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Best eco-tourism destinations in Oceania

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Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Sacred Red Rock and Majestic Domes
8.4
Uluru is sacred to Anangu traditional owners, so climbing has been banned since October 2019. Cultural tours are led by Anangu guides at the Cultural Centre. The base walk around Uluru is about 10 kilometres. Kata Tjuta has 36 domes and walking trails such as the Valley of the Winds.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Experience Uluru’s mesmerizing sunset color changes
  • 🥾 Hike the Valley of the Winds trail at Kata Tjuta
  • 🪨 Walk the base trail around the sacred Uluru rock
Blue Mountains National Park
Majestic Views and Untamed Nature
7.7
Gundungurra and Darug peoples have lived in this region for many thousands of years. The Greater Blue Mountains Area became a World Heritage site in 2000 for its eucalypt forests. Walking trails lead to lookouts near the Three Sisters rock formation in Katoomba. Trains from Sydney reach Katoomba in about two hours.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike the Wentworth Falls track for breathtaking views
  • 🚞 Ride the Scenic Railway through the stunning Jamison Valley
  • ⛰️ Admire the iconic Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point
Tasmania
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts
8.7
As Australia's island state, this island protects more than a third of its land in national parks and reserves. Cradle Mountain, Freycinet and Bruny Island are popular for walking, wildlife and coastal views. Wombats and wallabies are common in the parks. Tasmanian devils are mostly seen at wildlife sanctuaries.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Tour the convict ruins at Port Arthur Historic Site
  • ⛰️ Explore Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park trails
  • 🏖️ Hike to Wineglass Bay and marvel at its white sand
Franz Josef
Gateway to the Majestic Glaciers
8.2
In Maori legend, a young woman named Hine Hukatere cried for her lost love and her tears became this glacier. The glacier has retreated in recent years, so guided helicopter trips are the usual way to reach the ice. Lake Matheson near Fox Glacier is famous for mirror reflections of the mountains.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Soak in the relaxing Glacier Hot Pools
  • 🚁 Take a scenic helicopter flight over the glacier
  • 🥾 Hike the Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk
Kakadu National Park
Ancient Rock Art and Wild Wetlands
8.3
Located in the Northern Territory about 170 kilometres east of Darwin, this park covers nearly 20,000 square kilometres. Aboriginal rock art sites at Ubirr and Nourlangie are thousands of years old. Yellow Water Billabong cruises are a popular way to see birds and crocodiles. The dry season runs from May to October.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Take a challenging hike to Jim Jim Falls gorge
  • 🦅 Cruise the Yellow Water Billabong for crocs and birdlife
  • 🌄 Watch the sunset over Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr
Mount Cook National Park
New Zealand’s alpine wonderland
8.8
Set in the Southern Alps on the South Island, this national park has 19 peaks over 3,000 metres. Aoraki Mount Cook is the highest peak in New Zealand at 3,724 metres. The Hooker Valley Track is an easy walk to a glacier lake. The park is in a dark sky reserve with excellent stargazing.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Kayak on Tasman Lake near the majestic Tasman Glacier
  • 🚁 Take a scenic helicopter ride above Mount Cook
  • 🥾 Hike the stunning Hooker Valley Track for glacier views
Tongariro National Park
Volcanic landscapes and epic hikes
8.1
Conditions are unpredictable in this national park, so the Tongariro Alpine Crossing can be cold and windy in summer. The crossing is 19.4 kilometres long and takes most walkers six to eight hours. Most walkers go from November to April. The park has dual World Heritage status for its natural and cultural values.
Highlights:
  • 💧 Relax by the vibrant Emerald Lakes along the trail
  • ⛰️ Climb to Red Crater for stunning panoramic views
  • 🥾 Hike the iconic Tongariro Alpine Crossing and witness volcanic craters
Lake Tekapo
The Glacial Gem of the South Island
8.6
The Church of the Good Shepherd was built in 1935 on the shore of this lake. Its altar window frames a view of the water and mountains. This area is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Stargazing tours at Mount John Observatory are popular on clear nights.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax and soak in the Tekapo Springs hot pools
  • 🌌 Stargaze in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve
  • ⛪ Visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd
Fiordland National Park
New Zealand’s Wildest Water World
8.7
Rain is common all year in this national park. Milford Sound gets more than 6,000 millimetres a year. Many waterfalls appear on the cliffs after heavy rain. Boat cruises and kayak trips are the usual way to see Milford and Doubtful Sound. Bring rain gear in any month.
Highlights:
  • 🪶 Scenic fly over dramatic fjords and hidden alpine lakes
  • 🥾 Hike the world-famous Milford Track through lush rainforest
  • 🛥️ Cruise through majestic Milford Sound and spot playful dolphins
North Island
Geothermal Wonders and Māori Culture
8.6
Varied and volcanic, this island combines geothermal areas, ancient kauri forests, beaches and living Maori culture. Waitomo Caves are lit by glowworms and can be seen by boat. Tiritiri Matangi Island near Auckland is a protected bird sanctuary with rare native species. Waipoua Forest has kauri trees that are more than 1,000 years old.
Highlights:
  • 🌃 Walk along Auckland’s Sky Tower observation deck
  • 🧙‍♂️ Visit Hobbiton and stroll through the Shire movie set
  • 🔥 Explore the geothermal wonders of Rotorua’s hot springs and geysers
Esperance
Australia's Whitest Beaches and Turquoise Waters
8.6
Small and remote, this coastal town in Western Australia is a base for Cape Le Grand National Park. Lucky Bay has white sand and kangaroos that rest on the beach. The town is about 720 kilometres by road from Perth. Great Ocean Drive is a scenic loop with beaches, lookouts and wind turbines.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Explore Cape Le Grand National Park’s rugged trails and beaches
  • ⛰️ Hike to Frenchman Peak for panoramic coastal views
  • 🏖️ Visit the stunning pink sands and turquoise waters of Lucky Bay
Ningaloo Coast
Australia's Accessible Underwater Wonderland
9.1
Unlike the Great Barrier Reef, this reef begins close to the beach, so snorkellers can swim from shore. The reef is about 260 kilometres long and is a World Heritage site. Whale sharks visit from about March to July and licensed operators run swim tours. Turtles nest on local beaches in summer.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore Cape Range National Park’s rugged gorges
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs from sandy beaches
  • 🦈 Swim with gentle whale sharks off the coast
Daintree Rainforest
Lush canopy whispers ancient rainforest secrets
Dense and ancient, this tropical rainforest in far north Queensland is among the oldest on Earth. Cape Tribulation is a rare place where rainforest reaches the beach beside the reef. Southern cassowaries, large flightless birds, live in the forest. Guided walks with Kuku Yalanji guides at Mossman Gorge share local knowledge of plants and culture.
Highlights:
  • 🌲 Visit Cape Tribulation, hike to ancient rainforest trails
  • 🚤 Sail a glass-bottom boat over crystal reefs
  • 🌿 Trek through Daintree canopy walk, spot cassowaries
Great Barrier Reef
World's largest living coral wonder
Unlike most reefs, this one is made of nearly 3,000 separate reefs and can be seen from space. It stretches about 2,300 kilometres along the Queensland coast. Snorkelling and diving trips leave from Cairns and Port Douglas. Look for tour operators with eco certification. Reef health depends on careful visitors.
Highlights:
  • 🚁 Fly over the reef to spot the Heart Reef
  • 🤿 Take a scuba dive at the outer reef
  • 🐠 Snorkel among colorful coral gardens and tropical fish
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