Which currency should I plan around?

Australian dollars and New Zealand dollars (separate currencies despite the proximity), Fijian dollars, and CFP francs in French Polynesia (pegged to the euro). Cards are universal in Australia and New Zealand — many places are functionally cashless. The Pacific island resorts run on cards too, but cash USD or euros is useful for tipping and small island stops.

When should I avoid travelling in Oceania?

South Pacific cyclone season runs November to April — Fiji, French Polynesia, Vanuatu, the Cook Islands all carry weather risk. Australian summer (December–February) is when the south-east is at its best, but the tropical north (Cairns, Darwin, the Top End) is in the wet season. New Zealand's winter (June–August) is wonderful for the South Island ski lodges, less so for North Island beaches.

Is internal flying necessary?

Yes — Australia and New Zealand are too big for everything to be a road trip. Sydney–Hobart, Auckland–Queenstown, Brisbane–Cairns are all flights. Both countries have excellent domestic carriers (Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand) with proper business-class product on the longer legs. Build the routing around three or four flight segments at most.

Oceania

Q: How long should I plan for an Oceania trip?

Two weeks is the working minimum for Australia or New Zealand alone — the country is too big and the flight in too long for anything shorter to feel worthwhile. Three weeks lets you add a Pacific island finish (Fiji, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands) without rushing the main event. The Pacific islands work as a standalone seven- to ten-night trip if the flight allows.

Reefs, vineyards, and the lodges worth flying twenty hours for.

The view from here

Why Oceania, and why now

Oceania is the longest flight on most travellers' itineraries and the one that rewards the trip planning the most. Australia and New Zealand have a small, tightly held collection of lodges and design hotels — the kind that sell out a year ahead — and the Pacific islands behind them (Fiji, French Polynesia, Vanuatu) are home to some of the most private resort product on earth.

The right trip is rarely just one country. Sydney to Tasmania, Auckland to Queenstown, Brisbane to a Great Barrier Reef island — the geography wants you to combine. Internal flying is good and worth the spend.

Because the flight is so long, the stays should be too. We don't recommend Oceania for a week.

When to go

The Oceania calendar

Southern hemisphere flips the calendar. Australia and New Zealand are at their best from October through April — the warmer months, with December–February being peak. Cape-style winter trips (Tasmania, the South Island) are wonderful in June–August if you want fires and fewer people. The South Pacific islands (Fiji, French Polynesia) are dry and cooler April–October; cyclone season runs November–April.

Signature experiences

What we'd book first

A Sydney harbour suite paired with a week in the Tasmanian wilderness lodges
A North Island wine-country stay followed by a Queenstown alpine lodge week
A Great Barrier Reef island stay (Lizard, Hayman, or Orpheus)
A French Polynesian overwater villa after a Tahitian boat charter
A Kangaroo Island lodge week at the end of an Adelaide wine trip

The editor's take

Most travellers underestimate the time the country needs. Two weeks is a starting point for Australia or New Zealand alone; three weeks lets you add a Pacific island finish without rushing the main event. — The Lucalvry Edit

Countries

Where to go in Oceania

Oceania

Australia

Harbour cities, reef islands, and the wilderness lodges worth the long flight.

Oceania

New Zealand

Alpine lodges, Marlborough vineyards, and the Pacific's most over-delivering wilderness.

Oceania

French Polynesia

Overwater villas, motu picnics, and the most photographed lagoons on earth.

Oceania

Fiji

Family-run resort culture, Yasawa sailing, and the most genuine welcome in the Pacific.

Keep reading

The Oceania edit, across the site

Silo

Hotels

Silo

Wellness

Silo

Business Class

Common questions

Planning Oceania: the basics

Australia requires an ETA or eVisitor authorisation for most Western, UK, and Asian passports — apply online, approval is usually within minutes. New Zealand uses the NZeTA, a similar online pre-registration that takes a few days. Fiji and French Polynesia are visa-free for most Western travellers for stays up to 30–90 days. Always confirm requirements four weeks before departure.