Singapore to Darwin

The main island of Singapore is shaped like a flattened diamond, 42 km (26 miles) east to west and 23 km (14 miles) north to south. Near the northern peak is the causeway leading to West Malaysia—Kuala Lumpur is less than four hours away by car. It is at the southern foot where you will find most of the city-state’s action, with its gleaming office towers, working docks, and futuristic "supertrees," which are solar-powered and serve as vertical gardens. Offshore are Sentosa and over 60 smaller islands, most uninhabited, that serve as bases for oil refining or as playgrounds and beach escapes from the city. To the east is Changi International Airport, connected to the city by metro, bus, and a tree-lined parkway. Of the island's total land area, more than half is built up, with the balance made up of parkland, farmland, plantations, swamp areas, and rain forest. Well-paved roads connect all parts of the island, and Singapore city has an excellent, and constantly expanding, public transportation system. The heart of Singapore's history and its modern wealth are in and around the Central Business District. The area includes the skyscrapers in the Central Business District, the 19th-century Raffles Hotel, the convention centers of Marina Square, on up to the top of Ft. Canning. Although most of old Singapore has been knocked down to make way for the modern city, most colonial landmarks have been preserved in the CBD, including early-19th-century buildings designed by the Irish architect George Coleman.

The island of Belitung is large, measuring roughly 4,800 square kilometer (1850 square miles). Along with neighbouring Bangka and the many other surrounding small islands this is not just an archipelago, but a substantial province of Indonesia. Belitung used to have many tin mines, but today the island is better known for its nature. The most distinct features of Belitung’s many beaches are the fascinating granite rock formations along the shallow shores. These rocks can reach the size of houses and lie in bold contrast to the white sand. Swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear waters reveals healthy corals and hundreds of fish.

Welcome to paradise. The 27 islands that comprise Karimunjawa, which sit in the sparkling turquoise expanse of the Java Sea, are true jewels - offering beaches of crisp white sand, and bath-like temperatures for swimming. With diverse marine life, extraordinary shelves of shallow water, and blooming coral reefs, there's an endless supply of wonderful beach scenery to make the most of. Take your front row seats for the sun's nightly descent, when rich pinks and vivid reds spill across the sky. Karimunjawa island is the largest of the archipelago, and you can explore on foot, or by renting a car, motorbike or bicycle. Work your way around - or through - the island's thick jungle, seeking out the wonderful, untouched beaches that are hidden across it. Only seven of the islands are inhabited, and the natural world is still very much in charge here. Encounter everything from sea turtles scraping themselves across the beach, to harmless sharks, which will circle around your legs before darting away.

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a heavenly halo of an island like Pulau Satonda comes along. Appearing like a mirage from the intense turquoise waters of the Flores Sea, Pulau Satonda is an impossibly aesthetic ring of jungle-clad slopes, embracing a volcanic crater of tranquil water. Snorkel the reefs that encircle the island, or strap your boots on to hike up to the ridge. Trek with monkeys scuttling above and trees sagging under the weight of sleeping bats for the best, elevated views of the still interior lake. Formed by the machinations of underwater volcanic activity, the island's central crater dips to a depth of 86 meters. Shrouded in local legend and tradition, Pulau Satonda has many tales to share. It was a close witness to the unimaginable ferocity of Mount Tambora’s wrath, and that ominously beautiful volcano cone is visible from the sandy beaches to the south of the island. Mount Tambora’s fury devastated the entire planet, with the largest eruption in recorded history. The catastrophic explosion caused the Year Without a Summer in 1816, darkening and subduing skies around the world with ash. It’s theorized that a tsunami triggered by the eruption washed a wave of salt water to Pulau Satonda’s previously fresh-water lake. Dip into the refreshing waters, or make an offering on the shore by hanging a stone on a branch. If your wish comes true, you are obligated to travel back to give thanks - but a return trip to a place as beautiful as this is certainly no burden.

On the approach to Pulau Komodo, a tiny island just 36 km (22 miles) long and 16 km (9 miles) across at its widest point, it's hard to imagine that this is the home of the fearsome dragons described by late-19th-century explorers. The island, in the Indonesian region of Nusa Tenggara, lies between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores at the heart of the Komodo National Park, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of Nature. At first look, steep hillsides of parched, golden grasses slide down into topaz bays covered in glass-clear waters, and white-sand beaches hem quiet shorelines. But then you remember that this innocent-looking island is inhabited by 13-foot-long, 220-pound ora, as Komodo dragons are known locally. Don't be frightened: Although stories of people disappearing run rampant, a trip here is quite safe—as long as you stay with a park guide.While Komodo dragons are the main attraction, several other large species also reside here. Dark-brown deer and small buffalo nibble the grasses of the high plains, macaques peer through the trees, and wild pigs crash through the underbrush. More than 150 types of birds also inhabit the island, including cockatoos, imperial pigeons, sea eagles, and mound-building megapodes. Offshore in the marine reserve, you might spot dolphins, dugong (a relative of the manatee), sea turtles, manta rays, and even whales, as well as more than 1,000 species of fish.Lodging on Pulau Komodo was nonexistent until 2012, when a modest, eco-friendly resort and diving club opened, providing a rare opportunity for scuba divers and snorkelers to explore this pristine habitat's extensive coral reefs and extraordinary marine life. Travelers can also find comfortable lodging and a convenient base from which to explore the many natural wonders of the Komodo National Park in Labuan Bajo, on the island of Flores (East Nusa Tenggara).

