Oceania is made up of Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern and Western Hemispheres and is home to 14 countries.
This region of the world might be a long way from most other worldwide locations, but it is well worth the journey travelling here. Expect modern cities, beautiful nature, world famous tourist attractions, exotic wildlife, endless adventures and much more.
Travel Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
• Search small group adventure tours with G Adventures or Contiki.
Getting There
It may be about as far away from almost everywhere as you can get, but if anywhere is worth the long journey it’s Oceania. Even if you only have 2 or 3 weeks to spare, it’s definitely worth the trip.
You can fly return with a host of airlines such as Qantas, Emirates, Air New Zealand or, if you have a bit longer, why not include it as a stop in a wider multi-stop or round the world trip.
Each country is only a few hours from the other and after coming so far, its worthwhile trying to see as much as possible.
Top Destinations
• Australia
• Fiji
• New Zealand
• French Polynesia
• Cook Islands
• Tonga
Popular Destinations
• Sydney
• Queenstown
• Bora Bora
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Auckland
• Christchurch
• Brisbane
• Darwin
Best Things to Do in Oceania
See the Great Barrier Reef
Known to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world, The Great Barrier Reef is more than just the standard on every keen travellers bucket list but is a location (did you know it gets approximately 2 million visitors each year?) worthy of visiting if you’re in sunny Queensland, Australia.
The reef itself consists of hundreds of mini islands that are home to thousands of different species of fish and thirty specifies of whales, dolphins, and porpoises that you can come face-to-face with on a snorkelling or diving trip.
Photo at the Sydney Opera House
Almost everyone who visits Australia makes it their mission to visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House. Located by Sydney Harbour, the World Heritage Site hosts an array of exciting annual events that are not to be missed, including the famous Vivid Sydney festival which is celebrated in an explosion of light and colour. Get your phones and cameras ready and prepare to be mesmerised by creative outdoor lighting displays projected on to the Opera House itself, alongside an incredible musical set-list.
Bungee Jump in New Zealand
New Zealand is considered the adventure capital of the world – and with good reason. The rugged and mountainous landscape provide the base for some of the most adrenaline pumping sports in the world, from bungee jumping to skydiving, white-water rafting to jet boating. Besides, the feeling of teetering over the edge of a gorge before you throw yourself off is an experience you will remember forever!
Island Hop in Fiji
Fiji is spectacular and what better way to see some of the best beaches in the world than island hopping. Think beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear warm oceans and some of the most welcoming and hospitable people in the world.
Exotic Islands Off the Beaten Track
Polynesia:
Polynesia is the most far-flung region of Oceania, but also boasts some of the most beautiful islands in the world. French Polynesia is famous for destinations like Bora Bora and Tahiti, while Easter Island attracts hundreds of visitors a year that want to see the island’s mysterious stone carvings. English is widely spoken in the region as well as French, Spanish, and other indigenous Polynesian languages.
Melanesia:
New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands are a group of islands to the north of Australia. Each island is known for its rich history, unique culture, and exotic landscapes. The easiest way to get to this region is with flights from Australia and New Zealand, or you can fly direct to Fiji from some destinations in Asia and North America.
Micronesia:
Micronesia is a northwest region of Oceania. It’s where you’ll find some of the world’s most untouched island destinations such as the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, and one of the least visited countries, Nauru. It’s an easy region for US travelers to explore with English widely spoken and the US dollar accepted in most places.