Explore Vanuatu

Many visitors to Vanuatu miss out on seeing the “real deal”. Nomads Moorings Hotel is perfectly situated to change that. Sure, you can sit by the pool with a cocktail and watch the sun drop over the mountains, or you can relax on your private balcony watching outriggers and yachts, or wine & dine in Moos Bar & Grill and Rumours Night Club.

We suggest, however, that you also be sure to explore some of the most amazing places on earth. Abseil down a 50m waterfall (only 15 minutes from Nomads). Escape to Tranquility Island (only an hour away), climb the worlds most accessible active volcano on Tanna (a 50 minute flight), or dive the worlds best WWII wreck on Santo (also only a 50 minute flight from Port Vila)  *Some domestic flights require booking ahead.

CLICK HERE for some ESSENTIAL TRAVEL TIPS!

The Facts

The Republic of Vanuatu (previously known as New Hebrides) is an island nation located in the South Pacific.

This beautiful archipelago is located 1,750 km east of Australia, 500 km north-east of New Caledonia, west of Fiji and south of the Solomon Islands.

Vanuatu is only 2.5 hours flying time north-east of Brisbane and 3.5 hours from Sydney, Australia. It's a little over 2 hours from Auckland, New Zealand.

There are regular flights from New Zealand, Honiara, Australia, Noumea and Fiji.

Full Name: Republic of Vanuatu
Capital City: Port Vila (on the island of Efate)
Area: 860,000 sq km, 332,046 sq miles
Population: 205,000 +
Official Languages: Bislama, French, English
Religion: Christian (84%), Animist (16%)
Currency: Vatu (VT)
Electricity: 230V 50HzHz
Electric Plug Details: Three Pin (Flat)
Country Dialing Code: +678

History

Many of the islands of Vanuatu have been inhabited for thousands of years with the oldest archaeological evidence found dating back to 2000 BC. In 1605, the Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós became the first European to reach the islands, believing it to be part of Terra Australis. Europeans began settling the islands in the late 18th century after British explorer James Cook visited the islands on his second voyage and gave them the name New Hebrides.

During World War II, the islands of Efate and Espiritu Santo were used as allied military bases. In the 1960s, the Ni-Vanuatu people started to press for self-governance and later independence; full sovereignty was finally granted by both European nations on July 30, 1980. It joined the UN in 1981, and the Non-Aligned Movement in 1983.

Politics

The parliament of Vanuatu has 52 members; these are elected every four years by popular vote. The leader of the main party in the parliament is usually elected Prime Minister, and heads the government. The head of state, the President, is chosen every five years by the parliament and the presidents of the six provincial governments.

Geography

Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands, of which two — Matthew and Hunter — are also claimed by the French overseas department of New Caledonia. Of all the 83 islands, 14 have surface areas of more than 100 square kilometres, from largest to smallest: Espiritu Santo (3956 km), Malakula (2041 km), Éfaté (900 km), Erromango (888 km), Ambrym (678 km), Tanna (555 km), Pentecôte (491 km), Épi (445 km), Ambae or Aoba (402 km), Vanua Lava (334 km), Santa Maria (328 km), Maéwo (304 km), Malo (180 km) and Anatom or Aneityum (159 km).

Most of the islands are mountainous and of volcanic origin, and have a tropical or sub-tropical climate. The nation's largest towns are the capital Port Vila, which is situated on Efate, and Luganville, on Espiritu Santo. The highest point in Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana, at 1,879m (6,158 ft), on the island of Espiritu Santo. There are several active volcanoes in Vanuatu, including Yasur on the island of Tanna (one of the world’s most accessible volcanoes), as well as several underwater ones.

Economy

The economy is based primarily on subsistence or small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for 65% of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism (with about 60,000 visitors in 2005), are other mainstays of the economy. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties and a 12.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services.

Demographics

Vanuatu has a population of 205,000. Most of the population is rural, though Port Vila and Luganville have populations in the tens of thousands. Most of the inhabitants of Vanuatu (98.5%) are native Melanesian, or Ni-Vanuatu, with the remainder made up of a mix of Europeans, Asians and other Pacific Islanders. A few of the islands are Polynesian outliers. About 2,000 Ni-Vanuatu live and work on New Caledonia.

Information sourced from: Vanuatu Tourism Office.