South Pacific Travel in 2026

South Pacific Travel in 2026

The Oceania region, including Australia, New Zealand, and the many islands and nations of the South Pacific, is a dream destination for many. Because of the vast distances here, as well as the distance from North America, many travelers choose longer trips, often two weeks or more.

Here’s a roundup of some of the best things to see and do in this vast region in 2026.

South Pacific Travel in 2026: Best Destinations

Rugged, remote, and richly woven with culture, Australia’s Northern Territory will be one of the country’s most compelling destinations in 2026. At its heart lies Kakadu National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage site known for dramatic escarpments, ancient rock art, and thriving wildlife. This year, the park’s crown jewel, Gunlom Falls,  reopened, once again offering travelers access to its iconic natural infinity pool, but the most photographed geological formation in Australia, Uluru, is still going to be popular. In Darwin, the upcoming Larrakia Cultural Centre will provide a powerful new space to engage with Larrakia art, stories, and connection to country.

The blinding blues of the Buccaneer Archipelago off the coast of the East Kimberley come into full focus with proud Bardi Jawi woman Rosanna Angus. Her Oolin Sunday Island Cultural Tours visit Aboriginal communities on the mainland before you cruise out to Sunday Island, where Rosanna’s family lived at a mission for many years. The history is as palpable as the breathtaking setting, and Rosanna makes travelers feel completely at ease as they discover how Aboriginal communities dealt with colonization.

South Pacific Travel in 2026: Best Attractions

For travelers craving space, style, and once-in-a-lifetime scenery, Journey Beyond’s new Aurora and Australis Suites—debuting in April 2026—offer a breathtaking new way to experience Australia by rail. Whether crossing the Red Centre on The Ghan or winding along the coast aboard the Great Southern, guests will enjoy queen-sized beds, expansive lounges, butler service, and private in-suite dining while surrounded by panoramic Outback views. With interiors inspired by Art Deco elegance and tailored for modern luxury, this is an unforgettable way to explore Australia in 2026.

In Tasmania, Stanley’s iconic waterfront Bond Store has begun a new chapter, opening as luxury heritage accommodation that blends history, authenticity and modern comfort. Built in 1861 on the edge of the old wharf, the striking stone building has stood through shipwrecks, wild weather and the evolving fortunes of this remote Tasmanian fishing village. Today, after a meticulous restoration by sixth-generation locals, it has been reborn as The Bond Store Stanley, offering one- or two-bedroom apartments that invite guests to experience the soul of this historic town. Guests can enjoy a private courtyard with a two-person sauna and cold outdoor shower or watch for whales and penguins from their terrace.

South Pacific Travel in 2026: Must-See Events

A must-see event for Australian visitors is Sydney’s annual Mardi Gras, a freewheeling celebration for all, held in 2026 from February 13 to March 1. The city also hosts Vivid Sydney, an event celebrating light, food, ideas, and music from May 21 to June 22; as part of the fun, huge lighting displays turn the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and other attractions into huge canvases.

In New Zealand, music fans will head to the Wellington Waterfront on April 10 for Ultra New Zealand, one of the world’s premier electronic music festivals. And Auckland hosts the BNZ Auckland Lantern Festival from February 26 to March 1, a celebration of the Year of the Horse with more than 500 handmade lanterns, performances, food stalls, rides, and fireworks.

Best Places for Family Travel in the South Pacific in 2026

Families can pick their adventure in northwestern Australia’s incredible Kimberley region with Kingfisher Tours. Choose to soar over the Buccaneer Archipelago, Montgomery Reef, and the Horizontal Falls on a scenic flight before taking a dip in remote waterholes. Or they can join expert Aboriginal guides for a 4WD adventure to Echidna Chasm in World Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park, or for the Mini Palms walk. Families will gain a deep understanding of this remarkable region as well as its people, wildlife, and the immense passage of time etched into every crevice of the landscape.  

