Vanuatu (previously New Hebrides) has a rich pre-white settlement history, a fascinating and sometimes harsh colonial period, the 'pandemonium' of the English/French condominium and an intriguing recent history since independence in 1980.

Vanuatu's history can be tied into Australian history with exploration (Cook, Bligh etc), the missionaries, sandalwood traders and blackbirders of the 1800s (today there are many descendants of this slave trade living in Queensland). Vanuatu also has a significant World War Two history but arguably the most fascinating is the history of the ni-Vanuatu people.

For example, Roy Mata is considered the greatest chief who brought peace between the warring tribes of Efate in the 13th century. His remains were discovered by French archaeologist, Jose Garranger, in 1967, along with his wives who would have opted to be buried with him, alive and some members of the tribe who went reluctantly. What's amazing about the archaeological find is that it came about purely through oral history. The stories of Roy Mata were so accurate, the digs were easy to locate and revealed exactly what the stories had told. The remains are now on permanent display in the National Museum and Cultural Centre.

At the other end of the history spectrum, just a walk from the Cultural Centre, you will find Vila Handprints. Working out the back is a chap called Kalontas Mahlon. Kalontas designed the Vanuatu flag. It may look a bit like a licorice allsort but a lot of thought went into it. The green represents the richness of the land and agriculture, the red is the blood that unites the people (and a reminder of the blood spilled at the hands of the whites), the black is the colour of the indigenous people's skin, the yellow depicts enlightenment through Christianity, the 'Y' is the shape of the archipelago of 83 islands, the curled tusk of the valued pig symbolises prosperity and, inside the tusk, is the mele leaf, a symbol of peace.

Arguably a little deeper "This is the wattle, the emblem of our land, you can stick it in a bottle or hold it in your hand" (apologies non-Monty Python fans). The ni-Vanuatu history, of course, is intertwined with the diverse traditional customs and culture.

Email us for more information on how we can create a history-based itinerary or for details on an obligation-free Expression of Interest afternoon/evening.

For a comprehensive list of what to see and do, plus some history and quirky personal observations on Vanuatu, visit Vanuatu A to Z.