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travel destinations in the south west pacific

New Zealand

The spectacularly beautiful landscape of vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests, are why New Zealand is such a special and unique destination.

There are two main islands, North and South, with the delightful Stewart Island as part of the South. The North Island offers two vibrant cities, Auckland and Wellington, the beautiful Bay of Islands with its array of beaches, the unique volcanic atmosphere of Rotorua, fabulous skiing on Mt Ruapehu, trout fishing on Lake Taupo, the wonder of Waitomo Caves and heaps more. The South Island boasts stunning glaciers, fiords, superb skiing, rolling green plains, the lovely city of Christchurch, the exciting fun filled city of Queenstown, and some of the best wine-growing areas in the world.

New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific ocean, between latitude 34'S and 47'S. The country runs roughly north-south with mountain ranges down much of its length. Its two main islands (North and South) cover 266,200 sq km (103,735 sq miles), about the size of Japan or California and slightly larger than Great Britain. New Zealand has a population just over 4 million - making it one of the world's least crowded countries.

It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.

Fiji

Fiji is the land of broad smiles, flashing white teeth, gentle relaxation and absolutely no stress. From the mainland island of Viti Levu to the islands you won't be able to escape the friendliness of the people or the sheer natural beauty - swaying palms and warm, clear water.

Fiji is comprised of 330 islands with a vast selection of possible destinations for Fiji holidays. Viti Levu is the largest island in Fiji. Nadi is the entry point for most international visitors, while Suva, on the east coast is the country's capital. While Suva is an urban city, Nadi is known as Nadi Town. Surrounded by cane fields, Nadi has a kilometre of duty free tourist stores, a colourful market and a number of good restaurants, coffee shops and bars. 20 minutes drive south of Nadi is Denarau Island, a man-made development of waterways and gardens. It's home to one of the world's finest golf courses and Denarau Marina is the base for many cruise operators.

The Coral Coast runs along the southern shores of Viti Levu and is home to the world's second largest single reef. Suva is the centre of business and has a variety of restaurants and accommodation.

The Mamanuca Islands are off the west coast of Viti Levu. It's a paradise of beautiful islands full of friendly people, shallow, clear waters, and sunshine most of the year. The Mamanucas also has some of the best diving in the world. To the north of the Mamanucas is the Yasawa group, one of the most pristine and culturally intact regions of Fiji. Isolated beaches and coves, cliffs, bays and reefs.

The island of Vatulele sits south of the Coral Coast and is famous for its tapa cloth, sacred red prawns and rock paintings. There are steep bluffs on the west coast and gentle slopes facing a lagoon on the east.

The second largest island is Vanua Levu, north-east of Viti Levu. It's a serene and peaceful region full of villages where the locals have preserved the culture of Fijian life. Savu Savu is a charming town surrounded by copra plantations and is famous worldwide for its diving. Situated on the shores of a large picturesque, deep water harbour, it was originally established as port for sailing ships plying the north-eatsern regions of Fiji. Lush, green, coconut-covered Taveuni is also known as the Garden Island of Fiji and is the third largest island.

Kadavu Island is Fiji's fourth largest island and is located 75 kilometres south of the capital city Suva and is linked by both Nadi and Nausori airports. The island is host os world class diving and features the Astrolabe Reef. Overall a fantastic diving destination

Cook Islands

The Cook Islands are a stunning necklace of islands in the sun and many believe they are the jewel in the crown of the South Pacific island groups. The culture, traditions, arts and crafts are distinct from all others in the Pacific. Nowhere else will you feel so naturally at one with the island way of life. And how cool is a government that legislates that no building can be higher than the tallest coconut palm?

There are day trips from Rarotonga to Aitutaki but unless time is really short go for longer. If you don't stay at least a night or two on Aitutaki you will miss out on what we believe is one of the most beautiful, rare and magical places in the world - Aitutaki's spectacular lagoon.

The Cook Islands magical tranquility is matched only by the people themselves. The hospitality is warm and spontaneous, the dancing exuberant, the mood tropical, sultry and relaxed. Cook Islanders share a genuine care for others and although now Christian, the old culture lives on with song, dance and an easy pace of life uncomplicated by the turmoil and hustle and bustle of today's outside world.

Cook Islanders have retained much of their own culture. Although displays of the Cook Islands past are exhibited in the local museum, Cook Islands culture is not confined to restored sites and museum walls. Polynesian identity can be observed in dance and drama at various events during the year, particularly during Constitutional Celebrations. This is a time to renew the warriors' might, the dancers' grace….a time where heritage excels. However, it is the songs of the Kaparima and the hymns of the Sunday Choir and pride in the traditional crafts that exist in the day-to-day lives of Cook Islanders that best define their proud culture.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu is a land of volcanoes and magic, underwater ship wrecks, ancient art and dance, waterfalls and blue-holes, organic foods and a myriad of hidden bays and beaches. Not to mention the lush, tropical islands, the warm, turquoise waters, the friendly people, the colours, the culture, and the fantastic food!

Vanuatu is a "Y" shaped chain of 83 islands lying 2,500km northeast of Sydney Australia and 800km west of Nadi (Fiji). The main accommodation is located on the island of Efate, the two other popular island destinations are Tanna Island which is famous for its volcano and Espiritu Santo for its diving.

Vanuatu (Vanuatu means 'Land Eternal') islands range from towering volcanic cones to others covered in dense rainforest to others which are raised coral islands with wide beaches and deep natural harbours. The Ni-Vanuatu people are a peaceful, loving, gentle race, who enjoy life's simpler pleasures in a country of unique and diverse customs and culture.

There are experiences for the traveller not found anywhere else in the world like the Pentecost Land Dive (the first bungy jump) and the Toka Ceremony on the island of Tanna. The people of Vanuatu are predominantly Melanesian. The Ni Vanuatu have populated the islands for centuries and with more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still thriving, Vanuatu is recognised as one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. There are small communities of French, British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other Pacific Islands people living in harmony with the Ni Vanuatu.

Until 1980 Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, was jointly administered by France and Great Britain as a 'Condominium'. There are many reminders of the days when a gendarme would patrol one side of the main street and a London 'Bobby' the other.