Your cruise
Voyager of the Seas · 7-night Australia & South Pacific round trip from Brisbane
Jan 7 – Jan 14 · 7 nights ·
Day 1 Brisbane (board) · Day 2–3 at sea · Day 4 Luganville · Day 5 Royal Beach Club Lelepa · Day 6–7 at sea · Day 8 Brisbane (step off)
What you do Descend into one of the world's most accessible and awe-inspiring wreck dives — a 200-metre WWII troopship sunk in 1942, resting in shallow-to-deep water just metres from shore. Encounter the iconic 'Lady' ceramic relief, field artillery, gas masks, and intact staterooms frozen in time.
What to expect Board a short tender to the entry point, then descend alongside a local divemaster who knows every corridor and compartment. You'll hover over the 'The Lady' bas-relief, peer into the hold at jeeps and artillery shells, and drift through a ship that feels untouched by time. Visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres, with resident fish life including batfish and lionfish throughout. Even snorkellers can view the shallowest decks at 5–7 metres.
Good to know The dive site is literally shore-entry — just minutes from the pier. Pre-book directly with Pacific Dive well in advance; spaces in small groups fill fast on cruise days. Certified divers only for deep sections; carry your certification card. All-aboard time in Luganville is typically late afternoon, giving ample time for a morning dive.
Versus the ship tour Pacific Dive's expert divemasters offer small-group dives with depth-tailored routes — from the shallow promenade deck to the deep engine room — giving experienced divers a genuinely unhurried exploration of one of the Pacific's great underwater cathedrals.
What you do Hike through ancient rainforest, wade jungle rivers, abseil into Vanuatu's largest cave system, and float out through a cathedral of stalactites on a bamboo raft — a bucket-list adventure that combines everything wild and extraordinary about Espiritu Santo.
What to expect The day opens with a 4WD transfer through coconut plantations to the trailhead, where village guides lead you on a 90-minute jungle trek across rope bridges and into a river canyon. You'll abseil down into the cave's cathedral chamber — 100 metres wide and 50 metres high — before embarking on a bamboo raft float through subterranean pools lit by helmet torches. The return hike passes a traditional village where kastom culture is shared over a local lunch included in the tour.
Good to know This is a full-day excursion (approx. 8 hours); confirm all-aboard time carefully — it typically suits ships with a late-afternoon departure. Wear sturdy water shoes or sandals that can be submerged. Book directly with Santo Heritage Tours by email or phone (+678 5372118) well before your cruise date as guide numbers are capped.
Versus the ship tour Santo Heritage Tours are the Tripadvisor #1-ranked operator in Luganville and use custom village-guide teams with deep local knowledge of the cave's geology, jungle ecosystem, and kastom culture — an immersion no large-group tour can replicate.
What you do Slip into the impossibly turquoise, spring-fed waters of the Matevulu Blue Hole and the famous Blue Lagoon — two of the most photogenic natural swimming pools on earth, shaded by tropical forest and fed by ice-cool freshwater springs.
What to expect Your private driver collects you dockside and whisks you along red-dirt roads lined with jungle to the Blue Lagoon first, where the water glows an electric cobalt blue against white sand. Next, Matevulu's deeper hole offers a more secluded swim in waters so clear you can count the fish beneath you. Both sites have simple changing facilities. The return journey can be routed past Champagne Bay — one of the Pacific's most beautiful beaches — at your driver's discretion.
Good to know Bring reef-friendly sunscreen, a dry bag for your camera, and a light sarong. The Blue Lagoon is 12 km from the pier — about 20 minutes by road. Book your private vehicle in advance via the Santo Friendly Tours website to secure dockside pick-up. Both lagoons are best visited early morning before the day heats up.
Versus the ship tour Santo Friendly Tours offers fully private vehicle hire with a knowledgeable local driver, meaning you set the pace, linger as long as you wish at each lagoon, and avoid the crowd surges that hit these sites mid-morning.
