Pacific Dawn, Island Gems W101 ex Brisbane Return

12 Night New Caledonia and Vanuatu cruise departing roundtrip from Brisbane onboard Pacific Dawn.

Cruising is the ideal speed for travelling. At sea you'll live life at a different pace, no traffic, and no rigid routines. If you want to do nothing but snooze, swim, read and sunbathe, that's fine. However, if you'd like to go shopping, take some exercise or a dance class, luxuriate in the spa, learn shuffleboard or a new hobby, they're all there for the taking. However long you're aboard, every day and every night there's always something you'll love to do.

Highlights of this cruise include:

Isle of Pines
The waters off the Isle of Pines must really 'wash whitest' because the sands of the Isle's Kato Bay will impress any visitor with its white, white, talcum-like beach. The Isle of Pines is part of New Caledonia and is situated 50km south east of the mainland. The tall narrow pine trees are a feature of this 17km long island. The most difficult aspect of your visit to the Isle of Pines will be saying goodbye to its sunny skies, friendly faces, warm waters and of course those beautiful beaches.

Mystery Island
Tiny Mystery Island is picture perfect, with sandy pathways that lead to white beaches edged with coconut trees and crystal clear lagoons offering great snorkelling. This small, uninhabited island is one of the most southern of the Vanuatu group. Mystery Island was used as a World War II landing strip for the allied forces. There is now absolutely no tourism development except for the occasional visit by our ship. There are no roads, no shops and no stress! The locals from a nearby island will come to sell their few shells and goods and your day may be spent relaxing on the sand while the local band plays songs of welcome. The surrounding reefs offer ideal opportunities for experienced snorkellers.

Port Denarau
Port Denarau is the perfect departure point for day tours to the outer Fijian islands. Enjoy an idyllic day beachcombing or venture on shore to see traditional cultural displays. There's great shopping in the local markets.

Vila
The substantial dock and port area of Port Vila overlooks a natural harbour. There are beautiful coastal views of the city with its clusters of houses and small scale resorts nestled amongst tropical vegetation makes an attractive scene. The harbour is quite active with fishing boats, yachts and speedboats passing between the various nearby islands. The dock bustles with dancers and music and there are lots of friendly locals selling handicrafts. The covered market place is a colourful and interesting place to visit selling handicrafts, fruits and colourful tropical flowers. Port Vila is clearly visible from deck and is around 1.5 kilometres from the port. The capital is really just one long street with a few smaller streets intersecting it. The main street Lini Highway has lots of shops some bars and restaurants. Many of the resort hotels with excellent restaurants and bars are easily accessible.

Mystery Island
Tiny Mystery Island is picture perfect, with sandy pathways that lead to white beaches edged with coconut trees and crystal clear lagoons. Snorkel in colourful underwater gardens or chill out in a world that civilisation has left behind.

Suva
Suva, Fiji's capital is on the south-eastern coast of the big island of Viti Levu. Suva is the country's political and administrative centre as well as the major port. Suva and its urban surrounds are home to half of Fiji's urban population, and it is one of the South Pacific's largest and most sophisticated cities, housing the University of the South Pacific, the fascinating Fiji Museum and many interesting colonial-era buildings. It's a multicultural city with many mosques, temples, churches and cultural centres. The Roman Catholic Cathedral (1902) is one of the city's most prominent landmarks. The waterfront area is very interesting, and the Suva Municipal Market is a must-see for visitors for its exotic fruits and vegetables, kava, fish and seafood, and spices. It has an exciting multicultural flavour, with vendors selling brightly coloured Indian sweets and savouries, and fruit drinks from glass tanks.

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