Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Where to go? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
kelowelo 02:38 UTC 25 Apr 2011 | Hi guys, I'm looking at going somewhere in the pacific this June. I will be travelling with a 20 month old so I can't go too off the beaten track. I have been reading about the Cook islands and Solomon islands mostly but am open to other suggestions. I will be travelling from Brisbane, Australia. Can anyone give me any recommendations of where to go for a week or 2? I am looking to do a cheap holiday, but still stay in beach locations. I am interested in culture and nature. I know this is a very broad subject but any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks |
calumet 07:20 UTC 25 Apr 2011 | If you plan to visit anywhere in Polynesia this should help http://amsamoa-busycorner.blogspot.com/ If you are coming to the Samoan Archipelago Polyblue, Air New Zealand are direct carriers. Travel hops from Upolu to Tutuila are on Polynesian and Interisland. From Pago Pago, JW | 1
calumet 07:21 UTC 25 Apr 2011 | If you plan to visit anywhere in Polynesia this should help If you are coming to the Samoan Archipelago Polyblue, Air New Zealand are direct carriers. Travel hops from Upolu to Tutuila are on Polynesian and Interisland. From Pago Pago, JW Edited by: frankie_flowers | 2
ozziegiraffe 11:28 UTC 25 Apr 2011 | Solomon Islands is a 3 hour flight, with no stops - probably easier if you have a baby than the longer trip to Cook Islands. However, many of the beach locations are not exactly cheap, unless you do a village stay. Another option is Tetepare, near Munda, which is quite reasonable (1 Australian dollar is about 7 or 8 Solomon) and flights to Munda are regular. Maravagi is another option, closer to Honiara. The resort provides fast boat transfers from Honiara. There are not really any good seaside locations in Honiara itself. If you need overnight accommodation in Honiara, let me know and I will send reasonably priced suggestions. | 3
hardnosethehighway 16:46 UTC 25 Apr 2011 | With a child that age the first thing I'd check is relative humidity-expect it to be hot but hot and suffocatingly humid would be tough-I mean this for any location. Bobo's Farm is a short walk from the beach http://www.owlfiji.com/bobosfarm.htm but you may not want to travel that far with a small kid. The Good News is that any place you choose will work fine Pacific Islanders love kids! | 4
Laszlo 23:43 UTC 25 Apr 2011 | Note that malaria in the Solomons could be an issue with a small child, too. That doesn't make it out of Q, but you must plan and prepare accordingly. I'd consider New Caledonia as it is both very healthy and fairly cool by South Pacific standards. It's not the cheapest place around, though... Tonga is one of the cheapest ones, and is similarly cool(ish) and malaria-free. Both of these are good for traditional culture. Or of course Fiji is also a good option with lots of specifically kid-friendly resorts and no major health issues. And it's about the cheapest of the Pacific island nations. | 5
ozziegiraffe 12:48 UTC 26 Apr 2011 | re Humidity, June is mid dry season in the South Pacific, and should not be particularly uncomfortable if you are used to Brisbane. | 6
peter_n_margaret 23:47 UTC 30 Apr 2011 | No Malaria in Fiji and it is very kid friendly. Plenty of accomodation options and it really is dependent on what "cheap" means to you. Cheers, Peter | 7