What you do Snorkel directly over tens of millions of dollars' worth of American military equipment — trucks, bulldozers, jeeps, and aircraft parts — deliberately pushed into the sea by the US Army in 1945 and now blanketed in coral and teeming with tropical fish.
What to expect The short transfer brings you to a black-sand beach where the sea floor drops away in a gentle slope revealing an extraordinary graveyard of military hardware. Coral has colonised bulldozer blades, jeep chassis, and ammunition crates, creating a surreal artificial reef. Your guide narrates the story of America's extraordinary post-war surplus disposal while you float above it. The site is exceptionally shallow (2–10 m) making it ideal for all snorkel abilities, including beginners.
Good to know Ask specifically for Benny — Tripadvisor reviewers consistently single him out for exceptional guiding. The site is approximately 4 km south of the pier. Bring your own mask if you prefer; equipment is provided. Combine with a Blue Lagoon visit for a full, satisfying day. Confirm pick-up time carefully against your ship's all-aboard.
Versus the ship tour Paradise Tours Santo — Tripadvisor's most-reviewed local operator — pairs each small group with a guide who explains the remarkable post-war story behind the dump and points out the most photogenic machinery beneath the surface, making history vivid rather than dry.
What you do Witness the hypnotic, UNESCO-recognised water music of the Leweton village women — a haunting percussion tradition created by striking the lagoon's surface — then share in village kastom, traditional weaving, and local food in an intimate, respectful cultural exchange.
What to expect Arriving by vehicle to the coastal village, you're welcomed by the women of Leweton and seated at the edge of a shallow tidal lagoon. The performers wade in and begin — hands shaping the water into rhythms and melodies that resonate with astonishing clarity across the stillness. Explanations are given in English, contextualising the music within ni-Vanuatu matrilineal culture. Afterwards, village women demonstrate traditional weaving and share kastom cooking, and there is time to purchase handmade crafts directly from the artisans.
Good to know Modest dress is appreciated (covered shoulders and knees for the village setting). The village is approximately 10 km from the pier — arrange a return transfer with Santo Friendly Tours or a local taxi. Visit in the morning for the best light and before the afternoon heat. This is one of the most culturally significant experiences in all of Vanuatu — book early to secure a spot on cruise days.
Versus the ship tour Leweton is a community-owned experience with no intermediaries — every vatu goes directly to the village matriarchs. The intimate group size (visitors sit close enough to feel the water spray) creates a genuinely moving encounter with a living tradition, not a staged show.
What you do Canter along deserted white-sand beaches and through coconut groves on a private or small-group ride with Santo Horse Adventures — Tripadvisor-acclaimed as a genuine bucket-list experience for horse lovers in one of the Pacific's most spectacular settings.
What to expect You're collected from the pier and transferred to the stables where the team introduces you to your horse and assesses your riding comfort level. The route winds through jungle fringe and emerges onto a long, almost always deserted stretch of white sand with the Coral Sea stretching to the horizon. The pace is set by the guide around your group's ability — novices can walk through coconut groves while experienced riders can enjoy open canters on the beach. The setting — jungle meeting turquoise water — is simply extraordinary.
Good to know Weight limit applies (typically 100 kg); contact the operator directly to confirm and to arrange transfer from the pier. Wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes for riding comfort. With 187 Tripadvisor reviews averaging 5 stars, this is one of Luganville's most consistently praised experiences — book well in advance for cruise-day slots.
Versus the ship tour Santo Horse Adventures caps group sizes to preserve the quality of the experience, and matches each rider to a horse by skill level — meaning confident riders can move from walk to canter along open beach stretches that feel like a scene from a film, entirely without crowds.
book direct with Santo Horse Adventures → · the full guide →
What you do Hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos, and meet over 100 Australian species at the world's largest koala sanctuary. An intimate, expert-led private experience that puts you nose-to-nose with Australia's most iconic wildlife.
