Oceania is a huge continent. It’s made up of Australia, New Zealand, and the other many islands in the Pacific Ocean. There’s no wonder many people choose to go backpacking around the countries on this continent. Thanks to its numerous tropical and exotic locations, there are many amazing places to explore, and lots of new cultures to discover. Here are five exciting reasons to jump on a plane to Oceania straight away!
 

Beautiful Scenery

The countries of Oceania benefit from some gorgeous scenery. New Zealand features very diverse landscapes, from rugged coastlines to dense areas of lush forest. Many hikers enjoy all the bracing walks that snake through New Zealand’s countryside. Meanwhile, Australia is covered in desert and outback, perfect for off-roading. You can also discover Australia’s famous beaches on one of the Great Ocean Road tours. As for Oceania’s other islands, Fiji is dotted with volcanoes, which many people choose to hike up!

Meet The Locals

There are still many thriving indigenous people living in Oceania, especially in Australia and New Zealand. Around 14% of the New Zealand population is made up of the Maori people, who arrived in the country about 1,000 years ago! Australia’s indigenous population is called the Aborigines. These communities are important to both countries’ culture, and you will be able to learn about their traditions and customs during your travels.

Get Active

One thing is for sure, travelling to Oceania won’t be a lazy holiday! There are plenty of reasons to keep active. Both Australia and New Zealand are known for their fantastic surfing opportunities. Most beaches will be connected to a surf school that will teach you everything you need to know to get out there and hit the waves! If you visit the continent’s smaller islands, such as Papua New Guinea, you can also head out for a trek through its tropical landscape.
 

Delicious Food

There are so many traditional dishes and cuisines waiting to be sampled! New Zealand is big on its seafood, so expect lots of tasty fresh fish and shellfish. New Zealanders love to eat lamb, so expect to see it on menus everywhere! Australians are very fond of their coffee, so much so that they even invented the flat white! While you are there, don’t forget to sample a traditional Australian meat pie too. Eat it like a local with a dollop of ketchup on top!

Meet The Wildlife

Marsupials are a group of animals that are only found in Australia. So a trip to Australia isn’t complete without heading to one of its many wildlife parks. Possibly its most famous native animal is the kangaroo. If you hire a car, you’ll notice there are even street signs warning drivers that kangaroos might jump onto the road! Don’t forget to also try and spot a koala bear during your holiday. Some zoos even give visitors the chance to hold one of these cuddly little bears!

For all these reasons and more, there’s a good chance you may never want to leave Oceania!

When’s your next trip to Oceania? Which of these countries is on your list? Let me know in the comments below!

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