helpful information
AUSTRALASIA
Australia
Capital: Canberra
Population:i26,638,544 as at 2023
Currency: Australian Dollar
Language: English, Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Hindi, Aboriginal dialects, Punjabi, Tagalog
Major Ethnic Groups: Aboriginal, English, Irish, Scottish, Han Chinese, Italian, Greek, German, Arabs and Vietnamese
Major Tourist Hubs: Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Whitsundays, Uluru/Ayers Rock, the Great Ocean Road, Kakadu National Park/Arnhem Land.
Major Tourist Attractions: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Taronga Zoo, The Rocks, Blue Mountains, (3 Sisters, Jelonan Caves, Norman Lindsay Gallery, Scenic Railway) Uluru, Port Arthur, Great Ocean Road, Crown Casino, Puffing Billy Railway, Sovereign Hill, Phillip Island, Dream World, Sea World, Movie World, Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, Gold Coast Hinterland, Gold Coast beaches, Fraser Island, Hamilton Island, Kakadu National Park, Arnhem Land and many more.
Recommended Hotels: Grace Hotel, Ibis Darling Harbour, Novotel Brighton Beach, YWCA Sydney.
New Zealand
Capital: Wellington
Population: 5228,100
Currency: New Zealand Dollar
Languages: English and Maori
Major Ethnic Groups: Kiwi, Maori, European, Pacific Islanders, Asians
Major Tourist Hubs: Auckland, Tauranga, Bay of islands, Napier, Rotorua, Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, New Zealand Fjordlands
Major Attractions: Auckland Sky Tower, Weta Workshop, Hobbiton, Auckland Whale and Dolphin Watching, Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Museum, My Eden, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, The Elms/The Papa, Napier Art Deco walks, Wellington cable Car, Museum of Wellington Te Papa Tongarewa, Larach Castle, Olverston House, Speight Brewery, Baldwin Street ( Steepest street in the world), taieri Gorge Railway, Franz Josef Glacier and sail through Fjordlands.
Recommended Hotels: Both times I have been to New Zealand were on cruises.
New Caledonia
Capital: Noumea
Population: 289870 as at 2023
Currency: Central Franc Pacific, Franc
Languages: French, Nengone, Paici, Ajie and Drehu
Major Ethnic Groups: Kanak (Melanesians), European French, Wakkisians and Futunians, Indonesians and Vietnamese
Major Tourist Hubs: Noumea, Isle of Pines, Loyalty Islands
Major Tourist Attractions: UNESCO listed lagoons, Tjibaou Cultural Centre, Amedee Lighthouse, Lifou Island, the Lagoon Aquarium, Heart of Von, Musee de Nouvelle
Vanuatu
Capital: Port Vila
Population: 327,777
Currency: Vatu (do take AUD too)
Languages: Bislama, French, English
Major Ethnic Groups: Melanesian (known as Ni-Vanuatu), Wallisians, Futunans, i-Kiribati, European, Chinese and Vietnamese
Major Tourist Hubs: Port Vila on Efate, Espiritu Santo and Tanna Island and Mystery Island
Major Tourist Attractions: Port Vila duty free shopping, the Blue Lagoon, Mele Cascades, Ekasup Village, Eden on the River, Rarru Rentapao River Cascades on Efate Island, Champagne Beach, Nanda Blue Hole, Matevule Blue Hole, and the Millenium Cave on Espiritu Santo Island, Mount Yasur (active volcano), Tafutuna Cultural Experience and Sulphur Bay on Tanna Island