12 Best Places to Visit in the South Pacific

Sydney is a marvelous introduction to Australia. On the surface, a relaxed ambiance connects to beaches and waterways famous throughout the world. Beneath it lies the oldest city in Australia and a culture that celebrates art, the outdoors, and the natural beauty of its surroundings.

Cycling trails and hiking routes, sailing excursions and gorgeous architecture add to the layers beneath the coastal facade. Perfect for making a splash or finding an unforgettable restaurant, Sydney unveils how its neighborhoods represent much more than the sum of the larger city.

Highlights: Sydney Harbour • Sydney Opera House • Harbour Bridge • The Rocks • Harbour Cruise • Harbour Darling

Pairs well with: Tahiti • Queenstown • The Great Barrier Reef • Tasmania • Uluru (Ayer’s Rock) • The Kimberley • Abel Tasman National Park

Learn more: Sydney Australia Vacations • Australia Vacations & Tours • Australia Travel Guide

Bora Bora, with nearly pure-white sands and waters that shimmer sapphire, indigo, and turquoise, is the ultimate tropical paradise, where romance, passion, discovery, and family fun can all be found.

Snorkeling and diving lead to vibrant coral gardens and colorful marine life, while hiking the jungle trails gives way to unforgettable panoramas. Serene and luxurious, opulent and adventurous, Bora Bora is accessible and surprising, with far more than meets the eye.

Highlights: Matira Beach • Coral Gardens • Vaitape • Mount Otemanu • Bora Bora Turtle Center

Pairs well with: Tahiti • Taveuni • Mamanuca Islands

Learn more: Bora Bora Vacations • Tahiti Vacations • Tahiti Travel Guide

The term “tropical paradise” could have derived from the Mamanuca Islands.

Relaxation meets discovery along clear blue seas and emerald jungle. Perfect surf breaks from rainbow-colored coral reefs and marine life offer a vision of the natural world unlike anywhere else in the archipelago.

Perfect for families or couples, seniors or solo travelers, the Mamanuca Islands connect visitors to natural grandeur and Fijian culture, offering the choice of how you wish to experience the tropics.

Highlights: Scuba coral reefs • Kayaking • Surfing • Marine-life viewing • Sunset cruise • Kava ceremony

Pairs well with: Taveuni • Tahiti • Bora Bora

Learn more: Fiji Vacation Packages • Fiji Travel Guide

While known for adventure, Queenstown is much more than the thrills. The city is a place of charming lakeside views and delicious restaurants nestled into the base of Queenstown Hill.

The adrenaline rush of bungee jumping or jet boating often takes center stage, but peaks covered in snow create a fantastic winter wonderland for skiers and snowboarding enthusiasts. Wineries provide culinary escapes into the countryside and hiking trails bring dramatic panoramas to the foreground.

It is easy to join a hot-air balloon or river rafting excursion in Queenstown, and equally simple to relax at a spa, enjoy the views, or settle into a picture-perfect alpine ambiance.

Highlights: Queenstown Hill • Lake Wakatipu • Queenstown Gardens • Ben Lomond Track • The Remarkables

Pairs well with: Sydney • Abel Tasman National Park • Rotorua • Taveuni • Tahiti

Learn more: New Zealand Tours & Vacations • New Zealand Travel Guide • Best of New Zealand's South Island

Rainbow-colored coral gardens, tropical marine life, and islands bordered by white sands and crystal-clear waters, the Great Barrier Reef is a dazzlingly rich ecosystem. Much more than what you would expect of a reef, it spans 1,200 miles and encompasses islands, coral cays, and mangrove forests.

Whether viewing fish from a glass-bottomed boat or taking in the panorama from a remote hill on a tropical island, you can find new and exciting ways to explore what is considered the only living structure visible from space.

Highlights: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park • Whitsunday Islands • Whitehaven Beach • Snorkeling • Scuba diving • Sailing

Pairs well with: Sydney • Tahiti • Queenstown • Tasmania • Uluru (Ayers Rock) • The Kimberley • Abel Tasman National Park

Learn more: Australia Vacations & Tours • Australia Travel Guide • Great Barrier Reef Tours and Vacations

Abel Tasman is considered part of New Zealand’s Great Walks, where visitors can wine along the edges of Tasman Bay to enjoy views of sparkling water and granite cliffs. The hiking trail weaves along the South Island and gives access to quiet waterways where you can snorkel, kayak, or discover secluded coves.

Fur seals bark on the beaches, dolphins swim in the distance, and penguin colonies surprise among the variety of birds in the region. Abel Tasman National Park defies a singular perspective, emerging as an exciting place to explore limestone and marble hills, clear waters, and lush forests.

Highlights: Scenic cruise • Kayaking • Hiking • Te Pukatea Bay • Birding

Pairs well with: Rotorua • Queenstown • Taveuni • Tahiti

Learn more: New Zealand Tours & Vacations • New Zealand Travel Guide • Best of New Zealand's South Island

Tasmania can feel mysteriously secluded, with over half of the island protected by national parks, winding rivers, and peaks covered in mist, but within its isolation lies unquestionable splendor.