What to expect Set on a lush riverside property 12 km from the port, Lone Pine is home to over 70 koalas and 100-plus native species. Your private guide navigates you through dingo, Tasmanian devil, and platypus habitats with expert commentary. The iconic koala cuddle photo is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime memento. Conclude with kangaroo feeding in open grasslands as wallabies bound around you.
Good to know A 30-minute taxi or rideshare from the Portside Wharf cruise terminal (approx. AUD 40 each way). Pre-book koala holds online as slots sell out weeks in advance. Allow 3–4 hours; well within all-aboard time for most sailings.
Versus the ship tour Skip the crowds with a dedicated private wildlife guide who curates behind-the-scenes encounters — koala holding, wombat meet-and-greets, and a Spirits of the Sky free-flight raptor show — all at a leisurely, unhurried pace.
book direct with Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Ascend into the UNESCO-listed Gondwana Rainforest canopy at O'Reilly's, walk the famous treetop suspension bridges, and descend into an ancient cave alive with glittering native glow worms. Pure, jaw-dropping wilderness just 90 minutes from Brisbane.
What to expect The scenic drive through the McPherson Ranges is an experience in itself, arriving at the World Heritage–listed Green Mountains plateau. Your naturalist guide leads you across suspension bridges swaying 30 metres above the forest floor, with panoramic escarpment views. After a gourmet lunch at the heritage retreat, a twilight glow worm cave tour reveals a galaxy of bioluminescent larvae — one of Queensland's most magical spectacles. King parrots and rosellas feed from your hand throughout the day.
Good to know Best booked via O'Reilly's directly or through a private charter from Brisbane (approx. 90 min each way). Confirm all-aboard time carefully — depart Brisbane port by 7:30 am for a full day. Wear closed-toe shoes; the rainforest can be damp.
Versus the ship tour A small-group expert naturalist guide leads you through the ancient Gondwana rainforest, revealing hidden wildlife — pythons, lyrebirds, vivid parrots — and geological wonders that only intimate guided groups ever witness.
book direct with O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Cross Moreton Bay by high-speed catamaran to a pristine island paradise, snorkel the legendary Tangalooma Wrecks teeming with tropical fish, and sandboard down towering desert dunes. One of Queensland's most spectacular day escapes.
What to expect The 75-minute high-speed catamaran crossing from Brisbane reveals the sparkling Moreton Bay Marine Park. At Tangalooma, don your snorkel gear and glide over 15 sunken vessels, now a kaleidoscopic artificial reef. A 4WD bus whisks you inland to the island's vast sand dunes for exhilarating sandboarding runs. Gourmet lunch is served beachside with unbroken views of the bay. The return journey at sunset is pure Queensland gold.
Good to know The catamaran departs from Holt Street Wharf, Pinkenba — a 15-minute taxi from Portside Wharf. Book directly with Tangalooma Resort; day-cruise packages sell out months ahead. Confirm departure/return times align with your ship's all-aboard.
Versus the ship tour Access an island accessible only by sea, with world-class snorkelling over deliberately sunken WWII-era wrecks now colonised by coral and reef fish — an underwater spectacle most visitors never find. Add dolphin feeding at dusk if your schedule allows.
book direct with Tangalooma Island Resort (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Step into Steve Irwin's legendary Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast — home to the world-famous Crocoseum, tigers, cheetahs, and 1,200 animals. An adrenaline-charged, conservation-driven wildlife spectacular unlike anywhere on earth.
What to expect An hour north of Brisbane along the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Australia Zoo sprawls across 700 acres of world-class zoological parkland. The iconic Crocoseum show — with massive saltwater crocodiles and free-flight birds of prey — is genuinely unmissable. VIP guests enjoy exclusive keeper access, skipping all queues to meet the Zoo's most prized residents up close. Steve Irwin's conservation legacy infuses every encounter with genuine purpose and passion.
