At over 170 years old, the Botanic Gardens aren't just a splash of green in Durban — they're the oldest botanic garden on the continent. This urban oasis is famed for its extensive collection of cycads and orchids, and it's not just about the flora. The gardens double as a cultural hotspot, hosting an array of events and concerts. Whether you're in the mood for a relaxing tea at the on-site garden or a leisurely picnic, this versatile space has you covered.

Ha‘ena State Park is oftentimes packed to the brim with eager sun worshipers. Such dedication is thanks to the park's stunning beauty, and because Ha‘ena beach marks the beginning of the Napali Coast. Explore the trails, the Pacific, and even the religious sites.

Christmas Island is one of the world's truly spectacular tropical seabird rookeries. It's not just the number and variety of seabirds or their magnificent splendour that make the island so remarkable, but also their sheer visibility. Around 80,000 seabirds nest here annually, with 23 breeding or resident species. Birds can be seen and heard everywhere on the island, at just about any time of the day. With just a little effort, birdwatchers can easily tick off a full list of residents in a busy week or a more relaxed fortnight. However, the elusive Christmas Island hawk owl keeps many coming back. More than 100 vagrant and migratory bird species have been recorded here, including eight breeding seabird species and one subspecies. The most numerous is the wide-ranging red-footed booby, which nests in colonies in trees in many parts of the coastal shore terraces. You may see the endangered Christmas Island frigatebird soaring above Settlement — it's the world's rarest frigatebird and nests only on the island. The golden form of the white-tailed tropic bird is an endemic subspecies unique to Christmas Island. Known locally as the golden bosun bird, this stunning bird is graceful in flight and has been adopted as the island's fauna emblem.