{"id":3798596,"date":"2021-02-19T15:34:48","date_gmt":"2021-02-19T14:34:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/?p=3798596"},"modified":"2024-08-23T17:17:52","modified_gmt":"2024-08-23T15:17:52","slug":"top-7-unesco-sites-oceania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/us\/top-7-unesco-sites-oceania\/","title":{"rendered":"The Top 7 UNESCO Sites to Visit in Oceania"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d900px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_2_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d custom_padding=\u201d40px||40px||true|\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d]<\/p>\n

Discover some of Oceania\u2019s greatest jewels, and all designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites!<\/h2>\n
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From preserved underwater paradises and extraordinary geological formations, to extraordinary cultural landscapes and pristine wilderness areas, as well as lands with spectacular flora and fauna, it is not surprising that UNESCO has awarded many of\u00a0<\/span>Oceania\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0most outstanding locations and sites with World Heritage status. Here are seven amazing places in Oceania that should be on your list to visit soon if you have not already.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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1. Ningaloo Coast, Western Australia<\/h3>\n

Located in the north west coastal region of Western\u00a0<\/span>Australia<\/a>, the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area was established in 2011, due to its remarkable marine life and environment. The Ningaloo Coast is fringed by the\u00a0<\/span>Ningaloo Reef<\/b>, and stretching 260 km in length, it is\u00a0<\/span>Australia\u2019s largest fringing coral reef<\/b>. It is also one of the best locations to come face-to-fin with the world\u2019s largest fish \u2013 the\u00a0<\/span>whale shark<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 as there is nowhere else on Earth where they reliably congregate in such large numbers, between 300 to 500 annually, between late March and mid-July each year.\u00a0<\/span>Humpback whales<\/a>\u00a0can also be seen annually between June and November as they migrate up and down the coast, on what is referred to colloquially as the \u201c<\/span>humpback highway<\/b>\u201d. Dolphins, dugong and manta rays also use the reef for their migratory routes while the beaches of the reef are an important breeding ground for loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Te W\u0101hipounamu, South Island, New Zealand<\/h3>\n
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Te W\u0101hipounamu, covering almost 10% of\u00a0<\/span>New Zealand\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>total land area encompasses four national parks: Aoraki \/ Mt. Cook, Fiordland, Mount Aspiring, and Westland Tai Poutini. Inscribed in 1990 on the World Heritage List, Te W\u0101hipounamu was recognised as containing many of the natural features that contribute to New Zealand\u2019s reputation:\u00a0<\/span>snow-capped mountains, wetlands, remote lush rainforests, glacial valleys, coastal fiords, waterfalls, and sapphire lakes<\/b>, as well the best representations of\u00a0<\/span>flora and fauna originating from the prehistoric continent of Gondwanaland. Westland Tai Poutini National Park<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>features some of the world\u2019s most active glaciers, including the widely visited\u00a0<\/span>Franz Josef Glacier<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>Fox Glacier<\/b>. While\u00a0<\/span>Fiordland National Park<\/b>\u00a0<\/span>includes the spectacular\u00a0<\/span>Milford, Dusky and Doubtful Sounds<\/b>, and offers magical landscapes carved by glaciers and cascading waterfalls that finish in deep black fiords. Unique fauna found in Te W\u0101hipounamu include the Southern Brown Kiwi, Great Spotted Kiwi, Yellow-crowned parakeet, Fiordland Penguin, New Zealand Falcon, the Brown teal and even the world\u2019s rarest and heaviest parrot, kakapo, now believed to be extinct on the mainland.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Macquarie Island, Subantarctic Islands, Australia<\/h3>\n

Macquarie Island<\/a>, lies approximately 1,500 km from Tasmania, located about half-way between Australia and the Antarctic continent. The island is the only place in the world where the\u00a0<\/span>rocks from the Earth\u2019s mantle<\/b>\u00a0are actively exposed above sea level, leading to one of the reasons it was awarded World Heritage Status in 1997. The strong winds of the \u201cFurious Fifties\u201d have sculpted its diverse landscape. Alternating between waterlogged and heavily vegetated areas to steep escarpments that rise to a plateau and from lush grassland to sparse feldmark, this environment offers the perfect home to a wide variety of fauna. Macquarie Island is the\u00a0<\/span>only known breeding ground of the royal penguin and the Macquarie Shag<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span>King penguins<\/a>, southern rockhopper penguins and gentoo penguins also breed on the island in large numbers. The island also supports about 3.5 million breeding\u00a0<\/span>seabirds<\/a>\u00a0including four species of\u00a0<\/span>albatross<\/a>\u00a0and four species of fur seals who come ashore to breed and moult every year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Fakarava, The Tuamotus, French Polynesia<\/h3>\n

