area around the downtown waterfront
and harbour.

The fact that Sydney is a thriving seaport and industrial city
has been cleverly concealed behind attractive pleasure and leisure
grounds and residential suburbs, making full use of the scenic,
watery geographical location. The harbour area is dominated by the
span of one of the world's largest arched bridges, backed by
towering skyscrapers.

Another plus for visitors is that, compared to most big cities,
Sydney offers excellent reasonably priced food, accommodation and
public transport. The city also has an efficient suburban rail
network, with its hub at Circular Quay in the city centre, while
full use is made of the waterways with ferries and passenger jet
boats plying to and from various points.

To the north of Sydney is the Pacific Coastal route, which
passes beautiful coastal scenery, laid back seaside communities
like Byron Bay, and excellent surf, with nearly 249 miles (400km)
of beaches to explore. Whale watching is popular in season and the
region is also dotted with numerous national parks and nature
reserves that offer plenty of hiking trails and kayaking in the
Myall Lakes. The Waterfall Way, which winds up to the New England
Tablelands, is one of the most scenic drives in the world, taking
in the vineyards of the famed Hunter Valley. To the south of Sydney
is Australia's only alpine habitat in the Snowy Mountains, where
winter skiing is the main attraction. In summer, the mountains
become a playground for whitewater rafters, fishermen, kayakers and
hikers, making Sydney a great travel hub.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is a coastal locality in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland and is a popular area to access the Great Barrier Reef. A popular location for cruise ships Airlie Beach is a popular location not only because of the fantastic lagoon and many wonderful traditional Australian pastimes, but also its perfect location for access to both the Whitsunday Islands as well as the Great Barrier Reef.

Yorkeys Knob, Cairns, Queensland

Yorkeys Knob is a secluded beach town located just north of Cairns, Australia. Visitors can find a number of small, private beaches to enjoy the sun and waves. The town is also home to a number of restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring. 

Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a family-friendly vacation, Yorkeys Knob has something for everyone. The town’s beaches are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing, and there are plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby for those who want to explore the area. And, of course, no trip to Yorkeys Knob would be complete without a visit to the Great Barrier Reef. 

If you’re planning a trip to Cairns, be sure to add Yorkeys Knob to your itinerary. You won’t be disappointed!

Port Douglas, Queensland

Port Douglas is a town on the Coral Sea in the tropical far north of Queensland, Australia. It's known for its beach resorts and as a base for visits to both the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest reef system, and Daintree National Park, home to biodiverse rainforest. In town, Macrossan Street is lined with boutique shops and restaurants.

Darwin, Northern Territory

The city of Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory, presides
loftily over the top end of Australia. Set on a rocky peninsula
that stretches into one of the most beautiful natural harbours on
the north Australian coast, the city is surrounded by water on
three sides, which allows it to be fanned by cool breezes that
temper the tropical heat and humidity of its climate.

Darwin has survived destruction three times: the city was hit by
a cyclone in 1893; it was then bombed by the Japanese in 1942
during World War II; and more recently, in 1974, Cyclone Tracy
levelled the city on Christmas Eve. It is a tribute to the
pioneering spirit of its cosmopolitan population of 87,000 that it
has not only overcome these calamities, but gone on to thrive.

The city is compact, and the areas of most interest to tourists
are easy to explore on foot. The tropical climate encourages
outdoor living and simply strolling through the leafy streets,
browsing art galleries and enjoying refreshments at sidewalk cafes,
is a pleasure for visitors. Shady parks can be found behind busy
shopping streets and are a delight with exotic flowering trees like
frangipani, banyan and tamarind.

Darwin is a youthful, tropical city, small enough to feel
friendly and relaxed, and a great travel hub for exploring the
incredible natural wonders on the city's doorstep.

Singapore

Beguiling Singapore is a modern city-state embracing economic
progress against the backdrop of age-old tradition. Many business
people and holidaymakers travel to Singapore on their way to the
Far East, or as a stop-off between Australia and Europe, and are
eager to see and experience this legendary hi-tech Asian city,
which combines traditional enclaves with the towering steel and
cement of a cosmopolitan international power-house. The customs
that underpin community life emerge out of a cultural mix that
includes predominantly Chinese, Indian and Malay ethnic groups.

Singapore is an island off the southern tip of Malaysia, linked
to it by a causeway. It evolved from a sleepy fishing village in
the early 1900s to become one of Asia's economic tigers. Sir Thomas
Stamford Raffles landed on Singapore's northern bank in 1819,
quickly identifying a strategic trading location. Singapore's rural
landscape was transformed by British colonial rule, Japanese
occupation, Communist insurrection and finally, independence. Since
becoming a republic in 1965 the island has experienced increased
prosperity and exponential economic growth. Shimmering skyscrapers
tower above the slick financial districts and elegant colonial
buildings preserve a lingering old-world charm.

Singapore's full calendar of events showcases a spectrum of
cultural celebrations and shopping activities. The early summer
months bustle in anticipation of the Singapore Sale - a time when
tourists can cash in on the competitive prices of electronic
equipment, jewellery and other merchandise. The business activity
thrives amid the celebration of Chinese, Hindu and Muslim festivals
that punctuate the year with their colourful representations. These
include the Chinese New Year, Ramadan, Hari Raya Puasa, Vesak Day,
the Dragon Boat Festival, Festival of the Hungry Ghosts and
Thaipusam.

The core of downtown Singapore is formed by the Colonial
District, embellished by cathedrals and cricket lawns. The notable
sites of the area include the Empress Place Building and the
luxurious Raffles Hotel. Although most of old Singapore has been
demolished to make way for the modern city, many major landmarks
within the Colonial District have been preserved. The surrounding
ethnic enclaves of Little India, Chinatown and the Arab Quarter
also provide glimpses into the traditions that have sustained their
respective communities through the centuries.