Vanuatu holiday for Australians: what to know first

Vanuatu holiday for Australians is simple to plan: fly to Port Vila in a few hours, carry a passport with six months left, and expect a relaxed island pace. Vanuatu is a Pacific country of 83 islands, and most first trips start on Efate, the island where Port Vila sits. This guide covers flights, entry rules, money, island choices and the safety basics.

Check each rule with the official sources below before you book. Entry and money rules change, and this guide reflects what those sources say on the day we publish it.

Sources for this section: Vanuatu Tourism Office, Explore Vanuatu; Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Smartraveller travel advice for Vanuatu.

Getting there

Air Vanuatu flies to Port Vila from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The airline also lists Brisbane flights to Espiritu Santo, the big island in the north. The Vanuatu Tourism Office says six international airlines serve Port Vila, with return flights also running via New Zealand, Fiji, Noumea and the Solomon Islands.

The Tourism Office also lists Virgin Blue, under the name Virgin / Pacific Blue, as a low cost choice. Air Pacific connects through Fiji. Compare fares and baggage rules before you pay, because low cost and full service airlines handle both differently.

Vanuatu is one hour ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time, and it does not use daylight saving. The airport at Port Vila is Bauerfield International Airport.

Sources for this section: Vanuatu Tourism Office, Airlines and Travel Tips pages; Air Vanuatu, destinations list.

Entry rules

Smartraveller says tourist and business visas for stays of up to three months are issued on arrival. You must show physical proof of an onward or return ticket. An e-ticket confirmation email is accepted. The Vanuatu Tourism Office describes it a little differently: it says Commonwealth nationals do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days. Both sources agree on two points. You need a valid onward or return ticket, and your passport must be valid for six months.

Because the two sources differ on the length of stay, ring the Vanuatu Department of Immigration on (678) 22 354 or your nearest Vanuatu consulate before you fly. Carry your tickets, and keep copies of a recent passport photo in case you need a replacement passport. If your passport is close to expiry, our passport renewal guide is a good place to start.

All food, fruit, animal products and plants must be declared when you arrive. Declare wooden carvings and shells too. Some items need a quarantine certificate, which is issued in Vanuatu. Items made from turtle, giant clam and trumpet shell are banned by most countries that signed the CITES agreement, so leave them in the market.

Sources for this section: Smartraveller, Vanuatu travel advice, Entry and Exit Requirements (October 2009); Vanuatu Tourism Office, Travel Tips page.

Money and costs

Vanuatu uses the vatu. Australian dollars are taken by many shops, restaurants and hotels in Port Vila, and by a few in Luganville on Espiritu Santo. They are not readily accepted outside those town centres or on the outer islands, so change some money into vatu.

• Cards: Visa and MasterCard are accepted at most major resorts and hotels and some restaurants and shops in Port Vila.
• ATMs: they are only in Port Vila and Luganville. ANZ has one at the international airport terminal.
• Tax: a 12.5 percent tax applies to accommodation, food and most goods, but not to market produce.
• Tipping and bargaining: neither is the custom in Vanuatu.

Smartraveller also tells travellers to carry a mix of ways to reach money, because Australian currency is not taken everywhere. Doctors and hospitals in Vanuatu often want cash straight away, so keep a reserve.

Sources for this section: Vanuatu Tourism Office, Travel Tips page; Smartraveller, Vanuatu travel advice.

Choosing your islands

For a first holiday, base yourself in Port Vila. The Tourism Office lists resorts, bungalows, backpacker stays, restaurants, golf, scuba diving, fishing, cruises and duty free shopping on and around Efate.

If you want more, look at two other islands. Tanna is home to Mount Yasur, an active volcano. Espiritu Santo has the SS President Coolidge, a World War 2 wreck that divers visit. Both islands have their own tourism offices.

Smartraveller says there are active volcanoes on several islands, and that alert levels and access can change quickly. Always call the Vanuatu Tourism Office for the latest advice before you visit an area with volcanic activity. Smartraveller adds that tour operators do not always meet the safety standards you may expect, especially for diving and yachting. Check an operator's credentials and equipment first.

Sources for this section: Vanuatu Tourism Office, Explore Vanuatu and Airlines pages; Smartraveller, Vanuatu travel advice.

Health, safety and weather

This section is general information, not medical advice. See your doctor or a travel clinic well before you leave.

Smartraveller says malaria occurs throughout the year in most areas, especially the north, and that dengue fever also occurs. It tells travellers to talk to a doctor about prevention and to guard against mosquito bites. The Tourism Office says visitors do not need vaccinations to enter, and it advises bottled water on the outer islands. Port Vila's town water supply is described as safe to drink.

Hospital and medical facilities are limited, and a medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of Australian dollars. Smartraveller says to take out comprehensive travel insurance that covers the activities you plan.

Cyclone season runs from November to April, so the weather matters if you are travelling in the coming weeks. Flights can be delayed, and cyclones can cause flooding and landslides. Smartraveller advises travellers to ask their tour operator whether services at their destination are running.

Crime is low but increasing. Lock your room, keep valuables in a safe, and avoid walking alone at night. Roads are not well maintained, so take extra care if you hire a car. Ask for the landowner's permission before you go onto non-public land, including some beaches.

Sources for this section: Smartraveller, Vanuatu travel advice (October 2009); Vanuatu Tourism Office, Travel Tips page.

Sources

1. Smartraveller, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Vanuatu travel advice, current for 28 October 2009: smartraveller.gov.au
2. Vanuatu Tourism Office, Travel Tips: vanuatu.travel
3. Vanuatu Tourism Office, Airlines: vanuatu.travel
4. Vanuatu Tourism Office, Permits and Immigration: vanuatu.travel