Backpacking in Oceania & The Pacific?

• Two of the world's most popular backpacking destinations are in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand. If you leave here you'll meet lots of other backpackers, there's a guarantee!
• If you leave for the smaller islands, it can be difficult to keep the budget low and find hostels. 

Traveling in Oceania & The Pacific?

• Two of the world's most exclusive travel destinations are in Oceania: French Polynesia (including Bora-Bora and Tahiti) and Micronesia (including Palau). 
• City spotting: Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Suva, Port Moresby, Apia, Honolulu, Papeete. 
• Activity spotting: too many to mention, but some highlights include Micronesia for scuba divers, Abel Tasman National Park for hikers, Bora Bora, Fiji for its unimaginable beaches, Mount Yasur volcano on Vanuatu, Hawaii for Hawaiian dance and music, Papua New Guinea for hundreds of different indigenous tribes. 
• Nature spotting: Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, Tongariro National Park, Yasawa Islands, Kokoda Track, Upolu, Mount Yasur, Bora Bora. 
• Animal spotting: all the special animals of Australia and New Zealand, the Fiji Bandicoot, Bula shark, birds of paradise, tree kangaroos, Vondelpark megabat, coconut crab, humpback whales, the Hawaiian goose. 

Studying in Oceania & The Pacific?

• Education: the best universities can be found in Australia and New Zealand. Across the region there is also a wide range of courses available, from traditional subjects such as medicine and engineering to specialized studies in environmental sciences, maritime studies and Pacific studies. 
• Studies: popular fields of study vary by country. 
• Language: universities in Australia and New Zealand use English, as do most Pacific islands. In other countries, local languages often play a role. 
• Study cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, Wellington, Suva, Apia. 

Internship in Oceania & The Pacific?

• Internship opportunities: in Oceania people spend a lot of time outdoors, environmental studies, marine sciences and environmental management are therefore very popular for internships. You will also find many internship opportunities in tourism and business (especially with a focus on Asia).
• Internship cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, Wellington, Suva, Port Moresby, Apia etc. 
• Characteristics: international work environment, focus on sustainability and environmental management, NGOs and development work, technological advancement, tourism and hospitality. 
• Competencies: independence, connection with nature, cultural awareness, English language skills. 

Volunteering in Oceania & The Pacific?

• There are many opportunities for marine conservation and terrestrial conservation. There are also many wildlife projects, particularly in Australia. On the islands there are especially options for education, community support and supporting women and children. 
• Characteristics: emphasis on sustainability and environment, community-oriented work, adventurous environment, cultural involvement. 

Working in Oceania & The Pacific?

• Jobs: opportunities vary greatly by country. Examples include jobs in mining and energy, IT, healthcare and tourism in Australia, agriculture and sustainability jobs in New Zealand, tourism and development jobs in Fiji and in many of the other islands in tourism, education and development work. 
• Characteristics: multicultural and international environment, focus on sustainability, involvement in community development, tourism, growing tech and innovation sector. 

Working as a digital nomad in Oceania & The Pacific?

• If you want access to good facilities, a large digital nomad community and relatively easy travel to the rest of the world, and have some money to spare, Australia and New Zealand are good options. Do you want adventure, can you do without the Internet occasionally and want to feel like you're in paradise every day? Then go to the smaller islands. 
• Favorite locations: East coast Australia, Fiji, New Zealand.
• Features: varied options, depending on what you need. 

Living in Oceania & The Pacific

• Quality of life: countries that score high with expats and emigrants in terms of quality of life are Australia and New Zealand. You are equipped with everything and connected to the Western world. The quality of facilities, including health care, is good and there is a lot to do. However, it is pricey. 
• On the islands, the quality of life is high in terms of relaxation and natural beauty. Health care often leaves much to be desired, though, and opportunities for education and facilities are limited. 
• Culture: Culture in Oceania and the Pacific is a rich mix of indigenous traditions, such as art and rituals, and modern influences, with strong community and family values central to indigenous cultures. The diversity in languages, food and spirituality reflects both older customs and the modernization of the (egg) countries. 
• Characteristics: strong sense of community and family ties, natural environment, diversity of housing options, access to basic services. 
• Health care: good in Australia and New Zealand, varying on the islands and on the most remote islands it is often very limited. 
• Seek advice on insurance policies that provide adequate coverage for proper care and also repatriation in case of emergency.

Stories, tips and experiences from specific countries in The Pacific

Antarctica - Australia - Fiji - Kiribati - Marshall Islands - Micronesia - Nauru - New Zealand - Palau - Samoa - Solomon Islands - Tonga - Tuvalu - Vanuatu