Australia & Oceania, the smallest continent, is one of the most diverse and fascinating areas on the planet.

A large percentage of geography experts now consider the long-established continent of Australia to be more accurately defined as Australia/Oceania. Collectively it then combines all of Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, as well as the thousands of coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific Ocean, including the Melanesia and Polynesia groups. Oceania also includes Micronesia, a widely scattered group of islands that run along the northern and southern edges of the Equator.

Melanesia includes the independent countries of Fiji and Vanuatu, as well as the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.

Micronesia islands are all part of the same volcanic zone, and include the Marshall Islands, the nations of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, Kiribati and Nauru. In addition, it includes Guam, Saipan, the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as Wake Island.

Polynesia contains numerous island groups, including all of French Polynesia and the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Society and Tuamoto islands. In addition, the Cook Islands, Easter Island, Niue, the Pitcairn Islands, Tuvalu, and Wallis and Futuna.

fast facts

Continent Size: 8,112,000 sq km or 3,132,059 sq miles
Percent of Earth's Land Area: 5.3%
Population: 32,000,000
Highest Point: Mt. Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea at 14,794 ft (4,509m)
Lowest Point: Lake Eyre, Australia at 52ft (16m) below sea level

countries in Australia & Oceania

Click on a country of choice for a comprehensive country travel guide

• Australia
•    Norfolk Is
•    Tasmania
•    Melanesia
•    Fiji
•    New Caledonia
•    Santa Cruz Is
•    Solomon Is
•    Vanuatu
•    Vanua Levu Is
•    Viti Levu Is
•    Micronesia
•    Caroline Is
•    Gilbert Is
•    Kiribiti
•    Marshall Is
•    Micronesia
•    Nauru
•    Northern Mariana Is
•    Palau
•    Saipan
•    Tinian
•    Wake Is
•    New Zealand
•    Auckland Is
•    Chatham Is
•    Niue
•    Stewart Is
•    Tokelau
•    Tutuila Is

•    Papua New Guinea
•    Polynesia
•    American Somoa
•    Baker Is
•    Bora Bora
•    Cook Is
•    Easter Is
•    French Polynesia
•    Gambier Is
•    Howland Is
•    Jarvis Is
•    Johnson Atoll
•    Kingman Reef
•    Marquesas Is
•    Midway Is
•    Moorea
•    Palmyra Atoll
•    Pitcairn Is
•    Raratonga
•    Somoa
•    Society Is
•    Tahiti
•    Tonga
•    Tuvalu
•    Wallis & Futuna

map of Australia & Oceania

Click on the map below to find more info on the country of your choice

Other regional maps:
Click here for a large Australia Map
Click here for a large New Zealand Map
Click here for a large Pacific/Oceania Islands Map

major attractions in Australia & Oceania

• South Island, New Zealand
• Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• Fiji
• The Outback, Australia
• Melbourne, Australia
• South Australia Winelands
• Bora Bora
• Papua New Guinea
• Tasmania, Australia
• Solomon Islands
• Tropical Islands of Micronesia

Australia & Oceania travel directory

Choose from the Australia travel directory below
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• Australia Accommodation
• Australia Car Hire
• Australia Flights
• Australia Cruises
• Australia Activities
• Australia Attractions
• Australia Business Travel
• Australia Holidays & Packages
• Australia Wellbeing & Health
• Australia Honeymoons
• Australia Wedding Venues
• Australia Conference Venues

Choose from the New Zealand travel directory below
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• New Zealand Accommodation
• New Zealand Car Hire
• New Zealand Flights
• New Zealand Cruises
• New Zealand Activities
• New Zealand Attractions
• New Zealand Business Travel
• New Zealand Holidays & Packages
• New Zealand Wellbeing & Health
• New Zealand Honeymoons
• New Zealand Wedding Venues
• New Zealand Conference Venues