Fakarava, part of the Tuamotus island group, is the second largest atoll in\u00a0<\/span>French Polynesia<\/a>, and\u00a0<\/span>one of the world\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>best diving locations<\/a><\/b>, offering an astonishing abundance of ocean and lagoon-dwelling marine life, that include a variety of rays, barracudas, groupers, hammerhead and Tiger sharks. Fakarava was designated a\u00a0<\/span>UNESCO Biosphere Reserve<\/b>\u00a0in 1977 to preserve its exceptional aquatic biodiversity and complex and unique ecosystem which hosts rare flora and fauna, that include an endemic kingfisher, Tuamotu palm, and several unique species of crustaceans, such as a mantis shrimp and slipper lobster. The reserve is made up of the atoll itself plus six neighbouring low-lying coral islands and atolls: Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau. While diving is notably the main activity to enjoy on\u00a0<\/span>Fakarava<\/b>\u00a0and the best way to encounter its underwater beauty, there is a lot more to discover on the atoll such as its small quaint villages and friendly locals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Purnululu National Park, Western Australia<\/h3>\n

Declared a World Heritage Site in 2003 for its incredible natural beauty and outstanding geological value, Purnululu National Park is a remote wilderness area in the East\u00a0<\/span>Kimberley region<\/a>\u00a0of Western Australia that includes the famous\u00a0<\/span>Bungle Bungle Range<\/b>, renowned for its spectacular landscape of sculptured banded domes, that resemble beehives. The range and its mounds, that rise 250 m above its landscape, have been created from sandstone that has been eroded by creeks, rivers and weathering over the last 20 million years, that has carved out these extraordinary formations, along with\u00a0<\/span>spectacular canyons and gorges<\/b>, and of which are surrounded by semi-arid savannah grasslands, pools and fan palms. Revered by its Aboriginal custodians for at least 40,000 years, they<\/span>
remained undiscovered until 1983. The Bungle Bungle range is best viewed on a scenic flight from Kununurra or Broome or can be accessed by road in a four-wheel-drive vehicle during the dry season from April to December.<\/span><\/p>\n

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6. Taputapu\u0101tea, Raiatea, Society Islands, French Polynesia<\/h3>\n

Recognised as the ancestral homeland of\u00a0<\/span>Polynesian<\/a>\u00a0culture, Taputapu\u0101tea is an extraordinary\u00a0<\/span>cultural landscape and seascape<\/b>\u00a0located on the island of Raiatea, part of the Society Islands. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2017, the site serves as an exceptional testimony to 1,000 years of\u00a0<\/span>m\u0101\u2019ohi civilisation<\/b>. Sitting at the heart of the 25 km<\/span>2<\/sup>\u00a0area, is the archaeological site of\u00a0<\/span>Taputapu\u0101tea marae<\/b>, a communal and sacred place once considered the religious centre of Eastern Polynesia and an important centre of political power. This large marae complex is made up of several marae (rectangular areas of cleared land) bordered with stone structures, representing the interface between the world of the living, te\u2019ao, and the world of the gods and ancestors, te p\u00f6. Surrounding the Taputapu\u0101tea marae complex, is an equally beautiful\u00a0<\/span>traditional Polynesian landscape<\/b>\u00a0you can discover, from a shimmering lagoon bounded by a reef, to forested valleys ringed by ridges and sacred mountains, as well as older marae sites.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u201d1_2,1_2\u2033 make_equal=\u201don\u201d admin_label=\u201dcolumn-swap\u201d module_class=\u201dcolumn-swap\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d width=\u201d100%\u201d max_width=\u201d1000px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d custom_padding=\u201d0px||0px||true|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d1_2\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d header_2_font=\u201d|300|||||||\u201d header_2_text_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 header_2_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d header_4_line_height=\u201d2em\u201d custom_padding=\u201d25px|30px|80px|50px|false|false\u201d custom_padding_tablet=\u201d||50px||false|false\u201d custom_padding_phone=\u201d|||40px|false|false\u201d custom_padding_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d]<\/p>\n

7. New Caledonia Barrier Reef, New Caledonia<\/h3>\n

Added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2008 under the name \u201cThe Lagoons of\u00a0<\/span>New Caledonia<\/a>: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems\u201d the area comprises six designated lagoons that include: the Entrecasteaux Reefs, the Great Northern Lagoon, the Northeast Coastal Region, the Ouv\u00e9a and Beautemps-Beaupr\u00e9 atolls, the Western Coastal Region and the Great Southern Lagoon. Recognised as the\u00a0<\/span>second largest reef system in the world<\/b>\u00a0after Australia\u2019s Great Barrier Reef, it is also the\u00a0<\/span>longest continuous barrier reef in the world<\/b>\u00a0(1,600km long) and has the\u00a0<\/span>largest lagoon in the world<\/b>\u00a0(24,000 km<\/span>2<\/sup>). Containing some of the world\u2019s most diverse concentration of reef structures, they provide habitat to several\u00a0<\/span>emblematic and threatened marine species<\/b>\u00a0such as fish, turtles, sharks, whales, and are home to the third largest population of dugongs in the world. It is also considered an important nesting site for the\u00a0<\/span>Green Sea Turtle<\/a>\u00a0and an Endemic Bird Area with 23 species being found only in New Caledonia.<\/span><\/p>\n

