Discover
Vanuatu
Vanuatu is the Pacific escape for people who want more than a sun lounge, though there are plenty of those too
It’s 80-plus islands offer lagoons so blue they look edited, a volcano you can stand on the rim of, world-famous wreck diving and some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet.
Port Vila, on the main island of Efate, is just over two hours from Brisbane. It's an easy base of waterfront restaurants, overwater bungalows and day trips to waterfalls and blue holes. Venture further to Espiritu Santo for Champagne Beach, or to Tanna to watch Mount Yasur erupt at dusk.
Vanuatu delivers the island-holiday dream without the long flight or the eye-watering price tag.
Exclusive Holiday Getaways members could find themselves in Vanuatu through our weekly holiday giveaways, while enjoying member rewards year-round and supporting our charity partners.
How to Get There from Australia
Most visitors fly into Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) in Port Vila. Since the national carrier Air Vanuatu collapsed in 2024, Australian airlines have taken over the main routes.
Brisbane to Port Vila: about 2.5 hours, with Virgin Australia and Qantas
Sydney to Port Vila: about 3.5 hours, with Jetstar
Brisbane to Espiritu Santo: Solomon Airlines flies direct to Luganville
Melbourne and other cities: connect through Brisbane or Sydney
Editor's note: airline schedules on this route have changed often since 2024.
Vanuatu is one hour ahead of Australian eastern standard time.
Getting around Vanuatu
Taxis and minibuses: in Port Vila, buses are the minivans with a red "B" on the number plate. Agree the fare before you go.
Hire car: a good option for the Efate ring road, about 130 kilometres around the island.
Domestic flights: connect Port Vila with Santo, Tanna and smaller islands.
Tours and boat transfers: the easiest way to reach lagoons, islands and dive sites.
Best Time to Visit
Dry season (May to October): warm, sunny days, lower humidity and calm seas. The most comfortable and popular time to go.
Wet season (November to April): hot and humid, with heavy downpours. This is also cyclone season, peaking from January to March, so check forecasts and take out travel insurance early.
Shoulder months (April to May, October to November): good weather, fewer visitors and better resort deals.
Things To Do
Efate and Port Vila
Mele Cascades: climb through a series of natural pools to a waterfall in the jungle.
Blue Lagoon: swim and rope-swing into a brilliant blue lagoon on the island's east side.
Hideaway Island: snorkel a marine reserve and post a waterproof postcard at the underwater post office.
Port Vila Markets: tropical fruit, local crafts and a cheap, delicious lunch.
Island villages: visit a traditional village for kastom dancing and cultural tours.
Espiritu Santo
Champagne Beach: one of the Pacific's most beautiful beaches, with powder-soft sand and clear water.
Blue holes: freshwater swimming holes like Matevulu and Nanda, ringed by jungle.
SS President Coolidge: a WWII troopship and one of the world's best wreck dives, plus Million Dollar Point, where the US Army dumped equipment after the war.
Tanna
Mount Yasur: stand on the crater rim of one of the world's most accessible active volcanoes and watch it erupt at dusk.
Traditional villages: experience kastom culture in villages that maintain centuries-old customs.
Shark Bay and Port Resolution: black sand beaches, hot springs and wild coastline.
Where To Stay
Port Vila and Erakor Lagoon: the widest choice, from family resorts with kids' clubs to adults-only overwater bungalows on the lagoon.
Efate's coast: quieter beachfront resorts and boutique bungalows away from town, ideal for couples.
Espiritu Santo: eco-lodges and beachfront bungalows near Champagne Beach and the blue holes.
Tanna: simple treehouses and bungalows close to Mount Yasur. Stay at least two nights to see the volcano.
Budget Guide
Vanuatu is good value for a Pacific holiday. As a rough guide per person, per day, excluding flights:
Budget: around A$100–150 for guesthouses, local food and buses
Mid-range: around A$200–350 for a resort, restaurant meals and a few tours
Luxury: A$500+ for overwater bungalows, private island stays and diving
Imported goods and alcohol are pricey, so eat at local markets and restaurants to stretch your budget.
PAST GIVEAWAYS
Picture yourself on Champagne Beach. Check out our current holiday giveaways for your chance to win a Pacific escape.
Upcoming Giveaway
Upcoming Giveaways
FAQs
No visa is needed in advance. Australian passport holders get a free visitor permit on arrival, typically for up to 30 days. You'll need a passport valid for at least six months, an onward or return ticket, and proof of accommodation. Check Smartraveller for the latest rules.
Vanuatu is generally safe and very welcoming. Take normal precautions with valuables in Port Vila, follow local advice on cyclones and volcanic activity, and swim only where it's safe to do so.
The Vanuatu vatu (VUV). Cards are accepted at resorts and larger restaurants in Port Vila, but carry cash for markets, buses, tours and the outer islands.
Yes, with a licensed guide. Access depends on the volcano's alert level, which can change, and tours are paused when activity is high. Check the current level before booking.
Vanuatu is a conservative, church-going country. Dress modestly away from resorts and beaches, and always ask before photographing people or entering village land.
Make your
next Holiday aReality
Turn daydreams into departures. Become a member today and make your next getaway a reality.
Never miss an offer or update
Subscribe and be the first to receive our news and exclusive offers.
Download Our
Mobile App
Download the EHG App to manage your account and use the interactive map to
easily find local deals and discounts near you.
