3 South Pacific Islands Perfect for Family Holiday

By Tara Harrison

Families can spend the perfect holiday having outdoor adventures, playing on white sandy beaches and experiencing a different culture, without having to travel too far from Australia.

Many islands in the South Pacific are just a short flight away and have unique activities that will entertain the whole family. Travel Weekly teamed up with Excite Holidays to help you plan the perfect school holiday or Christmas break in the South Pacific. Here are three islands that would each make an incredible location for a family holiday.

iStock_Cook Islands

1.) The Cook Islands

With beautiful nature, a unique culture and a short travel distance from Australia, it’s no wonder the Cook Islands are a favourite holiday destination. Visitors looking to spend time experiencing the outdoors will love exploring the Cross Islands Trek. This trail leads hikers through native trees, ceremonial stones and mountain streams. Finishing at the Wigmore’s Waterfall, hikers can enjoy the views and end the day with a swim. At night visitors can experience the culture of the Cook Islands by heading to the traditional Umukai Feast where various meats and potatoes are wrapped in banana leaves and cooked slowly in an underground earth oven. A day trip to Aituki is perfect for families. Kids can enjoy the boat ride there and get their passports stamped at the “One Foot Island.”

2.) Vanuatu

Vanuatu is another great island for family travelling. The highlight of Vanuatu has to be Mt. Yassur, the bubbling active volcano.Visitors can hike up the crater through ferns and jungle on the southern slopes to get a view into the molten lava. This can be thrilling for some and frightening for others, so if an active volcano doesn’t sound appealing, spend the afternoon taking a picnic to the gorgeous Matevulu blue hole. Bring snorkeling gear to experience the underwater wildlife.The site has rope swings that will keep kids entertained for hours. There are countless opportunities to experience the unique nature of Vanuatu, another favourite being Mele Cascades, which features deep refreshing pools and waterfalls. At night, explore Port Vila, the energetic town with waterfront restaurants, beach bars and souvenir shops. With the close location and beautiful nature, Vanuatu is the perfect family destination.

3.) Fiji

Fiji offers long white sandy beaches for kids to spend the day looking for sea shells and making sandcastles. Families can experience the island form underwater, observing the marine life from the unique snorkeling and scuba diving locations. Visitors can also experience Fiji from above on a Zip-line course that goes high above the canyon and into Fiji’s largest cave. Kids will enjoy spending the day at Kula Eco Park, an ecological preserve in Fiji. Visitors can get hands on with the animals, having the chance to hold iguanas and snakes. Kids have the unique opportunity to be a Kula Park Ranger for the day, feeding fish and planting trees. For parents who are looking to relax, spending the day at the Sabeto Hot Spring and Mud pool is the ideal afternoon. Both visitors and locals come to experience the healing properties of the natural spa, so it can be a great place for social interaction.

For more information on planning a trip to the South Pacific, check out Excite Holidays.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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