Oceania tours & vacations

Oceania experiences many different climates and weather conditions, but the region generally has hot summers with little to no rainfall and colder winters. However, some exceptions exist, such as Australia with its moderately warm winters and rainy summers (in the northern parts of the country) and Fiji with its tropical and humid climate, making winter an excellent time to visit compared to the cyclones and frequent thunderstorms of its summer months (November to April). 

The Oceania region encompasses several countries with different, albeit all fairly tropical, climates so it's hard to determine a single 'best' time to visit. Please see the below breakdown by country:

• Australia's climate is so diverse that it can be winter, but some parts of the country (Far North Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory) experience warm weather and little rainfall. But when summer rolls around, head to New South Wales, Victoria or Tasmania for hot weather and sunny conditions. 

• Thanks to its tropical climate, Fiji is a year-round destination but the best time to visit for optimal weather – think blue skies and little rain – is during the dry season which runs from May to October. 

• There isn’t really a ‘bad time’ to visit the Cook Islands as the temperatures are balmy all year round, but the dry season between April and November (when humidity and rainfall are low) is the most popular. 

• The best time to visit Papua New Guinea is during the dry season when cool breezes and low humidity on the coast make temperatures comfortable.

• The best time to visit Vanuatu’s southern islands is from May to October. This is generally the coolest, driest period of the year, with the cyclone season beginning in December.

As most countries in the Oceania region have tropical, warm climates (at least during summer), it's best to pack loose, lightweight clothing (think linen and cotton), appropriate sun protection such as hats, sunglasses and sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes (if you choose to explore) and sandals. You should also pack insect repellant for those pesky topical bugs, a camera to capture all of your unforgettable experiences and a day bag or backpack for when you're out and about. 

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travelers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travelers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.

Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.