Oceania broke my brain in the best way possible. Picture this: I’m in a tiny seaplane over the Great Barrier Reef, and the water below looks like someone spilled paint in the ocean. Then there’s that wild moment I first saw Mount Cook in New Zealand piercing through the clouds—I had to pull over just to pick my jaw up off the ground.
Real talk: the most beautiful places in Oceania hit different. From watching the sunset turn Uluru into a glowing ember to floating in Fiji’s waters so clear they make swimming pools look dirty; this part of the world feels like someone cranked Earth’s beauty up to 11. Ready to see some places that’ll make your friends think you’re using filters?
Top Sights to See in Oceania
Visiting Oceania? Explore the stunning landscapes of Cradle Mountain, cruise through the serene waters of Gippsland Lakes, take a scenic drive along the iconic Great Ocean Road, relax on the pristine shores of Leleuvia Island, or dive into the rich history of Levuka. Whether you’re into breathtaking nature, coastal adventures, or cultural experiences, Oceania has plenty to offer!
1. Cradle Mountain
- 📍 Location: Tasmania, Australia, about 2.5 hours west of Launceston
- 🏆 Best For: Wilderness hikers 🥾, wildlife watchers 🦘, landscape photographers 📸
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking around Dove Lake, spotting wombats and wallabies, tackling the Overland Track
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December-March for milder weather and wildflowers 🌸, winter (June-August) for snow-capped views ❄️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge – Luxury wilderness cabins at the park entrance
Cradle Mountain will make your Instagram followers jealous with its jagged dolerite peaks rising dramatically over Dove Lake. The iconic 6km circuit gives you perfect mountain reflections in crystal waters. More adventurous? The summit climb rewards you with panoramic wilderness vistas. I’ve never seen wombats so nonchalant as they graze in alpine meadows here.
Wildlife abounds, with Tasmanian devils prowling at night and platypus playing in lakes. For serious trekkers, the legendary Overland Track begins here, stretching 65km through pristine wilderness. Two full days let you experience the main highlights. The changing moods of this mountain sanctuary will captivate you.
2. Gippsland Lakes
- 📍 Location: Eastern Victoria, Australia, about 3.5 hours east of Melbourne
- 🏆 Best For: Boating enthusiasts ⛵, fishing fans 🎣, beach lovers 🏖️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Sailing the interconnected lakes, visiting Ninety Mile Beach, spotting bioluminescent plankton
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: December-February for warm swimming waters 🌊, March-May for milder temperatures and fewer crowds
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Captains Cove Resort – Waterfront apartments with private jetties in Paynesville
Gippsland Lakes offers Australia’s largest inland waterway system that your friends with boats will envy. This aquatic playground covers over 600 square kilometers of pristine waters separated from Bass Strait by the incredible Ninety Mile Beach. The charming lakeside towns of Metung and Paynesville serve as perfect bases with their relaxed vibe and excellent seafood. Rent a boat and chart your own course through interconnected waterways.
I was mesmerized by the famous bioluminescent plankton illuminating Metung’s shoreline with ethereal blue light after rainfall. Nature lovers shouldn’t miss Raymond Island, home to one of Victoria’s largest koala populations. Three days lets you properly experience this unique aquatic wonderland.
3. Great Ocean Road
- 📍 Location: Victoria, Australia, beginning 90 minutes southwest of Melbourne
- 🏆 Best For: Road trippers 🚗, coastal hikers 🥾, marine wildlife watchers 🐬
- 📸 Top Experiences: Photographing the Twelve Apostles, spotting koalas at Kennett River, surfing at Bells Beach
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: March-May for mild weather and fewer crowds 🍂, September-November for whale watching 🐋
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Great Ocean Road Resort – Contemporary apartments in Anglesea
Great Ocean Road has Australia’s ultimate coastal journey for grown-up adventurers seeking both thrills and Instagram gold. This 243-kilometer road winds along Victoria’s dramatic coastline showcasing the raw power of the Southern Ocean. The undisputed stars are the Twelve Apostles, massive limestone stacks rising from churning waves. Arrive at sunrise for magical light and fewer crowds. When I rounded the bend to first see these formations, my jaw literally dropped.
