Often called “the 8th wonder of the world”, this underwater paradise of atolls, barrier and ribbon reefs stretches 1,500 kms from Bundaberg in Queensland to Papua New Guinea, however, most charterers base at the Marlin Marina in Cairns, or at Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays Group further south. Snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing for 1000 lb + black marlin in the October-December season are prime pastimes, as well as angling local rivers for succulent barramundi. Other popular cruise destinations in the region are the Kimberley Coast of NW Australia, with its huge red canyons and rock paintings dating back 50,000 years, plus the Gold Coast and Sydney, the “apple isle” of Tasmania, offshore Norfolk Island, and spectacular New Zealand across the Tasman Sea.


