Must-see attractions in Australia & Pacific

  • Megaliths

    Papua New Guinea

    Megaliths made of a coral composite have linked the Trobriands to possible early Polynesian migrations. You can see them, but not without a guide - speak…

  • Skull Cave

    Papua New Guinea

    A 10-minute walk from Nuli Sapi, past one of the villages, is a small skull cave, with ancestral skulls squeezed into a crevasse under a large rock. Ask…

  • Anahoa Beach

    The Marquesas

    From Hakahau, it’s a 30-minute walk east to deserted Anahoa Beach. From the Hakahau quay, follow the sign for Pukuéé pension and continue along the paved…

  • Basilica of St Anthony of Padua

    Tongatapu

    Nuku'alofa's most distinctive structure is the Basilica of St Anthony of Padua, opposite the Royal Tombs. It has a beautiful interior of stained glass,…

  • Grotte les Joyaux de Luengoni

    Loyalty Islands

    Just west of Luengoni Beach are limestone caves both above and below ground; the underground caves have beautiful deep rock pools which shimmer emerald…

  • Marae Farehape

    Tahiti

    The restored Marae Farehape site is almost directly below the ridge line on which the Relais de la Maroto inn perches; you can see an archery platform…

  • Suva Cemetery

    Suva

    If you entered town via the Queens Road, you likely passed Suva Cemetery. Graves are dug by the inmates from the prison (built in 1913) just down the road…

  • Pahua

    The Tuamotus

    The tiny village of Pahua is divided by a pass a few metres wide and no deeper than 1.5m, suitable only for very small boats. A bridge spans the pass and…

  • Cascade Vaiea

    The Marquesas

    At the entrance of the village a sign marks the mountainside track to a waterfall. It has a deep round bathing pool that looks like something out of a…

  • Ela Beach

    Port Moresby

    On the southern side of Town is the long, sandy stretch of Ela Beach. The beachfront promenade is a popular walk during the day and there are usually some…

  • Fort George

    French Polynesia

    The Bounty is remembered by a sign on the northeastern corner of the island marking the site of Fort George, where the mutineers attempted to set up camp…

  • Marae Puarakura

    The Cook Islands

    Marae Puarakura is a modern marae, still used for ceremonial functions, complete with stone seats for the ariki, mataiapo and rangatira (subchief).

  • Smoked Bodies

    Papua New Guinea

    The best place to view a smoked body is at Watama, a village within an easy walk of Menyamya. Ask at the Menyamya Provincial Authority, which will contact…

  • Cook Islands Christian Church

    The Cook Islands

    The white-painted CICC is a fine sight, with its blue trim, stained-glass windows and parquet ceiling decorated with black-and-white stars. The Sunday…

  • Falemata'aga

    Apia

    The German-era school building houses an enchanting collection of artefacts and displays focusing on four themes: history, culture, Pacific and…

  • Motu Hemeni

    The Marquesas

    The neighbouring islet to Motu Teuaua, Hemeni is also a nesting ground for thousands of kaveka (sooty terns). Access to Hemeni is prohibited in order to…

  • Sacred Cave

    Papua New Guinea

    A 15-minute walk from Butia Lodge, there's a sacred cave of crystal-clear water that's popular with locals. You can swim in the cool water provided you…

  • Catholic Church

    The Marquesas

    Right in the centre of town is this enticing church made of wood and stone. Inside you’ll find some fantastic woodcarvings of religious figures with a…

  • Motu Manu

    The Tuamotus

    A great way to get a feel for Ahe is to visit this islet, which has the only remaining patch of primary forest in the Tuamotus, which consists of imposing…

  • Marae Tararoa

    French Polynesia

    Behind Teautamatea pension on the west side of the island are the well-preserved remains of Marae Tararoa, the marae(traditional temple) of the last…

  • Vaiala Beach

    Apia

    The closest beach to Apia town, immediately east of the harbour. The currents can be strong, so take care and avoid the area marked by buoys where there’s…

  • Vallée de la Vanille

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    This small operation, on the east coast between Faaha and Hipu, is known for its quality vanilla pods at economical prices. Visitors will get the low-down…

  • Toataratara Point

    French Polynesia

    This is a sweet, picturesque spot at the southern end of the island. You’ll find a series of photogenic little coves fringed with white-sand beaches. A…

  • Taka Kastom Village

    Efate

    This cultural village near Takara welcomes visitors (it's on most round-island tours). A traditional buffet meal is 700VT per person and you can see music…

  • Motu Puarua

    The Tuamotus

    Lying almost in the middle of the lagoon, the rocky Motu Puarua hosts several species of ground-nesting birds, including brown noddies and uaau (red…

  • Lake Te Roto

    The Cook Islands

    Lake Te Roto is noted for its itiki (eels), a popular island delicacy. On the western side of the lake, a cave leads right through the makatea to the sea.

  • Victoria State Rose Garden

    Melbourne

    The Victoria State Rose Garden which is adjacent to the Werribee Park Mansion, has more than 5500 rose bushes arranged in the shape of a giant Tudor rose.

  • Te Ai'tua

    Nuku Hiva

    Other sites around Taipivai include the new Te Ai'tua mea'a built for the 2011 Marquesas Festival and decked out in interesting modern, mostly cement tiki.

  • Malmaluan Lookout

    New Britain

    The Burma (Vuruga) Rd leaves the Kokopo–Rabaul Rd and climbs to Malmaluan Lookout, at the Telikom tower. The views are OK, and there’s an anti-aircraft…

  • Valeva Cave

    Efate

    Turn off the Ring Rd to fragrant Siviri village (signposted), from where you can explore Valeva Cave in a kayak (1000VT). It has chambers, tunnels and an…

  • Waterfall

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    The second waterfall you'll pass along the Les Trois Cascades (Three Waterfalls) hike. After passing this waterfall, the trail follows the riverbed…

  • Marae Te Apiripiri

    The Cook Islands

    This marae is where the Tahitian preacher Papeiha first spoke the words of the Gospel in 1823. There’s not much left to see, but a stone commemorates the…

  • Holy Cross Catholic Cathedral

    Honiara

    Honiara's most prominent religious building is this cathedral perched on a hill to the east of the centre. Visitors are welcome to attend, but make sure…

  • Government House

    Guam

    The governor's residence, or Government House, has a panoramic view of Hagåtña and a small museum featuring Chamorro antiquities. Call before visiting.

  • Manihina

    The Marquesas

    Near the airport, Manihina Beach is a wonderfully scenic pebbly beach framed by basaltic cliffs. Sadly there are lots of nono. It’s accessible by a dirt…

  • Koroyanitu National Heritage Park

    Nadi, Suva & Viti Levu

    This gorgeous national park is home to six villages; keen hikers can take advantage of the various incredibly scenic hikes through dakua forests and…

  • Les Sables Roses

    The Tuamotus

    The southeast shores of the atoll are fringed with truly amazing ‘Pink Sands Beaches’ that really do glow a light shade of pink, a result of finely…

  • Marae Vairakai

    The Cook Islands

    Along a walking track north of Kopeka Lodge, Marae Vairakai is surrounded by 47 large limestone slabs, six of which have curious projections cut into…

  • Centenary Methodist Church

    Suva

    For a rousing chorus of song on a Sunday morning, head to the Methodist church. The pitch is more invigorating than dulcet and it often fills the…

  • Te Ana Peua Museum

    The Marquesas

    Next to the post office and expanded in 2017, the Te Ana Peua Museum houses a range of exhibits focusing on Marquesan culture, from fish hooks to stone…

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