We arrived in French Polynesia, our first of many Oceania destinations, in May 2022. After a year in Polynesia, we sailed to Niue, Tonga, and Fiji before landing in New Zealand in late 2023.

Gibbston bike trail, New Zealand — A viewpoint on the bike trail in Gibbston, South Island New Zealand

After six months in New Zealand, we sailed to Australia in May 2024. Australia is a big country, and we’ve experienced some big boat problems, so we spent over a year exploring by land and sea.

Click below for links to each of these incredible Oceania destinations which we got to visit!

AUSTRALIA

How ya goin, mate? In Australia, we’d answer, extremely well. We’ve sailed the east coast in Queensland and New South Wales. It’s a big country, with world class cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, and amazing outdoor adventures. We’ve sailed much of the east coast and flown to several other states.

Sydney NYE fireworks — Sydney New Years Eve fireworks

OCEANIA DESTINATIONS: FIJI

With some of the friendliest people in the world and beautiful beaches, Fiji is a tropical paradise. With beautiful outdoor destinations and delicious food, there’s so much to see and do. Say “BULA!”

waterfall, Taveuni Fiji, Oceania destinations — A waterfall in Taveuni, Fiji

FRENCH POLYNESIA

We spent a year in French Polynesia. Sailing between The Marquesas, with big mountains and deep anchorages, the coral reefs of the Tuamotus and the busy Society Islands. It was one of the best most, most adventurous years of our lives.

Tuamotus atoll — The beautiful waters of The Tuamotus in French Polynesia

NEW ZEALAND

With countless outdoor sports options, natural beauty, and the Lord of the Rings, New Zealand is consistently ranked as a top travel destination. It’s got more foreigners than locals, and feels like it’s preserved in the mid 20th Century. What a place!

Mount Cook, Hooker Valley Track — People love the views of Mount Cook on the Hooker Valley track

NIUE

Niue is probably the least known of our Oceania destinations, but it is well worth a visit. A small island nation where everybody knows everybody and you once you set foot on it, it’s got incredible clifftop views, caves, and scuba diving.

Turquoise water South Pacific Ocean — One of Niue’s seafront caves

TONGA

Comprised of several island groups, Tonga is very poor and known for its whales and king. It’s also got some spectacular beaches and ocean sports. And pigs.

Oceania is vast, Oceania is expanding, Oceania is hospitable and generous, Oceania is humanity rising from the depths of brine and regions of fire deeper still, Oceania is us. We are the sea, we are the ocean.
Epeli Hau’ofa