Natural and Australian history collide at the edges of Hobart, flavors come first with locals demonstrating a passion for local and boutique flavors, and the wilderness offers endless opportunities for exploration, from kayaking to rafting, hiking to diving into glassy alpine lakes. Dolphins and penguins swim in the sea, while Tasmanian devils wander beneath the forest canopy.

Its remote location sees Tasmania overlooked, but the island is timeless and enchanting.

Highlights: Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park • Hobart • Port Arthur Historic Site • Freycinet National Park • Kunanyi/Mount Wellington

Pairs well with: The Great Barrier Reef • Sydney • Uluru (Ayers Rock) • The Kimberley

Learn more: Australia Vacations & Tours • Australia Travel Guide

Uluru is the icon of Australia’s Red Centre, the monolith at the heart of the country that soars above the infamous desert landscape. With an impressive facade, it has stood as a space of religious and spiritual significance for the Anangu culture.

Rock art protected by natural etchings in the monolith shares stories, heritage, and history. The surrounding domes of Kata Tjuta provide more glowing red colors from the oxidation of the sand and rocks. Whether under the golden daylight that shifts the colors of the rock face or beneath the starlight, Uluru has an undeniable allure.

Highlights: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park • Field of Light Art Installation • Yulara • Devils Marbles • Uluru Cultural Centre

Pairs well with: The Great Barrier Reef • Sydney • Tasmania • The Kimberley

Learn more: Australia Vacations & Tours • Australia Travel Guide

Known as the “Garden Island” because of its impressive jungle canopy and hidden waterfalls, rare tropical flowers and vivacious birdlife, Taveuni goes above and beyond the expectation of a Fiji trip.

Snorkeling and diving create opportunities to view the nearly 1,200 species of reef fish, as well as see giant clams, turtles, and rays. Rivers create natural waterways on which to lazily float, while pools at the base of thundering cascades offer places to swim and lounge.

From coastal trails that dip into black- and white-sand beaches to the tallest peak in the Fijian archipelago, Taveuni embodies dreamlike Fiji.

Highlights: Waitabu Marine Park • Lake Tagimoucia • De Voeux Peak • Vuna Blowholes • Lavena Coastal Track

Pairs well with: Mamanuca Islands • Tahiti • Bora Bora

Learn more: Fiji Vacation Packages • Fiji Travel Guide

The New Zealand landscape comes alive in Rotorua. Geothermal activity mists, erupts, and sizzles across the landscape as emerald-green grasslands fade to silica terraces and bubbling mud pools.

The Maori communities remain deeply connected to the region and welcome visitors with traditional performances that share history and heritage that span millennia.

Caves glow with natural light, filming locations can introduce you to the lives of hobbits, and the lively landscape spreads from protected parks to public spaces for a unique view of that which has helped shape the geography of the island nation.

Highlights: Waimangu Volcanic Valley • Rotorua Museum • Te Wairoa • Wai-O-Tapu • Te Puia • Hobbiton • Waitomo Caves

Pairs well with: Sydney • Abel Tasman National Park • Queenstown • Taveuni • Tahiti

Learn more: New Zealand Tours & Vacations • New Zealand Travel Guide

Many associate Tahiti with French Polynesia and the capital of the archipelago is a marvelous introduction to volcanic natural beauty and distinct culture. The island feels protected by lagoons with clear sapphire water.

The mountains soar above the coastline, shining with tropical trees hiding birdlife, waterfalls, and secluded pools. Archeological sites offer clues to the past and the nearby islands offer a glimpse into the traditional pace of life. From the frenetic pace of the capital city to the glamorous ambiance of luxury resorts, Tahiti is immersive.

Highlights: La PLage de Maui • Fautaua Waterfall • Papenoo Beach • Plage du Taharuu • Papeete • Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands

Pairs well with: Bora Bora • Taveuni • Mamanuca Islands

Learn more: Tahiti Vacations • Tahiti Travel Guide

The Kimberley region in Australia can feel like the last frontier in a country known for its remote wilderness. The minimal infrastructure and sparse population is an overlooked marvel, where the inaccessible coastline and impassable desert protect gorges lined with palm trees, waterfalls hidden in mountain passes, and the deep roots of Aboriginal culture.

Travel in the Kimberleys is adventurous and luxurious, offering a touch for the Outback when traveling along the Gibb River Road. Here, visitors can embrace the spectacular and experience Australia’s uniqueness.

Highlights: Buccaneer Archipelago • Horizontal Falls • Bungle Bungles • Chamberlain Gorge • Doubtful Bay Rock Art

Pairs well with: Sydney • Tasmania • Uluru (Ayers Rock) • The Great Barrier Reef

Learn more: Australia Vacations & Tours • Australia Travel Guide

The South Pacific is incredibly diverse and endlessly surprising. You can enjoy some of the world’s best surf, witness whales, trek across a glacier, or sip local wine while looking out over a vast vineyard.

No matter how you prefer to experience the South Pacific, you can find new ideas and exciting opportunities with our sample South Pacific Vacations & Tours. For more information on the types of experiences you can have during your trip, explore our insights in the Top 10 Things to Do in the South Pacific.