Darwin, Australia's tropical north capital, is a uniquely isolated outpost near the equator, about 2,000 miles from Sydney and Melbourne. Named for Charles Darwin, it's known for nearby islands, Pacific flavours, and access to the Top End. Explore crocodile-filled waterways and Kakadu by airboat, relax in George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens or on Mindil Beach, and browse the sunset market for food and crafts. Its resilience is shaped by WWII bombing in 1942 and Cyclone Tracy in 1973.

A tropical stop in Indonesia, Air Terjun Kiti offers the allure of lush rainforest, warm waters and a slower pace of life. Shore excursions can reveal scenic natural beauty, local village culture and the relaxed charm of an off-the-beaten-path destination.

Remote and unspoiled, Pulau Karawapop offers a glimpse of Indonesia's tropical beauty at its most tranquil. Expect clear turquoise waters, swaying palms and a laid-back island atmosphere, with opportunities to snorkel, swim or simply soak up the scenery. From here, the allure is all about natural serenity, colourful marine life and the timeless charm of the Coral Triangle.

Pulau Balbulol offers a wonderfully remote slice of Indonesia, where clear tropical waters, palm-fringed shores and lush green islets create a serene escape from the everyday. Ideal for swimming, snorkelling and soaking up the scenery, this little-known island invites you to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty and relaxed rhythm of island life.

Sanwinggrai offers a glimpse of remote Indonesian island life, where lush green scenery, clear tropical waters and a relaxed pace create a memorable shore experience. Depending on conditions, visitors can enjoy coastal beauty, local village character and the warm hospitality for which this part of Indonesia is known.

Pulau Num offers a glimpse of Indonesia at its most tropical and unspoilt, with clear waters, lush green shores and a laid-back island rhythm that feels far removed from the everyday. Cruising here invites you to enjoy simple seaside beauty, warm local hospitality and the chance to experience a remote corner of the archipelago at an easy, unhurried pace.

Embark with Silversea Luxury Cruises and discover the whale sharks of Kwatisore Bay and its untouched natural beauty. Get ready for an awe-inspiring experience!

Aisandami Village offers a glimpse of rural Indonesia at its most serene, with a warm welcome, traditional ways of life, and a beautiful coastal setting. Here, days unfold to the rhythm of the sea, with opportunities to admire emerald waters, lush tropical scenery, and colourful local culture. Shore visits may reveal simple village life, handcrafted traditions, and the timeless charm of this remote corner of the archipelago.

Remote and tropical, Tanjung Mannguar offers a glimpse of Indonesia's wilder side, where lush coastline, clear waters and a relaxed island pace set the tone. It's a place to soak up unspoilt scenery, meet warm local communities and enjoy simple seaside pleasures, from beachcombing to snorkelling in sparkling marine life-rich waters.

Pulau Rouw offers a glimpse of Indonesia's more remote tropical side, where clear waters, palm-fringed shores and a laid-back island pace create a wonderfully unspoiled escape. It's a place to soak up the scenery, enjoy warm local hospitality and discover the simple pleasures of sea, sand and sunshine.

Maransabadi Island in Indonesia's Auri Islands offers a wonderfully remote tropical escape, with clear waters, white-sand beaches and a relaxed island pace. Expect lush scenery, traditional coastal life and the chance to enjoy snorkelling or simply unwind beneath swaying palms in an untouched corner of the archipelago.

About 30 km (19 miles) from the Indonesian border, Vanimo is the capital of Papua New Guinea's Sandaun (Sundown) Province and one of only two towns in this remote region. The Sepik River rises in the province but bypasses Vanimo far to the south. Sandaun is relatively undeveloped, but Vanimo has lovely beaches, nearby picturesque villages, rainforest interior, and an important logging industry using its port and protected bay.

Ali Island is one of four islands near Aitape, off Papua New Guinea's northern coast. Its eastern shore has a white sandy beach with good swimming and snorkeling. Five villages are linked by well-kept trails to the school and Catholic church near the north end. Visitors are welcomed by the indigenous people, who keep their traditional dress and customs. A village walk passes clean homes and gardens to the church, which has paintings of the Via Crucis. Chat with locals or relax on the beach.

Madang's first houses stood on a small peninsula between today's port and Forum Park, chosen for its deep harbor and sea breeze. About 40 km south of Cape Croisilles, it was founded in 1891 as Friedrich-Wilhelms-Hafen and became German New Guinea's provincial HQ in 1892. Renamed Madang after WWI, it was occupied by Japan in WWII. Today it has about 36,000 people, roads to Hansa Bay and Lae, and is known for cattle, cocoa, copra, a small museum, and fruit bats along Modilon Road.

Garove, part of the Witu Islands, once had a 5-km-wide caldera. It historically produced copra and cocoa, and still does. Most villages ring the volcano's exterior; steep cliffs leave only one settled area inside. At the caldera entrance's southwest corner, a promontory holds the school and Catholic church of Widu, the only village inside.

Rabaul, on New Britain's NE tip in Papua New Guinea, is a surreal travel spot set inside a flooded volcanic caldera with still-active vents. Mount Tavurvur devastated the town in 1994 with ashfall but caused no deaths. Its deep-water port supports some commerce, though tourism is limited by remoteness and volcanic risk. Rabaul also has major WWII history, including Japanese tunnels and a large wartime base. Slow travel here rewards visitors with dramatic scenery and exceptional diving.

Kennedy Island, a tiny, uninhabited Solomon Islands isle near Gizo, was once called Plum Pudding Island. In WWII, John F. Kennedy and his PT-109 crew reached it after their torpedo boat was sunk in Aug. 1943; JFK is said to have swum while towing an injured crewman by his life-jacket strap. Coconut-shell artifacts remain, and the surrounding waters are rich in coral and fish for diving.

A remote jewel in the Solomon Islands, Mbili Island offers a taste of untouched South Pacific beauty, with swaying palms, clear waters and soft sandy shores. This is a place to slow down and soak up the island atmosphere, with opportunities to swim, snorkel and enjoy the natural tranquillity of one of the Pacific's more unspoilt destinations.

Port Mary is the bay beside Ghupuna, the main village in Santa Ana. A bright white-sand beach with large shade trees lines the shore in front of the tidy village. Houses are made from local materials, mostly on stilts. Islanders usually welcome visitors with traditional songs and dances from the three Santa Ana villages, and some locals sell souvenirs. The Solomons are also known for shell money and elegant carvings based on local stories and legends.

Unlike Espiritu Santo's raised coral reefs and white sand, Ambrym is a volcanically active island with dark sand beaches. Known as the island of magic, it is the source of five local languages, part of Vanuatu's 100+ languages. In the lush community of Ranon, people perform the traditional Rom dance, preparing masks and costumes in secrecy for special occasions.

Lautoka, Fiji's second-largest city, offers beaches, turquoise seas, jungle, and rich local culture. Known as the "Sugar City," it's named for a spear-duel legend and centers on sugar trade. Visit botanical gardens, temples, cafes, mills, and the lively market, plus see warrior dances and firewalking. Nearby highlights include the Blue Lagoon, mineral-rich mud pools and spas, and Savala Island, with soft sand, reefs, and great snorkeling.