Things to Do in Australia And The Pacific

A brilliant 14 mi (22 km) of unspoiled white sand and turquoise waters, Cable Beach is a sun-lover's paradise.

Even during the busiest time of year (‘the dry’ – May through to November) it is guaranteed that you will find a secluded spot to lay your towel.  

The beach is almost perfectly flat and the water gently laps the shore, making it a perfect place for swimmers of any ability or those that want to walk along the beach soaking up the beauty. From shore you can see the occasional pearling boat still at work in the industry that supported Broome before tourists discovered this unspoilt gem.

Cable Beach is also famous as having one of Australia's most well known nudist beaches. The beach is to the north of the car park just south of Willie Creek.

As Australia's easternmost and strongest lighthouse, Cape Byron Light is a main attraction for both the historical aspect of the building itself as well as the spectacular views it provides from the edge of Cape Byron. Opened for operation in 1901, the lighthouse provides Byron Bay visitors with a glimpse into the marine industry from years past when lighthouses had to be manned by live-in keepers so passing ships remained safe along the coast. Still active today, Cape Byron Light changed to a fully automated system in 1989, making a live-in keeper obsolete.

The eastern coast of Australia sees humpback whale migrations each year, and the lighthouse platform acts as the perfect vantage point for its 500,000 annual visitors, as well as the Southern Cross University's Whale Research Centre, which is located on the premises.

The lighthouse itself stands 74 feet tall (22.5 meters); an internal spiral staircase reaches from the lobby to its viewing platform. Onsite still stands the original lighthouse keeper's residence next to the assistant keepers' duplex. The original, kerosene-based light source has been upgraded over the years with a switch to electric in 1956. This is also the time when the light became the most powerful in all of Australia's lighthouses with an intensity of 2,200,000 cd.

Australia mainland's easternmost point of Cape Byron possesses a number of reasons to pay it a visit: the Cape Byron Light, the Cape Byron Marine Park, and the Cape Byron walking track. Set about 1.9 miles (3 km) northeast of the quaint Byron Bay, Cape Byron lies in the Cape Byron State Conservation Area.

A day trip from Byron Bay can be spent first at the Cape Byron Light – a lighthouse that was opened in 1901 and is still in use today. A climb to the top, through the internal spiral staircase, brings visitors to a glorious viewing platform looking out across the Pacific Ocean, which is a prime place to catch whales, sea turtles, dolphins and other passing wildlife.

Wildlife lovers will enjoy the many sheltered beaches and protected reefs that encompass the 54,000 acre Cape Byron Marine Park. Swimming, fishing (in some areas), kayaking and diving are all possible around Cape Byron, the latter of which is good for getting up close and personal with the likes of sea turtles, fish, rays and sharks.  But getting in or on the water isn't always necessary; whale watching and dolphin spotting are popular from the shore.

Catch a bit of fresh air and exercise by hitting Cape Byron's 2.3 mile (3.7 km) walking track. This track takes walkers and cyclists to top attractions such as the Captain Cook Lookout, Palm Valley, Wategos Beach and the Cape Byron Lighthouse.

Cairns Cruise Port

One of Australia’s busiest cruise ports, Cairns may be best known for its close access to the Daintree tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. Once the site of mangrove swamps and sand ridges, the city today is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, offering a plethora of water and adventure activities.

How to Get to Cairns

The brand new cruise terminal at Trinity Wharf is located in the heart of the city, so you won’t have far to go to reach the center of Cairns. Larger cruise ships may have to anchor in the harbor, in which case tenders will carry you from the ship to the port.

One Day in Cairns

If you’re like many visitors with just a day to spend in Cairns, chances are you’ll choose to forgo the city itself and instead book an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef.  Over 1,600 miles long and composed of nearly 3,000 individual reefs, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. Swimming, snorkeling, diving or riding on a glass bottom boat are all possibilities to explore the incredible biodiversity of what has been called one of the seven great natural wonders of the world.

For those who choose not to visit the Reef, taking the Skyline Rainforest Cableway to the town of Kuranda is another great way to spend a day. In Kuranda, you’ll find a variety of arts and craft shops, as well as the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. After taking a cable car to Kuranda, you can return to Cairns by bus.

Back in the city, head to the Cairns Esplanade to stroll along the Harbour Walk, explore the handicrafts market and enjoy live entertainment and public art displays. Art aficionados may also want to pay a visit to the Cairns Regional Art Gallery, featuring fine art from a variety of Australian artists, including Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders.

Another option for those who want to see more of the tropical rainforest would be to take a day-long guided tour to the Daintree Rainforest, about two hours north of Cairns.

Port Information

The official language is English and the local currency is the Australian dollar. ATMs are widely available and are the best way to obtain local currency. Most shops and restaurants will also accept credit cards.

The northern end of Ninety Mile Beach is lit by the flashing beacon of Cape Reinga lighthouse.

Lighting the point where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, the remote lighthouse has an atmospheric end-of-the-world feeling, the ideal spot for long walks on the beach.

On the very tip of the cape is the 800 year-old pohutukawa tree, whose roots hide the entrance to the Maori Underworld, where the souls of the dead return. It’s a particularly spiritual place for the Maori, so eating and drinking here is best avoided.

Walks lead from here to surrounding bays and capes, and the area’s signature dunes.

One of Australia's most stunning stretches of coastline, Cape Leveque is filled with saturated hues: brick-red cliffs, pearl-white sand and clear, blue water.

It’s fantastically remote but there is an excellent eco-resort run by the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land and miles of that glorious beach.

There are lots of activities available once you get to the cape. Glass-bottomed boats will give you a look at the beautiful corals and fish that live in the waters around the cape and the fishing is excellent especially for mackerel, tuna and sailfish.

There are also cultural tours you can undertake with the traditional Aboriginal owners of the land which will teach you about their way of life on the cape.

Wild and lonely Cape Brett is a remote location on the scenic back road leading along the coast from Russell.

Along the route is the traditional Maori village of Rawhiti, the starting point for the rugged 7.5-hour trek to Cape Brett. On reaching the cape, hikers are rewarded with shelter for the night in the Cape Brett Hut.

For non-hikers, Cape Brett is a popular day cruise destination from Paihia or Russell. The cape is famous for its ‘Hole in the Rock’ on neighboring Motukokako Island, a natural archway formed by ceaselessly pounding seas over the centuries.

As well as spotting dolphins, penguins and other wildlife along the way, the cruise passes a lovely seaside landscape of sandy beaches and rocky cliffs, and the lonely lighthouse on the tip of Cape Brett.