Exploring Efate, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Port Vila is the main town on Efate. It is a busy bustling place and many of the main resorts are located here. However there is much more to see around the rest of the island.

The ring road around the island is 130km long. You can either go on an organised day tour – around NZD$100 per person including lunch, hire one of the local buses for the day – around NZD$200, or hire a car – medium size around NZD$120 per 24 hour period.

As there was four of us and we needed to transfer from our villa, get back to the airport the next day and also carry lots of luggage, we decided to rent the car.

We spoke to some people who had hired the bus for the day, but the driver didn’t speak for the whole trip, so they wished that they had done a tour instead and got the spiel that came with it.

In Vanuatu, they drive on the right, so this takes a wee bit of getting used to. The roads around the town also have lots of pot holes, but it is much better around the rest of the Island. Keep an eye out for the locals who all seem to be walking down the middle of the road carrying machetes… Even the young children! This looks a bit intimidating but they all smile and wave as you go past. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).