The Best Places to Visit in Oceania

This steel arch bridge connects the Sydney central business district to the North Shore. It carries trains, cars, and pedestrians. People call it the Coathanger because of its shape. Walking across the pedestrian walkway is free. You can see the harbour and the opera house from the path. The structure opened in 1932. The weather is mildest in March and October. Avoid the middle of summer if you dislike walking in high heat.

This park contains the highest peak in New Zealand. Glaciers cover nearly half of the land area. The Tasman Glacier is the largest in the country. Hiking trails range from flat valley walks to steep alpine climbs. You will see rock, ice, and low shrubs. The park shares a border with Westland Tai Poutini National Park. Visit between December and March for the clearest skies. Even in summer, the wind off the glaciers stays cold.

This city sits on the edge of a large lake on the North Island. It is a center for Maori culture and geothermal activity. You can see steam rising from vents in public parks. The ground here is thin. Heat from the earth creates mud pools and geysers. The Te Arawa people have lived here since the 14th century. Late spring and summer provide the best weather for outdoor springs. The sulfur smell is constant and can be strong.

This performing arts center sits on the Sydney Harbour foreshore. It was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon. The building took 16 years to finish. The exterior is covered in over a million ceramic tiles. You can walk around the base for free. The inside contains several different theaters and halls. Autumn and spring months are less crowded than the January holiday season. Tickets for shows often sell out months in advance.

This is the largest coral reef system on earth. It is made of billions of tiny organisms called coral polyps. You can see the structure from space. The reef sits in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland. It includes thousands of individual reefs and hundreds of islands. The water is clearest from June to October. Some sections of the reef show heavy coral bleaching and fewer fish than others.

This beach on Whitsunday Island is seven kilometers long. The sand is 98 percent pure silica. This means the sand does not retain heat, so it stays cool on your feet. You can only reach the island by boat, seaplane, or helicopter. Most people come from Airlie Beach or Hamilton Island. Winter and early spring have the least rain and lower humidity. There are no toilets or shops on the beach itself.

This island group in French Polynesia is part of an extinct volcano. Two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, sit in the center. A lagoon and a barrier reef surround the main land. The land area is small, covering only about 30 square kilometers. Most visitors stay in bungalows built over the water. The dry season runs from May to October. Everything from water to meals is significantly more expensive than on the mainland.

Queenstown is a town built on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. The lake has an S shape and was created by glacial movements. Mountains surround the water on all sides. This is a major destination for people who like outdoor activities. You can find skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. It serves as the main hub for the southern region. The best time to go is during the southern summer from December to March. The town is small and the roads are often blocked by heavy traffic.

This massive sandstone rock sits in the center of Australia. It is hundreds of kilometers away from the nearest large town. The Anangu people consider this site sacred. The area around the rock has many springs and ancient paintings. It is part of a large national park that includes other rock formations. The colors of the stone change at sunrise and sunset. Visit between May and September to avoid the extreme desert heat. In the summer, temperature levels can be dangerous for hikers.

This is the largest national park in New Zealand. It occupies the southwest corner of the South Island. Glaciers carved the deep valleys and mountains here over thousands of years. The park provides a home for many rare animals. You might see the flightless takahe or the kakapo parrot. It is a very remote part of the country. Most people visit during the summer months from December to March. Rain is very common throughout the year. You should prepare for wet conditions even in the sunniest months.