Good to know Located in Beerwah, approximately 1 hour from Portside Wharf by private transfer. Pre-book VIP experiences directly via the Australia Zoo website — they sell out rapidly. Allow 5–6 hours; arrange a private car transfer for the most efficient timing.
Versus the ship tour The VIP Wildlife Warrior upgrade grants behind-the-scenes access to private animal encounters — hand-feed a cheetah, get up close with a tiger cub, or join a keeper for a personal crocodile feeding — experiences unavailable to general admission guests.
book direct with Australia Zoo (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Sweep up to Brisbane's iconic summit lookout for panoramic city-and-bay views, wander the exquisite Botanic Gardens, then sink a cold craft beer at Queensland's legendary XXXX Brewery — the ultimate Brisbane afternoon in one curated arc.
What to expect Your air-conditioned minibus climbs to the Mount Coot-tha Summit Lookout, where a 270° panorama takes in the CBD skyline, Moreton Bay, and the hinterland ranges on a clear day. A leisurely stroll through the lush 52-hectare Botanic Gardens follows, past Japanese gardens and rare tropical specimens. The afternoon culminates at the heritage-listed XXXX Brewery in Milton — Queensland's oldest and most beloved brewery — with a behind-the-scenes tour and a generous tasting paddle.
Good to know Urban Tours Brisbane departs from central Brisbane, a short taxi from Portside Wharf. The XXXX Brewery tour runs at set times — book directly at xxxx.com.au for guaranteed spots. Allow 5 hours total; comfortably within most all-aboard windows.
Versus the ship tour Urban Tours Brisbane's intimate small-group format (max 12 guests) means genuine local commentary, unhurried stops, and access to the lookout at the golden hour that larger coaches can never time. The guide's neighbourhood insider knowledge transforms a sightseeing loop into a genuine story of Brisbane.
book direct with Urban Tours Brisbane (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Lift off in a private helicopter over lush hinterland ranges, landing at a boutique estate winery for an exclusive barrel-room tasting before swooping into ancient rainforest valleys — Queensland's most indulgent afternoon.
What to expect Your dedicated pilot departs the helipad and traces the Great Dividing Range northward, banking over volcanic crater lakes and cascading waterfalls invisible from any road. A private landing at a Scenic Rim boutique winery is met by the winemaker personally, who leads an intimate seated barrel tasting of reserve wines paired with local artisan cheese. The return flight dips low over ancient Gondwana rainforest canopy as the sun turns the ranges gold. A chilled bottle of estate sparkling wine awaits back at the helipad.
Good to know Flexible departure times; the 13:00 slot captures the best afternoon light over the ranges. Weight and weather conditions may affect scheduling — operator will contact you 24 hours prior. Transfers from the pier to the helipad can be arranged directly with Nautilus. Book at least three weeks ahead.
Versus the ship tour A private helicopter means zero strangers, zero fixed itinerary, and the freedom to linger over a bottle of single-vineyard Shiraz at altitude while a world-class landscape unfolds below — the very definition of bespoke luxury travel.
book direct with Nautilus Aviation (official) → · the full guide →
What you do Glide along the Brisbane River on the iconic CityCat ferry, explore South Bank's lush parklands and man-made Streets Beach, then settle in for a long, exquisite lunch at the award-winning Howard Smith Wharves precinct beneath the Story Bridge.
What to expect Step aboard the beloved CityCat catamaran at Portside Wharf for a scenic river glide past mangroves, glittering glass towers, and riverside parks to South Bank. Wander the Parklands' rainforest walk and snap a selfie at the famous Streets Beach — a real sandy beach in the city centre. Cross the Goodwill Bridge on foot to Howard Smith Wharves, where restaurants like Greca and Felons Brewing Co. serve outstanding food with front-row Story Bridge views. As the afternoon sun drops, the entire precinct glows gold.
Good to know The CityCat departs directly from Portside Wharf — no transfer needed, making this the easiest and most elegant self-guided excursion from the ship. Reserve lunch at Howard Smith Wharves well in advance via their website. The precinct is a 10-minute walk or short Uber from South Bank CityCat stop.
