Hong Kong is a paradigm of contradictions. On the one hand the city vibrates with modern commerce, soaring skyscrapers and sophistication. But at the same time it is a land of ancient beliefs and intriguing local customs: small, gilded shrines glow with red lamps, joss sticks and fresh oranges; markets are heaped high with salted eggs, squid and every kind of medicinal root and herbal remedy imaginable; red-sailed junks and sampans ply the harbour. For shoppers, no city in the world can compare to this non-stop bazaar. And epicures will also find their nirvana. There are ethnic cuisines from all over China: Cantonese dim sum, crispy Peking duck and spicy Szechwan dishes.

On the north coast of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia lies Bitung, known for its incredibly vibrant, varied and often-bizarre marine life that thrives in its coastal waters. Nature lovers are welcome! Your guide to Bitung. From bustling cities to awe-inspiring landscapes, the Indonesian port of Bitung is the gateway to northern Sulawesi’s abundant wonders, including its provincial capital Manado. Fringed by fauna cloaked mountains, Manado is a gastronomic paradise with dining spots turning out aromatic delicacies and beach bars coupling cocktails with salty ocean views. Pick up a souvenir from the seafront arcade, try island-fished tuna (with eye-wateringly hot sambal) and admire the architectural contrasts of colonial Dutch buildings and ancient Buddhist temples. Further afield you’ll encounter the black and white sands of Lembeh Island, the waruga stone graves of Airmadidi Village and the mangrove forests of Tangkoko Nature Reserve.

Situated on the remote northern shores of Australia’s ‘Top End,’ balmy Darwin has matured from its early days as a true frontier settlement to become a welcoming, lively and multicultural modern city. Your guide to Darwin. Darwin is a thriving, multifaceted city and capital of Australia’s Northern Territory – one of the most remote and sparsely populated regions in the country. Built on the Timor Sea, the city is the gateway to some of Northern Australia’s most striking natural scenery, while its proximity to South East Asia has fuelled Darwin’s status as a bridge between the country and neighbouring Indonesia. Colossal mountains, verdant grasslands and sprawling national parks surround Darwin’s bustling urban centre, while characterful taverns, unique cultural attractions and a fabulous assortment of fresh fish restaurants reinforce the city’s welcoming, congenial feel.

Discover the history and sightseeing highlights of this charming beachside town. Your coach will take you to the Proserpine Historical Museum, where you’ll delve into the legacy of the region’s sugar and cattle industries, as well as viewing a ‘Digger’ vintage steam locomotive that was used in the sugar fields during WWI. Then you’ll take in the highlights of this developing area, pausing at the Harbour Lookout for stunning panoramic views, and concluding with refreshments at the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

Come face to face with koalas, kangaroos and wombats on tours from this laid-back city. Wander in botanical gardens and enjoy people-watching from a cafe on the Brisbane River.

Mark Twain called it “the wonder of the world”. James Michener wrote, “It is a thing of beauty, a fairy-tale body of water”. With an area that sprawls 670 square miles, Sydney is one of the largest cities in the world. But it’s the exquisite Sydney Harbour that draws world-wide acclaim – that, along with its magnificent Opera House. And with nearly three days, you’ll have plenty of time to go exploring.

Mark Twain called it “the wonder of the world”. James Michener wrote, “It is a thing of beauty, a fairy-tale body of water”. With an area that sprawls 670 square miles, Sydney is one of the largest cities in the world. But it’s the exquisite Sydney Harbour that draws world-wide acclaim – that, along with its magnificent Opera House. And with nearly three days, you’ll have plenty of time to go exploring.

Flower gardens and graceful, tree-lined boulevards add a refined air to Melbourne, regarded as the hub of Australia’s cultural, intellectual and financial life – at least by Melbournians! Modern skyscrapers mingle comfortably with Victorian homes, and an aura of upper-class elegance pervades. If you find country pleasures more appealing, ride the historic steam train “Puffing Billy” past forests and farms, before having lunch at a Yarra Glen vineyard.

The third-largest Australian island boasts incredible natural beauty, with unspoiled pristine beaches and a truly unique opportunity to see an amazing range of animals up-close in their local habitat. As one would expect, there’s a healthy kangaroo presence, along with wallabies, koalas, seals, sea lions and goannas, the placid and unassuming lizards that grow up to a metre long.

Adelaide offers an abundance of colour, surrounded by the Mt. Lofty Ranges and the waters of the Gulf St. Vincent. Named after the wife of King William IV, this seaside port is a bustling city with historic charm. Tour the South Australian Museum with its exceptional collection of glassy-eyed critters and Aboriginal artefacts. Or head to Glenelg’s white sand beaches and old-style amusement park.

Margaret River is a beautiful natural setting in Australia’s southwest corner that has inspired many artists here over the years. Or perhaps they just came for the seemingly endless fertile vineyards. Your guide to Busselton. Named after the Bussell family, who arrived in the 1830s, Busselton has grown into one of Western Australia’s most popular tourist destinations. Circled by swathes of wetlands and bordered by tranquil Geographe Bay, where scores of humpbacks and blue whales seek respite on their migrations, Busselton’s white beaches and calm blue waters offer visitors unparalleled swimming. Rocky outcrops and tall forests rise from the water’s edge, while great granite buttresses shield the beaches from the Indian Ocean’s swell. In the heart of the town, Busselton’s beloved jetty stretches out over the turquoise surf, its observatory offering breath-taking views of the reef below.

Perth’s spectacular growth in recent times makes the old historic port of Fremantle seem tiny in comparison. Eighty per cent of Western Australia’s population lives in or around this sunny metropolis. Your guide to Perth. They say you can’t please everyone, but Perth may prove to be the exception to that rule. The city’s urban sprawl is awash with fusion flavours, fashionable boutiques and innovative museums but Western Australia’s capital impresses in other ways too. Its Kings Park and Botanic Garden are one of the largest inner-city green spaces; eclipsing even New York’s Central Park. Outstanding beaches decorate Perth’s coastline, while verdant wineries surround its inland fringes. Throw in the world’s largest gold coin (one of Perth’s many novel claims to fame) and you begin to appreciate why the city is so many things to so many people.