Australian & South African Discovery

A first glimpse of its two great icons – the famous Harbour Bridge and soaring Opera House – will prove a special memory (the harbour ferry offers the best views!). Stroll through Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens or slip away to legendary Bondi or one of countless other nearby Pacific beaches.

A first glimpse of its two great icons – the famous Harbour Bridge and soaring Opera House – will prove a special memory (the harbour ferry offers the best views!). Stroll through Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens or slip away to legendary Bondi or one of countless other nearby Pacific beaches.

Melbourne is the coastal capital of the southeastern Australian state of Victoria. The city’s elegant tree-lined boulevards, extensive parks and gardens, colourful trams, rich cultural programmes and art-deco high-rises set the scene in this classy, vibrant community.

Stylish, art-loving Melbourne is wonderfully cosmopolitan, and is proud to be recognised as Australia’s sporting and cultural capital. In the Southbank area, the Melbourne Arts Precinct is home to Arts Centre Melbourne – a performing arts complex, while the National Gallery of Victoria has stunning Australian and indigenous art. Melbourne’s liberal, bohemian and progressive personality means it was ‘hipster’ long before the word became a ubiquitous label.

The city centre is defined by the modern Federation Square development, with smart plazas and chic bars and restaurants all well-situated by the Yarra River. The breadth of shops and markets, not to mention the huge variety of cuisine available – Greek, Italian, Maltese, Thai, Vietnamese and more – is a mouth-watering prospect for any visitor.

The inner city is probably the most European of any in Australia: the leafy Collins Street was coined as the ‘Paris End’ in the 1950s. The city’s well-ordered grid also adds a flavour of New York in this extraordinary destination. The Royal Botanical Gardens and Melbourne Zoo are two other attractions that are worthy of discovery.

Hobart is the second-oldest city in Australia and it has many well-preserved colonial buildings, especially around the picturesque harbour and in the narrow lanes of Battery Point.

Many of the fine sandstone warehouses have been converted into cafés, galleries and artists’ workshops. The Narryna Heritage Museum, tells the story of wealthy merchants who settled on the island. If you’re feeling energetic, climb the 259 steps of the Shot Tower for views out over the town and harbour.

The breathtaking beauty of Albany’s rugged coastline marks the spot where the first European settlers set foot in Western Australia. The Rainbow Coast creates a fitting backdrop to the town’s dramatic history of pioneers, convicts and whaling. This charming city is a grand mixture of old and new, as the stately old quarter merges easily with the modern offerings of retail therapy and a vibrant art scene.

Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, a former whale processing plant, now houses an intriguing museum. The southern coastline and the rural surrounds are bursting with nature, historic attractions and a rich diversity of wildlife. Migrating whales pass off the coast at Torndirrup National Park, where steep cliffs give way to dramatic rock formations.

Named amongst the world’s top ten cities in Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2016’ rankings, Fremantle has now shaken off its ‘undiscovered gem’ tag and emerged as one of Australia’s must-visit destinations. A diverse and dynamic port city, it is renowned for its eclectic mix of music and arts, its collection of interesting museums and historical sites, lively city centre streets lined with cosmopolitan cafés, breweries, bars and restaurants and fantastic shopping.

With gorgeous, quintessential beaches, a stunning harbour, beautiful river trails and parks within easy reach of the centre too, Fremantle is a wonderful example of modern Australia and the joy of living in this incredible part of the world.

But, while Fremantle is a welcoming and rewarding destination to visit in itself, its location and its major port make it the perfect gateway for visiting Perth – Australia’s ‘Sunniest Capital City’ – on a Fred. Olsen cruise. If you call at Fremantle on an Australian adventure, you can opt for a direct tour to Perth and uncover the city’s wealth of attractions. Perhaps explore Kings Park, one of the world’s biggest city parks, right in the heart of it all; delve into rich Aboriginal history; sample the local arts, culture and delicious food; or simply make the most of the city’s renowned sunny climate at your pick of the glorious beaches lining the coast.

Port Louis, capital of Mauritius capital and its busiest city, delivers a huge slice of everyday Mauritian life. Sat in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the port is known for its French colonial architecture and the 19th century Champ de Mars horse-racing track.

To see a colourful snapshot of this paradise, a visit to the lively Central Market, which contrasts with the sparkling new Caudan Waterfront and shopping precinct, is recommended for local produce and handicrafts.

