Sinking Island Country Tuvalu’s Future Floats to Australia

Tuvalu’s Climate Exodus: Australia Opens Doors to a Sinking Nation

Since I was a kid, I have dreamt of a not-so-known tiny island nation in the South Pacific. Then I found out that this country is facing extinction from climate change and will sink one day. This worried me and I’ve been keeping an eye on the news occasionally. Here I’ll talk about the latest developments, which raise hope for the residents of this nation. Thanks to Australia!

Why Tuvalu Is at Risk: The Falepili Union Agreement

In a historic and compassionate move, Australia has agreed to accept the entire population of Tuvalu, a Pacific island nation facing existential threats from rising sea levels. Tuvalu, with an average elevation of less than two meters above sea level, is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. Scientists warn that the island could become uninhabitable within the next 80 years, with two of its nine coral atolls already nearly submerged.

The Falepili Union Agreement: What This Means for Tuvaluans

Under the Falepili Union, signed in 2024, Australia committed to offering 280 climate visas annually to Tuvaluan citizens. This agreement is the first of its kind globally, providing a dignified pathway for climate-induced migration. The program has seen overwhelming interest—over 80% of Tuvalu’s population, approximately 8,750 people, have applied for relocation.

The visa allows Tuvaluans to live, study, and work in Australia, offering not just refuge but opportunity. It also includes a legal commitment from Australia to defend Tuvalu in the event of natural disasters, health crises, or military threats. This pact ensures that Tuvalu’s sovereignty and statehood will be recognized even if its land disappears beneath the waves.

A Model for Future Climate Migration?

While hailed as a landmark in climate justice, the program also raises concerns about the long-term impact on Tuvalu’s workforce and cultural heritage. Experts warn that a mass exodus could drain the island of skilled professionals and young talent.

Nevertheless, the Falepili Union stands as a powerful example of international solidarity in the face of climate change. It offers hope not only to Tuvaluans but to other nations facing similar threats, setting a precedent for future climate migration policies.

Australia Travel Blog: Part 13 - Featherdale Wildlife Park

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 13 – World's Largest Native Collection

2-Day Combo: Sydney City Tour + Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise and Blue Mountains Day Trip

Australia Travel Blog: Part 12 – Echo Point Lookout

The trip from Echo Point Lookout to Featherdale Wildlife Park travel would take about one and a half hours. After watching spectacular Australian roadside scenes for more than an hour, I arrived at Featherdale Wildlife Park located in Doonside, west of the Sydney CBD or downtown.

Featherdale Wildlife Park specializes in more than 1,700 Australian native birds and mammals from more than 250 different species in a lush bushland environment and it has the world’s largest collection.

My time at Featherdale Wildlife Park was limited. I rushed through all the various sections of the park, but the sections I spent more time in included: the Koala Sanctuary, walk-in enclosures with Kangaroos, Wallabies and Padymelons, and with other Australian favourites such as Wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Echidnas, Emus, Penguins, Crocodiles and Dingos.

The experience was really amazing with these uniquely Australian creatures. Although Featherdale Wildlife Park was not too big of an area, this diverse range of creatures looked happy and healthy. It was obvious that they were well cared for, which you will not find in many other zoos.

I saw some of the Koalas sleeping on the trees. They hold on in such a way that looked like they were going to slip and fall anytime, yet they didn’t fall and looked very comfortable.

The snake section looked rich, with many varieties of snakes. Most of them were Australian natives. Some of the exotic birds or animals with unusual names were: Laughing Kookaburra, Tasmanian Devils, Rainbow Lorikeet, Eastern Water Dragon, and so many more.

Featherdale Wildlife Park was my last stop on the itinerary in Australia. I will be heading to Malaysia next. 

Australia Travel Blog: Part 12 – Echo Point Lookout

Australia Travel Blog: The Blue Mountains & the Three Sisters

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 12 – Echo Point Lookout

2-Day Combo: Sydney City Tour + Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise and Blue Mountains Day Trip

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 11 – Blue Mountains’ Stunning Natural Beauty

It took only a few minutes for the tour bus to drop us off at Echo Point Lookout. This is a nice facility with lots of restaurants, cafes, and gift shops.