Versus the ship tour This is Brisbane as Brisbanites actually live it — the river, the food scene, the languid subtropical afternoons. Howard Smith Wharves is home to a curated collection of Brisbane's finest restaurants, positioned directly beneath the Story Bridge with unmatched views, offering a dining experience that defines the city's contemporary luxury culture.
book direct with Howard Smith Wharves (official dining & precinct) → · the full guide →
What you do Descend into one of the world's most accessible and awe-inspiring wreck dives — a 200-metre WWII troopship sunk in 1942, resting in shallow-to-deep water just metres from shore. Encounter the iconic 'Lady' ceramic relief, field artillery, gas masks, and intact staterooms frozen in time.
What to expect Board a short tender to the entry point, then descend alongside a local divemaster who knows every corridor and compartment. You'll hover over the 'The Lady' bas-relief, peer into the hold at jeeps and artillery shells, and drift through a ship that feels untouched by time. Visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres, with resident fish life including batfish and lionfish throughout. Even snorkellers can view the shallowest decks at 5–7 metres.
Good to know The dive site is literally shore-entry — just minutes from the pier. Pre-book directly with Pacific Dive well in advance; spaces in small groups fill fast on cruise days. Certified divers only for deep sections; carry your certification card. All-aboard time in Luganville is typically late afternoon, giving ample time for a morning dive.
Versus the ship tour Pacific Dive's expert divemasters offer small-group dives with depth-tailored routes — from the shallow promenade deck to the deep engine room — giving experienced divers a genuinely unhurried exploration of one of the Pacific's great underwater cathedrals.
What you do Hike through ancient rainforest, wade jungle rivers, abseil into Vanuatu's largest cave system, and float out through a cathedral of stalactites on a bamboo raft — a bucket-list adventure that combines everything wild and extraordinary about Espiritu Santo.
What to expect The day opens with a 4WD transfer through coconut plantations to the trailhead, where village guides lead you on a 90-minute jungle trek across rope bridges and into a river canyon. You'll abseil down into the cave's cathedral chamber — 100 metres wide and 50 metres high — before embarking on a bamboo raft float through subterranean pools lit by helmet torches. The return hike passes a traditional village where kastom culture is shared over a local lunch included in the tour.
Good to know This is a full-day excursion (approx. 8 hours); confirm all-aboard time carefully — it typically suits ships with a late-afternoon departure. Wear sturdy water shoes or sandals that can be submerged. Book directly with Santo Heritage Tours by email or phone (+678 5372118) well before your cruise date as guide numbers are capped.
Versus the ship tour Santo Heritage Tours are the Tripadvisor #1-ranked operator in Luganville and use custom village-guide teams with deep local knowledge of the cave's geology, jungle ecosystem, and kastom culture — an immersion no large-group tour can replicate.
What you do Slip into the impossibly turquoise, spring-fed waters of the Matevulu Blue Hole and the famous Blue Lagoon — two of the most photogenic natural swimming pools on earth, shaded by tropical forest and fed by ice-cool freshwater springs.
What to expect Your private driver collects you dockside and whisks you along red-dirt roads lined with jungle to the Blue Lagoon first, where the water glows an electric cobalt blue against white sand. Next, Matevulu's deeper hole offers a more secluded swim in waters so clear you can count the fish beneath you. Both sites have simple changing facilities. The return journey can be routed past Champagne Bay — one of the Pacific's most beautiful beaches — at your driver's discretion.
Good to know Bring reef-friendly sunscreen, a dry bag for your camera, and a light sarong. The Blue Lagoon is 12 km from the pier — about 20 minutes by road. Book your private vehicle in advance via the Santo Friendly Tours website to secure dockside pick-up. Both lagoons are best visited early morning before the day heats up.
Versus the ship tour Santo Friendly Tours offers fully private vehicle hire with a knowledgeable local driver, meaning you set the pace, linger as long as you wish at each lagoon, and avoid the crowd surges that hit these sites mid-morning.
