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Australia is the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian Oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Its isolation has been noted, as it is a long way from traditional allies and trading partners in Europe and North America. However, several neighbouring nations share maritime borders or are near Australia. These include New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries close to Australia | New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia |
| Hemisphere | Southern |
| Oceans | Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean |
| Capital city | Canberra |
| Major economic and cultural centres | Sydney, Melbourne |
| Distance from traditional allies and trading partners | 12,000 miles (19,000 km) from Great Britain, 7,000 miles (11,000 km) from the US west coast |
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What You'll Learn
- Papua New Guinea: a culturally and linguistically diverse country with pristine landscapes
- Indonesia: a popular holiday destination for Australians, with a rich cultural heritage and diverse nature
- New Zealand: a quick flight away, with adventure activities, a unique Maori culture, and delicious food and wine
- Fiji: a tropical paradise with beaches, snorkelling, and nature walks
- New Caledonia: a French territory with palm-fringed beaches, aquamarine waters, and the world's largest lagoon
Papua New Guinea: a culturally and linguistically diverse country with pristine landscapes
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, neighbouring Australia and Indonesia. It is known for its diverse culture and languages, as well as its pristine landscapes. With a population of 7.6 million people, it is home to nearly 850 languages, making it the most linguistically diverse nation on the planet. The country covers two time zones and has a coastline longer than 10,000 kilometres.
The geography of Papua New Guinea is diverse and varied, ranging from mountainous regions to low-lying plains. The New Guinea Highlands, a spine of mountain ranges, run through the centre of the island, with the highest peak being Mount Wilhelm at 4,509 metres. The southern New Guinea plains, called the Fly-Digul shelf, are geologically stable and part of the Australian Plate. Northward lies a belt of limestone country, forming a harsh environment of jagged rock ridges and lowland rainforest.
The country's landscape also includes the Gulf of Papua, which covers much of the southern coast, and the Solomon Sea to the east of the mainland. Papua New Guinea encompasses the eastern half of New Guinea, the world's second-largest island, as well as the Bismarck Archipelago, Bougainville, and small offshore islands and atolls. The national capital, Port Moresby, is located in southeastern New Guinea on the Coral Sea.
The cultural and linguistic diversity of Papua New Guinea is remarkable. Settled over 40,000 years by a mixture of peoples known as Melanesians, the country has hundreds of diverse, once-isolated local societies. The linguistic diversity in Papua New Guinea is not simply a result of the number of languages but also the extent of difference between them. This diversity presents unique challenges in governing such a wide variety of local societies as a single nation.
In conclusion, Papua New Guinea is a culturally and linguistically diverse country with pristine landscapes. Its proximity to Australia and Indonesia, along with its geographic diversity and rich history, make it a fascinating nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
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Indonesia: a popular holiday destination for Australians, with a rich cultural heritage and diverse nature
Indonesia is a popular holiday destination for Australians, offering a rich cultural heritage and diverse nature. Located close to Australia, Indonesia boasts almost 130 active volcanoes, with the island of Java alone home to about 45 of them. Tourists can visit many of these volcanoes, such as Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen, offering a unique geographical experience.
Java also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple, and Prambanan, a grand Hindu temple complex. These sites, along with the Ujung Kulon National Park and Komodo National Park, were among the first places in Indonesia to be recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1991. The most recent addition to the list is the Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its historic landmarks in 2023.
Indonesia's natural beauty is renowned, with its tropical forests, oceans, coasts, and marine biodiversity. The Bird's Head Seascape, for example, is known for its coral reef biodiversity, while the Wehea forest in the Kalimantan region of Borneo is a tropical gem. The country's peatlands are also significant, and conservation efforts are in place to protect and restore them to support Indonesia's emissions reduction goals.
The Gili Islands are another popular destination for Australians, offering a range of attractions. Gili Trawangan is known for its bustling atmosphere and ample dining, accommodation, and entertainment options, while Gili Meno is ideal for those seeking a romantic escape or a honeymoon destination.
With its mix of cultural and natural attractions, Indonesia provides Australians with a diverse and captivating holiday destination, contributing to its popularity among those seeking new experiences and adventures close to home.
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New Zealand: a quick flight away, with adventure activities, a unique Maori culture, and delicious food and wine
New Zealand is just a quick flight away from Australia. Known as the adventure tourism capital of the world, New Zealand offers a plethora of thrilling activities. If you're an adventure junkie, you can try bungy jumping off the Auckland Harbour Bridge or the Taupō Bungy over the Waikato River. For a more relaxing experience, explore the scenic wilderness on the back-country roads or try black-water rafting in the Waitomo Caves. If you're feeling extra daring, skydiving in Wānaka, Queenstown, Lake Taupō, Auckland, or Bay of Plenty will give you a heart-stopping thrill.
Aside from adventure activities, New Zealand boasts a unique Maori culture. The Maori people, with their roots in Eastern Polynesian culture, have a rich history in New Zealand. Early Polynesian settlers relied heavily on the moa, a large flightless bird, for their diet, and brought edible plants like kūmara (sweet potato) from their home islands. Over time, Maori culture evolved, with trade and travel influencing their agricultural practices. The Maori people also embraced the power of the printed word, with the first Maori newspaper published in 1842.
