| Popular in | June | High demand for flights, 8% potential price rise |
| Cheapest in | February | Best time to find cheap flights, 4% potential price drop |
| Average price | $253 | Average for round-trip flights in June 2021 |
| Round-trip from | $54 | From Melbourne to South Pacific |
| One-way from | $13 | One-way flight from Melbourne to South Pacific |
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MEL - SYD Price
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$171 - $285
|
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SYD Temperature
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0 - 24 °C
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SYD Rainfall
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84 - 160 mm
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If you think Utopia doesn’t exist then you’ve never visited Oceania. Each country within this small continent is among the most diverse and fascinating areas on the planet. Oceania is the smallest and most obscure construct of a continent, dominated by its biggest island, Australia. Yet the countries in this region are among the most diverse and fascinating areas on the planet.
Australia is a traveller’s dream, with its unique and contrasting landscapes, remarkable wildlife and laid-back, cosmopolitan cities. Equally blessed with natural beauty is its smaller, far flung neighbour New Zealand, with its flowing rivers, ancient forests and stunning glacial mountains, referred to by the indigenous Maori as Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud).
South Pacific islands such as Fiji are popular destinations for short breaks and honeymooners. An archipelago of 300 islands, Fiji has some of the best diving in the world and a blend of fascinating cultures. But of all the islands in the continent, the one that epitomises the South Pacific is Tahiti in French Polynesia. Its tropical waters and sandy coves have attracted visitors for years. Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin was so inspired by the island that he abandoned his native France to move there.
The climate throughout most of the region is pleasant year-round; winters are mild and almost non-existent in northern Australia and some islands. Summers are hot, but rarely unbearably scorching, except for the outback, the inland desert areas of Australia.
Summer is between December and February and is the peak season for domestic travel in Australia. New Zealand is a popular skiing destination in winter. For South Pacific islands such as French Polynesia, Fiji and the Cook Islands, the best time to go is in the dry season, from May to October. During the wet season, generally from December to March, it’s very humid and there can be tropical cyclones. Papua New Guinea has a monsoonal climate, while Guam is wet year-round and typhoons tend to occur between July and November.
Given the distance, domestic flights are the best option for travelling within Australia and New Zealand. Interstate trains and buses cover most of Australia, as long as you’re not in a hurry. New Zealand has an excellent bus service but to really explore the country at your own pace, hire a car.
Flights to the Pacific Islands, PNG and the Cook Islands are available but might require flying via Australia or New Zealand. Taxis in Guam, the Cook Islands, Papa New Guinea and Fiji, are not always metered, so it’s best to agree on a fare to your destination in advance.