.png)
Oceania: Travel Guides, Stories, and Cultural Insights
Your Guide to the Island Continent
After meeting on Instagram, the continent of Oceania actually became the first place we met in person! Jenn had already pre-booked a cruise leaving from Australia, and after 3 months of online chat we decided to join up together. We spent a week on the ship after leaving from Sydney harbour, stopping off at Vanuatu and New Caledonia along the way, then returning to Sydney and taking a flight back to England. Our first meet definitely went well!
In this guide we look at some of the facts surrounding the world's smallest continent, and you will also find specially curated travel resources, our latest blog posts, and our comprehensive Australia Country Guide. We haven't developed guides for Vanuatu or New Caledonia just yet, but do stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts documenting our journey to these two fascinating countries!
Countries visited (3)
Jump to where you want to go
Share this guide
Photo Gallery
Tap any photo for more info
Country Guide
Check out our all you need to know comprehensive Australia country guide, with everything from visa information to culture and customs, transportation to health and safety, must-see places and handy maps. We include helpful links, sim card info and even emergency numbers.
Interesting Facts
Here are 14 interesting facts about Oceania. Some may just surprise you!
1. A Water World: Despite being a continent, Oceania is predominantly covered by water. Its name, coined by French explorer Dumont d'Urville, reflects this oceanic dominance.
2. Island Paradise: Oceania is a treasure trove of islands, from the vast Australian continent to tiny coral atolls. Its diverse geography has shaped unique cultures and ecosystems.
3. Tectonic Hotspot: Oceania sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its volcanic activity and earthquakes. This geological dynamism has created stunning landscapes.
4. Diverse Cultures: Oceania is a melting pot of cultures, with thousands of distinct languages spoken across the region. Indigenous traditions and beliefs coexist with modern influences.
5. Dreamtime Stories: Aboriginal Australian culture is deeply rooted in the Dreamtime, a spiritual concept explaining the creation of the world and its inhabitants.
6. Polynesian Navigators: The Polynesians were master navigators who explored vast stretches of the Pacific Ocean using the stars and natural phenomena as their guides.
7. Great Barrier Reef: The world's largest coral reef system, this underwater wonderland is home to countless marine species and a major tourist attraction.
8. Unique Wildlife: Oceania boasts an extraordinary array of endemic animals, including the kangaroo, koala, kiwi, and platypus. Many of these creatures have adapted to unique ecological niches.
9. Tropical Rainforests: Lush rainforests cover parts of Oceania, harboring incredible biodiversity and playing a crucial role in climate regulation.
10. First Settlers: Australia was one of the last continents to be settled by humans, with evidence suggesting arrival around 65,000 years ago.
11. Colonial Legacy: European colonization had a profound impact on Oceania, shaping its history, politics, and society.
12. Challenges of Climate Change: Many Pacific Island nations face significant threats from rising sea levels and extreme weather events due to climate change.
13. Economic Diversity: Oceania's economies vary widely, from resource-rich Australia to small island nations dependent on tourism and fisheries.
14. Global Tourism Destination: Oceania is a popular tourist destination, offering stunning natural beauty, adventure activities, and unique cultural experiences.
Latest Posts
Travel Resources
Book Your Transport E-Tickets with 12Go
12Go is an online travel booking platform that specializes in transportation options in Southeast Asia and Europe. It offers a wide range of travel choices including trains, buses, ferries, and even flights. Known for its user-friendly interface, you can easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for your desired journey.
Discover the World with Klook!
Unforgettable experiences await with Klook, your go-to platform for booking amazing activities, attractions, and transportation worldwide. From thrilling adventures to cultural explorations, Klook offers a diverse range of options to suit every traveler. Enjoy seamless bookings, exclusive deals, and expert recommendations as you create lasting memories. Let Klook be your travel companion and unlock the wonders of the world!
Special Offers for You
Save, Earn, & Explore! Find amazing sign-up offers specially curated for you with travel (Klook, Trusted Housesitters, Expedia, Simbye e-SIM), teaching online (Cambly), shopping (Amazon), drop-shipping (Printify) and more! We have partnered with brands we use and trust, to help support you on your journey.
YOUTUBE
Discover more from our travels and join over 14k on our YouTube channel at Jenn and Leon
As entrepreneurs and full-time slow travellers our goal is to see as much of this beautiful planet as we can! We love getting to know communities and locals around the world and through our channel we want to help and support them by sharing their culture with our viewers. By subscribing to our channel you will get notified of our latest videos as and when they land, so you will never miss out!
Jenn & Leon at Closer Lives
We plan to see, learn, love and share as much of the world with others as possible. That is why we created Closer Lives, to create a community for like-minded individuals and to help bring the world a little closer together through poetry, history, storytelling, healing, art, purpose and community.
If you'd like to join us please sign up to our website; the social part is still in the process of being developed but currently you are able to post, share and interact. We'd love to have you here with us!
PLUS when you sign up you will receive a welcome bonus of 20% off ANYTHING from our Travel & Lifestyle Emporium.
Shop our inspirational range of suitcases, backpacks, phone cases, clothing and more, exclusively designed by us, with worldwide delivery.