Oceania Travel Guide | She is Wanderlust

Even though Oceania is made up 14 countries only, it is a diverse continent filled with a variety of landscapes, exotic locations and places to explore.

Why Visit Oceania

LANDSCAPES

Oceania features diverse and gorgeous scenery, from crystal clear beaches to dense tropical forest and desert.

THE PEOPLE & CULTURE

There are still many indigenous tribes living in Oceania, featuring the most diverse range of indigenous cultures with interesting cultural traditions and ecological adaptations. Papua New Guinea alone is home to one-third of the world’s languages.

ADVENTURE

If you decide to go, keep in mind it won’t be a lazy vacation. Surf, hiking and some more active activities are available to your steps away from your accommodation.

FOOD

Due to its variety in cultures, there are thousand of traditional dishes and cuisines waiting to be sampled.

WILDLIFE

There are a variety of unique fauna that can only be found on this continent (except of course, in some zoos). Being the most famous of course, the Kangaroo.

Even though Oceania is made up 14 countries only, it is a diverse continent filled with a variety of landscapes, exotic locations and places to explore.

Why Visit Oceania

LANDSCAPES

Oceania features diverse and gorgeous scenery, from crystal clear beaches to dense tropical forest and desert.

THE PEOPLE & CULTURE

ADVENTURE

If you decide to go, keep in mind it won’t be a lazy vacation. Surf, hiking and some more active activities are available to your steps away from your accommodation.

FOOD

Due to its variety in cultures, there are thousand of traditional dishes and cuisines waiting to be sampled.

WILDLIFE

There are a variety of unique fauna that can only be found on this continent (except of course, in some zoos). Being the most famous of course, the Kangaroo.

Travel
DESTINATIONS

AUSTRALIA
BORA BORA
FRENCH POLYNESIA
FIJI
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
NEW ZEALAND
SAMOA

Bucket List

How to get around

As they are all islands, almost the only way to get around between countries in Oceania is by plane, but of course this is not cheap. You could also get to some islands by traveling in the cargo ships. Some of them have reserved spaces for travelers (mostly locals) it is cheap and it is a great adventure.

Regarding how to get around each country specifically, as usual, flying is the quickest but most expensive way. I would recommend to rent a car or travel by bus, so you can appreciate the scenic views this continent has to offer. Given the size of Australia, the chances are you will need to fly at some stage, but the country offer some affordable airlines like with Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia. The earliest you book, the cheapest it is.

Money Saving Tips

-Eat street food: Street food is the best way to really taste the countries’ flavors, and it is also the cheapest. Some of the freshest and cheapest food can be found on the streets. Go for the place where the locals are!

-Hostels or Camping: The difference in pricing between a hotel and a hostel is huge, and you can find plenty of cute and cozy hostels. There is also a new trendy camping service called Campspace, which allows you to pitch a tent in someone’s backyard for free or a nominal fee.

-Take the bus: Specially overnight buses. Bus is the cheapest way to get around, and overnight tickets tend to be even cheaper.

-Avoid group tours: If you are not in a rush and have enough time to enjoy the country, try to organize the tour yourself. Agencies charge a lot of unnecessary fees for transportation and guides.

-Plan in advance: Planning with time could save you hundreds or even thousand when it comes to flights, trains and accommodations.

What to expect in Oceania

LANGUAGE

Oceania has many indigenous languages, though many have been replaced by English and other European language.

ELECTRICITY

A majority of countries in the world use a 220/240-volt electrical infrastructure, twice the voltage coming from outlets in the United States and South America. This is not the exception with Oceania. You will need a voltage convertor and a plug adapter to connect your devices. Many hotels are installing universal sockets so that guests from all countries can connect to power. but just because your plug fits into the outlet, you cannot assume the voltage is safe for your device.

CURRENCY

The dominant national currencies in this region are the Australian dollar, the New Zealand dollar and the United States dollar, used by many small countries and dependent territories in Oceania. You can exchange the currency on the exchange houses at the airports or directly withdrawing from the ATM (you should have contacted your bank before hand)

SAFETY

I would say Oceania is the safest continent to travel to. The average safety index for its countries is one of the highest, reaching 70%. With the exception of Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste, violent crime is rare; the main threats facing travelers are pickpockets, petty thieves and scam artists in large cities.

CLIMATE

In general terms, the Oceania islands are warm and humid throughout most of the year. Australia’s climate varies greatly throughout the states. There are four seasons across most of the country, so it’s the case with New Zealand.

VISA & PASSPORT

Remember that many countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months (some just three months) after your arrival date before they’ll grant entry to their country. Some of them also require a VISA to enter the country depending on your nationality. Plan in advance and make sure you have everything in order.