Imagine leaving the busy streets of Australia behind for a tropical land of turquoise water, lush forests, volcanic landscapes, white-sand beaches and hidden blue holes. That’s the experience that is attracting more attention to Vanuatu, a South Pacific island nation that can feel quite different from the way life is done by people in the Australian world despite its relatively accessible location from Australia.
Travel writer Lola Hubner recently introduced us to the Vanuatu Islands in a video tour with her video about it and the surrounding landscape and otherworldly atmosphere.
Vanuatu consists of 83 islands in total, many of them mountainous in nature, of volcanic shape, tropical or subtropical nature. The capital Port Vila is located on Efate, one of the country's flagship islands. The beautiful natural landscapes and Melanesian culture of the country help to give a culture other than the typical tropical beach holiday theme.
One of Vanuatu’s unique characteristics is the large and diverse landscape of its islands. Efate has beaches, lagoons, waterfalls, marine experiences and cultural attractions of life in the coastline and landscapes that are all very different from the others, and Espiritu Santo is known for long white beaches, crystal-clear blue holes, jungle and world-class diving. Tanna, however, has a totally different environment with black-sand beaches, forests and the dramatic presence of Mount Yasur.
Vanuatu can be an attractive South Pacific destination for travellers from Australia. International links to Port Vila from Australia, Sydney and Brisbane, have been provided, but the schedule can change and service may not always be available. When booking a trip, travellers should check the current airline schedules.
The notion that Vanuatu is “just three hours from Sydney” can change depending on the flight schedule and routing, so the exact journey time should be checked for the particular travel date. But its relative accessibility is part of what makes the destination attractive to Australian travellers looking for an overseas tropical escape without travelling to a distant part of the world.
Efate is often a natural starting point. Port Vila, the capital, is situated on a beautiful natural harbour and offers a wide array of experiences. Travelers can visit beaches, lagoons and other islands and places like Mele Cascades and Blue Lagoon offer opportunities to see the island's natural beauty. Some of Efate's major attractions are relatively easy to reach from Port Vila, the official tourism office says.
The islands surrounding them add to the Vanuatu experience. Lelepa and Moso, for example, can be visited from Efate and can provide places to swim, snorkelling, visit nature and experience the indigenous island life. The protected waters around these islands and the mix of beaches, rainforest and marine environment is highlighted by the tourism authority.
Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu's largest island, is particularly popular for tourists who want dramatic natural scenery. Its landscape is powdery beaches, coconut palms, dense jungle and striking blue holes. And diving is a popular attraction on Santo and the wreck of the SS President Coolidge is one of the most popular places in the world.
Blue holes are among the most recognizable features of Vanuatu. These lush pools of freshwater are surrounded by tropical plants and can appear very blue in the sunlight. Their clear water, limestone formations and dense greenery create the sort of picture that makes photographs and travel videos from Vanuatu so popular online.
Then there is Tanna, an island with a completely different character. Mount Yasur is one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes, and traditional villages, black-sand beaches, forests, caves and natural hot springs are all there on the island. The Vanuatu Tourism Office describes Tanna in a nutshell as a place where volcanic landscapes and local traditions are woven together.
For travel, Vanuatu’s cultural identity is as much more than just its landscapes but also cultural identity is also part of Vanuatu’s culture that is at the center of the travel experience. There are traditional customs, also known locally as kastom, that are part of the culture here, which are still in the community life and are still very much a part of local customs, food, music and culture which can be seen as very different from a normal holiday experience on a regular beach holiday.
So Vanuatu’s appeal comes from a mixture of experiences rather than one attraction. You can walk through turquoise water, visit a rainforest, swim in a blue hole and see traditional island communities and come across a volcanic landscape all within the same country.
That variety is perhaps what makes the destination feel like “another world.” Everything is beautiful, but the slower pace of island life and the cultural experiences add another dimension to the journey. Vanuatu offers an unusually diverse destination for those who want adventure in the tropics and relaxation too.
Lola Hubner’s recent social media spotlight helps to bring attention to this lesser-known South Pacific destination for viewers looking for unusual holiday ideas. Visually striking destinations like Vanuatu are what most people will be attracted to as travel content influences where they go.
In the end, Vanuatu is so much more than ideal beaches. From Efate’s coastal beauty and Santo’s blue holes to Tanna’s volcanic landscapes, the islands offer a wealth of natural landscapes. With access from Australia, dramatic landscapes and a unique culture, it’s a destination that is worth discovering for people who are looking for something different than the usual tropical escape.
