Best Birding? Best Trekking?

Of the major south Pacific island groups (e.g. Fiji, Vanuatu, etc), which, in your opinion, is the best for birding? Which is best for trekking?

The web site of Kiwi Wildlife Tours, a NZ ecotour company, will give you some pointers on the best birding sites in the Pacific.

http://www.kiwi-wildlife.co.nz/<BR><BR>Trekking - If you want a real slog, hands and knees stuff at times, try the cross- island walk on Rarotonga. Any of the walks that go inland on Raro are interesting.

I did a great trek up Mt Batilamu in Fiji - Koroyanitu Range near Lautoka. You could see for miles across the inland tablelands, and out to Nadi and the Mamanuca Islands to the south. I also had a great kayaking expedition in the Namosi Highlands, which included some walking, including to the Wainuta Falls, 10m wide and at least 50m high if I remember rightly.

Samoa can have good treks too I hear, although I only did the short, hot, steep climb up Mt Vaea near Apia when I was there. Check the Lonely Planet Guide.

No other country in the region even comes close to PNG when it comes to birding - all those gorgeous birds of paradise, crowned pigeons, cassowries... but otherwise, the Solomons are definitely the 2nd best, with the longest list of endemics after PNG.
For something easy, New Caledonia is rewarding, with even the Kagu easy to see.

Oh, PNG is also the best for trekking by far (where else will you find a 4500 peak here???), but as another choice, I found New Caledonia good, too.

Yep, PNG.

I agree with Laszlo, PNG has a colourful variety when it comes birds. The national emblem, bird of paradise is a unique one. Take it from me...PNG it is when it comes to birding........