Byron Bay, a one-hour flight from Sydney, is a perfect retreat for families. Visitors can enjoy spas, beautiful beaches, coastal walks, bakeries, and some of the best restaurants Australia has to offer. Byron is home to Australia’s most iconic luxury boutique Hotel, Raes on Wategos, encompassing Raes Hotel, Raes Guesthouses, Raes Dining Room, and Raes Spa, located footsteps from the world-famous Wategos Beach in Byron Bay. Raes was designed by renowned interior designer Tamsin Johnson, and radiates a relaxed Mediterranean feel with earthen pastels, hand-painted joinery, and vintage-inspired pieces throughout. As synonymous with Johnson’s design practice, the spaces feature custom furnishings and mid-century lighting.

Best Places for Couples Travel in the South Pacific in 2026

Perched on Australia’s lovely Mornington Peninsula, Laura is Pt. Leo Estate’s most refined expression of dining, where flawless service, seasonal produce, and artistic landscapes come together. Located within the bright and airy dining room of the 330-acre estate, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the surrounding coastline and 16-acre privately owned sculpture park, creating a seamless connection between the art, landscape, and the plate.

The Dining Room, in Red Hill, Victoria, is just an hour from Melbourne. The restaurant champions hyper-local sourcing in its seasonal menu development, strengthening its connection to the region and its exceptional producers, including Main Ridge Dairy, Torello Farm and Flinders Truffle. Executive Chef Nick McGonigal also collaborates closely with local gardeners and an on-site gardener, whose deep knowledge of the land helps shape each dish from the ground up for an experience that is thoughtful and one-of-a-kind.

French Polynesia remains a popular destination for couples, particularly honeymooners, due to its romantic overwater bungalows, incredible vistas, clear waters, and gorgeous resorts. Favorites include Bora Bora, Kauai-like Moorea, Tahiti, Taha’a, and Raiatea.

Best Places for Group Travel in the South Pacific in 2026

The New Zealand Coastal Odyssey tour,  starting on March 11 with Heritage Expeditions, will unveil the hidden gems of Aotearoa/New Zealand and its three main islands (the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island) on a 13-day expedition. Explore the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, the sunken valleys and towering mountains of Fiordland and Milford Sound; Wellington’s ‘Capital of Cool,’ the scenic playground of Marlborough Sounds, and the famed beaches of Abel Tasman National Park.

Borrgoron Coast to Creek Tours is led by Bardi man Terry Hunter, who has lived on Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, 140 miles north of Broome/Rubibi, for most of his life. Huntr knows this corner of Australia’s Kimberley region intimately, and his walking tour combines stories of his childhood, the teachings of Aboriginal cultures and bush knowledge, and reveals how his family history is tied to the pioneering beginnings of the region’s pearl trade. Participants will eat fresh oysters, enjoy an art lesson on pearl-shell carving, and discover the marine biology projects underway on the pearl farm.  

Best Places for Solo Travel in the South Pacific in 2026

“Solo hiking isn’t just for young, broke backpackers anymore,” said Kate Duffy, CMO for Tasmanian Walking Company. “Over the last 12 months, solo travel across our portfolio has increased 43 percent, attracting adventurers in their 40s through to 70s. We have been able to unlock inventory where there is capacity and where it makes financial sense.”

The company has cut its single supplement on two popular long weekend walks: the Bruny Island Long Weekend and the Bay of Fires Long Weekend. Both offer a flat supplementary fee of $500 (as opposed to 75% of the second person’s twin-share rate).

Best Foodie Destinations in the South Pacific in 2026

Picnic Island Tasmania unveiled a new whisky cask partnership with Waubs Harbour Distillery, with bottles from the private cask available exclusively to Picnic Island guests.

“This partnership is the perfect example of our approach to food and beverage at Picnic Island,” said Mark Israel, co-owner of Picnic Island Tasmania. “There is no luxury playbook. We’re creating genuine connections between our guests and Tasmania’s most passionate makers—people whose craft reflects this place in ways that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere.”

