In the Australia tropics, we’ll take you to ages-old Aboriginal cave paintings; through World Heritage rainforest, ballooning over mountains and diving in the coral magic of the Great Barrier Reef. For families, there are theme parks, surfing and the wonderful Australia Zoo around the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Sophisticated Sydney is an experience-packed destination itself, and a perfect base to explore wider afield. Sports-mad Melbourne has wonderful food and wine, the Great Ocean Road with its rocks and wrecks, and a Penguin Parade. At magical Uluru, listen spellbound to a startalker deep into the night and find out what life’s like in the harsh Red Centre. Meet kangaroos on Kangaroo Island off South Australia; or stay inland for wine tastings in the famous Barossa Valley. In Western Australia, spot friendly dolphins in the sea and Wave Rock inland, along with astonishing desert and Gold Rush relics.
On New Zealand’s North Island, lush pastures, vineyards, rolling hills and glorious white beaches give way to boiling mud pools and exploding geysers. The Bay of Islands is glorious cruising. South Island’s dramatic mountains, snowfields and glaciers sweep down to mysterious fjords carved deep into the coastline. The capital, Wellington, has a stunning harbour surrounded by rolling hills where people live in steep streets and alleys. Auckland’s love of the sea shows in its nickname, ‘The City of Sails’. Rotorua’s volcanic activity is a must-see and there are spooky thrills in Waitomo’s glow-worm caves. South Island’s east coast has Christchurch, silvery beaches and pastureland stretching to Mt Cook, best seen by hot-air balloon. And you must explore fiordland with a breathtaking cruise in Milford Sound. Wine lovers head for Marlborough for distinctive, herbaceous Sauvignon Blancs and delicious bubblies.
Travel to the Cook Islands and stay in laid-back, exotic Rarotonga – a beautiful volcanic island surrounded by lagoon and reef, with rich rainforest and a thriving cultural scene; or Aitutaki, a stunning coral atoll with glorious beaches. Fiji has two main islands and around 300 more, so it’s absolutely perfect for island-hopping and cruising or simply relaxing on white beaches, gazing over a blue sea and up at green mountains. If French is the language of love, then French Tahiti is the island of love. It could hardly be more romantic, with incredible hotels, delicious food and wonderful scenery.