Pacific and Oceania with Kids: Comparing Australia, New Zealand and the Islands (2026)

The Pacific Is Our Backyard

I grew up in Queensland, and my childhood was spent outdoors. Beaches, some of which I still haven’t seen bettered anywhere in the world. Island trips, jetty jumping, fishing and body surfing. Barbecues under the palm trees. At one house, we even had koalas living in the trees across the road. 🐨

That’s the kind of childhood I’d love Louie and Leo to have a taste of, even if it’s in bits and pieces as we travel.

The Pacific and Oceania region stretches from Australia and New Zealand out to island nations like Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and French Polynesia. For families, it offers ocean, nature and strong community cultures, but costs, visas, schools and internet vary enormously from place to place.

This hub helps you compare the options quickly, then points you to our full guide for each destination.

Which Destination Fits Your Family?

There’s no single best option. It depends on your passports, budget, work and how your children learn.

• Need strong schools and services? Australia and New Zealand, with the costs to match.
• Working remotely and want clear rules? New Zealand allows visitors to work for overseas employers. Most island nations don’t clearly allow it.
• Want a season of island life on a smaller budget? Fiji and Samoa, for up to six and three months respectively.
• EU passport holders? French Polynesia is one of the few Pacific places where you can stay longer without a visa.
• Adventurous and flexible about school? Vanuatu, for volcanoes, blue holes and kastom culture.
• Worldschooling? Samoa, Vanuatu and Fiji offer rich culture and nature, and slower lives.

Before choosing, read our guides to visas for nomad families and health insurance, as both matter more in the Pacific than almost anywhere.

🇦🇺 Australia

Australia is home for me, and it’s hard to beat for outdoor family life: surf beaches, national parks, wildlife and a relaxed culture where kids are welcome almost everywhere. Schools, healthcare and infrastructure are excellent.

The trade-offs are cost and distance. Big cities are expensive, and there’s no digital nomad visa, so visitors from most countries use visitor visas with strict conditions. Regional areas like the Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Hobart offer a slower pace.

🇳🇿 New Zealand

Marty and I lived and worked in Milford Sound for nine months before the kids, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From there we explored the Catlins, where we saw sea lions lounging on the beaches in their natural habitat. 🦭

New Zealand suits families who want outdoor adventure, safety and English-speaking schools, and can handle the higher costs. Since 27 January 2025, visitors can work remotely for overseas employers or clients, as long as working isn’t the main purpose of the trip. Check the details with Immigration New Zealand.

🇫🇯 Fiji

Our only time in Fiji was a day in Nadi, on a stopover on our way to Hawai’i, and the warmth of the people stayed with us. Fiji is close to Australia and New Zealand, English is widely spoken, and most visitors get up to four months on arrival, extendable to six.

Families usually base themselves near Nadi, on the Coral Coast or in Suva, where the international schools and main hospitals are. Cyclone season runs from about November to April.

🇼🇸 Samoa

Growing up in Queensland, I’ve always known Samoa through the many Samoan families who call Australia home. Life in Samoa revolves around fa’a Samoa, the Samoan way: family, village and church, with quiet Sundays.

Most visitors get a free 90-day visitor permit on arrival, but work isn’t permitted on it. There’s no IB international school, so Samoa suits worldschooling families best. It also drives on the left, like Australia.

🇻🇺 Vanuatu

My mum went to Vanuatu for her 50th birthday, and for many Queenslanders it’s the special-trip island, just a short flight from Brisbane. It offers an active volcano on Tanna, blue holes and WWII history on Santo, and a strong kastom culture.

Australians, Dutch and other exempt nationals can stay up to 120 days on arrival, with no extension or business activity. A “remote worker visa” is often mentioned online, but we couldn’t find it on the official immigration website. Vanuatu also drives on the right.

🇵🇫 French Polynesia

French Polynesia is the most expensive destination in the region, and French is essential for schools and daily admin. But it’s one of the few Pacific places where an EU passport changes the picture: EU citizens don’t need a long-stay visa, so Marty and the boys could stay longer on their Dutch passports. As an Australian, I’d get 90 days and then need a long-stay visa.

Most families base themselves on Tahiti or Moorea. Bora Bora and the atolls suit visits rather than daily life.

Tips for Living in the Pacific with Kids

🌀 Plan Around Cyclone Season

Across the tropical islands, cyclone season runs roughly from November to April. May to October is drier and usually the easiest time for a longer stay. See our month-by-month guide.

🏥 Get Evacuation Cover

Outside Australia and New Zealand, serious medical cases often mean evacuation. Make sure your insurance covers each country and includes medical evacuation.

🌐 Test the Internet

Capitals are usually workable for remote work, but outer islands can be slow or unreliable. Carry a local SIM as backup. Our internet speed guide compares 50 cities, and our internet guide for nomad families covers SIMs and backup plans.

🕐 Mind the Time Zones

Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu sit close to Australian and New Zealand time. French Polynesia is 20 hours behind Brisbane, which suits North American work better.

🚗 Check Which Side of the Road

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Samoa drive on the left. Vanuatu and French Polynesia drive on the right.

🌊 Learn from the Ocean

Reefs, turtles and whales make the Pacific a natural classroom. Read about the ocean as a worldschooling classroom and wildlife travel for worldschooling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Pacific country is cheapest for families?

Based on our estimates, Samoa and Fiji are usually the most affordable, if you live simply and shop at local markets. French Polynesia is the most expensive.

Can we work remotely in the Pacific islands?

New Zealand allows visitors to work for overseas employers. Most island nations don’t clearly permit remote work on a visitor permit, so check with each immigration authority.

Which destination is best for EU passport holders?

French Polynesia, where EU citizens don’t need a long-stay visa. Check any non-EU family members separately.

Where are the best schools?

Australia and New Zealand. In the islands, international school options are mostly limited to the capitals.

When is the best time to go?

For the tropical islands, May to October, outside cyclone season.

Do we need special insurance?

Yes. Choose cover that includes medical evacuation, especially for the islands.

Our Takeaways

The Pacific isn’t one destination. It’s everything from Australian cities and New Zealand fiords to tiny islands where Sunday means church and family lunch. The right choice depends on your passports, budget, work and how your children learn best.

For me, it’s also home. I’d love Louie and Leo to know the beaches, jetties and wildlife I grew up with, and one day to see Milford Sound through their eyes. 🌊

Last updated 26-09-2026. Visa rules and costs change, so always check current details before you travel.

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