Melanesia, an Island Paradise
Explore the group of islands to the north and northeast of Australia, where the history and culture are as exotic as the landscape.
A short ferry ride from the capital of Port Vila is the picturesque private-island resort of Iririki.
By far the most tourist-friendly destination, Castaway Island attracts honeymooners, scuba divers and families looking to escape to Fiji.
The lighthouse on Amedee Island was made in France and reflects its ties to the country, some 12,000 miles away.
A family walks along Bach Beach on Thursday Island, which -- like many of the Torres Strait Islands -- is part of Queensland, Australia.
The view from the top of Pulau Wayag Island in West Papua, the least populous province in Indonesia.
A fierce battleground during the second World War, the Solomon Islands are now a diving destination like much of Melanesia.
One of the most culturally diverse places in the world, it’s believed that over 1,000 different groups speaking over 800 different languages coexist in Papua New Guinea.
The volcanic Banda Islands are part of Maluku, historically known as the "Spice Islands."