What you do Snorkel directly over tens of millions of dollars' worth of American military equipment — trucks, bulldozers, jeeps, and aircraft parts — deliberately pushed into the sea by the US Army in 1945 and now blanketed in coral and teeming with tropical fish.
What to expect The short transfer brings you to a black-sand beach where the sea floor drops away in a gentle slope revealing an extraordinary graveyard of military hardware. Coral has colonised bulldozer blades, jeep chassis, and ammunition crates, creating a surreal artificial reef. Your guide narrates the story of America's extraordinary post-war surplus disposal while you float above it. The site is exceptionally shallow (2–10 m) making it ideal for all snorkel abilities, including beginners.
Good to know Ask specifically for Benny — Tripadvisor reviewers consistently single him out for exceptional guiding. The site is approximately 4 km south of the pier. Bring your own mask if you prefer; equipment is provided. Combine with a Blue Lagoon visit for a full, satisfying day. Confirm pick-up time carefully against your ship's all-aboard.
Versus the ship tour Paradise Tours Santo — Tripadvisor's most-reviewed local operator — pairs each small group with a guide who explains the remarkable post-war story behind the dump and points out the most photogenic machinery beneath the surface, making history vivid rather than dry.
What you do Witness the hypnotic, UNESCO-recognised water music of the Leweton village women — a haunting percussion tradition created by striking the lagoon's surface — then share in village kastom, traditional weaving, and local food in an intimate, respectful cultural exchange.
What to expect Arriving by vehicle to the coastal village, you're welcomed by the women of Leweton and seated at the edge of a shallow tidal lagoon. The performers wade in and begin — hands shaping the water into rhythms and melodies that resonate with astonishing clarity across the stillness. Explanations are given in English, contextualising the music within ni-Vanuatu matrilineal culture. Afterwards, village women demonstrate traditional weaving and share kastom cooking, and there is time to purchase handmade crafts directly from the artisans.
Good to know Modest dress is appreciated (covered shoulders and knees for the village setting). The village is approximately 10 km from the pier — arrange a return transfer with Santo Friendly Tours or a local taxi. Visit in the morning for the best light and before the afternoon heat. This is one of the most culturally significant experiences in all of Vanuatu — book early to secure a spot on cruise days.
Versus the ship tour Leweton is a community-owned experience with no intermediaries — every vatu goes directly to the village matriarchs. The intimate group size (visitors sit close enough to feel the water spray) creates a genuinely moving encounter with a living tradition, not a staged show.
What you do Canter along deserted white-sand beaches and through coconut groves on a private or small-group ride with Santo Horse Adventures — Tripadvisor-acclaimed as a genuine bucket-list experience for horse lovers in one of the Pacific's most spectacular settings.
What to expect You're collected from the pier and transferred to the stables where the team introduces you to your horse and assesses your riding comfort level. The route winds through jungle fringe and emerges onto a long, almost always deserted stretch of white sand with the Coral Sea stretching to the horizon. The pace is set by the guide around your group's ability — novices can walk through coconut groves while experienced riders can enjoy open canters on the beach. The setting — jungle meeting turquoise water — is simply extraordinary.
Good to know Weight limit applies (typically 100 kg); contact the operator directly to confirm and to arrange transfer from the pier. Wear long trousers and closed-toe shoes for riding comfort. With 187 Tripadvisor reviews averaging 5 stars, this is one of Luganville's most consistently praised experiences — book well in advance for cruise-day slots.
Versus the ship tour Santo Horse Adventures caps group sizes to preserve the quality of the experience, and matches each rider to a horse by skill level — meaning confident riders can move from walk to canter along open beach stretches that feel like a scene from a film, entirely without crowds.
book direct with Santo Horse Adventures → · the full guide →
The same trip, elevated
The same gateway on a more luxurious line — lead-in fare per person, same fare as booking direct.