Oceania demands commitment: 22 to 30 hours of flight from Paris, 8-to-10-hour time difference, massive internal distances. Rarely a trip under 3 weeks. Our detailed list covers 2 pillars (Australia, New Zealand) with regularly combined Pacific extensions (French Polynesia, Fiji, New Caledonia).
🔄 Updated May 22, 2026
Oceania at a glance
Destinations covered
2
Pacific extensions
5
Min flight from Paris
~22h
Max flight
~30h
Average / day
€120 – 400
Time difference
+8h to +12h
Best overall season
December to February (austral summer, south), June to August (tropical north)
Choose in 30 seconds
Oceania has no truly short option. But for those who allocate the minimum 3 weeks, it's one of the most distinctive trips on the planet.
For wide open spaces
New Zealand (South Island), Australia (Outback, Tasmania, Kimberley). Near-zero population density over hundreds of km.
For wildlife
Australia (Great Barrier Reef, Kangaroo Island, Tasmania), New Zealand (Otago, Doubtful Sound, kiwi).
For surf and beach
Australia (Gold Coast, Margaret River, Bondi), New Zealand (Coromandel, Raglan).
For a culture + nature combo
New Zealand (Maori culture in Rotorua), Australia (Aboriginal sites Uluru and Kakadu).
Pacific extensions
French Polynesia (Bora Bora, Moorea), Fiji, Vanuatu: from Auckland or Sydney, 3 to 5 hour flights.
Calendar
Oceania is in the Southern hemisphere. Seasons are reversed: December-February = summer, June-August = winter. The tropical north (Cairns, Darwin) swings to dry season June-October.
| Month | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| December – February | South Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Tasmania), New Zealand (accessible South Island). Avoid North Australia (too hot, monsoon). |
| March – May | Austral autumn. All of Australia pleasant (Outback accessible). NZ: superb on the North Island. |
| June – August | Austral winter. North Australia (Cairns, Darwin, Kimberley) in dry season. NZ: ski at Queenstown and Wanaka. |
| September – November | Austral spring. Full Australia accessible. NZ: blooms in Otago, whales at Kaikoura. |
| French Polynesia | April to October (dry season). Avoid December-March (rains, occasional cyclones). |
All destinations
French territory
From Auckland
French territory
From Brisbane
Decide
2 weeks
Australian East Coast (Sydney + Cairns + Great Barrier Reef) OR New Zealand South Island. Attempting both is exhausting in 14 days.
3 weeks
Sydney 10 days → Sydney-Christchurch flight (3 h) → South Island NZ van loop (10 days) → Auckland (2 days). The format I recommend to 95 % of travellers.
4 weeks or more
Add a week in French Polynesia (Bora Bora, Moorea from Auckland) or Fiji.
| Style | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Backpacker < €3,500 | Australia in van, NZ in Wicked or Jucy van, YHA dorms |
| Comfort €5,000 – 7,000 | Australian East Coast, NZ two-island tour |
| Premium €9,000 – 14,000 | Premium Australia, luxury NZ (Huka Lodge), French Polynesia (Bora Bora 5★) |
Family with children
Australian East Coast (Gold Coast, Sydney, Cairns): excellent family infrastructure. NZ also works but logistics more demanding.
Honeymoon
French Polynesia (Bora Bora) from Auckland, or NZ South Island + Australian Tasmania combo.
Road trip & van
New Zealand by van (Wicked Campers, Jucy): most-tested itinerary. Australia by 4×4 in the Outback.
Adventure & trekking
Tasmania trek, Abel Tasman kayaking (NZ), Milford Track (Great Walk NZ), Larapinta Trail (Australia).
Surf
Margaret River (West Australia), Gold Coast, Bondi, Raglan (NZ North Island).
Diving
Great Barrier Reef (Cairns), Ningaloo Reef (West Australia), Poor Knights (NZ), Vanuatu (SS President Coolidge).
Before you leave
French territories (national ID is enough for French travellers)
French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis-and-Futuna. No visa, XPF currency (Pacific franc).
Electronic travel authorisation
Australia: eVisitor 651 (free, valid 12 months) or ETA 601 (AUD 20). New Zealand: NZeTA (NZD 17, valid 2 years, mandatory since 2019).
Left-hand driving
Australia and New Zealand drive on the left. International permit recommended. Road risk exceeds all wildlife risks combined.
Official source
Passport valid 6 months after return date everywhere in Oceania. No mandatory vaccine for European travellers entering Australia or New Zealand in 2026. Check recommendations on France Diplomatie.
Essential comparisons
High medical costs in Australia and NZ, unlimited cap recommended. Evacuation critical given the distance.
View →Wise and Revolut for AUD and NZD payments with no exchange fees. Save 4 to 6 %.
View →Airalo and Holafly cover both countries. Patchy coverage in the Australian Outback (4G in cities only).
View →Detailed sheet for each continent destination.
View →FAQ
Explore elsewhere
Sophie Martin ✓
·Family travel
Sophie Martin covers this geographic area for L'Heure du Voyage.