New Zealand also offers a delightful culinary experience. The country's cuisine is heavily influenced by its ingredients, with fresh Pacific seafood and local lamb being standout options. When in Auckland, be sure to sample the local olive oils at Allpress Olive Groves on Waiheke Island, and don't miss the lamb and produce from celebrity chef Nadia Lim's regenerative farm in Arrowtown. For a unique dining experience, Amisfield winery's restaurant in Queenstown is noteworthy, and you can pair your meal with a local wine, such as a Pinot Noir or Merlot.
With its proximity to Australia, New Zealand is an ideal destination for those seeking adventure, a unique cultural experience, and a culinary journey. The country's Maori heritage, stunning natural landscapes, and delicious food and wine make it a must-visit destination.
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Fiji: a tropical paradise with beaches, snorkelling, and nature walks
Fiji, a tropical paradise nestled in the South Pacific Ocean, boasts a plethora of natural wonders, from pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs to lush rainforests and majestic waterfalls. With over 300 islands and 500 tiny islets and reefs, it offers a diverse range of experiences for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
For beachgoers and sun-seekers, Fiji's northwestern archipelago is a dream come true. The region is renowned for its calm, clear waters and white-sand beaches, providing the perfect setting for relaxation and water activities. The Yasawa Chain, a small archipelago of about 20 volcanic islands, is a snorkeler's paradise, offering easy access to vibrant reefs and an array of marine life, including sea turtles, reef sharks, and manta rays. The Manta Ray Passage, between Naviti and Drawaqa islands, is a particular highlight for spotting these graceful creatures.
The Beqa Lagoon, located within the Beqa Island group, is another snorkelling hotspot. As one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, it provides a vast underwater playground to explore. Shark enthusiasts will be thrilled by the opportunity to dive among schools of bull and tiger sharks that frequent the area. Meanwhile, the Blue Lagoon, tucked away in a palm-shaded lagoon on Nanuya Lailai Island, offers a serene setting for families to snorkel amidst a shallow reef teeming with tropical fish.
Fiji also offers a wealth of nature walks and hiking trails that showcase the country's diverse landscapes and natural beauty. The Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, just a 20-minute drive from Suva, invites visitors to explore 6.5 kilometres of walking trails, natural swimming holes, and an abundance of wildlife. For a more challenging trek, adventurers can embark on the Mount Tomaniivi Summit trail, the longest trail in Fiji, which offers a steep and muddy ascent but rewards hikers with breathtaking views from its peak. The Koroyanitu National Heritage Park is another popular destination, featuring two highly-rated hiking trails that wind through the park's scenic landscapes.
Beyond the beaches and coastal attractions, Fiji's interior reveals a different kind of beauty. Visitors can explore lush rainforests, such as the Colo-i-Suva Forest Reserve, where cascading waterfalls and indigenous flora create a tranquil and secluded atmosphere. Taveuni, known as the Garden Isle, is another must-visit destination for nature lovers, boasting spectacular waterfalls like the iconic Tavoro Falls and the stunning Wainibau waterfall, accessible via beginner-friendly hiking trails.
With its proximity to Australia and its diverse array of natural attractions, Fiji truly is a tropical paradise. Whether you're seeking sun-soaked beaches, vibrant reefs, or lush nature walks, Fiji offers a unique and unforgettable travel experience.
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New Caledonia: a French territory with palm-fringed beaches, aquamarine waters, and the world's largest lagoon
Australia is relatively isolated, with only three neighbouring countries: New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. However, there are several nations that share maritime borders with Australia. One of these nations is New Caledonia, a French territory in the Pacific Ocean, west of Samoa and northeast of Fiji.
New Caledonia is an archipelago in the Melanesia subregion, including the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Chesterfield Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of Pines, and a few remote islets. The Loyalty Islands make up over one-tenth of New Caledonia's land area and about one-tenth of its population. The islands are raised coral plateaus, with the highest elevation reaching around 430 feet (130 meters).
The main island of Grande Terre is surrounded by a coral reef, which extends from Huon Island in the north to the Île des Pins in the south. This coral reef is a true barrier reef enclosing a large lagoon, the New Caledonian lagoon, which has a total area of 24,000 square kilometres (9,300 square miles). The lagoon is one of the largest in the world and, along with the surrounding New Caledonia Barrier Reef, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 for its exceptional beauty and marine biodiversity.
The tropical lagoons and coral reefs of New Caledonia form one of the three most extensive reef systems in the world. They are home to a diverse range of coral and fish species, including 11 endemic fish species and 14 endemic species of decapod crustaceans. The reefs also provide habitats for emblematic or threatened marine species such as turtles, whales, and dugongs. The climate in New Caledonia is tropical, with a hot and humid season from November to March and temperatures ranging from 27 to 30 °C (81 to 86 °F).
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Frequently asked questions
The countries closest to Australia are Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Indonesia.
Australia is the largest country in Oceania, with a land area of 7,692,024 sq km.
The smallest independent country in Oceania is the island nation of Nauru, which covers an area of 21 sq km.
Other countries close to Australia include East Timor, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.
