Dunedin’s Tunnel Beach, New Zealand.
The nations of Oceania are a captivating blend of pristine nature, cultural heritage and vibrant cities that even the most hardworking traveller will never exhaust.
The lowdown
There are 14 countries, by the United Nations’ count, in Oceania, but others that lie just outside it in the Asia-Pacific region are often painted with the Oceania brush. That’s because Oceania is more a collective than a continent. And with its biggest country, Australia, itself an isolated island continent, it’s definitely unlike other continents.
Oceania is vastness and variety, and for travellers that means you can discover scintillating cities one day, and stare at the starriest of skies the next; climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and then encounter a First Nations elder at a prehistoric eel trap; tube down a fast flowing river with locals while staying at a five-star tropical resort.
It invites exploration, slow travel and, given its scope, the opportunity to never visit the same destination twice. Though that’s unlikely, given the continent has so many places that quickly become return favourites.
What’s hot
Air connectivity is on the rise across Oceania, with Qantas, Virgin Australia and others looking to be the go-to for island hoppers and coast-to-coast or country-to-country trips.
Investment in sustainability and adaptation to the impacts of climate change are up across the region, whose island nations are vulnerable to rising sea levels. And Indigenous experiences are increasingly sophisticated and engrossing.
What’s not
While Alice Springs and Broome have well-documented crime issues and outbreaks of tribal violence occur in Papua New Guinea, there’s low gun ownership across the many nations of Oceania. It is home to some of the safest countries in the world, including New Zealand.
Five must–visit countries
Australia
Seen Sydney Harbour? See Hobart’s next.Credit: Tourism Tasmania
The biggest nation in Oceania is as varied as the region itself and it warrants a deep dive, especially by its own citizens. Sure you’ve seen Sydney Harbour, but now see Hobart’s. Done the Great Ocean Road? Explore Western Australia’s splendid South West coast. Driven across the Nullarbor? Try the Simpson Desert – it has the world’s longest parallel sand dunes and is home to the largest national park in Australia. A lifetime of travels would not exhaust Australia’s enticements. See australia.com
New Zealand
Its latest tourism slogan – “Everyone must go”, designed to attract Aussies, rankled with some of the locals, so let’s go with an oldie. New Zealand’s natural wonders, cool, creative cities and sweet-as-bro culture really is a “slice of heaven”. Whether you’re outdoorsy, indoorsy or in between, its beauty, strong Maori culture, ridiculously great food and wine and ease of experience warrant many happy returns. See newzealand.com
Palau
Those “where-to-next?” travellers among us have been singing the praises of this nation of 16,000 people describing it as the unspoiled island-and-marine paradise of dreams. And it just became more attractive to Australian travellers with Qantas introducing a direct service from Brisbane. See pristineparadisepalau.com
Cook Islands
Glorious Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.
With a law stating no building be taller than the coconut trees surrounding it, this 15-island archipelago continues a way of life that harks back to simpler times. Sitting between American Samoa and French Polynesia, by some accounts it is technically not part of Oceania, but in much the same way Australia owns a Kiwi Finn brother, we’re claiming this glorious island idyll for the region. See cookislands.travel
Vanuatu
Vanuatu has had a rough trot. But the demise of its national airline last year and a devastating earthquake in December have not completely deterred Australians, who continue to holiday in the French-speaking nation less than three hours by air from Brisbane. The capital is still in recovery from the natural disaster, but large swathes of the tourism industry are up and about. And Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar all fly there from Australia’s east coast. See vanuatu.travel
Five must-see cities
Dunedin, New Zealand
The second-largest city on the South Island (behind Christchurch) is one of the quirkiest in the world. A haven for Scottish heritage and Maori culture, it bears fine Edwardian and Victorian architecture alongside a protected coastline that hums with ancient stories and significance. Home to NZ’s oldest university, Dunedin is lively, but it also has a quaintness with its preserved gold-rush era streets. It’s a centre of design, with famous and fringe fashion names occupying a fabulous Warehouse Precinct and a yearly fashion festival. See dunedinnz.com
Dubbo, NSW, Australia
Home to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo and the Royal Flying Doctor Visitor Experience, Dubbo deserves a visit. But it’s also a great jumping off point for other amazing towns. Taste the wines of Mudgee and Orange, within striking distance one way, and then sample the outback within a couple of hours the other. The southern hemisphere’s first Dark Sky Park, Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran is only 90 minutes away. See dubbo.com.au
Noumea, New Caledonia
After political unrest, all is calm in New Cal. Many visitors come via cruise ship and head to island beaches for the quintessential island experience. But the capital Noumea has beachfront resorts, and being only two and a half hours by plane from Brisbane, you can be living the tropical holiday idyll and experiencing a unique French-tinged city as well. (Though it’s nothing like Paris.) See newcaledonia.travel
Townsville, Queensland
Genuine five star: The Ardo.Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland
While you were perhaps looking elsewhere for a holiday involving luxury accommodation, fine dining and fun in the sun, Townsville was busy evolving. The North Queensland city has gone from being a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef to a destination in and of itself, thanks to the Ardo, the city’s first genuine five-star. It features three restaurants including one near the glam rooftop pool. Its sister properties round things out: the $20,000-a-night Pelorus Private Island at one end of the scale, and next-door on the mainland, The Ville offering a more approachable stay. See ardohotel.au; townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au
Warrnambool, Victoria
With other towns on the Great Ocean Road nearby sucking up the attention, this Victorian regional city, ostensibly at the end of the famous drive, is an under-appreciated gem. With long wide beaches and big country town vibes, it’s a relaxed kind of place. There are whale watching opportunities and terrific vintage shopping in the Fletcher Jones Market, located in the former Fletcher Jones factory. And it’s an easy drive to pretty Port Fairy, Port Campbell and Timboon in the Otway Ranges. See visitgreatoceanroad.org.au
Five must-do experiences
Attend a Samoan church service
Christianity is not just the dominant religion in Samoa, it’s also a way of life. Churches figure prominently in villages across the country and Sunday is a national day of worship and rest. Join the locals at a service for a cultural experience that can be uplifting, no matter your beliefs. Dress respectfully and ask at your accommodation about access. The choir is next-level at the Piula Theological College, and afterwards, you can take a cooling dip in the waterhole below the chapel. See samoa.travel
Chase waterfalls in the Cook Islands
Naturally occurring freshwater water holes and waterfalls abound across the Cook Islands. Wigmore’s Waterfall on the main island of Rarotonga is perhaps the most well-known for its easy access and picture-perfect composition. But other more hidden sites will reward hikers with an immersive experience in paradisiacal splendour. Birdwatchers are in for a treat, too. See cookislands.travel
Take relaxation to the next level in Fiji
There are holidays and then there are these kinds of holidays during which you allow yourself to fully relax, checking into a resort with nothing on the agenda other than eating, sleeping, swimming and repeating all that the next day. Fiji is the place for great fly in and flop experiences. Its resorts are many and varied, but all have R&R as the main game. Come as stressed as you like – you’ll be on Fiji time in no time. See fiji.travel
Experience Southern Ocean Lodge off season
Visit Southern Ocean Lodge in off season.
