Austral Islands, Archipelago in French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean.
The Austral Islands consist of five main islands—Tubuai, Raivavae, Rimatara, Rurutu, and Rapa—scattered across the southern Pacific Ocean. These islands were formed by volcanic activity and have varied landscapes that shape how people live there.
Polynesian settlers arrived on these islands long before Europeans reached them in the 1700s. Early contact with outsiders shaped the course of island life.
The communities here keep traditional Polynesian ways alive through music, dance, and crafts made from pandanus fiber. You can see these practices woven into how people gather and celebrate together.
Most visitors fly from Tahiti to reach individual islands, as direct connections are limited. Ferries do link the islands, but service is infrequent, so plan for slower travel.
Each island grows its own crops—taro, yams, and coffee—in volcanic soil, and fishing remains a key part of daily life. This self-sufficient way of living shows how the islands have stayed connected to the land and sea.
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