BUSSELTON AUSTRALIA

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF tends to steal most of Australia’s aquatic limelight. But on the opposite side of the country, the 1.8-kilometre Busselton Jetty is a hub of activity, hosting everything from an underwater observatory – with underwater dining – to annual Ironman swims. Meanwhile, leisurely cruises follow the Margaret River inland to mangrove forests, dramatic caves and picture-perfect vineyards.

WHILE TYPHOONS SEND most Hongkongers scurrying indoors, the surfing community rush from their homes to beach spots like Shek O and Big Wave Bay, where the winds whip up ten-metre swells. When the waves subside, the beachgoers return… and the surfers stow their boards and go back to checking the weather.