Best destinations to visit in January in Oceania
Best destinations to visit in January in Oceania
January lands in the middle of summer across Oceania, which makes it one of the most popular months to visit the region.
Australia's beaches see some of their busiest weeks of the year during this stretch, since local school holidays overlap with the best of the summer weather. New Zealand follows a similar pattern, with long daylight hours that suit hiking, road trips and outdoor activities of all kinds. Across the Pacific islands, January still falls within the wet season in some spots, so a bit of rain is often part of the trip even during the warmest months. Warm ocean temperatures across the region make this a strong month for swimming, snorkeling and other water based activities, and evenings tend to stay pleasantly warm well after sunset.
The destinations on our list for Oceania reflect that same peak summer energy, wherever you choose to spend it.
Lists by region
City in Australia
Sydney
Where urban life meets stunning beaches
Compared with most big cities, this one has surf beaches within a short ferry or bus ride of the centre. The Manly ferry crosses the harbour past the Opera House. Bondi Beach is busy in January. The Sydney Festival adds concerts and shows across the city. Days are warm and sunny.
City in Australia
Melbourne
The heart of culture and coffee
This city was the capital of Australia from 1901 to 1927 and still has grand Victorian buildings. The Australian Open tennis tournament is held at Melbourne Park in January. Laneway cafes and street art are found across the centre. The Great Ocean Road is a long day trip. Days can be very hot.
Region in Australia
Victoria
Diverse Landscapes and Cultural Richness
The Twelve Apostles are limestone stacks rising from the sea along the Great Ocean Road, where January has long sunny days and the cliffs glow gold at sunset. At Phillip Island little penguins waddle ashore at dusk past waiting crowds while wineries in the Yarra Valley hold summer lunches.
City in Australia
Adelaide
Festivals, wine and laid-back charm
Colonel William Light planned this city in 1837 with a grid of streets surrounded by parkland. The Tour Down Under cycling race is usually held in January. The Central Market sells local cheese and seafood. Wine regions such as McLaren Vale and the Barossa are an easy drive away. Days are hot and dry.
Region in New Zealand
North Island
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
Beachgoers at Hot Water Beach on the Coromandel Peninsula dig their own pools in the sand at low tide, where hot spring water rises from below. January has sunny days near 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so Waiheke Island vineyards and the long beaches of Northland are busy with local families.
Town in Australia
Byron Bay
Bohemian Beaches and Laid-Back Vibes
About 5,000 people live in this small beach town, but crowds are large in January. Cape Byron Lighthouse stands on the most easterly point of mainland Australia. Surf schools teach beginners at The Pass. Markets and cafes have a relaxed mood. Dolphins are often seen from the beach.
Island in New Zealand
South Island
Majestic fjords and alpine peaks
The Southern Alps run down the spine of the island, with glaciers at Franz Josef and Fox on the wet west coast and dry golden hills to the east. In January days are long and sunny so hikers walk the Routeburn Track while sheep graze beside blue lakes such as Tekapo and Pukaki.
Bay in New Zealand
Bay of Islands
Sunlit coves echo with ancient legends
Relaxed and sunny, this bay in the far north of New Zealand has 144 islands. Pohutukawa trees have red flowers in the days around Christmas and January. Boat trips pass dolphins and the Hole in the Rock. Waitangi Treaty Grounds explain the country's early history. Beaches are warm enough for swimming.
Island in Australia
Tasmania
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts
Families visit a lavender farm in the northeast to photograph rows of purple flowers, which are in full bloom from December to mid January. Walkers make a short climb to a lookout over Wineglass Bay on the Freycinet Peninsula, where days are near 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Country
Fiji
Tropical paradise with diverse landscapes
Compared with other South Pacific islands, this country has easy flights from Australia, New Zealand and the United States. January is in the wet season, so showers are common and hotel prices are lower. Cyclones are possible until April, so check forecasts. Reefs near the Mamanuca Islands are good for snorkelling.
Town in New Zealand
Queenstown
Adventure capital with alpine beauty
Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountains surround this adventure town on New Zealand's South Island. Days are long and warm in January, with daylight lasting late into the evening. Bungy jumping, jet boating and paragliding are all offered. The Routeburn Track and Milford Sound trips are in the same region.
City in New Zealand
Rotorua
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
Steam rises from the ground in this geothermal town, where hot springs and mud pools are easy to visit. Te Puia and Wai-O-Tapu have geysers and coloured pools. Maori hangi meals are cooked in earth ovens heated by steam. Redwood forest trails are shady on hot days. Mountain bike tracks are popular.
Town in New Zealand
Taupō
Volcanic Lake, Adventure and Hot Springs
This town sits on the shore of Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. The lake is warm enough for swimming and kayaking in January. Huka Falls is a short walk from town. Tongariro Alpine Crossing, a day hike through volcanic scenery, is within easy reach. Trout fishing is popular.
Town in New Zealand
Wanaka
Alpine Adventure, Lakeside Serenity
Sheep farmers settled the Wanaka area in the 1800s. The town is still small and relaxed. Compared with Queenstown, crowds are smaller. Lake Wanaka has a famous lone willow tree standing in the water. The Roys Peak track has wide views and is steep. Mount Aspiring National Park is nearby.
Overseas Territory in France
French Polynesia
Paradise of Crystal Clear Lagoons
These 118 islands lie in the South Pacific, halfway between Australia and South America. The lagoons are about 29 degrees Celsius in January. Overwater bungalows on Bora Bora look over reefs. Moorea has green peaks and calm bays for snorkelling with rays. Showers are common in the wet season and usually short.
