What other Pacific islands should I add on to a Fiji trip?

January 16, 2026 — 5:00am

I am travelling to Fiji in August 2026 and want to explore one or two other Pacific islands while there for a week. I value natural habitat and wildlife but also need places that are relatively easy to get around. G. Couchman Brunswick East, Vic

The closest islands to Fiji are Tonga and Vanuatu, but you can find everything you’re looking for on the Fijian islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni. The second-largest Fijian island after Viti Levu, much of Vanua Levu is pristine forest with a wealth of marine life, thermal springs and a culture that harks back to the pre-colonial era.

Natural attractions include Waisali Nature Reserve, known for its birds, flowers and plants that are used in traditional medicine, best seen on the walking track that winds through dense greenery to a waterfall. The calm waters and coral reefs of Savusavu Bay offer excellent snorkelling and diving, among sea turtles, reef fish and rays.

Taveuni is known as “The Garden Island” on account of its rainforests, waterfalls, birdlife, easy walks and soft adventures. Bouma National Heritage Park is the island’s star attraction, with features including the triple-tier Tavoro Waterfalls and rainforest trails with an abundance of native birds and giant ferns.

One of Fiji’s most accessible and beautiful walks, the Lavena Coastal Walk takes you to a waterfall and finally a freshwater pool and ocean views framed by coconut palms. Located between Taveuni and Vanua Levu, Rainbow Reef offers world-class snorkelling and diving. See the Fiji Travel website for more information on where to stay and what to do.

I would like to take my teenage daughters to visit their brother in Bath, UK in April, taking two weeks to spend time in London, Bath, Cheltenham and perhaps Edinburgh, Glasgow or Amsterdam. Your advice? R. Meli Mosman, NSW

This would be a great opportunity to introduce your daughters to another side of Europe and Amsterdam is a prime choice. It’s one of the most exciting of all Europe’s cities, packed with brilliant art and defined by the liberal counter-culture of the 1960s, with enough edge to stimulate and challenge those young minds. It’s also compact and easily explored, either on foot or as so many visitors do, on a rental bike. English is widely spoken which should give them the confidence to explore the city on their own.

We are a group of seven female friends looking to celebrate our 50th birthdays in one celebratory trip. We are tossing up options like Broome/Kimberley, Lord Howe Island, South-East Asia and the Cook Islands. We want it to be hot but not sticky and also to hit other criteria such as ‘special’, ‘memory making’, ‘typically wouldn’t do with kids’ etc. Timing is early or late April for 7-10 days. N. Nguyen, Lane Cove, NSW

It’s probably going to work best if you keep this simple, and for that and many other reasons Lord Howe Island would be my No.1 choice. It’s easy to get to and from the moment you land you’ll be dazzled and inspired by the scenery, there are plenty of invigorating activities you can do together – hikes, fishing trips, fish feeding, snorkelling on the reef, birdwatching, spa treatments, yoga sessions – and the dining scene varies from fish and chips to gourmet experiences. The island has some dishy accommodation – Capella Lodge and Arajilla are the standouts – as well as self-contained houses. The island style is super chilled, and that’s what you want on a trip like this.

Broome and the Kimberley would also work in April, but it’s a long trip to get there from the east coast, and if you want relaxation and great dining it’s not a good fit. Another place you might look at is the Margaret River wine region, and there’s heaps to like about that part of the world – beaches, easy access to the superb Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, some fabulous places to stay and the food and wine scene is five star, but overall Lord Howe Island will lay down the sort of memories you’re looking for. You’d want to avoid the Easter period and therefore late April would be a better bet.

Next February we will be spending four days in Buenos Aires before joining a cruise. We are interested in history, culture and architecture plus good authentic Argentinian cuisine and local wines. We will not have a car so public transport and walking would be our mode of transport. Suggestions? D. Parker, Geelong West, Vic

Where to base yourselves is key, and there are several central neighbourhoods with easy access to attractions and transit. Recoleta is an elegant and safe quarter of the city, known for its Parisian-style townhouses, lavish former palaces, cafes and boutiques. Palermo is the city’s cool-zone, divided among bohemian Soho, Hollywood and upscale Chico, known collectively for their expansive parks, street art and bustling restaurants and nightlife. Your visit might start with the city’s historic core, taking in Plaza de Mayo, Casa Rosada, the presidential palace, Catedral Metropolitana and the historic streets that surround it. Also include the extraordinary Palacio Barolo and the baroque style Iglesia de San Ignacio, the oldest preserved church in the city.

The following day, explore San Telmo and Plaza Dorrego, great for architecture, cafe culture and the tango vibe. On Sundays the San Telmo Fair enlivens the area with antique sellers and street performers. On day three, visit Recoleta, with its famed cemetery, and continue to the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Later that day, visit the Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires, home to one of Latin America’s great contemporary art collections.
On your final day, you could visit the Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur, a tranquil ecological park by the river, or stroll through the Palermo Parks and Rose Garden. Your visit should also include a wine tasting session at a local wine bar, and your hotel can advise on this.

Travel advice is general; readers should consider their personal circumstances

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