Oceania is an insular continent of the Earth constituted by the continental shelf of Australia, the islands of New Guinea, New Zealand and the coral and volcanic archipelagos of Melanesia, Micronesia Y Polynesia. A sector of the experts considers that Insulindia is also part of Oceania. All these islands are distributed by the Pacific Ocean. With an area of 9,008,458 km², it is the smallest and least populated continent on the planet.
Oceania it is sometimes described as a continent; however, it is a vast region where the waters of the Pacific Ocean, rather than land borders, separate nations.
The countless small islands are known for their white sand with swaying palm trees, jaw-dropping coral reefs, and rugged volcanoes. Oceania also contains the deserts of Australia and the highland rainforests of Papua New Guinea, as well as indigenous tribal communities and cities of the modern world side by side.
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Regions
Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea are by far the largest countries on this pseudo-continent, with the first two being the most visited by travelers. Oceania includes the vast groupings of island nations of Polynesia (stretching from New Zealand north and east), Melanesia (west and south of the equator) and Micronesia (almost entirely north of the equator).
Cities
- Apia: a bit shabby and run-down, but useful as an initial stopping point for first-time visitors to Samoa
- Auckland: bustling multicultural metropolis that scores well in quality of life surveys
- Christchurch - known as the Garden City, and is still rebuilding after a devastating earthquake
- Melbourne - multicultural and passionate about sports, this vibrant city includes many cultural institutions
- Nouméa - beautiful beaches, colonial mansions and French flair, at a price
- Papeete - not a tropical paradise but has shopping, food, drink and is nice for people watching
- Port moresby - extended capital of Papua New Guinea - can be dangerous
- Suva - the main commercial and political center of Fiji
- Sydney - Australia's largest city, home to the Harbor Bridge and the Opera
Other destinations
- Abel Tasman National Park - enjoy one of New Zealand's "great walks" through the crystal clear waters of Tasman Bay
- Aitutaki - the classic postcard of a tropical island surrounded by palm trees with turquoise waters
- Bora Bora - the most beautiful lagoon in French Polynesia, but incredibly expensive
- Coral coast - amazing white sand beaches and palm trees
- The great coral barrier - the largest coral formation in the world, ideal for snorkelling
- Moorea - cheap alternative to Bora Bora with beautiful scenery
- Pentecost Island, Penama - see that land divers risk more than the content of their nambas
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - the iconic rock formations in the middle of the Outback
- Vava'u: a group of more than 50 islands in Tonga, a common destination for yachts and calving whales.
Understand
As its name implies, this region is defined by vast stretches of ocean dotted with many small and large island nations. Climates vary from tropical to desert to almost arctic.
Australasia it is a narrower region, consisting of Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and nearby islands.
The colonialism of the European powers has had a generalized influence on the social and cultural landscape of most of the region. British colonialism has made cricket part of the Australian and New Zealand summer, and has also resulted in one or both forms of rugby - and more recently Rugby Sevens - becoming an integral part of Australian, New Zealand cultures. Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. The bringing in of British contract labor from India to harvest sugar cane in Fiji has sparked long-term political unrest, but it also means that Nadi has some of the best kofta dancing outside of Mumbai. Francophone New Caledonia sees the modern capital and tourist hub Noumea surrounded by rarely visited Melanesian villages.
To get
By plane
Please refer to country articles for detailed information on how to enter.
The main countries of Australia and New Zealand offer connections from all inhabited continents, including some direct flights from South America and South Africa. The main air hubs in the region are located in Sydney (SYDIATA), Melbourne (MELIATA), Auckland (AKLIATA), Brisbane (BNEIATA) and Perth (PERIATA). There are other gateways that offer entry opportunities and interesting itineraries. Air France connects New Caledonia directly with Tokyo and Paris and also flies to Tahiti. Later connections to Sydney and Auckland are possible. Fiji Airways connects Nadi (NANIATA) with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Singapore, with subsequent connections to Australia, New Zealand, and other Pacific island nations. Tahiti is connected to Los Angeles and you can fly to the Cook Islands directly from there. Air New Zealand offers service to Tonga and Samoa from Los Angeles and Auckland. The Los Angeles service is subsidized by the New Zealand government as a way of helping both countries. Manila, Guam, and Honolulu provide a gateway to many Micronesian countries, primarily through United Airlines. Air Niugini also operates flights from Port Moresby (POMIATA) to Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
Qantas operates the only non-stop flight between Oceania and Europe, between London - Heathrow and Perth.
Smaller islands with less tourism present additional challenges to get there. Many are completely deserted and some have access restrictions.
Boat
Several South Pacific cruises traverse the vast ocean, but some berths are available to the patient traveler on bulk freighters or container ships that ply the trade routes. The distances are enormous, since the Pacific Ocean is larger than the entire land mass of the planet.
