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Places to visit near Australia include culturally rich and naturally diverse countries like Papua New Guinea, East Timor, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu. Just a few hours by air from cities like Darwin or Cairns, these destinations offer unique experiences. Papua New Guinea features lush highlands and World War II trails, while East Timor blends Portuguese colonial charm with untouched beaches. New Caledonia and Vanuatu showcase French-Melanesian fusion through vibrant markets, coral lagoons, and traditional villages. Each place reveals deep histories, varied languages, and breathtaking landscapes shaped by migration, trade, and colonial influences.
Top 10 Places To Visit Near Australia
The places to visit near Australia differ greatly in culture, language, and landscape. Each one reflects a specific history and remains closely connected through trade, travel, and shared borders.
1. Papua New Guinea
Photo: Alan & Flora Botting / Wikimedia Commons
Papua New Guinea lies just north of Australia and is often reached by direct flights from Darwin or Cairns to Port Moresby, usually taking under five hours. From the capital, you can take domestic connections to Mount Hagen or Lae, which are commonly used as access points for overland journeys. Much of Papua New Guinea’s inland region is dominated by rugged mountain terrain and isolated communities. Several parts of the country are also closely associated with major wartime operations from the Second World War. The Kokoda Track, which runs through the Owen Stanley Range, became a key military route during that period and remains significant for its history.
Top Cities: Port Moresby, Lae, Madang
Major Attractions: Kokoda Track, Tufi Fjords, Varirata National Park
2. Indonesia
Indonesia shares its maritime border with northern Australia and remains one of the closest neighbouring countries by air. Flights operate regularly from Darwin to both Denpasar and Jakarta. Bali, known for its temple compounds, rice terraces, and religious festivals, draws consistent movement throughout the year. Ubud, situated inland, continues to be a key location for classical gamelan music, regional theatre, and workshops led by local artisans. Climate, food, and language shift from one province to the next, with travel between islands often requiring domestic flights or ferries. In contrast, Yogyakarta on the island of Java draws attention for Borobudur and Prambanan, two important ancient temple complexes listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Top Cities: Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), Yogyakarta
Major Attractions: Borobudur Temple, Mount Bromo, Lake Toba
3. East Timor
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Tony Tolley / Wikimedia Commons
East Timor is one of the least-visited places to visit near Australia and it shares a direct maritime border making it reachable by a short flight from Darwin to Dili. The country’s landscape is shaped by coastal cliffs, mountain roads, and sparsely populated settlements. Dili, the capital, has several historic sites connected to Portuguese colonial rule and the independence movement, including the Archives and Resistance Museum and the iconic Cristo Rei statue overlooking the sea. Inland areas such as Maubisse and Aileu offer cooler temperatures and access to coffee plantations, where you can see traditional farming practices and locally run cooperatives.
Top Cities: Dili, Baucau, Suai
Major Attractions: Atauro Island, Cristo Rei of Dili, Jaco Island
4. Solomon Islands
Photo: Alexdeciccio / Wikimedia Commons
The Solomon Islands are one of the quieter places to see near Australia, located to the northeast and reachable by flight from Brisbane to Honiara. The country is made up of more than 900 islands, with most communities spread across remote coastal and inland areas. Outside Honiara, access is often by small boats or walking trails, as only a few islands have sealed roads. Honiara itself is built along the north coast of Guadalcanal and contains sites connected to the Second World War. The American War Memorial, Japanese peace monument, and remains of wartime airfields are visited by those with an interest in military history.
Top Cities: Honiara, Gizo, Auki
Major Attractions: Marovo Lagoon, WWII relics, Mataniko Falls
5. New Caledonia
Photo: Eustaquio Santimano / Wikimedia Commons
New Caledonia lies east of Australia and shares a direct connection with cities like Brisbane and Sydney through regular flights to Nouméa. It is an overseas territory of France, but its culture is shaped equally by the indigenous Kanak population. Nouméa, the administrative centre, includes both European-style buildings and busy port areas, with public gardens and museums located near the city’s waterfront. The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre on the outskirts of town provides information on Kanak traditions, including language, mythology, and architectural techniques. Further south, Blue River Provincial Park contains a landscape of rust-coloured soil, scattered ghost trees, and protected wildlife.
