Top Oceania: best destinations
Discover the best places in Oceania with the top destinations, cities and natural wonders of Australasia including Australia, New Zealand, top places of Melanesia such as Fiji , New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Norfolk Island , wonders of Nauru and Palau in Micronesia and Polynesia including French Polynesia, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Easter Island and Hawaii.
Introduction
Oceania is a geographical and geopolitical region consisting of numerous lands and islands in the Pacific Ocean. The most important and biggest country is by far Australia followed by New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The remainder of the continent is divided between the smaller nation groupings of Melanesia in the west, Micronesia to the north and Polynesia the far east, and home to some of the world’s most idyllic islands destinations.
This vast oceanic continent is blessed with one of the world most astonishing natural beauty with spectacular coral reefs, rugged volcanic islands, turquoise water and white sandy beaches surrounded by coconut palms trees. It is a land of diversity, home to various nations, some in the world’s most remote locations.
We will discover the top destinations in Oceania including Australia, New Zealand and French Polynesia, explore the best cities to party, live or must visit including Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, and find the picture perfect beaches and diving spots in Oceania including the Great Barrier Reef wonder.
Topics
- Introduction
- Oceania Maps
- Top destinations in Australia
- Top destinations in New Zealand
- Top destinations in Melanesia
- Top destinations in Micronesia
- Top destinations in Polynesia
- The 10 countries in Oceania
- Top 10 cities in Oceania
- About Oceania: Essential facts
Oceania Maps
Discover the top destinations of Oceania on our Interactive Oceania Map. The map includes all the countries of the continent, the best places, top cities, most remarkable natural wonders and the most beautiful beaches regions.
Click here to Launch the Best of Oceania Map now or test your knowledge with the Oceania map game.
Top destinations in Australia
Australia is known for its easygoing, laidback and welcoming people as well as its sandy coasts, a surfers and divers paradise.
Some of Australia’s top experiences include:
- Visit the Ayers Rock of Uluru
- Explore the Kakadu National Park
- Dive in the Great Barrier Reef in the North East of Australia, and discover the world’s most extensive coral reef system
- Go hiking in the Noosa national park and go have a look at the Glasshouse Mountains
- Experience the jewels of the Whitsunday islands, a group of 74 tropical islands, and make sure to enjoy the Whitehaven beach
- Have a ride on the Great Ocean road and enjoy the stunning views of the coast.
- Visit the Yara Valley vineyards and taste some of the top wines of the country.
- Explore the Mornington Peninsula and swim with dolphins
- Visit the Byron Bay to find an alternative lifestyle
- Take a tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House in the Sydney Harbour
- Go trekking and discover the beauty of the Blue Mountains
- Explore Rottnest island and the marvels of the Indian sea in the south west of Australia
- Enjoy the amazing Wineglass Bay and its national park
- Go fishing the Australian Bass in the exceptional colourful Bay of Fires
Top destinations in New Zealand
New Zealand is a country of stunning and diverse natural beauty which includes mountains, steep fiords, pristine lakes, raging rivers, scenic beaches and active volcanic features. The islands are one of Earth’s richest flora zones and is inhabited by some unique fauna, including many flightless birds such as the kiwi, which is the national symbol.
The Maori culture continues to play an important part in everyday New Zealand life, and there are abundant opportunities for the visitor to understand and experience the history and the present day form of Maori life.
New Zealand top experiences include:
- Discover the Maori traditions in the secret place of Spirit Bay in Cape Reinga
- Visit the Maori villages and the bubbling mud pools in Rotorua
- Explore the bay of island maritime park and watch for the dolphins and whales
- Visit Milford Sound
- Discover Blenheim
- Explore Queenstown
Top destinations in Melanesia
Melanesia is an island region of Oceania and consists of the following small island nations:
- Fiji
- New Caledonia
- Solomon Islands
- Vanuatu
- Norfolk Island
Fiji
Fiji is a major island and popular tourist destination in Oceania. It offers plenty of resorts, astonishing natural beauty with coral reefs and remarkable beaches. Suva is the large city and capital of the Fiji island.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is an amazing French tropical island, easily accessible with only a short flight from Australia. Its capital is the lovely city of Nouméa.
Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is a group of islands in Oceania with the main one being Guadalcanal.
Vanuatu
Vanuatu is a well developed island destination which use to be a British-French Condominium until 1980.
Norfolk Island
The Norfolk Island is a small island home to about 2,000 people.
Top destinations in Micronesia
Micronesia is the north-western region of Oceania and includes the following islands:
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Kiribati, The western third of this sprawling country falls within Micronesia.
- Marshall Islands , Site of U.S. nuclear tests on Bikini Atoll
- Nauru, an island of phosphate and the world’s smallest independent republic.
- Northern Mariana Islands
- Palau , a beautiful nation with a lake full of jellyfish, and much more.
- Guam (USA)
- Midway Islands (USA)
- Wake Island (USA)
Top destinations in Polynesia
Polynesia is the most far-flung, easterly region of Oceania. It is comprised of the following island nations:
- American Samoa
- Kiribati
- French Polynesia
- Niue
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Baker and Howland Islands (USA)
- Easter Island (Chile)
- Hawaii (USA)
- Jarvis Island (USA)
- Johnston Atoll (USA)
- Midway Islands (USA)
- Palmyra Atoll and Kingman Reef (USA)
- Pitcairn Islands (UK)
- Tokelau (New Zealand)
- Wallis and Futuna (France)
French Polynesia
French Polynesia are often considered the most beautiful islands in the world. They are divided between Bora Bora, Tahiti and Moorea. It is the perfect destination to explore some of the most beautiful diving spots in Rangiroa or enjoy the crystal clear blue waters from a glass bottom boat.
Cook Island
The Cook Islands are comprised of fifteen islands spread out over 2.2 millions square kilometres. They key attractions include the old Church in Arutanga, the island of Aitutaki and the idyllic beaches of Nuku Hiva in the Marquesa islands
Samoa
Samoa is composed of two main volcanic islands with luxuriant vegetation, traditional culture and wonderful open-sided houses.
Tonga
Tonga is the so-called Friendly island with a mix of traditional and modern cultures.
Tuvalu
Tuvalu is an island nation in the heart of the Pacific and one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of both size and population. It is blessed with an astonishing natural beauty.
Easter Island
Easter Island is an isolated island part of Chile famous for its amazing stone carvings.
The 10 countries in Oceania
The top countries to visit in Oceania include:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- French Polynesia
- Papua New Guinea
- Fiji
- Solomon Islands
- Micronesia
- Cook Island
- Easter Island
- Hawaii
Top 10 cities in Oceania
The top countries to visit in Oceania include:
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Perth
- Auckland
- Adelaide
- Christchurch
- Honolulu
- Canberra
- Palu
About Oceania: Essential facts
The following are important things you need to know about Oceania, including population, geography, diversity and economy.
- Oceania countries
- Oceania population
- Oceania geography
Oceania countries
Oceania comprise of 15 countries and 20 dependencies, and has no less than 28 official languages.
Oceania population
Oceania has a population of a bit less than 40 Millions.
Oceania geography
Oceania is the smallest of the world’s continent with a land area of about 9 Millions km2 and is part of one of eight terrestrial ecozones. The boundaries of Oceania are defined in a number of ways, the most common include parts of Australasia such as Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea and all or part of the Malay Archipelago. Ethnologically, the islands that are included in Oceania are divided into the subregions of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.