Overview
The island of Nauru, which is rather atypical for the Pacific and is surrounded by a coral reef, has been mined for decades for phosphate, which can clearly be seen in the interior of the island. In the water, strong sea currents unfortunately make swimming and diving almost impossible. Although tourism has never played a major role in Nauru, there are a few hotels and a handful of sights related to the Japanese occupation of Nauru in WWII, as well as small beaches, a sort of Chinatown and the lunar landscape of the phosphate mines. This tiny republic, once among the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of per capita income, now stands in the dirt and filth of a big party after the ruin. The former phosphate mining areas are lost landscapes. When the phosphate deposits ran out, the consequences for the economy were devastating. National airline Naaurus has been revived and inland nature is beginning to take hold. Perhaps this is an incentive for curious tourists to give the insider tip Nauru a chance. National airline Naaurus has been revived and inland nature is beginning to take hold. Perhaps this is an incentive for curious tourists to give the insider tip Nauru a chance. See other countries in Oceania on estatelearning.
Getting there
Arriving by plane
There are no direct flights to Nauru from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The best connections are via Brisbane (Australia). Nauru Airlines (ON), the national carrier, offers direct flights to Nauru from Brisbane (Australia), Majuro (Marshall Islands), Nadi (Fiji) and Tarawa (Kiribati). Lufthansa (LH) flies to Brisbane via Singapore in cooperation with Virgin Australia (VA); Feeder flights from Vienna and Zurich to Frankfurt/M. with Lufthansa (LH) or the national airlines Austrian Airlines (OS) and Swiss (LX).
Flight times
Frankfurt/M. – Brisbane: 23 hours; Brisbane – Nauru: approx. 6 hours
Departure fee
None.
Arrival by car
Tolls: There are no toll roads on Nauru. Documents: In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Arrival by ship
Nauru has an international port. There are ship connections to Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The hazardous coastline forces commercial ships to dock some distance from the island.
Transportation
Traveling by car/bus
The island’s road network has a total length of about 30 km. A ring road encircles the island. A smaller road leads inland to Buada and the phosphate area. In the vicinity of the airport, the runway for planes crosses the ring road; a traffic light regulates the traffic here.
Right-hand traffic/left-hand traffic
Left
Condition of the roads
The ring road around the island is paved and easy to drive on. However, caution is advised, as there are also pedestrians and animals on the island roads.
Car rental
Rental cars are available.
Taxi
There is a taxi on Nauru.
Bicycle
Hotels sometimes lend bicycles.
Coach
A bus drives around the island every hour during the day.
Regulations
The speed limit on the island is 40 km/h (25 mph).
Documentation
In addition to the national driver’s license, the international driver’s license is required.
Locally on the way by train
The route network, which is only approx. 5 km long, serves the phosphate mining area; There is no passenger traffic.
