Top 10 Things to Do in the South Pacific

The beaches in the South Pacific are some of the most anticipated tropical destinations in the world, but they also provide endless opportunities for adventure. Picturesque sands may be bordered by crystal-clear azure waters on one side and palm trees on the other.

The beaches across the South Pacific, whether you are dipping your toes into them or catching the perfect wave, are ideal for relaxing. No matter your interest, you can find the perfect one for you.

Best Places for Beaches: Matira Beach, French Polynesia • Yasawa Islands, Fiji • Anaho Beach, French Polynesia • Koekohe Beach, New Zealand • Hamilton Island, Australia • Cable Beach, Australia

The wines across the South Pacific are world-class, award-winning, and often surprising. The varied soils and differing temperatures across the regions maximize the diverse flavors of those produced and allow a wide variety of grapes to be grown.

From chardonnay to shiraz, cabernet sauvignon to muscat, while wines made in Australia and New Zealand have become household names, French Polynesia also has vineyards that create exceptional varietals, the islands’ natural nutrients instilling exceptional flavor.

Best Places for Wine: Marlborough, New Zealand • Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand • Barossa Valley, Australia • Hunter Valley, Australia • Tahiti, French Polynesia

South Pacific cuisine is all about local ingredients enhanced by seasonal flavors, whether dining at the edge of a tropical island or traveling through a westernized cityscape. The abundance of seafood offers elaborate variety, coupled with fruits from the thriving foliage.

From shellfish to coconuts, cafes to fine dining, the food scene in the South Pacific is an immersion into diverse layers of local cuisine, international influence, and the importance of staying hyperlocal.

Best Places for Food: Margaret River, Australia • Melbourne, Australia • Christchurch • New Zealand • Wellington • New Zealand • Denarau Island, Fiji • Papeete, French Polynesia • Nadi, Fiji

The topographic diversity across the South Pacific is beautiful by foot when experiencing the region’s best hiking destinations. From trails traversing tropical paradises to routes carving through rugged mountain passes, each country in the South Pacific offers a different perspective on a hiking excursion.

French Polynesia and Fiji are much more than luxury beach experiences, while New Zealand and Australia maintain their standing as popular hiking destinations, with a mixture of lush rainforests, stunning lakes, soaring mountains, and remote beaches. The extraordinary nature across the South Pacific makes the region unforgettable.

Best Places for Hiking: Milford Track, New Zealand • Lavena Coastal Trail, Fiji • Mount Gower, Australia • Three Waterfalls, French Polynesia • Abel Tasman Coast Track, New Zealand

A region of world-class museums, galleries, and cultural centers, the South Pacific celebrates its heritage with art, artifacts, and historical activity. The past is celebrated across the region, most notably in communities that continue to practice traditional cultivation, hunting, or artistic methods passed down through generations.

Cultural centers, museums, and galleries share important customs with a wide variety of visitors and provide context to art pieces, ceremonies, or traditional culinary ingredients, especially when speaking with a member of the local indigenous community.

Best Places for Cultural Activities: Rotorua, New Zealand • Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia • Bay of Islands, New Zealand • Daintree National Park, Australia • Tahiti, French Polynesia • Fiji Museum, Suva • Fiji Cultural Village, Fiji • Marae Taputapuātea, French Polynesia

A family-friendly trip to the South Pacific is about creating memories through shared experiences.

The region can feel like a playground for children and adults of all ages as you explore exotic beaches perfect for scuba diving or snorkeling, find wildlife lounging on the rocky shores of a remote coastline, take to the treetops for a ziplining excursion, or explore the Great Barrier Reef in a mini-submersible.

The possibilities are endless, whether you are visiting tropical islands, wandering the streets of a modern city, or visiting a remote geyser.

Best Places for Family-Friendly Activities: Tahiti, French Polynesia • Moorea, French Polynesia • Vanua Levu, Fiji • Malolo Island, Fiji • Perth, Australia • Port Douglas, Australia • Auckland, New Zealand • Rotorua, New Zealand

Embracing the romance of the South Pacific is a necessity, whether when looking for Michelin-starred restaurants in Australia, sipping wine in New Zealand, indulging in a private seaside dinner in Fiji, or lounging in a famous overwater bungalow in French Polynesia.

The South Pacific is a perfect destination for all types of couples, from honeymooners to those celebrating an anniversary. Enjoy a sunset cruise, take to a trail on a couple’s trek, or bask on a private beach to find your ultimate romance.

Best Places for Couples or Honeymoons: Bora Bora, French Polynesia • Rarotonga, French Polynesia • Tokoriki, Fiji • Yasawa Island, Fiji • Marlborough, New Zealand • Waiheke Island, New Zealand • Cradle Mountains, Australia • Hunter Valley, Australia

Cycling is a marvelous way to explore a new destination, especially when visiting the South Pacific. A bicycle can take you on a grand excursion between distant destinations or a short circuit around an island paradise to find views of the coastline.

No matter your skill level or interest, cycling in the South Pacific is a great way to explore new corners of the region at your pace. Take time to enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains, stop at a new beach, or visit a local community as you enjoy new discoveries among the land and sea.

Best Places for Cycling: Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand • West Coast Wilderness Trail, New Zealand • McLaren Vale, Australia • Tasmania East Coast, Australia • Viti Levu, Fiji • Leeward Islands, French Polynesia

When visiting the South Pacific, the coral gardens and marine life are treasures you must see to believe.

The Great Barrier Reef is a rainbow of coral, sea grass, and fish. Whales pass around small isthmuses between tropical islands, sea turtles thrive, sharks and rays practically glow in the clear water, and the wonders of the ocean feel accessible.

You can scuba dive, snorkel, enjoy a mini-submersible, learn to free dive, or travel in a glass-bottom boat, each offering a different way to experience life under the water.

Best Places for Scuba and Snorkeling: Bora Bora, French Polynesia • Moorea, French Polynesia • Mamanuca Islands, Fiji • Taveuni Island, Fiji • Heron Island, Australia • Ningaloo Reef, Australia • Bay of Islands, New Zealand • Hahei, New Zealand

The South Pacific may be known more for its beaches than cities, but these add a touch of contemporary life to the quiet escapes of overwater bungalows and seaside dining.

The hustle and bustle of a city can also contain glimpses into modern culture, as well as connect visitors to boutique shops and celebrated restaurants, reflect the influence of international relationships, or bring to light new perspectives on local traditions. When visiting a city in the South Pacific, it is easy to blend an escape from the pace of daily life back home with the beauty of streets, cultures, and scenery worth exploring.

Best Cities to Visit: Sydney, Australia • Melbourne, Australia • Auckland, New Zealand • Christchurch, New Zealand • Papeete, French Polynesia • Suva, Fiji • Lautoka, Fiji

Explore vibrant cities, sample delicious food shaped by seasonal and local ingredients, or dive into the ocean to find colorful coral gardens. The possibilities for how you can experience the South Pacific are endless and timeless.

Use our South Pacific Vacations & Tours as inspiration for your trip, with our sample itineraries demonstrating new ideas and possibilities. When you are ready, you can speak with a local travel specialist to start planning your vacation.