Oceania consists of 14 independent countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. Several dependent territories like French Polynesia and the Cook Islands also belong to this part of our world.
It is a region of differences and untouched nature. Oceania’s unique ecosystems and remoteness have lead to a unique flora and fauna. Furthermore, you can observe marsupials like kangaroos, koalas, and quokkas or birds like the famous kiwi. In addition to that Australia and New Zealand have a multitude of glow worm caves.
Australia offers diverse landscapes that range from deserts in the Red Center to the oldest rainforest in the world in Queensland’s tropical north. You have stunning beaches like Bondi Beach in Sydney, Cable Beach in Broome, and Lucky Bay close to Esperance.
Some of the most famous natural wonders of Australia are Uluru in the Outback and the famous Great Barrier Reef.
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Meanwhile, New Zealand offers volcanos, the Southern Alps, and incredible places like Milford Sound. It is home to Mount Cook (Aoraki), which is the largest mountain in this region.
It is a paradise for hikers and waterfall lovers. Furthermore, it offers a lot for adrenaline junkies as Queenstown is known as the adventure capital. It is the place to go if you want to go skydiving, jet boating, bungy jumping, or rafting.
The Pacific Islands in the regions Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia are tropical paradises. Polynesia alone consists of more than 1000 islands. Three of these islands are Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea, which belong to French Polynesia.
The islands are a divers dream as they are home to some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. Additionally, the Pacific Islands are the perfect place to surf and for a sailing trip.
Countries in Oceania to visit
When to visit Oceania
The best time to visit Oceania depends on your exact destination as there are various climate zones. However, the general recommendation is to visit Oceania in the summer months from April to September.
Parts of Oceania are affected by the South Pacific tropical cyclone season from November to April. Hereby it is especially the island nations and the north of Australia that are impacted.
If you plan to explore Australia’s Outback it is recommended to avoid the summer months as it can get incredibly hot.
Oceania Bucket List
It would be impossible to create a complete list of all the amazing things you can and should do in Oceania. Therefore this list is only a small selection of the great adventures that await you.
Places to See in Australia
- Sydney
- Uluru
- Melbourne
- Byron Bay
- Perth
- explore the Outback
- drive down the Great Ocean Road
- dive the Great Barrier Reef
- K’gari (Fraser Island)
- Rottnest Island
- Kakadu National Park
- Karijini National Park
- Grampians National Park
- Daintree National Park
- Blue Mountains National Park
- see Bioluminescence in Jervis Bay
In addition to these popular places, there are also a lot of off-the-beaten-track places in Australia. Be sure to add at least a few of them to your itinerary when you plan your road trip!
Places to See in New Zealand
New Zealand is a country full of amazing hikes, views, waterfalls and so much more. It is the perfect country for outdoor adventures. Some of the highlights are:
- Auckland
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Geothermal Valley Rotorua
- Coromandel Peninsula
- That Wanaka Tree
- Mount Tongariro Alpine Crossing
- Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier
- Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound
- Mount Cook (Aoraki)
- Lake Tekapo
- Hokitika Gorge
Oceania Travel Guides
Is Sydney worth visiting? (Pros & Cons from a former Sydneysider)
Fun Things to do in Perth
The Best Places to visit in Western Australia
Best Places for Ethical Whale Watching
Perth to Kalbarri Road Trip – 4 Days Itinerary
10 Free Things to do in Port Hedland, WA
Exploring the Otherworldly Pinnacles Desert in WA