Pink Beach earned its name for the way the beach can appear to have a rosy hue in certain lights. The color comes from small flecks of red coral mixed in with the fine white reef sand. With a few trees along the beach for shade, this stretch of coast makes a fine place to relax or enjoy a snorkel or dive in the crystal clear waters. It is possible to spot a striped clown fish nestled among the protective tentacles of its sea anemone host, or to see a grouper lazily swimming by a flamboyant soft coral. The reef here is now protected by law and the maturing corals are a joy to behold.

Kupang is the capital city of East Nusa Tenggara province in Indonesia, located on the western tip of Timor Island. Facing the Savu Sea, it serves as the main gateway to the lesser-known islands of eastern Indonesia.

The city has a laid-back coastal atmosphere, with scenic beaches and sunsets being some of its main highlights. Areas like Lasiana Beach are popular for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying local street food, especially in the evening.

Kupang is also a cultural hub where visitors can experience traditional Timorese culture, local markets, and regional cuisine. The city is a starting point for exploring nearby attractions such as waterfalls, caves, and smaller surrounding islands.

Though less touristy than other Indonesian destinations, Kupang offers an authentic experience with warm hospitality, simple charm, and access to beautiful natural landscapes.

Darwin is the cultural hub of the continent’s northernmost region. The laid-back city got its name after the HMS Beagle sailed into the harbor during a surveying expedition in 1839. The famed naturalist Charles Darwin was so esteemed that its captain named this newest discovery for him. Today, it is the largest city in the thinly populated Northern Territory state. It boasts a rich and lively arts and culture scene, much of it centered on the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Its collection of art and artifacts reflects the region and its indigenous people.

Where the Outback meets the ocean, the King George River offers one of the Kimberley’s most striking and immersive experiences. Guests will board Zodiacs for an unforgettable journey through winding channels framed by towering red cliffs and ancient geological formations. This exclusive cruise offers a front-row seat to the raw, untamed beauty of the region, where saltwater crocodiles bask along the banks and Brahminy Kites soar overhead. It’s not just a scenic ride—it’s a voyage through deep time, rich in history and natural wonder, revealing the wild spirit of Australia’s remote northwest.

The Hunter River is home to an immense mangrove system surrounded by soaring red sandstone cliffs. Narrow mangrove channels shelter numerous bird species, mudskippers, fiddler crabs, and the infamous saltwater crocodile; the most aggressive crocodile species known to man. Naturalist Island at the mouth of the river has a stunning stretch of sandy beach that makes a perfect landing site for small helicopters that can pick up visitors wishing to explore some of the Kimberley's vast interior. The highlight inland is the famous Mitchell Falls where four tiers of waterfalls plunge into deep pools that flow out into the mighty Mitchell River. The headwaters of the falls are cool and a dip in the fresh water is a welcome reprieve from the heat of the heartland.

Roughly 800 islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago surround and shelter the impressive spread of Yampi Sound (from the aboriginal word for water, “Yampee”). The area was named in 1821 by Captain Phillip Parker King, in commemoration of William Dampier’s visit in 1688. Pearlers began visiting the area in the late 1800s, and more recently mining operators established open-cut mines on Koolan Island on the east side of the Sound. Some of the richest iron ore in the world is extracted here to this day. The coastline of Yampi shows rock layers wildly twisted and contorted into great folds. White-bellied Sea Eagles, Brahminy Kites, Ospreys, Common Sandpipers and Eastern Reef Egrets inhabit the archipelago and the area is rich in fish life, which in turn is an attraction for bottlenose dolphins that come here to feed. Yampi Sound is also occassionaly a calving ground for humpback whales and mothers and calves can sometimes be spotted in the relatively shallow turquoise waters.

Vansittart Bay is a beautifully protected large bay with several islands and coves. Jar Island contains ancient rock art galleries depicting the Gwion Gwion style unique to the Kimberley region. Mainly neglected by, or unknown to, the early European researchers of Aboriginal culture in the Kimberley in favour of the dominant & more dramatic Wandjina art, Gwion Gwion art has in recent years gained world prominence. Join your Expedition Team ashore for a short walk, past some fascinating rock formations, to the site of the Gwion Gwion art galleries.

Darwin is the cultural hub of the continent’s northernmost region. The laid-back city got its name after the HMS Beagle sailed into the harbor during a surveying expedition in 1839. The famed naturalist Charles Darwin was so esteemed that its captain named this newest discovery for him. Today, it is the largest city in the thinly populated Northern Territory state. It boasts a rich and lively arts and culture scene, much of it centered on the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Its collection of art and artifacts reflects the region and its indigenous people.