Travel
By plane
Without a yacht, and with plenty of time, the only way for travelers to move between the main destinations in Oceania is by plane. Auckland, Brisbane and Sydney have good connectivity to the region. It is generally possible to fly from the west coast of the United States to Sydney or Auckland via Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiji or even the Cook Islands. Nadi Airport (NANIATA) in Fiji serves as the main air hub for the Pacific islands, so flying to other Pacific island nations would likely require a plane change there.
However, air routes tend to come and go depending on whether airlines find them profitable or not. Much of English-speaking Polynesia receives regular flights from Air New Zealand. Melanesia is served primarily by domestic and Australian airlines. Fiji Airways also has a relatively good network of flights from its hub in Nadi to the other Pacific island nations. Don't expect daily flights. Patience is required.
Flying between Micronesia and the other two areas is problematic and may involve flying to Honolulu or a complicated route through Manila, Sydney, and Auckland.
Some flight options within Oceania, among others, are:
- Guam has connections to the United States, Japan and a generally very expensive connection to Cairns in Far North Queensland.
- The Cook Islands have connections to Tahiti.
- Tahiti has flights to Auckland.
- Fiji has connections to Tahiti, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Vanuatu.
- Samoa has good connections to Auckland and Sydney, as well as weekly connections to Fiji and Hawaii. Air connections between Samoa and American Samoa are more reliable than transit by sea between these neighbors.
- The Solomon Islands have connections to Fiji and Vanuatu.
- Vanuatu has connections to Fiji and New Caledonia.
- New Caledonia has flights to Auckland.
- The Tonga, Samoa and Fiji triangle is quite well connected, although there is currently only one flight per week each way between Samoa and Tonga.
By boat
There are a few options for boats, cruises, private yachts, adventure cruises, and even cargo ships.
Consult the guide of the destination you are visiting.
Talk
Many indigenous languages are spoken throughout Oceania and, with the exception of Australian Aboriginal languages, most of these languages belong to the Austronesian language family, which also includes other languages such as Malay, Indonesian, and Tagalog.
Due to a history of British and American colonization, the English it is the dominant language in Australia and New Zealand, and a common second language in much of the Pacific Islands, with the exceptions of New Caledonia and French-ruled French Polynesia. In some areas, such as Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, English-based Creoles are co-official with Standard English and can be difficult for foreigners to understand, although educated locals can almost always switch to Standard English if necessary. French is naturally the primary language in New Caledonia and French Polynesia, while Hindi is also spoken by a significant minority in Fiji, primarily those of Indian descent.
Watch
All island groups are fascinating and with time and money you can spend months traveling. There are some incredibly beautiful islands (Samoa, Cook Islands, French Polynesia), some fascinating cultures and festivals, wonderful diving, and totally deserted beaches.
Influences and colonial history
With stories dominated by colonization, almost all destinations give travelers the opportunity to explore the often grim, but also interesting, stories of the past.
Wildlife
There is a unique wildlife to discover in the region. Australia and Papua New Guinea are home to marsupials, species of mammals that include adorable favorites like kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and possums, and also the Tasmanian devil. Here you will also find the monotremes, in the platypus and echidna species, the only mammals in the world that lay eggs.
In New Zealand, you may stumble upon (or more easily see in human-made installations) the shy and mostly nocturnal kiwi, a flightless bird that has given the people of the country their nickname. Other flightless birds include the takahe, which was believed extinct until 1949, and the kakapo (night parrot). Other evolutionary oddities include the ancient tuatara, bats that hunt on the ground, and frogs that do not croak. A quarter of the world's seabirds breed in the New Zealand region.
Marine life is abundant and diverse everywhere and one of the main reasons travelers explore this part of the world. Tropical fish and colorful reefs are the perfect combination for divers and snorkelers, but you can also see a lot from the deck of a boat. You have the opportunity to see larger animals such as stingrays, dolphins, and even whales.
In South Australia and New Zealand, seals, sea lions and penguins can be seen in their natural habitat, with Kangaroo Island, Phillip Island, the Otago Coast and Stewart Island being popular sites.
Souvenir of the Pacific War
The Pacific setting of WWII involved land, sea, and air battles between the Axis (primarily Japan) and the Allies (primarily the United States and Australia), from 1941 to 1945.
Remnants of the war can be seen in many places, such as the Kokoda Track in New Guinea.
sports
Cricket is a popular sport in Australia and New Zealand, and is normally played during the summer.
Rugby is one of the most popular sports in Oceania, with rugby the dominant code in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa, and rugby league dominating in Australia and Papua New Guinea. In international competition, New Zealand is widely regarded as the undisputed kings of the rugby union, while Australia occupies the same position in the rugby league.
Do
Swinging the hammock
The pristine white sand beaches found throughout the South Pacific are ideal for lounging and enjoying the peace and quiet.
