Multi-Country Oceania Travel Guide

• The lifestyle: Oceanians really seem to get it right when it comes to lifestyle. With a great climate and access to some of the world’s most lovely beaches and landscapes, they spend a lot of time outdoors. But it’s more than that. Exercise and good food are a given, attitudes are informal and minimum wages are high.
• The beaches: Think of Australia and chances are, one of the things that spring to mind is miles of golden sand. Oz has more beautiful beaches than you’ve had hot dinners, but Fiji and New Zealand are no slackers in this department either. Fijian beaches are without a doubt, among the most idyllic in the world.
• The diving: The Great Barrier Reef – need I say more? While Oz may hold the jewel in the marine crown, the underwater diversity in Fiji and New Zealand is also world-class.
• The Working Holiday Visa: Australia is a land of opportunity (especially if you’re aged between 18 and 30!) A Working Holiday Visa allows you to find paid work in Oz for up to a year. With minimum wages of around £15ph and job opportunities in all sorts of fields, it’s the perfect way to fund your gap year as you travel.
• The wilderness: Parts of Oceania really make you imagine what life must have been like before humans. Some areas of the continent are so untouched and so vast that you can feel like you’re the last person on Earth. There are great opportunities for bushwalking in Australia and tramping in New Zealand, as well as the best night skies in the world, because of the lack of light pollution.
• The adrenaline sports: This is an area where the Aussies and Kiwis excel – Queenstown is the adrenaline capital of the world! From skydiving to paragliding, rafting, kayaking and of course, bungee jumping, you can find every activity under the sun to get your adrenaline pumping.

Australia: What springs to mind when you think of Australia? Kangaroos, surfing and the barbecue of course! The Aussies really know how to get grilling and they’ll literally do it anywhere. Local councils provide barbecues for the general public to use and you’ll see people sizzling up a storm on any day of the week. It’s not just barbies though. In the cities, you’ll find a real fusion of different cultures coming through in the cuisine, including incredible sushi and Lebanese mezze. There’s also the amazing fresh seafood, bonzer brunches, world-class coffee and the classic Aussie meat pie. One thing’s for sure you aren’t going to go hungry. Eating out isn’t as cheap as other destinations, but the quality is generally very high.

New Zealand: Seafood’s a pretty big deal in New Zealand as well. Crayfish is a particular Kiwi favourite. The emphasis is on the quality and freshness of ingredients here. The Kiwi burger is also a local special – it’s a burger, but not as you know it – it’s the classic beef patty but with sliced beetroot and a fried egg – don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it!

Fiji: Fijian grub is a wonderful mix of fresh local ingredients found in the region. Coconut, fish, sweet potato and rice are key features. There’s also a strong Indian influence in the region, and you can easily find delicious affordable Indian restaurants on the islands. Yum!

Australia: Australia is big. Really big. This means that there are several different climate zones. The northern section is more tropical – hot and humid in the summer and warm and dry in the winter. Southern regions are cooler with mild summers and winters that are cool and sometimes rainy. Seasons are the opposite of those in the northern hemisphere, meaning that when they’re having their summer, we’re having our winter and vice versa.

New Zealand: New Zealand has a temperate climate with mild temperatures, moderate rainfall and many hours of sunshine throughout the country. However, different areas are affected by altitude, so the mountainous inland areas can reach minus temperatures in the winter.

Fiji: Fiji has a climate that is perfect for beach lovers. It’s warm and tropical all year round, although there is a rainy season from December to April.

Visa

Visas may be required in order to enter or transit through certain countries depending on your passport nationality, your reason for travel and how long you intend to stay.

Visa, passport and entry rules are subject to change and you should check the most up-to-date information from the relevant embassy or visa specialist.

To make things easier we have teamed up with The Travel Visa Company who are one of the UK’s leading travel visa specialists. You can use their website, alongside embassy websites,  to find out the specific entry requirements for the countries you intend to travel to.

For a fee, their dedicated team of experts can also apply for visas on your behalf, taking away the hassle and streamlining the process for you if you wish. For more details on the services they provide please click here – The Travel Visa Company

Passport

Passports must be kept in good condition. Travellers with damaged passports may be refused entry at immigration. It is the responsibility of the traveller to ensure that all travel documents are in good condition before they travel. Most countries will also require at least 6 months of validity on your passport from the time you finish your trip. 

Further Entry Requirements

Some countries will require proof of certain vaccines, such as yellow fever or covid, in order to gain entry. Please check with the relevant embassy or a visa specialist before travelling.

Australia & New Zealand: The Aussies and Kiwis are pretty relaxed. However, recreational drugs are illegal, as is drinking alcohol in public, littering and smoking in or in the proximity of an enclosed public building. Different states also have varying attitudes toward e-cigarettes and vaping.

Fiji: Avoid recreational drugs of any kind. Possession can lead to imprisonment and a hefty fine. Possession of marijuana for example carries a mandatory 3-month sentence. Topless bathing and nudity in public are forbidden. Cover your shoulders and knees when taking part in kava ceremonies and in rural villages. Homosexuality was decriminalised in February 2010 but LGBT travellers should still be aware of local sensitivities, particularly in rural areas.

Health

• Make sure you have appropriate travel insurance in place.

• Visit your GP ahead of your trip to ensure you’ve had any vaccinations necessary for the destinations you’ll be visiting.

• Make sure you have enough of any prescribed medication to see you through the duration of your trip.

• Take high-factor sun cream! The sun is extremely intense in this region.

• Take a first aid kit to cover minor injuries and ailments.

Safety

• Australia is home to a number of dangerous animal species, such as venomous spiders and snakes. It’s advisable to do some research on what to avoid, especially if you plan to head to rural areas.
• Rip currents are a major hazard for beach users in Australia. Take some simple precautions such as swimming with a friend and where a lifeguard is on duty.
• If you’re planning to go bushwalking in Australia or tramping in New Zealand, it’s advisable to go with a guide and to prepare yourself properly with plenty of water and a means of rigging up shelter. Australia in particular is a huge country and you certainly can’t rely on mobile phone signal when you’re in the Outback.
• The level of crime is similar in Australia to the UK, whereas in New Zealand and Fiji it’s very low. Nevertheless, it makes sense to take reasonable precautions such as not walking around at night in quiet areas, using a hotel safe and not leaving belongings unattended.
• We do not recommend hiring motorbikes, scooters, ATV vehicles, quad bikes or other types of motorised vehicles whilst abroad. Safety and quality of vehicles vary considerably and the traffic conditions can be much more dangerous than what UK travellers are used to. Should you wish to go against this advice, you should ensure you are hiring from a reputable company and that your travel insurance covers you for such activities.