Oceania Travel
The Pacific Islands lie strung out over the vast Pacific Ocean like a necklace of emeralds in a sapphire sea. Defined by soft white sands, swaying palms, and lush tropical vegetation, they are the types of places that soar to the top of travel bucket lists and make the covers of travel brochures. Throughout history, they have captured the imagination of intrepid travelers, writers, and explorers.
Oceania is a time-consuming and difficult region to visit. Aside from Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand, most of its countries and territories are off the beaten path and expensive to reach.
Oceania consists of five main geographic regions—Australia, Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. Each offers travelers a plethora of things to do both above and below the water.
AUSTRALIA
Australia is the largest land mass in Oceania. It is considered its own continent and hosts a diverse array of plant and animal life.
I visited Australia over a ten day period. During my trip, I traveled to Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Ocean Road.
MICRONESIA
Micronesia is home to some of the world’s most remote and oft-forgotten islands. The area spans a large swath of the central Pacific Ocean. It consists of many coral-fringed atolls, and hosts a diverse array of ocean life.
The islands of Micronesia encompass the Marshall Islands, the Caroline Islands, the Mariana Islands, and the Gilbert Islands.
Of the four main island groups, I have visited all but the Gilbert Islands.
POLYNESIA
When you close your eyes and imagine the Pacific Islands, chances are you’re imagining the turquoise waters and swaying palms of Polynesia.
There are few places on Earth that hold the seductive appeal of the Polynesian Islands. With places like Bora Bora, the Cook Islands and Tonga, the region is the type of place that appears on glossy magazine covers and appeals to honeymooners the world over.
Maps of Polynesia often include New Zealand—a country that I have yet to visit.
New Zealand boasts spectacular mountain scenery, geothermal areas akin to those found in Yellowstone and along Iceland’s Golden Circle.
Since I don’t’ have any first hand knowledge of New Zealand, I’ll refrain from offering travel advice on the country’s plethora of attractions.
I just hope it won’t be long before I am able to explore its lakes, mountains, volcanoes and beaches.
MELANESIA
Melanesia encompasses the islands in the southern Pacific Ocean, near Australia. It includes Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia, among others.
Though I have yet to set foot on the white sand beaches of Melanesia, I hope to do so in the near future.
Top Oceania Travel Experiences
The islands that lie scattered about Oceania offer a wide variety of attractions. Some are blessed with spectacular volcanic scenery. Others consist of far-flung coral atolls. Still others are lush tropical wonderlands replete with verdant jungle-like interiors.
I’ve traveled through a number of countries in Oceania and have still only just graced the surface.
Here are my top ten Oceania travel experiences (in no particular order).
1. Driving the Great Ocean Road in Australia
The Great Ocean Road is a ribbon of highway that offers some of Australia’s most iconic views. It is one of the most stunning coastal drives on Earth.
The Great Ocean Road passes by windswept beaches, chiseled sea cliffs, wildlife-rich forests, and quaint seaside towns.
2. Admiring the Moai Statues of Easter Island
Easter Island is one of the most remote and magical places on Earth. Known for the mysterious megalithic stone heads that scatter its shores, it is one of the world’s most exotic destinations.
3. Snorkeling in Palau’s Jellyfish Lake
Jellyfish Lake is home to millions of non-stinging jellyfish that have adapted to life in one of Palau’s freshwater lakes. The golden orb-like creatures float about the lake’s waters like the contents of a live lava lamp.
Snorkeling with Palau’s non-stinging jellyfish is a remarkable and unforgettable experience.
4. Exploring Moorea, French Polynesia
Bora Bora may be the ultimate dream destination of many, but Moorea is no less beautiful. Home to incredible coral reef, stunning mountains, and an accessible white sand beach, the island has all the ingredients of an unforgettable Pacific getaway.
5. Touring the UNESCO-listed Ruins of Nan Madol
The Nan Madol ruins on Pohnpei Island are amongst the most impressive archaeological sites in the Pacific. The ruins are relatively unknown around the world, despite making it on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
6. Visiting Melbourne’s Trendy Neighborhoods
Melbourne is dynamic and trendy. The city is full of fantastic food, art-covered laneways, pulsing nightlife and cutting-edge architecture.
7. Discovering the Volcanic Islands of Hawaii
Some might say that the Hawaiian Islands don’t belong on this list because they are part of the United States. But the volcanic islands share much more in common with their Polynesian neighbors.
They are the ultimate romanticized getaway destination for American vacationers.
8. Visiting a Remote Atoll in the Marshall Islands
There are few islands in the world that are as far-flung as the the outer atolls in the Pacific’s Marshall Islands. The Marshalls redefine the meaning of traveling ‘off the beaten path’ and offer a truly authentic and raw travel experience.
9. Relax on Tahiti’s Black Sand Beaches
Tahiti may not have the white sand beaches found on Moorea and Bora Bora, but its stretches of volcanic black sand are no less dramatic.
10. Soak in Views of the Sydney Harbor and Opera House
Sydney is a dynamic city with tons to see and do. The oft-photographed Sydney Opera House gazes over the Sydney Harbor. Its incongruous and iconic shape have made it one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.
