It was late evening the day before when we arrived at Nauru International airport (INU). Located in the southern tip of the island, the airport does not have any public transport to anywhere on the island. The only option is to ask your hotel for a pickup. It takes about 20 minutes from airport to the northern point in the island.
We stayed at Menen hotel that is located about 4.5km from the airport and the hotel offered a free pick-up. After checking-in and dinner at the hotel, we called it a day!
Day 1 started with breakfast at the restaurant in the hotel, and around 8am we started to walk west from the hotel.
Island walk
The island nation of Nauru is just one island as opposed to other South Pacific Island nations that have more than one islands or atolls. Nauru is 21 sq.km in total and there’s one main road running along the circumference of the island.
With stops to take pictures and run errands, it can take up to 4 hours or more to walk the almost 19km around the island. Nauru’s weather is mostly tropical and hot, so make sure to bring lots of water and good shoes as there are not many shops along the road to buy water.
Government sights
Walking along the main road to cover the length of the island, we stopped by some of the sights to see:
Nauru Sign
South of the runway of international airport of Nauru is a long sign that says “Welcome to Nauru”.
Parliament House
The Nauruan Parliament House is a lovely building located alongside the international airport and has a small array of art and historical items on display, such as the Parliamentary Mace and a version of the Code of Procedures for the Government of Nauru. The neighboring government buildings are decorative with well-kept gardens and monuments outside and we noted there was always a foreign flag changing every week depending on which off-shore based foreign ambassador was visiting the island republic.
The gates to the compound of the parliament house are always open and anyone can visit the building from the outside. If a parliament session is in progress, you can get a permit from the office and visit from inside as well.
Naoero Museum
The Naoero Museum, the national museum of the Republic of Nauru, is housed in a single large hall with themed sections, it displays artifacts, historical photographs, and models documenting Nauru’s history from early German colonization to independence in 1968 and beyond. Initially funded by the phosphate industry and now government-supported, the museum highlights the island’s phosphate mining legacy—once the basis of its wealth but leading to environmental degradation and economic decline—as well as its strategic role in World War II under Japanese occupation.
The museum is free of charge, and hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WWII Memorial Monument
A solemn and poignant tribute to the history and sacrifices of those who fought in World War II, this historical landmark stands as a reminder of the courage and resilience of the past. You can explore the various exhibits and displays that highlight the key events and individuals of this pivotal period in history.
WWII Japanese Bunker
Numerous bunkers, along with other relics like sunken ships and aircraft, are scattered around the island’s coastline. A notable, easily accessible bunker is located in the Anabar district. The Imperial Japanese Navy constructed these, along with a, now destroyed, airstrip, to defend the island, which was under Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945.
This bunker is located at 0°31’41.3″S 166°57’09.9″E (Google Maps Link)
Post Office
The three different stamps from Nauru Post Office were a collection!
Phosphate in Nauru
Nauru’s phosphate, derived from bird guano, fueled immense wealth for the tiny Pacific nation through mining from the 20th century, making it one of the richest countries per capita by the 1980s, but led to near-total environmental devastation, stripping most of the island and leaving barren landscapes, ultimately exhausting reserves and causing severe economic hardship as the sole resource dwindled.
After a walk around the island visiting all the sights to see, we ended the day by grabbing dinner from a local restaurant next to the hotel, and called it a day!
Costs
Note: All values in USD, unless otherwise mentioned, are approximate and based on the exchange rate of USD 1 = AUD 1.50 at the time of publishing. Each cost is for one adult.
| What | Cost | Notes |
| Dinner on Day 0 | $14 | At Menen Hotel for A$21. |
| Breakfast | $5.93 | At Menen Hotel costing A$8.90. |
| Dinner on Day 1 | $6.67 | Noodles and chips at local restaurant A$10. |
| Post Office | $1.83 | A2.75 for a stamp. |
| Groceries | $15 | Ice tea, water and snacks. |
| Total Costs | $43.43 | Per person |
| Overall Costs | $1,496.43 | Per person |
Day 1 – NEXT »
Island Walk, Government Sights
Walk around the island, government sights and museum.