French Polynesia
According to Countryaah, French Polynesia is the epitome of the South Seas. Inviting-sounding islands such as Bora Bora, Fatu Hiva and Tahiti, Paul Gaugin’s colorful South Sea files and the island worlds described in travel reports as paradise still shape a picture that turns a trip to the Pacific into a dream.
When you arrive in the South Pacific, you will not only be greeted by the sweet scent of the frangipani flower necklaces, you will also find a paradise of crystal clear water, craggy volcanic islands with lonely beaches and people who enchant you with a radiant smile.
Tahiti and the islands of French Polynesia are approximately 17,000 km from Europe. They extend over a sea area of more than four million square kilometers. 118 magnificent islands are spread over five different archipelagos.
In addition to the turquoise lagoon of Bora Bora, the highlight of a trip to the South Seas is above all the sweet idleness: from your overwater bungalow let your gaze wander over the blue tones of the sea and soak up the backdrop of the green volcanic mountains in the setting sun.
Snorkeling and diving trips offer variety. A trip on board the Aranui 5 is also recommended, which penetrates remote regions as a cargo and passenger ship.
Climate:
The islands and atolls of French Polynesia have a tropical climate with maximum solar radiation. The annual average temperature is around 27 degrees Celsius, the water temperature in the lagoons around 26 degrees. There are two different seasons: a warmer, more humid one from November to March and a pleasantly warm, drier one from April to October.
Best travel time:
French Polynesia can be visited all year round. The best travel conditions are from April to October.
New Zealand
New Zealand is a country located in Oceania. Located on the other side of the world, New Zealand impresses with its diverse and breathtaking natural landscapes and typical New Zealand serenity.
“Aotearoa – The Land of the Long White Cloud”, as the island state is called by the Maori, consists of two main islands that are separated by the Cook Strait. Only about four million people live on the islands, which are slightly smaller than Italy in terms of total area. A circumstance that promises a feeling of freedom unknown to us and impressive experiences of nature.
The North Island of New Zealand is much more urban and, especially inland, is characterized by agricultural land. Around a third of all kiwis live in Auckland, the largest city in the country. However, this does not detract from the travel experience: hikes through large green ferns in the Kauri forests of the Northland, tours with the sailing ship in the Bay of Islands, exploring the geothermally active area around Rotorua or a paddle tour by kayak along the picturesque Coromandel coast Peninsula are absolute highlights of a New Zealand trip.
If you take the ferry across to the South Island, the long list of highlights of the country continues: the play of colors of the sea in the Abel Tasman National Park, whale and dolphin watching near Kaikoura, the glaciers on the west coast and the fjord landscapes in the south offer variety unforgettable impressions. Whether in a group, by rental car or in a mobile home – New Zealand is a country for explorers.
Climate:
The seasons of New Zealand are opposite to those of Europe due to the country’s location in the southern hemisphere. The North Island has a subtropical climate and the South Island is temperate. The precipitation is evenly distributed over the year. Winter is from June to August, summer from December to February.
Best travel time:
New Zealand is worth a trip all year round and shows different facets depending on the season. The best time to tour the country is from October to April.
Australia
The Australian continent attracts with breathtaking natural landscapes, a unique animal world and uninhabited expanses. This adventure in nature, combined with a feeling of freedom unknown to us Europeans, makes up the magic of every trip to Australia. In contrast to the sparsely populated inland, there are young metropolises on the coast such as Sydney, Melbourne or Perth, which are also often the starting point for a trip to the Red Continent. Just around 21 million Aussies inhabit the Australian land mass, which is around 22 times the size of Germany.
Due to the sheer extent of the country, different landscapes can be experienced on a trip to Australia: from fragrant eucalyptus forests to outback areas interspersed with termite mounds and tropical rainforests, diverse natural spaces are represented.
The absolute highlights Down Unders are of course a visit to the Red Center with the rock formations Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (Olgas) as well as the Great Barrier Reef on the north east coast. The animal world attracts with koalas, kangaroos and wombats as well as a colorful world of birds.
Climate:
Australia is located in the southern hemisphere and is climatically a country of extremes. Due to its size, it has different climatic zones. The tropic divides Australia into a north-tropical and a south-subtropical area. The interior of the country is dry like a desert.
The seasons are opposite to ours. In the Australian winter from May to September, temperatures of around 10 to 20 degrees should be expected in Sydney and Melbourne. In the summer months, temperatures rise to around 20 to 30 degrees. On tours inland, especially in the Australian summer, temperatures of up to 40 degrees can be expected.
Best travel time:
Australia can be visited all year round. Depending on the season, there are different regions. The best travel time for Northern Australia is from March to November, for outback travel the months from April to October are ideal. For the south coast and Tasmania, the Australian summer – from October to April – is the best time.