Depart: 7:00pm

Experience Melbourne, Australia's cosmopolitan cultural hub, where a labyrinth of laneways, world-class dining, vibrant street art, and a thriving arts scene meld together in a city that captivates the senses. Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria - and a global capital of trend-setting cool. Dynamic, sporty and arty, it still maintains an air of old-world grace with spacious tree-lined boulevards and expansive parks. The prosperous lifestyle of its people is both cosmopolitan and sophisticated. The heritage of more than 100 different cultures has contributed to Melbourne's richly international character - exemplified by its range of 15,000 dining venues offering more than 50 different kinds of cuisine.

Arrive: 8:00am | Depart: 10:00pm

Discover Sydney, Australia's most iconic city home to architectural wonders such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Sydney is an energetic and exciting metropolis where nightlife, shopping and fine restaurants compare favourably with the finest the world has to offer. Despite its modern advances, Sydney has lovingly cherished its heritage, for this was the birthplace of the Australian nation.

Arrive: 8:00am | Depart: 8:00pm

Sydney might have its beaches, Melbourne great shops and restaurants, and Queensland is famous for its coastline but Brisbane is blessed by a mix of all three, albeit on a smaller scale. This city has a dynamic culinary scene, with local specialties including Moreton Bay Bugs, a lightly seasoned barbequed lobster cooked in its shell. The city's relative youth (200 years) means that it's a city hungry for art, music, and literature, and a fundamental stop for culture vultures would be QAGOMA (Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art), which homes over 17,000 works including a fabulous selection of Aboriginal art.

Arrive: 7:00am | Depart: 6:00pm

Airlie Beach is best experienced below the waves. The port is one of the main gateways for the Great Barrier Reef, so if underwater adventures surrounded by reef sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and countless colourful fish are on your bucket list then look no further. While the town's proximity to the 1,430 mile (2,300 km) living coral reef is undoubtedly one of Airlie Beach's main attractions, you can easily enjoy a day soaking up the sun and enjoying the town's relaxed backpacker vibe. For those who prefer their wildlife to be above the ground, Conway National Park offers tropical rainforests, waterfalls, and 447 native species.

Arrive: 7:00am

Located at the point where two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef – gently curve to the shoreline, Cairns is graced with inspiring natural attractions in all directions. Active discovery is enjoyed with kite surfing, swimming, snorkelling and Zodiac excursions; beyond the coast are mountains, rainforests, eucalyptus, waterfalls, lakes, rugged ravines and farmlands fed by freshwater streams.

Depart: 6:00pm

Located at the point where two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Wet Tropics of Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef – gently curve to the shoreline, Cairns is graced with inspiring natural attractions in all directions. Active discovery is enjoyed with kite surfing, swimming, snorkelling and Zodiac excursions; beyond the coast are mountains, rainforests, eucalyptus, waterfalls, lakes, rugged ravines and farmlands fed by freshwater streams.

Arrive: 8:00am | Depart: 6:00pm

Thursday Island, situated in the Torres Strait between the northern tip of Queensland, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, proves that good things come in small packages. Originally named Waiben by the Indigenous Torres Strait Islanders, Thursday Island became an important hub for maritime trade and communication during the 19th century and is today the administrative center of the whole 190m2 Torres Strait Island Region. The island was left alone during the WWII bombings as it was thought that Japanese nationals were living on the island, which means that much of its infrastructure has remained intact: head to Green Hill Fort, to see a pristine example of Australian coastal military installation. You'll also get sweeping views of the surrounding islands.

Arrive: 9:00am | Depart: 9:00pm

Many travellers will think of Darwin as the jumping-off point for The Kimberley, the port is, of course, the gateway to the Northern Territory's famous 1,800-million-year-old red rocks, but Darwin has many other things to offer the day-tripper. Two of Australia's most spectacular National Parks (Kakadu and Litchfield) are within an easy drive of the city, so even if you don't want to get the full Kimberley experience, the ancient rock formations, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, jumping crocodiles and breathtaking gorges give a bite-sized version of the region's natural diversity. If you prefer to stay in the city, expect a multicultural experience. Darwin is closer to Jakarta than Canberra, so local markets, cafes, and restaurants overflow with Asian influence.

Arrive: 9:00am | Depart: 4:00pm

As the first port in Indonesia after Australia, Kupang, or Koepang to give it its Dutch name, enjoys a very international feel. The city was an important port and trading post during the Portuguese and Dutch colonial eras, and vestiges such as Fort Concordia give visitors a taste of the city's ex-colonial presence. However, local culture and cuisine are still very much Indonesian, as shown in the wonderfully vibrant markets (such as Pasar Oebobo 30 minutes from the port), a great place if you want to support the local economy with a spot of souvenir shopping. Indigenous artefacts can be found at the Kupang Museum, while those who want to explore the rainforest might like to travel the short distance to Oenesu Waterfall for exceptional bird-spotting opportunities.

Arrive: 9:00am | Depart: 5:00pm

Ringed by steep hillsides that fluctuate from jade green to rust red as the seasons shift, Komodo Island is a land of curious colors… and dragons. The largest island within the Komodo National Park, Komodo sports sandy beaches painted pink by the red coral that thrives on the reefs and locals who relish welcoming visitors. Besides the world's largest lizards, other wild residents include wild boars, deer, water buffalo, cockatoos and macaques.

Arrive: 11:00am

A picturesque island province in Indonesia, Bali is known for its stunning beaches, lush tropical landscapes, eternal rice fields, and rich Hindu heritage. Bali is so beautiful that the natives believe heaven will be just like home, and touring this island paradise, it's easy to see why. Here are mysterious volcanic lakes and jungle-shrouded volcanoes, wondrous ancient temples, fabulously creative painters and wood-carvers, and the legendary dancers who re-enact the stories of their Hindu deities.

A picturesque island province in Indonesia, Bali is known for its stunning beaches, lush tropical landscapes, eternal rice fields, and rich Hindu heritage. Bali is so beautiful that the natives believe heaven will be just like home, and touring this island paradise, it's easy to see why. Here are mysterious volcanic lakes and jungle-shrouded volcanoes, wondrous ancient temples, fabulously creative painters and wood-carvers, and the legendary dancers who re-enact the stories of their Hindu deities.