Now, not many people have heard of Nauru. Most Australians have probably heard of it (as it is mentioned in the media occasionally), but possibly are unaware of where it actually is (click on the map below to find out). The island is only 21 square km, and with the world’s second smallest population, makes it also the smallest Republic. During the 1960s & 1970s, Nauru enjoyed the highest per capita income of any sovereign state in the world due to its rich phosphate deposits. Unfortunately, when the country’s phosphate deposits were diminished, so was the country’s wealth. Many Nauruans have now emigrated to either Australia or New Zealand, leaving a population of fewer than 13,000 people.

• Population: Approximately 12,500 (2026 estimate).
• Size: 21 square kilometres (about 8.1 square miles), making it the 3rd smallest country in the world by land area, after Vatican City and Monaco.
• Capital: Nauru has no official capital city, though the Yaren District serves as the de facto administrative centre.
• Currency: Australian Dollar (AUD).
• Language: Nauruan (official) and English (widely spoken for government and commerce).

Nauru’s history is inextricably linked to phosphate. For decades, the island was a massive deposit of high-quality phosphate (from ancient bird droppings or “guano”).

Wealth to Wasteland: In the 1970s, Nauru briefly had one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world. However, intensive strip-mining has left nearly 80% of the island’s interior an uninhabitable wasteland of jagged coral pinnacles.

Rehabilitation: The central plateau, often called “Topside,” is mostly barren. Most of the population lives on a thin, fertile coastal strip.

Economy and Modern Challenges

Main Industries: Since phosphate reserves are largely depleted, the economy relies on fishing licenses, residual mining, and the Regional Processing Centre (RPC)—an arrangement with Australia for processing asylum seekers.

Economic Outlook: For FY2026, the IMF projects a growth rate of roughly 1.9%. The country remains highly dependent on foreign aid and development partners.

Health: Nauru faces significant public health challenges, including some of the world’s highest rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Well, that’s a bit of history about the island. Needless to say, very very few travellers or tourists visit Nauru, which is a shame because the island is well worth a visit. You certainly will get most of the beaches to yourself and the locals are extremely friendly. There are also some interesting Japanese WWII bunkers & gun emplacements on the island which attracts a few war veterans and historians. The fishing is stupendous here and it is extremely easy to organise a fishing trip with a local. You can also do a fascinating drive across the island to see the bizarre lunar landscape as a result of the years of phosphate mining.  All in all, its a great place to visit to get away from it all, but expect to mostly create your own entertainment.

Getting There: You can get to Nauru from Brisbane, Australia, with Nauru Airlines (when we flew with them, they were branded Our Airline). The fares are costly. You can also travel to Nauru from Nadi (Fiji), Tarawa (Kiribati), Honiara (Solomon Islands), Majuro (Marshall Islands), Pohnpei (Micronesia) and Palau. So, if you are island hopping, it is a great way to see some of the more remote islands of this part of the Pacific.

Entry Requirements: Most visitors require a visa. Notably, for media personnel, the application fee is historically high (around $8,000 AUD). For the ordinary tourist visa, it is AUD$50 for 1 month. To apply for the visa, click here and follow the instructions.

Transportation: There is no public transport on Nauru, so car hire is the only option. You should be able to find car hire companies online, but it is probably better to contact the government office for a list of car rental companies currently operating.

Accommodation:  Available at the Menen Hotel, where we stayed, and Ewa Lodge (part of Capelle & Partner), located in Ronave on the north side of the island; however, these are a little isolated. Since our visit, the Budapest Hotel in Anabar has also opened. Nearer to the main town is the Od-n Aiwo Hotel, which is cheap and popular with backpackers, but if you want to be close to the town centre and facilities, this may be your best bet.

Ever been to Nauru? If so, we would love to hear your comments.

Below is a selection of images taken in Nauru. All the images are available for licensing, and we have many more. If you are interested in a particular image of Nauru, please contact us, and we will send all images available for licensing.

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