5 October to 6 October - At sea

7 October to 11 October

Australia: Darwin

More of a large town than a city, Darwin is less about what’s contained within the city limits and more about the huge expanse of wild landscape that’s outside it. Closer to Jakarta than Sydney, the city really does feel remote in its tropical perch.

12 October to 13 October - At sea

14 October

Indonesia: Kai Archipelago

The Kai Archipelago, part of the Maluku islands, is known for its idyllic beaches. The ancestors of the Kai people are believed to have come here from Bali, but there is no written history, with an oral tradition of stories known as Tom-Tad that are passed down from generation to generation.

15 October

Indonesia: Triton Bay

The protected marine reserve of Triton Bay rivals Raja Ampat as one of Indonesia’s premier locations for snorkelling and scuba diving. The biodiversity here is remarkable, with species ranging from pygmy seahorses to mighty whale sharks, and it’s also a nesting site for green turtles.

16 October

Indonesia: Mommon Peninsula (West Papua)

17 October

Indonesia: Misool

Misool is one of the main islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago, surrounded by some of the most spectacular coral reefs on earth. Snorkel, swim and kayak amongst these rich, biodiverse waters, and explore white sandy beaches, mangroves, lakes and jungle-clad limestone peaks.

18 October

Indonesia: Kri Island

Kri Island is a popular destination for divers, with homestays dotted along the beachfront, and the dive site at Cape Kri holds the world record for the most species recorded on a single dive - 374, to be precise! The island’s terrain makes hiking difficult, but there are some lovely coastal walks.

18 October

Indonesia: Gam Island

Gam is one of the larger islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago, with a landscape of steep limestone peaks cloaked in jungle, home to bird species including the spectacular red bird-of-paradise. Visitors receive a friendly welcome from the local villagers, while offshore lie some superb snorkelling spots.

19 October

Indonesia: Manokwari (Irian Jaya)

20 October

Indonesia: Cenderawasih Bay

The broad sweep of Cenderawasih Bay, off the northern coast of Papua, is known for its spectacularly biodiverse coral reefs. These waters are home to dolphins, dugongs and four different species of turtle, but the star attraction is the resident population of whale sharks, the biggest fish in the sea.

21 October - At sea

22 October

Indonesia: Jayapura

Jayapura, also known as Port Numbay, is the capital of Indonesia’s Papua province. This busy city is well off the tourist trail, and provides an introduction to the fascinating customs of the region. Nearby sights include beautiful Lake Sentani, where you can take a trip on a local longboat out to one of the islands.

23 October

Papua New Guinea: Kopar Village (Sepik River)

The legendary Sepik River takes you into the remote and unspoilt heart of Papua New Guinea, a place where headhunting and cannibalism existed within living memory. The region is also known for its remarkable art, and for the ceremonies where young men are ritually scarred so that their skin resembles that of a crocodile.

23 October

Papua New Guinea: Manam Island

24 October

Papua New Guinea: Tami Islands

This small archipelago consists of four atolls around a central lagoon, where the vibrant coral reefs attract plenty of divers and snorkellers. The islanders lead a simple village life and are renowned for their intricately carved ‘Tami bowls’, traditionally used for dowry payments.

25 October

Papua New Guinea: Tufi

The laid back town of Tufi enjoys a beautiful setting, on a fjord-like inlet that was shaped by volcanic activity rather than ice. The coral-rich waters off the coast make this a diver’s paradise, and there are also many traditional villages in the area where the locals dress in clothes made of tapa, a cloth produced from the bark of the mulberry tree.

26 October

Papua New Guinea: Alotau

Alotau is the capital of Milne Bay province, on the remote eastern tip of mainland Papua New Guinea. Milne Bay was the scene of heavy fighting during the Second World War, and today you can dive amongst the wreckage left behind. Alotau also serves as a base for visiting the nearby islands, including the fascinating Trobriand archipelago.

27 October

Papua New Guinea: Doini Island

28 October - At sea

29 October

Arriving in Cairns

Cairns is a buzzing tourist hub, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. A snorkelling trip out to the reef is the most obvious excursion to take here, but other options include riding the Skyrail cableway over the rainforest canopy or swimming in the croc-free saltwater lagoon.