Australia’s premier luxury lodge, Southern Ocean Lodge on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island is world renowned. Set amid KI’s rugged coastal beauty, guests are ensconced in stylish surrounds, there is superb food and wine, discreet and detail-focused (but also friendly) service and extraordinary wildlife encounters. Winter is relatively mild in the Mediterranean-style climate of KI and the season offers a more wild perspective. See southernoceanlodge.com.au
Hear the morning chorus in Kakadu
About a three-hour drive from Darwin, the almost 20,000-square-kilometre, biodiversity-rich Kakadu National Park is home to around a third of all bird species in Australia. But you don’t need to be a bird enthusiast to appreciate the joyousness of the morning chorus in Kakadu. As the sun hits the canopy in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, the aural eruption is a soul stirring wonder that lasts for minutes. Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp is one place to experience it. See kakadubillabongsafaricamp.com.au
Five must-do journeys
The Ghan, Australia
The Ghan crosses nearly 3000 kilometres from south to north and back again.
Rail travel may be enjoying a renaissance, but the rail that runs north to south across Australia never went away. Running nearly 3000 kilometres from Adelaide to Darwin, it’s been a thing for nearly 100 years. It’s gone from transporting troops during World War II to the luxury experience it is today under custodians, Journey Beyond and continues to evolve, with the introduction of new high-end carriages and a suite of special off-train adventures for passengers. See journeybeyondrail.com.au
Kimberley cruise, Western Australia
Australia is home to one of the world’s most astonishing wildernesses – the Kimberley. Its coastline runs along the top end of Western Australia and it is a place like no other. With epic land and seascapes, teeming wildlife, unique natural phenomena and special cultural significance for the traditional owners, it’s no wonder cruising has made its way into the region. Take a small ship adventure, so the sense of remoteness and awe at the sheer scale of the vast region is never lost. See aptouring.com; scenic.com.au
TranzAlpine, South Island, New Zealand
Done in a day and unforgettable for a lifetime, New Zealand’s TranzAlpine train goes from the east coast (Christchurch) to the west coast (Greymouth) of New Zealand’s South Island. Traversing the Canterbury Plains, following the Waimakariri River and heading towards the Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass before diving into the Otira Tunnel and emerging in rain forest to reach Greymouth, you can hop off at the end and stay to explore the famous Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, or turn around and go back. See greatjourneysnz.com
Yacht charter, New Caledonia
The New Caledonia Lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 1600 kilometres of coral reef, more than 20,000 marine species and generally calm, warm seas. Charter a boat with or without a skipper, under sail or motor, big or small, for a day or a week or longer, and visit unpopulated beaches and islets, swimming, snorkelling and soaking up the sunsets. Someone will probably speak French to you. Who needs the Mediterranean? See newcaledonia.travel
Papua New Guinea cruise
As homogenisation and/or overcrowding render some destinations unappealing, in many pockets, Oceania offers the antithesis. Papua New Guinea is one of those and an excellent way to experience it is via a cruise, which, if picked well, ensures safe accommodation, expertly led excursions and meaningful encounters. Look to the likes of Aqua Expeditions and True North for small ship experiences, though bigger ships also visit the country. See aquaexpeditions.com ; truenorth.com.au
Did you know?
- Australia’s Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, 700 kilometres north of Adelaide, changes colour when it fills, from white salt pan to pink to blue, due to algae blooming at different salinity levels, the reflection of the sky and varying salinity levels. It is Australia’s lowest point below sea level.
- Australia’s Great Dividing Range running the length of eastern Australia through Queensland, NSW and Victoria, is older than the Himalayas and contains evidence of glaciers from about 300 million years ago.
- New Zealand has the longest place name in the world, with a hill in the southern Hawke’s Bay area known by its Maori name, Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
- Papua New Guinea is home to approximately 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity in just 1 per cent of the world’s total land area, with scientists still regularly discovering new species of flora and fauna there.
- The Solomon Islands, a major site of World War II battles between Japan and the Allies, is still finding and disposing of unexploded World War II ordnance, with the help of the Australian Defence Force. An estimated 50,000 pieces still lie scattered across the islands.