Port Stephens is a prime location to observe humpbacks and southern right whales during their annual migration. From mid-May to early September, thousands of whales head north to their breeding grounds, and from mid-September to mid-October, they migrate south. You might even see mothers with their newborn calves in the calmer waters. Watch them from Tomaree Head Summit, or get up close on a tour from Nelson Bay.

This monastery dates back to 1301, and it was built by the citizens of Dubrovnik who were ordered to work on it by the local authorities. The attached museum contains an impressive selection of arts from sixteenth-century Dubrovnik including votive jewellery, relics, manuscripts, valuable documents and much more.

Cho Lon, also well-known as Chinatown, is an area of Ho Chi Minh where many Chinese immigrants reside and earn their living. Within Cho Lon, the biggest and most crowded trade hub is Tan Binh Market, where you can find a wide range of clothing and knick-knacks at very low prices (although be warned the assortment is mostly made up of obscure dried edibles and Chinese ritual paraphernalia). An interesting time to visit Cho Lon is when locals celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival. During Tet, all shops and eateries are lavishly decorated with multi-coloured lanterns, and streets seem to become deluged with the lucky colour red.

Just outside of town, this beautiful Renaissance garden is perched on a hillside overlooking the sea. Palm trees, mandarins and grapefruits grow in this wonderful lush garden together with 400-year-old trees with some reaching heights of 50 metres. Particularly well-worth visiting on a sunny day in spring.