The seaside towns of Lorne and Apollo Bay charm with beach culture and seafood. Wildlife spotting is exceptional, with koalas dozing in eucalyptus trees around Kennett River and fur seals basking at Cape Bridgewater. Give yourself three days to truly appreciate this iconic stretch.
4. Leleuvia Island
- 📍 Location: Fiji, approximately 30 minutes by boat from Bau Landing on Viti Levu’s east coast
- 🏆 Best For: Barefoot luxury seekers 🏝️, snorkelers 🤿, digital detoxers 📵
- 📸 Top Experiences: Snorkeling the surrounding reef, paddleboarding at sunset, joining traditional Fijian kava ceremonies
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October for dry season with lower humidity ☀️, November-April for fewer visitors 🌧️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Leleuvia Island Resort – The island’s only accommodation offering traditional beachfront bures
Leleuvia Island offers the digital detox your overworked professional life craves. This tiny, vehicle-free coral atoll has the quintessential South Pacific experience without the luxury price tag. The intimate 16-hectare island is wrapped entirely in powder-white beaches and surrounded by vibrant coral reefs. No TVs, limited Wi-Fi, and scheduled electricity create genuine disconnection where days flow by with sunrise canoe paddles and sunset swims.
The reef sits just meters from shore, allowing even novice snorkelers to drift among colorful coral gardens. I’ve never slept better than in my simple bure with gentle waves as my nightly soundtrack. Cultural experiences feel authentic with staff teaching traditional crafts and hosting nightly kava ceremonies under brilliant stars. Two nights minimum is recommended.
5. Levuka
- 📍 Location: Eastern Fiji, on Ovalau Island, accessible by ferry from Viti Levu
- 🏆 Best For: History enthusiasts 🏛️, heritage architecture fans 🏠, off-the-beaten-path travelers 🧭
- 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the historic main street, hiking to Lovoni village, snorkeling in pristine bays
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October for drier, cooler weather ☀️, late October for the annual Levuka Day celebrations 🎉
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Royal Hotel – Fiji’s oldest continually operating hotel, established in 1860
Levuka transports history-loving professionals to a colonial time capsule that Instagram hasn’t discovered yet. This UNESCO World Heritage site clings to a narrow strip between volcanic mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Walking down Beach Street feels like stepping back to the 1800s when European traders first established a foothold in Fiji. The town’s preserved colonial architecture includes Fiji’s first post office, bank, school, and newspaper office.
Beyond history, Levuka offers adventures into Ovalau’s interior, where hiking trails lead to hidden waterfalls and traditional villages like Lovoni, set within an extinct volcanic crater. I could spend hours just sitting at a waterfront café watching island life unfold. The surrounding waters provide excellent snorkeling around healthy coral reefs often visited by manta rays.
6. Moorea
- 📍 Location: French Polynesia, just 17km northwest of Tahiti (a 30-minute ferry ride)
- 🏆 Best For: Honeymooners 💑, snorkelers 🤿, mountain hikers 🥾
- 📸 Top Experiences: Swimming with rays and sharks in the lagoon, hiking to Belvedere Lookout, enjoying a Polynesian cultural show
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October for dry season with ideal visibility for water activities 🌊, November for the Tahiti-Moorea Marathon 🏃♀️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea Beach Resort – Luxury overwater bungalows facing the lagoon
Moorea offers the South Pacific fantasy you’ve dreamed about during endless Zoom meetings. This heart-shaped volcanic island rises dramatically from an electric-blue lagoon with jagged peaks that seem straight from a movie set. The magnificent lagoon is protected by a coral reef and home to an underwater paradise where you can swim alongside gentle stingrays and blacktip reef sharks. I still dream about floating above coral gardens while tropical fish darted around me in kaleidoscopic bursts.
