| Banks and Torres Islands |
    The Banks and Torres are Vanuatu's northernmost islands. Geographically, they reach north and west to the Solomon Islands. As with all of Vanuatu, the main islands are volcanic in origin with active volcanoes on Gaua and Vanua Lava islands. The Banks and Torres are made up of the following island group: GauaGaua is great walking in the Banks Islands with scenic centres that is excellent for bush walking and trekking with Lake Letas, the largest in Vanuatu, Mount Garet, an active volcano, Siri Waterfall, a truly impressive sight with a large flow out of Lake Letas falling down 120m. The most spectacular in Vanuatu.Trekking to Lake Letas and camping overnight is a great walk. There have been no catastrophic eruptions from the Mount Garet Volcano for a long time and the caldera rim is cool and forested. Cross the lake by canoe, climb up the hill and you will be surprised by a desert-like landscape on the summit of Mt Garet. Along the coast of Gaua, there are few beaches but extensive reefs with sheltered waters inside. Just north of Namasari village there was a Japanese station in World War Two. All that remains are a few graves, a truck engine and a sunken boat near the beach. The Japanese withdrew before the Allied forces came. Despite the walk, many ordinary tourists visit Mount Garet each year. There are several beautiful island bungalows. Click here for more information. Vanua LavaVanua Lava is the big island of the Banks and Torres. Vanua Lava has mountains, a volcano, crocodiles, reefs, rivers, waterfalls and rainforests. There is plenty to experience, here in the northern islands of Vanuatu. Sola is the provincial town for the Banks and Torres Islands. From Sola you can make excursions to Mt Sere Ama, an active volcano, the Selva River and Kwakea Island. The northern tip of Ravenga island has a surf break onto the reef at high tide but it's not easy to access, you need a boat. There are two island bungalows in the west: Nerr Bungalows, Vureas Bay. Malau Yacht Resort, Waterfall Bay. Click here for more information. Mota Lava and RaDistant from modern Vanuatu, Mota Lava and Ra islands are a pleasant island escape. These islands are relatively small and most attractions are easy to walk to: White sand beaches and coral reefs around west Mota Lava and Ra, Climb the massive rocks on Ra. The two boulder piles offer good views but the climb is not for people who aren't confident climbers. Climb the Sleeping Mountain on Mota Lava. It's a short but steep climb, rewarded by magnificent views. Walk around Mota Lava (about 2.5 hours along the truck road and about 3.5 hours through the bush on the other side). Go fishing. There are beautiful island bungalows concentrated around west Mota Lava and Ra. Click here for a list. Getting to Banks and TorresAir Vanuatu flies to Banks and Torres on three days a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday (March 2009). Tourists with a return Air Vanuatu ticket are entitled to a 20% discount. When leaving Gaua, plan to be at the airport early. There is no regular shipping service to the Banks these days so don't plan on traveling by ship to or from Gaua. For more details and to get the latest flight schedules, visit the Air Vanuatu website |