Damon Mcknight
Australia is surrounded by thousands of islands, including those within its maritime borders and those in the Pacific Ocean to its east. The Pacific Islands span a vast area of the Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia in the west to Easter Island in the east. The region includes more than 20,000 islands, including New Guinea, the largest in the region, which is shared by Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Pacific Islands are known for their beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and atolls, and are a highly sought-after tourist destination.
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What You'll Learn
New Zealand is the island to the east of Australia
New Zealand has a unique culture and a rich history. The country has a strong indigenous presence, with many communities having their own distinct traditions and languages. New Zealand was first settled by Polynesians and later became a part of the British Empire, gaining independence in the 20th century. Today, it is a sovereign country with a parliamentary democracy.
The geography of New Zealand is diverse, ranging from picturesque beaches to majestic mountains. The country is known for its natural beauty, with many national parks and conservation areas. New Zealand is also a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and water sports. The country has a mild climate, making it a comfortable place to visit throughout the year.
New Zealand has a close relationship with Australia, and the two countries share cultural and economic ties. They are partners in various regional organizations and often collaborate on international issues. New Zealand and Australia have similar systems of government and legal frameworks, reflecting their shared history and values.
The island of New Zealand is a popular tourist destination, offering a range of attractions for visitors. The country has vibrant cities, such as Auckland and Wellington, which showcase its modern side. At the same time, its natural wonders, including Milford Sound and Mount Cook, provide breathtaking experiences. New Zealand is also known for its adventure tourism, with activities such as bungee jumping and skydiving widely available.
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Lord Howe Island is a remote Australian island
The island is irregularly crescent-shaped and volcanic in origin, with two peaks, Mounts Gower and Lidgbird, rising above 2,500 feet (760 metres) at its southern end. Lord Howe Island is about 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) long and between 0.3 and 2.0 kilometres (0.19 and 1.24 miles) wide, with an area of 14.55 square kilometres (3,600 acres). The population of the island is small, with only about 300 residents as of 2019, and the main source of income is tourism.
Lord Howe Island is known for its pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, and untouched natural environment. The surrounding waters are a protected region designated as the Lord Howe Island Marine Park, which is considered one of the best diving spots in the world. The island itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with national parks covering about three-fourths of its land area. The island features a diverse range of landscapes, including forested hills, a sandy semi-enclosed sheltered coral reef lagoon, and rare vegetation and birdlife.
Tourist activities on Lord Howe Island include golf, lawn bowls, tennis, fishing, yachting, windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, and boat trips. The island has a range of accommodation options, from luxury lodges to apartments and villa units. The currency used on the island is the Australian dollar, and there are two banks. Cycling is the main means of transport as distances to sites of interest are relatively short.
The Lord Howe Island Act 1981 established a "Permanent Park Preserve" covering about 70% of the island, and it was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2007 and the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999.
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Cocos (Keeling) Islands is an idyllic Indian Ocean outpost
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a tropical paradise, offering a unique and idyllic experience in the Indian Ocean. With just 600 residents and visitor numbers capped at 144 at any time, this remote outpost ensures a peaceful and exclusive getaway. The islands are a nature lover's dream, with azure waters, white sandy beaches, and a diverse array of marine life.
Comprising 27 coral islands formed around the ring of an extinct volcano, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a vision of beauty. The southern atoll is made up of 26 islands, including the two populated islands of Home Island and West Island. West Island is the main hub for tourists, offering a range of accommodation options and activities such as snorkelling, kite surfing, and canoe safaris. It is also home to the primary airport, Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport, with a convenient location for travellers.
Home Island, on the other hand, provides a glimpse into the local culture. It is the seat of the Clunies-Ross dynasty and the heart of the Cocos Malay community. Visitors can explore the unique cultural heritage of the islands and interact with the friendly locals. The islands are known for their spectacular marine life, including a renowned population of turtles in the lagoon, with 15,000 Green Turtles and 15,000 Hawksbill Turtles sharing the waters with reef sharks, dolphins, Manta Rays, and hundreds of tropical fish species.
The Cocos (Keeling) Islands also hold significant strategic value due to their location near vital shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean. Their proximity to the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits allows for effective monitoring and control of maritime traffic between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This has not gone unnoticed by Australia and the United States, who recognise the islands' long-term strategic potential. The islands also play an important role in enhancing joint maritime security efforts in the region, serving as a base for refuelling and resupplying naval vessels and aircraft.
With its natural beauty, rich marine life, and cultural offerings, the Cocos (Keeling) Islands provide an unforgettable experience for those seeking a tropical paradise off the beaten path. Its remote location and exclusive atmosphere make it a true hidden gem in the Indian Ocean.
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Australia has 8,222 islands within its maritime borders
Groote Eylandt is Australia's fourth-largest island and is located in the Northern Territory. Its name is derived from the archaic Dutch words for "Big Island". Other notable islands in Australia include Lord Howe Island, a small island in the Tasman Sea, 600 kilometres east of the Australian mainland, and the Brook Islands, which consist of three islands: North, Tween, and Middle.
Some sources consider New Zealand to be the island next to Australia, while others refer to Tasmania as the island west of Australia. The Pacific Islands, which span a vast area in the Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia in the west to Easter Island in the east, are also located near Australia. This region includes more than 20,000 islands, with the largest being New Guinea, shared by Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
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The Pacific Islands span a vast area of the Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Islands are conventionally divided into three ethnogeographic groupings: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. The term Oceania is often used to refer to the Pacific Islands in a broader sense, encompassing all Pacific insular landmasses, including Australia, the Aleutian Islands, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, and Taiwan.
The Pacific Islands are known for their beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and atolls, which are ring-shaped coral islands encircling lagoons. The islands differ geomorphologically, from low atolls to raised limestone islands to volcanic high islands with substantial topographic diversity. They also differ climatically, ranging from wet western equatorial islands to seasonal tradewind environments.
The Pacific Islands are a highly sought-after tourist destination, offering a multitude of attractions catering to a wide variety of interests. The islands are also known for their rich cultural heritage, with many indigenous communities maintaining their own distinct traditions and languages.
The Pacific Islands are further categorized into three major island groups: Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. These regions make up the majority of the Pacific Islands, with Polynesia being the largest and most populous, followed by Melanesia and then Micronesia.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several islands near Australia. Tasmania is a large island state off the southeast coast of mainland Australia. New Zealand is also considered to be near Australia.
There are 8,222 islands within Australia's maritime borders. Some of the islands that are part of Australia include Rottnest Island, Kangaroo Island, Lord Howe Island, Groote Eylandt, and K'gari.
Some islands that are a short flight away from Australia include Horn Island, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and Lizard Island.
