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.

What is the best way to travel around Oceania?

With cheap flights to Oceania, you'll find travelling between the countries and islands is best done with flights on local airlines such as Air New Zealand or Fiji Airways. As every part of Oceania is surrounded by water, another way to get around is by sea. Cruises and yacht tours between islands will provide excellent sight-seeing adventures. Inland, you have every mode of transport in the more urban areas of Australia and New Zealand such as great buses, trains and taxis. Compare flights to Oceania and see the island life by exploring alternative means of transportation such as local buses, passenger ferries and electric-assisted bicycles.

What are some things to do in Oceania?

When flying to Oceania you will find it is made up of 14 diverse and interesting countries with island life merging with urban development.. You can enjoy water sports, great food and outdoor activities along most beach fronts of the islands. In Fiji, you will find 300 islands that make up the country; Nadi is Fiji's main entryway and is near Coral Coast and Denarau. Enjoy sand dunes, archaeological sites or soak in hot springs and go diving with sharks at Beqa Lagoon. Rainforests are popular for hikes in Fiji too. Papua New Guinea has many spectacular sights such as Mount Tavurvur and Port Moresby Nature Park so lovers of nature, sun and sea cannot go wrong in Oceania.

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.

How long is the flight to Oceania?

Book flights to Oceania from New Zealand’s Auckland Airport to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea and you can find flights that average 11h 40min with a stopover in Brisbane. It is best to book in advance for this flight as prices can go up within around 24 hours. When you book flights from Christchurch Airport to Nadi International Airport in Fiji, you will find options for direct flights that average about four hours long. The frequency of stops should not affect the Oceania airfare but booking in advance is always a good idea.

What do I need to do before my flight to Oceania?

When planning cheap flights to Oceania you should consider visas. Many countries such as Fiji and Micronesia will allow you in without a visa. However, Papua New Guinea will require visas. Weather is unpredictable with flights to Oceania but typically cyclone season is November to March so ensure your travel insurance is updated. English is widely spoken in Oceania and New Zealand dollars are accepted in many places with Oceania flight deals, but it is always best to convert your money to have some cash on hand although your Visa and Mastercard will be accepted. It’s worth consulting a travel clinic to get up to date with immunisation shots for the Oceania area too.