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Australia & S. Pacific
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” - Martin Buber
Australia
Some of Australia's main attractions include the Great Barrier Reef, Aboriginal culture and art, Uluru, kangaroos, Tasmania, koalas, the Queensland rain forest, Sydney, beaches, white-water rafting, diving and the Outback.
From the craggy peaks of the Blue Mountains to the lush tropics of Queensland and the coral treasure land of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia has something unusual and something special to offer visitors—even those traveling by tour bus.
Much of Australia's vast "red center" has been tamed and put on a tour, but the Outback hasn't lost its frontier allure. The same can be said for much of the rest of this country that's also a continent. Sydney may have joined the ranks of the world's top cities, but its architecture, stunning harbor and electric, manic personality keep it singular: You won't mistake it for anywhere else.
With approximately 3 million sq mi, Australia is the world's largest island. It is the only country that is also a continent. Although most of it is barren desert where little rain falls, Australia has a wide range of environments, including tropical rain forests in its northern regions, temperate forests along the east coast and even a few snowy mountains spotting the Great Dividing Range, which runs north to south across the entire continent and separates the coastal plains from the drier inland areas. Off the northeast coast is the world's largest coral reef (1,200 mi long). Western Australia occupies the entire western third of the country, much of it desert.
Almost everyone will love Australia. The only people who should avoid it are those who are made uncomfortable by unrelenting informality.
Fiji
Fiji's foremost attractions are fascinating cultures, fire walking, world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, hiking, surfing, ocean kayaking, yachting, windsurfing, white-water rafting, good beaches, cruises, delicious food and small, out-of-the-way resorts.
Though Fiji has palm-lined beaches and coral reefs like many other parts of the South Pacific, it's often the people of the islands, rather than the scenery, that make it memorable. Their friendliness to visitors is well-known, expressed with a pleasant bula (welcome) and with an invitation to join them for a bowl of lip-numbing kava.
Fijians have not always been as friendly to one another: Political struggles between ethnic Fijians and the descendants of Indian laborers have resulted in three political coups since 1987. Visitors were largely unaffected by the events, however, and although the situation remains somewhat unstable, Fiji is considered a safe destination. As a result, it is in the middle of a record-setting tourism boom.
A Fiji vacation promises a lot of enjoyable possibilities: exquisite scuba diving, lovely natural surroundings and an appealing range of places to stay—from secluded, eye-poppingly expensive resorts to pleasant guesthouses on the beach to simple accommodations with local villagers.
Those looking for beautiful water and slow-paced island life will enjoy Fiji. However, anyone who goes there should be aware that other Pacific islands have more lush, tropical scenery and better beaches (many of Vitu Levu's beaches turn into rather ugly tidal flats at low tide). For the white beaches and blue lagoons of the brochures, one must travel to the Mamanuca and Yasawa island groups.
French Polynesia
The islands' foremost attractions are relaxation, spectacular scenery, scuba diving, snorkeling, yachting, archaeological sites, mountains, music, dance, fishing and luxurious, uncrowded resorts.
It's surprising how close a visit to French Polynesia comes to fulfilling the ideal of paradise. The islands of French Polynesia, which include Bora Bora, Tahiti, Papeete and Moorea, are still largely quiet and move at a slow pace; the water of French Polynesia is still amazing shades of blue or green; the mountains still rise dramatically above the sea.
And though the residents of French Polynesia may spend more time buzzing around on scooters than paddling outrigger canoes, they still (cliched as it may sound) spend an inordinate amount of time humming or singing.
But as with most things beautiful, French Polynesia isn't easily had as a travel destination. A (decidedly chic) thatch-roofed bungalow there can cost you $300 a night and more, and there are few bargains to be found in dining, activities or transportation. That said, those who can afford a vacation in the islands of French Polynesia aren't likely to be disappointed. And were it not for the travel price tag, you might be tempted to stay forever.
The entire French Polynesian territory is sometimes incorrectly referred to as "Tahiti," but it actually consists of dozens of islands and atolls spread across a wide swath of the South Pacific, roughly midway between South America and Australia. Five archipelagos make up the territory, and each has distinctive cultural and geographical features.
The Society group, which includes Tahiti, is the most populous of the island chains. They are "high islands"—volcanic peaks surrounded by a coral reef and a calm lagoon. To the northeast are the Tuamotus, a large group of flat coral atolls often made up of a thin strip of land ringing a very large lagoon. Beyond the Tuamotus are the distant and mountainous Marquesas Islands. South of the Society group are the Australs and, to the southeast, the Gambiers, both containing a combination of atolls and high islands. Travelers primarily frequent the Society Islands (especially Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora) and to a much lesser extent, the Tuamotus and the Marquesas.
French Polynesia is for travelers interested in the classic South Pacific experience: clear water, gorgeous scenery, quiet surroundings and friendly, interesting people. French is the common language, but visitors confining themselves to the major tourist islands will find English widely spoken. A more serious obstacle is the cost. French Polynesia is an expensive place to vacation, though some budget options exist.
New Zealand
New Zealand's foremost attractions include great natural beauty, mountains and glaciers, rain forests, beaches, bright blue skies, fjords, fishing, sailing, surfing, scuba diving, skiing, golf, hiking, thermal baths, wildlife and sheep, friendly people, Maori culture, vineyards and fresh seafood.
New Zealanders sometimes refer to their country as "God Zone," a rather prideful twist on the phrase "God's Own." But if you like gorgeous scenery and gutsy people, you'll agree with them. New Zealand is blessed with some of the most varied and dramatic terrain in the world, from glaciers and fjords and beaches to mountains and meadows and rain forests, known to New Zealanders as "native bush." If you're so inclined, you can admire the breathtaking scenery while skiing, surfing, horseback riding, mountain climbing, hiking (which the locals call "tramping") or kayaking.
And if those pursuits aren't exciting enough, you can try some of the adventures the Kiwis (as New Zealanders are called) have invented: You can bungee jump off cliffs or bridges; paddle through white-water rapids; rocket through narrow caverns on jet boats; or strap yourself inside a giant plastic ball and roll down a hillside.
If you prefer more leisurely activities, you can still enjoy New Zealand's natural wonders by strolling on its pristine beaches, sailing along its picturesque coastline or fishing in its crystal clear rivers and lakes.
Everyone should visit New Zealand at least once.
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