Australia Cruise - from Lautoka - 124872

'The 'sugar city' of Lautoka, an economic and cultural centre, is the second-largest city on the Fiji Islands. The main palm-lined street gives the city a friendly feel. Mosques, Hindu temples and Christian churches bear witness to the turbulent past and the diverse population. There are several restaurants and hotels, but the highlight is an excellent art gallery at a hotel direct by the water. Lautoka is also the starting point for many tours to the neighbouring islands.

Vila is the capital of the Republic of Vanuatu in the South West Pacific. It has been independent since 1980 and used to be known as the "New Hebrides". Vila, situated on an island of volcanic origin, offers tours of the volcano, sailing trips and tours of the harbour and is also a paradise for divers. Visitors can visit the sites of famous events during the Second World War and view the largest collection of Pacific archaeological finds in the world.

Honiara is the capital of the Solomon Islands which are located in the South-West Pacific, to the East of Papua New Guinea. The islands are characterised by the almost moonscape-like mountain landscape. Honiara is on the island of Guadalcanal, which boasts the highest mountain in the island group - Makarakombu stands 2,447 m tall.

Cairns, the capital of the "Far North" region is full of that tropical lust for life. As the secret "backpacker capital" of Australia, it has an almost magical pull on young travellers thanks to the seemingly limitless recreational activities it has to offer. It is far easier to reach the Great Barrier Reef from here than from central Queensland. The crystal-clear waters, palm-lined islands and sandbanks attract divers and snorkellers in particular, making the two offshore islands, Green Island and Fitzroy Island, hugely popular holiday destinations. The outer reef loved by divers is around 50 km away. In the near vicinity are untouched sections of coast and a mysterious wilderness of rainforest backed by a high mountain range.

Cairns, the capital of the "Far North" region is full of that tropical lust for life. As the secret "backpacker capital" of Australia, it has an almost magical pull on young travellers thanks to the seemingly limitless recreational activities it has to offer. It is far easier to reach the Great Barrier Reef from here than from central Queensland. The crystal-clear waters, palm-lined islands and sandbanks attract divers and snorkellers in particular, making the two offshore islands, Green Island and Fitzroy Island, hugely popular holiday destinations. The outer reef loved by divers is around 50 km away. In the near vicinity are untouched sections of coast and a mysterious wilderness of rainforest backed by a high mountain range.