On land, the volcanic spine offers extraordinary hiking, with the trail to Belvedere Lookout rewarding you with jaw-dropping views of Cook’s Bay and Opunohu Bay. Pineapple plantations carpet the interior valleys, producing the sweetest fruit you’ll ever taste. Plan at least four days here.
7. North Stradbroke Island
- 📍 Location: Southeast Queensland, Australia, about 30km southeast of Brisbane across Moreton Bay
- 🏆 Best For: Beach lovers 🏖️, wildlife watchers 🐬, surfers 🏄♂️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Whale watching at Point Lookout, swimming in Blue Lake, exploring the North Gorge Walk
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: June-November for whale watching, summer (December-February) for beach activities 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Allure Stradbroke Resort – Spacious villas with stunning ocean views
Escape the crowds but not the Instagram-worthy views at North Stradbroke Island, where wild coastal adventures await just a ferry ride from Brisbane. This sandy paradise offers that perfect balance of wilderness and comfort that I’ve rarely found elsewhere in Australia.
The must-see Point Lookout has its North Gorge Walk. Spot turtles, manta rays, and dolphins playing below in crystal-clear waters. Humpback whales perform spectacular breaches during migration season without needing boat tours. Inland, the pristine Blue Lake (Karboora) offers sacred Aboriginal history and refreshing swims. Main Beach stretches for 32km of uninterrupted white sand with perfect surf breaks. The island’s calm bay side provides ideal kayaking through mangrove forests and thrilling sandboarding on massive dunes.
8. Nuku Hiva
- 📍 Location: Largest island in the Marquesas archipelago, French Polynesia, about 1,400km northeast of Tahiti
- 🏆 Best For: Adventurers 🧗♂️, hikers 🥾, cultural enthusiasts 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking to Vaipo Waterfall, exploring ancient tikis at Tohua Koueva, horseback riding across valleys
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Dry season (May-October) for hiking and outdoor activities 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Nuku Hiva Keikahanui Pearl Lodge – Luxurious bungalows overlooking Taiohae Bay
Looking for bragging rights? Nuku Hiva has authentic Polynesian adventures your social feed craves, miles from tourist-packed Bora Bora. This wild Marquesan island feels like stepping into a “Survivor” episode but with better accommodations.
The island’s highlight is Vaipo Waterfall, towering at 350 meters. The challenging hike through Hakaui Valley rewards me with views I still dream about years later. Wild horses roam beneath dramatic basalt cliffs. For easier exploration, take a 4×4 tour to Anaho Bay, one of the Pacific’s most stunning beaches. History buffs shouldn’t miss Tohua Koueva and Kamuihei archaeological sites. Here, ancient stone platforms, petroglyphs, and mysterious tikis showcase rich cultural heritage. Local Marquesans still practice traditional wood carving, tapa cloth making, and tattooing arts that originated on these shores.
9. Nukuʻalofa
- 📍 Location: Capital city of Tonga, on the northern coast of Tongatapu Island in the South Pacific
- 🏆 Best For: Cultural explorers 🏛️, market enthusiasts 🛍️, royal history buffs 👑
- 📸 Top Experiences: Visiting the Royal Palace, exploring Talamahu Market, snorkeling at nearby beaches
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October during the dry season for comfortable temperatures and less rainfall 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Tanoa International Dateline Hotel – Waterfront hotel with pool in the heart of the city
Craving authentic culture without the tourist traps? Nukuʻalofa serves up royal heritage and island vibes in the Pacific’s last remaining monarchy. This compact capital packs genuine experiences into every corner.
The iconic Royal Palace faces the seafront with its distinctive Victorian wooden structure. Though interior access is restricted, it makes for perfect photo opportunities. Nearby, the Royal Tombs house generations of Tongan royalty. The bustling Talamahu Market offers everything from tropical fruits to hand woven mats and traditional tapa cloth. My favorite discovery was watching artisans create these intricate bark textiles using ancient techniques.
For beach time, head to Hā’atafu Beach on the western tip, where protected marine reserves offer excellent snorkeling. No visit is complete without experiencing a traditional Tongan feast with underground cooking and powerful dance performances telling stories of ancient warriors.