Diving and snorkelling
There are places to dive all over Oceania. In search of corals and tropical fish, explore the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, Fiji has some reefs around Nadi and spectacular brightly colored virgin corals on the more remote islands. Samoa is the favorite of divers. The Cook Islands have accessible reefs just off the beach on the main islands. Vanuatu also has accessible reefs, but the facilities make it more difficult to access than Fiji. There are also diving opportunities in the temperate waters of Tasmania and New Zealand.
There are good opportunities to dive to the shipwrecks. New Zealand's North Island Rainbow Warrior is one of the most famous, and the oceans of Micronesia have many interesting relics from WWII. The atolls of the Marshall and Bikini Islands are known as a ship graveyard, offering some of the most interesting shipwrecks in the world, including submarines and the only aircraft carrier accessible to divers. However, most shipwreck sites are not for beginners.
Vava'u in Tonga is a popular destination for yachts cruising the Pacific. There you can also rent yachts.
Fishing
Being an oceanic area, there are countless opportunities for great fishing experiences.
Hiking and trekking
Australia and New Zealand are home to some very important and famous hiking trails, for example the Flinders Ranges, Abel Tasman and Tongariro National Parks. The rugged and volcanic landscapes of many of the Pacific islands also offer good opportunities.
adventure sports
New Zealand has become famous for being a place with a well-developed infrastructure for almost any type of adventure and extreme sports. As well as being the birthplace of commercial bungy-jumping, you'll also find skydiving, paragliding, whitewater rafting, motor boating, rock climbing, cave exploration, and a long list of what seem like combinations of your own invention. Northern Queensland and Tasmania also have many opportunities. Additionally, the Blue Mountains near Sydney are ideal for climbing, canyoning and hiking.
The volcanoes and many caves found along the Pacific islands are also suitable for adventurous exploration, and the many tropical islands are perhaps even prettier when seen gliding over them.
Skiing and winter sports
Although it is not the first thing that comes to mind, there are snow sports in the southern part of Oceania. New Zealand has reliable winter snowfall and 10-12 ski areas, mostly on the South Island. These include Treble Cone and Cardrona (Wanaka), The Remarkables and Coronet Peak (Queenstown), Mt Hutt near Christchurch, and Whakapapa and Turoa on Mt Ruapehu on the North Island. Many Northern Hemisphere racing and Olympic teams train in New Zealand during the northern summer. The Snowy Mountains of New South Wales have the largest ski resorts in the southern hemisphere.
To eat
Although staples from outside the region, such as rice and flour, now have a firm foothold, traditional root and tuber staples are still very important. The cheapest is usually cassava, which also plays a role in food safety as it can be left in the ground for a long time. The sweet potato is a very important crop and is found in most of Oceania, with the main producing area being the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Taro and yams are also widespread. The latter is the most valuable of the roots and tubers and there are many customs associated with its cultivation. In the Sepik area of Papua New Guinea, for example, sexual relations between married couples are supposed to be prohibited while yams are growing. On the other hand, in the Trobriand Islands the yam harvest is a period of sexual freedom.
In Australia and New Zealand, the food culture is very similar to that of Europe and North America. However, there are still some unique dishes and ingredients to be found, some known to the native inhabitants before the arrival of Europeans, and others invented in more recent times. Thanks to recent immigration, Asian dishes and restaurants are also widely available and popular.
To drink
Kava is a drink produced from the roots of a plant related to the pepper plant and found mainly in Polynesia, as well as in Fiji and Vanuatu. It has a slightly narcotic effect. Other names include 'awa (Hawaii),' ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei). It is traditionally prepared by chewing, crushing, or pounding the roots of the kava plant. In Tonga, traditionally chewing had to be done by virgin women. The blow is made on a large stone with a small log. The product is then added to the cold water and consumed as quickly as possible, invariably as part of a group of people sitting and sharing the cup. However, check the rules before taking any out of the country, as importing kava may be illegal.
If you are interested in the wine For tourism, head to Australia or New Zealand. The former is one of the largest wine producers in the southern hemisphere.
Respect
With the exception of Australia and New Zealand, which are quite secular, all the countries of Oceania are moral societies christian strongly conservative. As such, expect all businesses to close on Sundays, when virtually the entire country would be in church. If you're there on a Sunday, going to church would generally be a good opportunity to mingle with the locals. Hinduism is followed by many ethnic Indians in Fiji.
Security
Almost all of Oceania is safe for visitors, with the exception of Papua New Guinea, which remains a tourist destination only for the more adventurous. In particular, Port Moresby has one of the highest violent crime rates in the world.
Health
Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea have areas where malaria is a risk. Fiji, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, Samoa and the other islands are free from malaria.
Dengue fever, chikungunya and the Zika virus are increasingly present in the tropics. Avoid mosquito bites day Y night, especially during an outbreak.
Islands may be remote, but sexual diseases know no borders. The usual precautions apply.