Town in Australia
Esperance
Australia's Whitest Beaches and Turquoise Waters
Camping beside the beach at Cape Le Grand National Park is a summer habit for many families from Western Australia. Lucky Bay has white sand where kangaroos rest on the shore. Daytime highs are around 25 degrees Celsius. The sea is cool but clear. Pink Lake and Great Ocean Drive are short trips from town.
Island in Australia
Kangaroo Island
Wildlife, Wonders and Rugged Coast
Kingscote on the north coast was the site of the first British settlement in South Australia in 1836. Today January has sunny days near 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so sea lions sleep on the sand at Seal Bay while koalas rest in the eucalyptus trees at Hanson Bay.
Country
Cook Islands
Tropical paradise with year-round warmth
Rain is common from November to April, but showers are short. Days are warm at about 28 degrees Celsius. Rarotonga has an island road about 32 kilometres long, with beaches and snorkelling at Muri Lagoon. A short flight leads to Aitutaki, which has a bright blue lagoon.
Country
Samoa
Tropical paradise with volcanic mountains
Family life and village customs, known as fa'a Samoa, are important on these islands. Visitors often stay in fales, open beach huts with thatched roofs. To Sua Ocean Trench on Upolu is a deep swimming hole with a ladder. January is in the wet season, so showers are common. Lalomanu Beach has white sand.
Outer Territory in Australia
Norfolk Island
Untouched Paradise with Rich History
January has warm sunny days near 77 degrees Fahrenheit, so walkers explore the stone buildings of Kingston, a World Heritage convict settlement from 1825 by the sea. Many island families descend from the Bounty mutineers who moved from Pitcairn Island in 1856 while tall Norfolk pines grow along the roads.
Country
Palau
Pristine paradise with underwater wonders
Quiet and remote, this island nation has green Rock Islands in a turquoise lagoon. The dry season from December to April has calmer seas and less rain. Divers visit Blue Corner for sharks and fish schools. Snorkellers visit Jellyfish Lake when it is open. Beaches are small and empty.
Island in Australia
Lord Howe Island
Secluded paradise with crystal reefs and cliffs
The cry of seabirds and the smell of salt air are part of any walk on this small island, where only 400 visitors are allowed at one time. January has warm calm water in the coral lagoon, so snorkellers swim with turtles and reef fish off Ned's Beach.
National Park in New Zealand
Abel Tasman National Park
Waves crash against rugged basalt cliffs
This small national park lies on the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, beside Tasman Bay. Golden beaches and clear bays are reached by a coastal walking track about 60 kilometres long. Kayaks and water taxis are easy to book. Seals rest on the rocks near Tonga Island.
Other lists you may like
Discover
Best winter sports destinations in Europe
Europe is the heartland of alpine skiing culture, with a resort infrastructure and mountain tradition that has been developing for well over a century. The best destinations…
Read more
Discover
Best street art destinations in Africa
Africa's street art scenes have emerged rapidly, with several cities developing mural cultures of genuine international standing that sit at the intersection of local artistic…
Read more
Discover
Best slow travel destinations in North America
Rural New England and a culinary region in Mexico offer two very different versions of slow travel, one built around small-town routine, the other around centuries-old culinary and…
Read more
Discover
Best cherry blossom destinations in Africa
Cherry blossoms are a rarity across Africa, limited to a small handful of regions in South Africa, Algeria and Morocco rather than any continent wide tradition. Jacaranda trees are…
Read more
Discover
Most beautiful beaches and coastal escapes
For a lot of people, a beach is the whole point of a holiday, but what makes a beach day perfect really depends on personal taste. Some travellers want isolation and the feeling…
Read more
Discover
Best winter sports destinations in North America
North America has some of the most varied and celebrated winter sports terrain on earth, with resort cultures on both the east and west coasts that have developed distinct…
Read more
Discover
Best slow travel destinations in Oceania
New Zealand's southern regions and the wider Pacific Islands both reward a slower pace, shaped as much by geography and limited transport links as by deliberate choice, with…
Read more
Discover
Best cherry blossom destinations in South America
Cherry blossoms are not native to South America, but Japanese immigrant communities have successfully planted Yoshino and other cherry varieties throughout the continent since the…
Read more
What other users say about travelfilters
“travelfilters made it easy for me to find ski areas and compare what else they offer, so that I could find the best place for my personal travel style.”
Chris
Snowboarding & Onsen trip to Japan
“I love how transparent the data feels. There is no pushy upsell, just honest information and settings I can tune to my own travel style.”
Maria
After booking her 2027 winter escape
“The level of detail for each destination and how well those are displayed, make planning feel confident instead of overwhelming.”
Mina
Planned a week in New York City
“We used travelfilters for our planning from start to end. The trip turned out even better than expected, thanks to all their tools and customisation options.”
Allan & Etienne
Trip to Japan to see autumn foliage
“Thanks to travelfilters, I found some hidden gems to see. Being able to filter for exactly your interests is a game changer for my travel planning.”
Michael
Tour through the old cities of Northern Italy
“The customizable filters helped me find a quiet beach town with good wifi and low season crowds in under five minutes.”
Diego
Weekend Escape to Llanes, Spain
“The airport connection map saved me hours by showing good flight options from my home airport to lesser-known cities.”
Nguyen
Planning a 2027 trip to France
“The website is clean, fast and focused on the search itself, which makes travelfilters feel more like a professional tool than an ad-heavy booking site.”
Hassan
Christmas Market trip, Germany
