Secrets of the Spice Islands & Komodo

More of a large town than a city, Darwin is less about what's contained within the city limits and more about the huge expanse of wild landscape that's outside it. Closer to Jakarta than Sydney, the city really does feel remote in its tropical perch. There are a number of waterfront restaurants and pretty parks, making it a pleasant place to relax after a long flight. For those with the energy we highly recommend a visit to Litchfield and Kakadu National Parks.

The Kai Archipelago, part of the Maluku islands, is known for its idyllic beaches. The ancestors of the Kai people are believed to have come here from Bali, but there is no written history, with an oral tradition of stories known as Tom-Tad that are passed down from generation to generation.

Misool is one of the main islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago, surrounded by some of the most spectacular coral reefs on earth. Snorkel, swim and kayak amongst these rich, biodiverse waters, and explore white sandy beaches, mangroves, lakes and jungle-clad limestone peaks.

Gam is one of the larger islands in the Raja Ampat archipelago, with a landscape of steep limestone peaks cloaked in jungle, home to bird species including the spectacular red bird-of-paradise. Visitors receive a friendly welcome from the local villagers, while offshore lie some superb snorkelling spots.

Kri Island is a popular destination for divers, with homestays dotted along the beachfront, and the dive site at Cape Kri holds the world record for the most species recorded on a single dive - 374, to be precise! The island’s terrain makes hiking difficult, but there are some lovely coastal walks.

Banda Neira is part of the Banda Archipelago, often known by the more evocative name of the Spice Islands thanks to the Myristica trees that produce nutmeg and mace. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive here, later supplanted by the Dutch, and the streets are still home to an eclectic mix of colonial architecture.

The island of Flores is home to some of the most staggeringly beautiful scenery in the Indonesian archipelago, a lush landscape of smouldering volcanoes, spectacular lakes and verdant paddy fields. Flores is also culturally distinct from the other islands, with a population that is 95% Catholic.

Komodo Island is situated within an area of spectacular natural beauty, home to the famous Komodo dragon. The stunning beaches are tinged with pink thanks to the high concentration of red coral just offshore, and the waters draw intrepid divers from all over the world.

Mostly uninhabited and rarely visited by tourists, Moyo lies off the north coast of Sumbawa, and the majority of the island is a protected nature reserve. Look out for long-tailed macaques, wild cattle, boars and 20 different species of bat, amongst a landscape of white sand beaches, savannah, forests, caves and idyllic waterfalls.

The beaches, spectacular volcanic scenery and lush green rice terraces lend Bali a natural beauty that seems to dovetail perfectly with the island’s distinct Hindu culture, which adorns the landscape with stunning temples.