The Blue Penny Museum offers a taste of the island’s colonial and maritime history and culture. Port Louis’ famous Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, with its giant Victoria Water Lilies, demands discovery, as does the nearby 3,000-acre Domaine des Pailles Nature Park.Show less
Tea is a big deal in Mauritius, with 58 varieties produced on the island. Many take the opportunity to visit the manufacturers’ factories and view the picturesque colonial houses en route. Alternatively, many simply choose to relax beside a fabulous Indian Ocean Beach.

A republic of France, Port Réunion is like is like a tropical version of the French Riviera, with gourmet restaurants – many run by descendants of the original pioneers, sandy beaches and chic boutiques.

The Caribbean island’s lush, sweeping landscapes and mountainous interior are just waiting to be explored, as are the southern villages which appear to be frozen in time. Their charming creole houses remain as they were fifty years ago. More than 8,000 imported labourers built the docks here and many of these Portois stayed on in these shacks.

Following investment by the French Government, the island now has a modernised port, new housing, green spaces, and the creation of a superb boulevard, Ocean Avenue, linking the Old Port, soon to be a marina, with the city.

Some 23 whale and dolphin species visit the waters off the west coast of Réunion. From June to October the exhilarating spectacle of humpbacks breaching can be witnessed, after they’ve made the epic swim from Antarctica.

Steeped in history and known for its incredible weather, Port Elizabeth provides the complete South African experience. On the fringes of Algoa Bay at the western end of the Sunshine Coast, the area is renowned for its diverse marine life, sublime beaches and top water sports.

Founded in 1820, much of the city’s history is evident today in the architecture of Fort Frederick and the Campanile Bell Tower – both part of the Donkin Heritage Trail that allows visitors to follow in the footsteps of the original 1820 Settlers on their journey of discovery and settlement.

From its darker past, Port Elizabeth is now the place to meet people and easily lives up to its nickname, the ‘friendly city’. Most things in the centre are on tap: bars, music, art and photographic spaces – all part of constant clash of cultures. The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum at the entrance to St George’s Park has a small gallery of paintings and sculpture by contemporary South African artists, and is a real treat to view.

Nearby, the Addo Elephant Park offers the chance to encounter the rare Addo Elephant, among a variety of other game, while a safari experience at the Kariega Game Reserve takes visitors in search of the ‘Big Five’. The 54 hectare Settler’s Park in the city centre is a nature lover’s paradise, boasting the most beautiful flora and fauna.

Cape Town brings together cultures, cuisines, and magnificent views: a stunning city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park. A city that is defined by the flat-topped mountain it sits beneath, Cape Town is known for its lively Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and harbour, serene vineyards and impressive landscapes. This picturesque ‘city bowl’ on the shores of Table Bay, is best seen from the top of Table Mountain – accessible via cable car.

Cape Town is a rich melting pot of people, and a proudly multicultural centre. Given it was World Design Capital in 2014, creative art and design is unsurprisingly never too far way. Exploring the city is a pleasure, and the attractions include the historic Company’s Gardens, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Green Point Park.

Away from the urban centre, winelands such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer a distraction of a different kind, Show lesswhile at Cape Point National Park boasts breathtaking coastlines and whale watching opportunities. Visitors can also learn of Nelson Mandela’s inspirational life and legacy at Robben Island, or perhaps spend a memorable evening watching the sunset at Signal Hill.

Cape Town brings together cultures, cuisines, and magnificent views: a stunning city crowned by the magnificent Table Mountain National Park. A city that is defined by the flat-topped mountain it sits beneath, Cape Town is known for its lively Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and harbour, serene vineyards and impressive landscapes. This picturesque ‘city bowl’ on the shores of Table Bay, is best seen from the top of Table Mountain – accessible via cable car.

Cape Town is a rich melting pot of people, and a proudly multicultural centre. Given it was World Design Capital in 2014, creative art and design is unsurprisingly never too far way. Exploring the city is a pleasure, and the attractions include the historic Company’s Gardens, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Green Point Park.

Away from the urban centre, winelands such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer a distraction of a different kind, Show lesswhile at Cape Point National Park boasts breathtaking coastlines and whale watching opportunities. Visitors can also learn of Nelson Mandela’s inspirational life and legacy at Robben Island, or perhaps spend a memorable evening watching the sunset at Signal Hill.