Echo Point Lookout gives you the opportunity the see the Three Sisters from a very close distance. Echo Point Lookout, on the edge of its plateau, also provides great views of the Ruined Castle, Mount Solitary, and a greater panoramic view of the Jamison Valley.

There are many other experiences Echo Point Lookout leads to. The Three Sisters walk, Prince Henry Cliff walk, the Giant Stairway leading to the tracks below the cliff, and many scenic lookouts. The Giant Stairway has 1000 challenging stairs that take you to the valley floor below.

I took lots of pictures and video clips from different sections of Echo Point Lookout. The spot on the edge of the cliff that offers the clearest and closest view of the Three Sisters was crowded by tourists taking photos, so I had to wait to reach the edge. Once I looked at those pictures later on, I was telling myself that the wait was worth it.

I didn’t take the stairs or any other trails due to my limited time. I had a few minutes left over and I decided to browse the giftshop. I bought some tiny gift items at the shop. 

After we were done at Echo Point Lookout, we headed back to Sydney. The last stop on the itinerary was Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney.

Australia Travel Blog: The Blue Mountains & The Three Sisters

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 11 – Blue Mountains’ Stunning Natural Beauty

2-Day Combo: Sydney City Tour + Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise and Blue Mountains Day Trip

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 10 – Mountain Village Leura

When we left Leura for the Blue Mountains, we lost a couple of people. What had happened was that they failed to show up to catch the bus, the tour guide and operator waited a few more minutes, but finally left without them. I wondered how they would go back to Blue Mountains or Sydney; we were far out in the middle of nowhere.

After reaching the Blue Mountains Scenic World facility, I went inside to reach the observatory deck to have a first glimpse of the Three Sisters rock formation. The day was sunny and clear enough to see them. There are lots of paths and trails that can be explored without going too far. I noticed some huge artificial moving dinosaurs and eggs with sound simulation to make them more realistic. Kids loved those a lot.

I decided to finish lunch before going out in the mountains to get even closer to the Three Sisters. Lunch was not included and prices seemed to be not too inflated. I grabbed a chicken wrap and some water.

Once I started walking through the trails, the lush valley and lots of small creeks were some of the natural beauties I beheld. The tracks were going uphill and downhill, so it was easy to get tired after a few minutes.

The mountainous region was full of a variety of trees and shrubs, some of which were very tall. I was worried about getting lost by going too far, but I met some people from my tour and we stayed together. This helped a lot for taking pictures. I saw zipline cable cars moving through the sky; those people definitely had nicer views than those underneath.

We had to come back to our tour bus to take us to the Echo Point Lookout for a closer view of the Three Sisters, which is on the other side of the valley.

Australia Travel Blog: The Blue Mountains – Stopover at Mountain Village Leura

Sydney Travel Blog: Part 10 – Blue Mountains’ Stunning Natural Beauty

2-Day Combo: Sydney City Tour + Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise and Blue Mountains Day Trip

Once the tour bus passed Sydney City, the natural beauty of Australia started to awe everyone. I thought the 2-hour bus ride was going to be a boring one, but the scenic drive kept me busy enjoying the roadside scenes and capturing them on camera as much as possible.

The tour guide, who also happened to be the coach operator, was giving a running commentary of everything we were passing along with a lot of Australian history. So there was a lot to absorb.

Once I reached the quaint mountain village of Leura, there was a short break to get off the bus. A suburb in the City of Blue Mountains, Leura has a population of 500 and a 1000m- (3300 ft) elevation. This is actually one of the few places in Australia where you can enjoy occasional snowfall in winter and four distinctive seasons.

Although Leura is a small town, it’s full of attractions that can be explored. Fine coffee shops, restaurants, boutiques and galleries, golf courses, Fairmont Resort, Everglades Gardens, Gordon Falls Reserve, Toy and Railway Museums, Cliff Drive, bush walks, Leura Cascades, and the Mount Hay region are a few to mention.

Leura is also known as The Jewel in the Mountains Crown and The Garden Village. I walked along the streets of Leura for a bit and grabbed some coffee from a coffee shop. I love small towns and villages, but always end up living in big cities like New York City or Toronto.

The name Leura comes from the Aboriginal language and means “lava”. Leura sits on volcanic rocks and many have been found in this area.