10. Rotorua
- 📍 Location: North Island of New Zealand, about 3 hours drive south of Auckland
- 🏆 Best For: Geothermal enthusiasts ♨️, adventure seekers 🚵♀️, Māori culture explorers 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Witnessing erupting geysers at Te Puia, mountain biking in Whakarewarewa Forest, experiencing a traditional Māori hāngī feast
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: Summer (December-February) for outdoor activities, shoulder seasons for fewer crowds 🌿
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Solitaire Lodge – Luxury accommodation overlooking Lake Tarawera with geothermal hot tubs
That distinctive sulfur smell? Welcome to Rotorua, where adventure-seeking millennials can literally walk on earth’s thin crust above bubbling geothermal wonders. This unique New Zealand hub perfectly blends adrenaline, natural spectacles, and living Māori culture.
Te Puia showcases the reliable Pōhutu Geyser erupting up to 20 times daily. Watching scalding water shoot 30 meters skyward never gets old. The rainbow-colored terraces of Wai-O-Tapu include the famous Champagne Pool with its neon orange edges. Beyond bubbling mud, Rotorua offers world-class mountain biking through towering redwoods in Whakarewarewa Forest. The trails here transformed my understanding of what forest riding could be.
For cultural immersion, visit Mitai Māori Village for traditional performances and taste hāngī feasts cooked underground using geothermal heat.
11. Samoa
- 📍 Location: South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
- 🏆 Best For: Beach loungers 🏝️, waterfall chasers 💦, traditional culture immersion 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Swimming in the To Sua Ocean Trench, sliding down Papaseea Sliding Rocks, staying in a traditional beach fale
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October during the dry season for ideal beach weather and calmer seas 🌞
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Sinalei Reef Resort – Luxurious beachfront villas with traditional Samoan architecture
Need a digital detox with spectacular scenery? Samoa offers the authentic South Pacific experience that overworked professionals crave. Here, pristine beaches meet dramatic landscapes and the traditional “Fa’a Samoa” lifestyle still thrives.
The most Instagram-worthy spot is undoubtedly the To Sua Ocean Trench, a 30-meter deep natural swimming hole. Descending the wooden ladder rewards swimmers with emerald waters surrounded by lush gardens. Waterfall enthusiasts will love Papaseea Sliding Rocks, where naturally formed chutes create the adult water park of your dreams. I couldn’t stop laughing while sliding down these smooth stone surfaces. For true immersion, spend a night in a traditional open-air beach fale. These simple thatched huts sit right on the sand where ocean waves become your lullaby. Sunday church services showcase mesmerizing Samoan hymns sung by villagers dressed in white.
12. Sopoaga Waterfall
- 📍 Location: Southern coast of Upolu Island, Samoa, about 50km southeast of Apia
- 🏆 Best For: Photographers 📸, nature lovers 🌿, cultural demonstration viewers 🏛️
- 📸 Top Experiences: Viewing the waterfall from the garden lookout, watching coconut husking demonstrations, exploring the surrounding rainforest
- 📅 Best Time to Visit: May-October during the dry season when the falls are still flowing but weather is ideal 🌤️
- 🏨 Where to Stay: Saletoga Sands Resort – Upscale beachfront property within driving distance of the falls
Need that perfect nature shot without the crowd photobombs? Sopoaga Waterfall offers frame-worthy moments as it plunges 50+ meters from lush rainforest into a deep river gorge. This spectacular cascade defines Samoa’s raw natural beauty.
The thoughtfully maintained garden viewpoint offers perfect photography angles without disturbing the natural environment. The modest entrance fee supports sustainable tourism directly benefiting Lotofaga village. While capturing the falls, I couldn’t stop watching the entertaining coconut demonstrations included with your visit. Local guides show traditional methods of husking coconuts and climbing palm trees while sharing cultural insights with genuine humor. The surrounding botanical gardens feature exotic tropical plants with spectacular coastline views. Pair Sopoaga with nearby To Sua Ocean Trench for a perfect day exploring Samoa’s southern attractions.