Top Cities: Nouméa, Bourail, Koné
Major Attractions: Isle of Pines, Amedee Lighthouse, Blue River Park
6. Vanuatu
Photo: Simon_sees / Wikimedia Commons
Vanuatu is located northeast of New Caledonia and can be reached from Australia by direct flights to Port Vila, mainly from Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. It is made up of dozens of islands, many of which are volcanic in origin. On Tanna Island, Mount Yasur remains one of the most consistently active volcanoes in the region. Visits to the crater are organised locally and usually take place in the late afternoon or evening when the activity is more visible. Espiritu Santo is known for natural freshwater pools known as blue holes, which are accessed by foot or canoe through forested areas.
Top Cities: Port Vila, Luganville, Tanna
Major Attractions: Mount Yasur Volcano, Champagne Beach, Blue Holes
7. Fiji
Photo: KhufuOsiris / Wikimedia Commons
Fiji lies northeast of Australia and is connected by direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne to Nadi and Suva. It consists of over 300 islands, with Viti Levu and Vanua Levu being the two largest and most developed. Nadi serves as a primary point of arrival and has road links to the Coral Coast, where coastal villages, limestone caves, and shallow reefs are spread across a long stretch of shoreline. Suva, located on the southeast coast of Viti Levu, includes government buildings, colonial-era churches, and the Fiji Museum. The museum holds archaeological material from early Pacific settlement, items from the British colonial period, and tools used in regional religious practices.
Top Cities: Suva, Nadi, Lautoka
Major Attractions: Mamanuca Islands, Garden of the Sleeping Giant, Coral Coast
8. New Zealand
Photo: Tyler Lastovich / Pexels
New Zealand is located southeast of Australia. Flights operate daily from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to cities including Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown. The country is made up of two large islands. The North Island has more population and geothermal activity. Auckland is built across volcanic ground. Its older suburbs show Māori settlement history and later Pacific migration. The city’s main museum contains material on early migration, colonial rule, and war involvement. Rotorua has thermal vents and hot springs, and many marae in the area accept scheduled visits. The South Island has a smaller population and more open land.
Top Cities: Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown
Major Attractions: Milford Sound, Rotorua Geothermal Springs, Lake Tekapo
9. Philippines
Photo: Harvey Tan Villarino / Pexels
The Philippines is located north of Australia and can be reached by direct flights from Darwin, Sydney, and Brisbane to Manila or Cebu. It is made up of thousands of islands, and conditions vary between regions. In Manila, old government buildings and churches from the Spanish period still stand inside the Intramuros district. Some museum buildings in Manila hold written records from Spanish rule. In Bohol, there is a group of hills shaped like rounded mounds. They are made from limestone. When the weather turns dry, the grass on them fades and the colour changes to brown. That is how they got the name Chocolate Hills.
Top Cities: Manila, Cebu, Davao
Major Attractions: Chocolate Hills, Palawan, Taal Volcano
10. Palau
Palau is one of the smaller but ecologically rich tourist attractions near Australia, located in the western Pacific and reached by flights from Brisbane via stopovers in Guam or Manila. The capital, Ngerulmud, is administrative, but most travel activity begins in Koror. This town functions as the country’s main base and connects by boat to the Rock Islands. These limestone islands are protected under UNESCO status and include marine lakes, narrow lagoons, and reef channels. One of the best-known sites is Jellyfish Lake, where swimming is allowed under permit conditions. Divers travel to sites such as Blue Corner and German Channel, where the reef drops off sharply and underwater passages are used for drift diving.
Top Cities: Ngerulmud, Koror, Meyuns
Major Attractions: Jellyfish Lake, Rock Islands, Ngardmau Waterfall
These places to visit near Australia offer a blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. From Papua New Guinea’s rugged trails to East Timor’s colonial charm, and the island vibes of New Caledonia and Vanuatu, each destination promises a unique experience. Just a short flight from Australia, they’re perfect for a quick getaway. Discover hidden gems and vibrant traditions. Book your journey today with TripXL and start your next adventure!
Cover Photo: Louise Smith / Unsplash