In a comprehensive approach to food and beverage, every ingredient used on Picnic Island is carefully selected, every meal thoughtfully designed, and every experience curated to connect guests to Tasmania’s exceptional produce and makers—through all the senses. As an all-inclusive retreat, the island features a private chef who sources ingredients almost entirely from Tasmanian producers, even from within sight of the dining table when possible. Fresh seafood comes from surrounding waters, oysters from nearby Great Oyster Bay, vegetables from local organic farms, and wines from Tasmania’s renowned cool-climate vineyards.

Perched above the pine- and pandanus-fringed shoreline of Burleigh Heads in Australia’s Gold Coast, Haven is redefining the rhythm of coastal dining here. Led by Executive Chef Aaron Teece, the venue offers a refined yet relaxed all-day experience where provenance meets play. Spanning a third-floor dining room, pool club, private cabanas and sunset bar at Mondrian Gold Coast, Haven is designed to shift with the day, from sun-drenched lunches to twilight drinks and lively evenings. The venue combines effortless hospitality with a sense of occasion, elevated by Pacific Ocean views and a soundtrack of curated playlists, DJs and live performances.

Best Places for Adventure Travel in the South Pacific in 2026

Australia’s Lizard Island is perched on the northernmost tip of the Great Barrier Reef, a remote destination home to a single boutique resort, 24 secluded beaches, and experiences that genuinely make travelers feel like they are at the edge of the world.

The House at Relais & Châteaux Lizard Island Resort property, is accessible only by private charter and has just 40 rooms and suites. It does not permit day visitors—creating a truly secluded stay, even during peak season.

The island itself is home to several scenic hiking and walking paths. Guests can hike to the summit of the iconic Cook’s Look or visit Watson’s Cottage to learn about Lizard Island’s first European inhabitants. The resort offers scuba and snorkeling programs, including guided reef tours and lessons, designed to accommodate varying levels of experience.

The resort partners closely with the Lizard Island Research Station, one of the most productive marine science facilities in the world, to invite guests to participate in citizen science projects like reef monitoring and snorkel safaris. Cultural walks with the Dingaal people, zero single-use plastic initiatives, and guided paddleboard tours over vibrant reefs all contribute to an experience that’s both enriching and restorative.

South Pacific Travel in 2026: Best Places for Sports Enthusiasts

Queensland, Australia’s second-largest state, boasts so many sports to play or watch. For the active traveler, beach activities from volleyball to snorkeling and endless water sports are popular draws to the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Cairns. And there’s plenty to watch, as well, including the 2026 Brisbane International tennis tournament (January 4-11), the Corona Open surfing championships in Coolangatta, or the Mobil Gold Coast 500 auto races in October.

Unique to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific

In April, Tasmanian Walking Company is launching a five-day, 33-mile guided walk across the Red Centre to link Kata Tjuta with Uluru, two of Australia’s most sacred landscapes. Ten years in the making, the walk is immersive, respectful, and designed to open travelers’ hearts and minds.

Heritage Expeditions’ Melanesia Discoverer cruise from October 22 to November 8 includes Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. The cruise will explore tropical island outposts and rarely visited islands, discovering the rich history, cultures (including the ancient Rom Dance on Ambrym Island), and wildlife of Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. In Malaita, the company’s longstanding relationship with Chief Esau Kekeubata of the Kwaio People allows guests the exclusive opportunity to observe a dance so sacred that they are required to participate, wearing the traditional costume of a vine belt and one leaf, for both men and women.

In 2026, travelers will be able to experience Uluru-Kata Tjuta in Australia’s red center like never before, thanks to the debut of a new multi-day walking tour through this sacred landscape developed in close consultation with the Anangu Traditional Owners. This new access adds a deeper cultural and ecological context to one of Australia’s most iconic sites. Longitude 131°, a luxury tented lodge set among red dunes with direct views of Uluru, offers the most immersive base for exploring the region, with Indigenous-led excursions, stargazing, and unparalleled access to the spiritual heart of the country.

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to plan and book South Pacific travel in 2026.