Oceania
Can you drink the tap water in Oceania?
Last reviewed September 2026
Australia and New Zealand have excellent, drinkable tap water. Across the Pacific islands quality is far more variable, and rainwater or bottled water is often the practical choice. On our index the 14 countries in Oceania average 46/100 — but that average hides a wide spread, from New Zealand (93) down to Papua New Guinea (24). Scores above 70 mean tap water is generally safe to drink. 40–69 means treat it with caution — filtering or bottled water is wise. Below 40 means it’s best avoided straight from the tap.
Tap water safety in Oceania, ranked
Every country in Oceania, highest score first. Tap any country for its full breakdown.
Traveling in Oceania: what to do about tap water
Because the range across Oceania is so wide, the safe rule is to check the specific country before you go rather than assume the region is uniform. In any country scoring under 70, treat the tap water — a rolling boil handles microbes, a certified filter or sealed bottled water covers the rest, and it is worth being cautious with ice and raw produce too. Where a country scores 70 or above, the tap water is generally safe to drink and a refillable bottle is the cheaper, greener choice.
See also our guide on tap water safety while traveling and the full methodology.
Common questions about tap water in Oceania
Can you drink the tap water in Oceania?+
It varies by country. Of the 14 countries in Oceania on our index, 2 rate as safe to drink, 4 are best treated with caution, and 8 are best avoided from the tap. The safest is New Zealand (93/100); the least safe is Papua New Guinea (24/100).
Which country in Oceania has the safest tap water?+
New Zealand, scoring 93/100 — safe to drink. Open its page for the full breakdown.
Do you need bottled water in Oceania?+
In the countries that score below 70 you should filter, boil, or buy bottled water; where a country scores 70+ the tap water is generally safe and bottled water is optional. Check the individual country before you travel — the range within Oceania is wide.