Cheap flights to South Pacific

Oceania may be the smallest continent (well, a continent in the loosest possible term), but it certainly punches above its weight in terms of cultural and environmental diversity making it a fascinating place to visit.

With its unique and contrasting landscapes, remarkable wildlife and laid-back, cosmopolitan cities, Australia is a traveller’s dream. Equally blessed with natural beauty is its much smaller, far flung neighbour New Zealand, home to flowing rivers, ancient forests and stunning glacial mountains – not to mention delicious, fresh cuisine.

The South Pacific islands found in the sub regions of Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia are popular destinations for short breaks, family holidays and honeymooners with Fiji, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu the favourite spots.

Lava-lavas, coconut trees, white sand beaches, sunshine year round and crystal blue waters make these islands a true tropical paradise.

But there’s more to these islands than simply kicking back with a cocktail. You’ll find plenty of outdoor activities on offer from diving and snorkeling to horse riding and hiking; plus, take the time to mingle with the locals and visit a traditional island village.

The lesser-known countries of the continent – Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue – remain somewhat of a mystery to many travellers, but have a lot to offer the intrepid voyager.

It might be day’s sailing away from its nearest neighbour, Samoa, but tiny Tokelau should not be forgotten. Tokelau is made up of three atolls, Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo, home to a traditional culture largely untouched by the outside world, beautiful lagoons and peaceful isolation. 

South Pacific climate

The climate throughout most of the region is pleasant year-round; winters are mild and almost non-existent in northern Australia and some islands. Summers are hot, but rarely unbearably scorching, except for the outback, the inland desert areas of Australia.

When is the best time to fly to South Pacific?

Summer is the peak season for domestic travel in Australia. New Zealand is a popular skiing destination in winter. For South Pacific islands such as French Polynesia, Fiji and the Cook Islands, the best time to go is in the dry season, from May to October. During the wet season, generally from December to March, it’s very humid and there can be tropical cyclones. Papua New Guinea has a monsoonal climate, while Guam is wet year-round and typhoons tend to occur between July and November.

Getting around South Pacific

Given the distance, domestic flights are the best option for travelling within Australia and New Zealand. Interstate trains and buses cover most of Australia, as long as you’re not in a hurry. New Zealand has an excellent bus service but to really explore the country at your own pace, hire a car.

Flights to the Pacific Islands, PNG and the Cook Islands are available but might require flying via Australia or New Zealand. Taxis in Guam, the Cook Islands, Papa New Guinea and Fiji, are not always metered, so it’s best to agree on a fare to your destination in advance

What is good to know if travelling to South Pacific?

• One of Australia’s lesser-known sites is the Grampians National Park, a three-hour drive from Melbourne. This scenic mountain wilderness region is rich in cultural and natural attractions, including waterfalls, unique rock formations and some of Victoria’s finest examples of Aboriginal rock art.  The Brambuk cultural centre has excellent displays about the history and culture of local Aboriginal communities.
• You don’t need to dive to explore the deep blue at Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World in Auckland. You can travel through a transparent acrylic tunnel on a conveyor belt, while fish, sharks and stingrays swim around you.
• In the Cook Islands, you can pick up some unique pieces of island jewellery, art and crafts at the Beachcomber Gallery, a restored 1845 building once used as a Sunday school.
• Tahiti‘s Musée Gauguin is dedicated to the French artist who produced some stunning paintings depicting Tahitian life during his years living on the island.
• In Fiji, make sure you see a meke – a traditional Fijian feast and dance accompanied by  bamboo tubes and the lali, a wooden drum.
• Guam’s Two Lovers Point, on the peak of a 125m limestone cliff, is the site where according to an ancient Chamorro legend, two lovers leapt to their deaths after being forbidden from being together. A gilded statue of the couple stands testament to their ill-fated love.
• At Papua New Guinea’s Lake Kutubu, you can swim among rare fish species and watch butterflies flutter by. The area, one of five national parks, has some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.
• The National Park of American Samoa (Ta’u) includes a paleotropical rainforest, flying foxes and other tropical wildlife, on a massive park covering more than 3237 hectares.