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<\/h3>\n

Photo credit: \u00a9 Pixabay, \u00a9 iStock, \u00a9 Studio PONANT Olivier Blaud, \u00a9 PONANT Mick Fogg, \u00a9 Studio PONANT Margot Sib, \u00a9\u00a0Michel-Georges Bernard<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0CC BY-SA<\/a>, \u00a9 Kulia Petz \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=\u201d1\u2033 admin_label=\u201dPUSH\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||0px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_row column_structure=\u201d1_2,1_2\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d background_color=\u201d#334556\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d1_2\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d|50px||50px|false|true\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_image src=\u201dhttps:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/lacepedes-push-unesco-600\u00d7600-1.png\u201d alt=\u201dVol d\u2019oiseaux au dessus des \u00eeles Lac\u00e9p\u00e8de, nord de l\u2019Australie\u201d title_text=\u201dlacepedes-push-unesco-600\u00d7600\u2033 align=\u201dcenter\u201d _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d max_width=\u201d445px\u201d module_alignment=\u201dcenter\u201d max_height=\u201d445px\u201d custom_margin=\u201d-90px||||false|false\u201d custom_padding=\u201d||20px||false|false\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u201d1_2\u2033 _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d custom_padding=\u201d|50px|||false|false\u201d custom_padding_tablet=\u201d|50px||50px|false|false\u201d custom_padding_phone=\u201d|20px||20px|false|true\u201d custom_padding_last_edited=\u201don|phone\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_font=\u201d|700|||||||\u201d text_text_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d text_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.4em\u201d width=\u201d70%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d100%\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|desktop\u201d custom_margin=\u201d10px||20px||false|false\u201d custom_padding=\u201d|||20px|false|false\u201d text_font_size_tablet=\u201d\u201d text_font_size_phone=\u201d25px\u201d text_font_size_last_edited=\u201don|tablet\u201d border_width_left=\u201d5px\u201d border_color_left=\u201d#26afc2\u2033 global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d]<\/p>\n

The Kimberley\u2019s Lacepede Islands<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u201d4.16\u2033 _module_preset=\u201ddefault\u201d text_text_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d width=\u201d70%\u201d width_tablet=\u201d100%\u201d width_phone=\u201d\u201d width_last_edited=\u201don|desktop\u201d global_colors_info=\u201d{}\u201d theme_builder_area=\u201dpost_content\u201d]<\/p>\n

Wild and unspoiled, these islands are a birder\u2019s paradise.<\/p>\n

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From preserved underwater paradises and extraordinary geological formations, to extraordinary cultural landscapes and pristine wilderness areas, as well as lands with spectacular flora and fauna, it is not surprising that UNESCO has awarded many of Oceania\u2019s most outstanding locations and sites with World Heritage status. Here are seven amazing places in Oceania that should be on your list to visit soon if you have not already.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3798615,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"thematique":[],"class_list":["post-3798596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sinspirer"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Top 7 UNESCO Sites to Visit in Oceania | PONANT US Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/us\/top-7-unesco-sites-oceania\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Top 7 UNESCO Sites to Visit in Oceania | PONANT US Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"From preserved underwater paradises and extraordinary geological formations, to extraordinary cultural landscapes and pristine wilderness areas, as well as lands with spectacular flora and fauna, it is not surprising that UNESCO has awarded many of Oceania\u2019s most outstanding locations and sites with World Heritage status. Here are seven amazing places in Oceania that should be on your list to visit soon if you have not already.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/us\/top-7-unesco-sites-oceania\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Magazine de voyage Escales : interviews, inspirations et conseils | Magazine PONANT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ponant\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-02-19T14:34:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-08-23T15:17:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/milford-header-2-1900x800-compressor_img1000x645.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"645\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"bleuebuzz\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Cie_ponant\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Cie_ponant\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Top 7 UNESCO Sites to Visit in Oceania | PONANT US Magazine","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/escales.ponant.com\/us\/top-7-unesco-sites-oceania\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Top 7 UNESCO Sites to Visit in Oceania | PONANT US Magazine","og_description":"From preserved underwater paradises and extraordinary geological formations, to extraordinary cultural landscapes and pristine wilderness areas, as well as lands with spectacular flora and fauna, it is not surprising that UNESCO has awarded many of Oceania\u2019s most outstanding locations and sites with World Heritage status. 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