Adelaide, South Australia’s cosmopolitan state capital, is a culturally vibrant city that regularly hosts international arts festivals. Compact in size and with a number of major arts institutions and entertainment venues as well as 29 large public parks, it regularly ranks among the world’s most liveable cities. Explore the collection of Aboriginal, colonial, and Melanesian art at the South Australian Museum, stroll the historic Adelaide Central Market, or simply relax beneath a fig tree canopy in the Botanic Gardens.

On your second day in beautiful Adelaide, you could take a behind-the-scenes tour of the world-famous Adelaide Oval, an iconic cricket ground, or head out of the city on a wine tour to an award-winning vineyard. Roaming the aisles of the city’s fascinating Central Market is one way to appreciate the gastronomic diversity of the city, with over 70 traders from more than 40 nationalities in one cavernous space selling everything from spices to cheese.

Leaving Adelaide behind, today you’ll embark the majestic Indian Pacific before heading to Broken Hill, Australia’s silver capital and home to a unique artistic community. After your excursion, you’ll return to the train where you’ll settle back into your luxurious surroundings as you glide towards the east coast. Savour first-class cuisine paired with sumptuous local wines in the Queen Adelaide restaurant, enjoy a cocktail in one of the bars or head to the Outback Explorer Lounge and get acquainted with your fellow passengers.

After passing through the dramatic Blue Mountains where you’ll enjoy a thrilling excursion, you’ll finally arrive in Australia’s most cosmopolitan city. Known for iconic landmarks including its harbour bridge and opera house, Sydney also offers a feast of cultural treats, from restaurants that are the envy of the world to first-class museums and galleries. There are also dozens of places to simply hang out and admire the surroundings, from the revolving restaurant on the top floor of the Sydney Tower to the National Maritime Museum.

With a full day at leisure to explore Sydney, watch surfers crest the waves at the iconic Bondi Beach or the more sheltered Balmoral Beach with its calmer waters. Embrace the city’s cultural heritage and seek out the aboriginal rock carvings near Mackenzies Point, or tour The Rocks district for artisanal products and independent breweries. To escape the bustle, find tranquillity in the leafy surroundings of the Royal Botanic Gardens, one of Sydney’s most popular attractions which features curious sculptures, pavilions and ponds.

Relax, dine and admire your surroundings all at the same time on a cruise around the wonderfully atmospheric Sydney Harbour. Home to secluded beaches, soaring sandstone cliffs and protected islands within a nature park, it’s awash with sights. Listen to the commentary on the history of the harbour and learn about the marine life that lives within its boundaries. You’ll also get the opportunity to swim at one of Sydney's superb hidden beaches.

The award-winning Silver Shadow offers a wonderfully luxurious experience at sea, with spacious suites and your own personal butler while on board. The 382-passenger ship offers a traditional cruising experience with an intimate feel that makes every passenger feel truly treasured. Enjoy live music and engaging conversation with new friends at The Bar, or admire the ocean views from the Panorama Lounge - the perfect place to unwind, enjoy afternoon tea, listen to the pianist and watch the sun set. 

Make sure you soak up the best of the Silversea experience on your two full days at sea. This superb luxury cruise line leaves no stone unturned when it comes to its guests’ satisfaction. Find an elegant corner of a bar or lounge to contemplate the adventures ahead of you. Or sit back in your spacious, ocean-view suite, make the most of the fabulous butler service.

New Caledonia’s capital is very much the quintessential Pacific island, with picturesque bays, golden beaches and turquoise lagoons. A choice of ten wonderful excursions is offered here, from scenic drives combined with wine and cheese-tasting to a helicopter sight-seeing flight over the mesmerising Noumea Lagoon.  You could also take a kayaking tour of the Dumbea River, where you’ll also find time for a refreshing swim in the aptly named Beautiful Valley.

