Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the Pacific continue to be popular, though distant, destinations, particularly for those interested in sun, sport and the great outdoors. Culturally the region does not offer the depth and variety of other continents.
Besides the ski slopes of New Zealand’s South Island and the Australian Alps, and the beaches everywhere, the main attractions are the Great Barrier Reef, the endless Aussie outback, the hot springs of Rotorua and the sunny, cosmopolitan atmosphere of Sydney, Auckland and Melbourne. All the main cities boast sports stadiums, which host an endless round of sports events, and golf courses.
The tourism and travel infrastructure is modern and efficient. There are frequent flights between cities, while luxury trains provide the opportunity to travel often long distances at a more leisurely pace. With the active support of local governments, a range of tourism development projects are underway throughout the region.
