Vanuatu

Overview

Vanuatu (previously known as the New Hebrides Islands ) is an archipelago nation in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The archipelago more than 80 islands includes deserted sand beaches, remote beauty, tribal communities and world-class deep-sea diving.

The prehistory of Vanuatu is obscure; archaeological evidence supports the commonly held theory that peoples speaking Austronesian languages first came to the islands some 4,000 years ago. Pottery fragments have been found dating back to 1300–1100 BC.

The first island in the Vanuatu group discovered by Europeans was Espiritu Santo, when in 1606 the Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de Queirós working for the Spanish crown, spied what he thought was a southern continent. Europeans did not return until 1768. In 1774, Captain Cook named the islands the New Hebrides , a name that lasted until independence.

During the 1860s, planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and the Samoa Islands, in need of labourers, instigated a long-term indentured labor trade called "blackbirding": essentially slavery. At the height of the labor trade, more than one-half the adult male population of several of the islands worked abroad. Fragmentary evidence indicates that the current population of Vanuatu is much lower than that of pre-contact times.

The British and French agreed in 1906 to an Anglo-French Condominium , popularly known as the "Pandemonium" because of absurd duplication and confusion this entailed: there were two police forces with their own laws, including road laws, two health services, two education systems, two currencies, and two prison systems.

Places to explore

Matthew and Hunter are uninhabited islands southeast of Aneityum. Aneityum people believe that the islands are in their historical territory. Aneityum appears to have provided the ancestors of the people of New Caledonia and there are cultural links particularly with the Loyalty Islands.

Sights and landscapes

Vanuatu is not on many peoples' destination wish list, except perhaps for those with a love for scuba diving, as divers have discovered the underwater treasures of this South Pacific archipelago a long time ago. However, even if you don't plan on touching this country's bright blue waters, it's a colourful mix of traditional Melanesian culture, friendly people, beautiful tropical beaches, active volcanoes and all the modern day facilities you'll need to have a great time.

The many islands rimmed with perfect sandy beaches offer lovely Pacific views. The Bank Islands boast great beaches combined with rugged terrain. On the largest of the Banks Islands, Gaua , you'll find the Siri Waterfall , which gets its water from the country's biggest crater lake: Lake Letas . Head to the island of Tanna to see Mount Yasur, the world's most accessible active volcano. A tourist favourite, Tanna is also home to waterfalls and men in penis sheaths and grass skirts. If you get the chance, stay to witness one of their ancient festivals or rituals.

Efate is the place where most visitors begin their encounter with Vanuatu and home to the country's friendly little capital, Port Vila . It strives to bring the best of the archipelago together and is the go-to place for fine wining and dining.

Other places well worth visiting include Aoba Island (known for the crater lakes on top of the large volcano that defines the islands) and Pentecost (the spiritual birthplace of bungee jumping). Last but not least, the active volcanoes, lava lakes and local villagers' artwork are a good reason to stay in one of the traditional style bungalows on Ambrym .

Culture and food

Like much of the Pacific, traditional food ( kakae ) in Vanuatu revolves heavily around tropical tubers like yams, manioc (cassava/tapioca), taro and sweet potato ( kumala ). In the islands where subsistence farming prevails, this still forms the core of the diet, supplemented with locally caught seafood, the odd can of tuna or Spam, and on feast days, pork.

Kava is a local drink, made from the roots of the plant Piper methysticum , a type of pepper. Kava is intoxicating, but not like alcohol. Its effects are sedative.

Kava is consumed in private homes and in local venues called nakamal . Traditional nakamals are communal gathering places, traditionally thatched huts, where only men are allowed. Commercial nakamals in larger town, which are also known as kava bars , cater to all paying customers. Some of the resorts also offer kava on occasion for visitors to try.

Planning your route

Most visitors who travel between islands do so on package tours operated by charter airlines like Unity Airlines and Air Taxi Vanuatu . These are more reliable but expensive: a typical day trip from Port Vila to Tanna to see Mt Yasur costs around 80,000 VT (A$1000) per person.

Vanuatu's 83 islands are woven together by a web of passenger and cargo ferries. Operators include Vanuatu Ferry (tel. 26872, all major islands), Big Sista (Port Vila-Malekula-Luganville) and Tanna Ferry (Port Vila-Tanna). Services run roughly weekly but departures are irregular and prone to delays. Check the Facebook pages for updates and call directly to book. A journey from Port Vila to Santo or Tanna takes around 24 hours and costs around A$100, payable on vatu cash only. Creature comforts on board vary from minimal to non-existent, so bring your own food, water and a sleeping mat.

Travel guide text compiled and adapted from Wikivoyage article (contributors). Sections were selected and reordered for this guide. Text is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Check current arrangements with your travel consultant.