Once a French penal colony, this tiny island off the New Caledonian mainland harbours some of the world’s most beautiful bays and lies next to the world’s third-biggest barrier reef. It’s a scuba diving or snorkelling heaven, with swirls of colourful fish and inquisitive turtles which you could see on the Turtle Bay Encounter excursion. Or check out the old ruins of the prison and its water tower and cemetery, now entangled in lush tropical vegetation.

Mare is a destination that’s ideally suited for idling on the beach. The second biggest of the Loyalty Islands – an overseas territory of France – it offers unspoilt beauty and a blissful escape from the modern world. Plunge into scenic Tadine Bay's glassy waters and hike through dense forests of araucaria trees, through which you’ll spot glimmers of sapphire seas and swathes of secluded golden sand. Plus, the marine life here is simply out of this world.

Vila is the capital of Vanuatu, an archipelago of some 83 islands in the Coral Sea. Cloaked in dense rainforest, these volcanic islands were little known until World War II, when some were used as Allied bases. Today, Vila’s easy-going charm, superb white-sand beaches and pristine rainforest are what entice visitors. While here you can indulge in a variety of experiences, whether zip-lining through the forest, roaming the Mele Secret Gardens where lizards and coconut crabs scuttle amongst the foliage, or snorkelling at Eton Beach.

The main town on Vanuatu’s tiny island of Tanna, Lenakel is a place of rickety, stilted bungalows and endless sweeping bays, dotted with spindly coconut trees, while the chirruping of tropical birds provides the musical backdrop. A stroll around the local market where you can sample “kaikai” (freshly prepared, local island food) is an unmissable experience, while a hike up the side of the Mount Yasur volcano, which rises to 361 metres, is a must for the adventurous.

Evenings really come alive on Silver Shadow thanks to the Show Lounge, a multi-tiered venue where every seat affords a clear view of the stage. The repertoire of entertainment ranges from classical soloists to full-scale musicals to feature films. Alternatively, head to the Observation Louge for solitude, with books available from the library and ocean views from the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Lautoka, on the west coast of Fiji, is the island nation’s second largest city. A wide range of excursions here offer something for everyone, whether it’s basking in the therapeutic mud pools of Sabeto or being welcomed into the local culture at Nawaka Village. Here you could join in a traditional “Ta Ra La La” dance and watch warrior dances and firewalks. Quieter than the Fijian capital of Suva on the south coast, Lautoka is a place where you can kick back and enjoy mingling with the friendly locals.

Famous for its hot springs and often referred to as a “hidden paradise”, Savusavu is a small town on the Fijian island of Vanua Levu. Originally established as a trading centre for sandalwood, it’s now growing in popularity as a tourist destination and boasts several excellent natural attractions. Take a drive to the Nakawaqa Rainforest, which is home to a 50-feet waterfall that plunges into the pools below, or visit a black pearl farm, producing some of the world’s largest and most beautiful black pearls.

A speck of an island belonging to the Kadavu Group, an archipelago south of Fiji, this is where you’ll get to indulge your castaway fantasies. Laze on a paradise beach where the tepid water teems with life and wander amongst the island’s single village to meet the traditionally dressed locals. On your single excursion here, you’ll enjoy fascinating demonstrations of the various uses of the voivoi plant – including basket-weaving – and the coconut tree.

Enjoy complimentary cocktails, live music and engaging conversation with new friends at The Bar, or gaze out, drink in hand, at the vista from the Panorama Lounge. It’s the perfect place to unwind, enjoy afternoon tea, listen to the pianist and watch the sun set. 

This stunningly beautiful bay is one of New Zealand’s most popular destinations and it’s easy to see why. Clear turquoise waters peppered with remote islands that are home to unspoilt beaches and an abundance of wildlife make it the perfect place for water-based activities. You’ll get a choice of visiting the enchanting Kawiti Gloworm Caves, going on a Maori heritage tour, kayaking to Haruru Falls as well as other options that ensure you get the most out of your stay here.

Today you’ll disembark Silver Shadow in Auckland and fly home.