Getting Around Nauru

Nauru is served by Air Nauru, but at the time of writing the airline was struggling to get a new aircraft up and running (it only has one) and was chartering flights using Alliance Airlines of Australia. When their normal service resumes, Air Nauru's route map goes like this: Brisbane, Australia-Honiara, Solomon Islands-Nauru-Tarawa, Kiribati-Majuro, Marshall Islands and back. They used to also offer connections to Norfolk Island and Nadi, Fiji but recently lost a bid to renew the service.

Currently, the charter goes on the above route minus Majuro once a week, flying out of Brisbane at the ungodly hour of 4am and arriving in Nauru at 2:30pm local time (GMT +12, two hours ahead of Brisbane). It is a long, boring flight (sea, sea and more sea) which is likely to be packed out. There is no in-flight entertainment so bring plenty of your own.

As there is no competition, flights to and from Nauru are very expensive. My Brisbane-Tarawa return (via Nauru) ticket cost over AUS$1600. While the charters are still in effect, you can't book more than a month ahead because they only announced the schedule a month in advance.

Remember also that EVERYBODY needs a visa to enter Nauru. For tourists, this will cost you AUS$100.

For the latest information, visit www.airnauru.com.au If the site hasn't got the latest info, send them an email and they'll be able to tell you what the current situation is and when normal services might resume, etc.

There is NO public transport in Nauru. Absolutely zilch. Not even taxis or car hire. As most locals either have their own transport or know somebody who can give them lifts, and because the country is so small, and because it gets so few visitors (and those it does get are invariably on business and therefore catered for), there is next-to no need for it.

Having said it is small, Nauru is still too big to get around solely on foot, though. If you don't have wheels, you'll soon go stir crazy. They are also essential for getting to Topside or Command Ridge, or if you want to do a proper shop at Chappelle's supermarket. So, with no scheduled transport and no car hire, how does the visitor get around, exactly?

You've simply got to ask people. It's quite easy to pick up lifts here and there, but if you want your own transport, you'll need to ask around. I hired a car for one day for AUS$60 from a guy staying permanently at the hotel. One day is plenty to see around the island by car. After that, I found somebody who lent me a pushbike free of charge (her idea, not mine - very generous!) for the remainder of my stay, which proved invaluable for the Od-N-Aiwo to Reef Bar run!

So, you've either got to a lot of talking to find somebody to help you out, otherwise you're looking at a lot of walking!