That was not too bad , in May I was getting 86.5 at Goodies and it varies all the time, you can get a better rate at Goodies if you have a large amount to change but anywhere between 84 and 87 is average and better than the airport in Aus.

Meli82 - I was there in June and I got 87 vatu for each Australian dollar.

When I ran out of Aussie cash that I took, just got more out from the ANZ atm, no problem with the machines, and I don't think the conversion rate was that great to worry about. I used the ATM's downtown, not far from Markets, and also one at Bon Marche Supermarket.

You can use the atm but just watch out sometimes they are not working and they have been known to keep the card. I have found my bank hits me with a fee that is not that cheap when I get home for the privilege usually I take Aus dollars and exchange at Goodies which has always worked out to be the best way

Hi Mel182,

Yes the most cost effective way is to take cash and exchange at Goodies. The bank fees ranged between $5 and $8 a pop last time we used the ATM. There is quite a small limit per transaction and if you need a fair bit you'll pay the fee each time you take some out, even in the one visit to the ATM.

The exchange rate at Goodies is always likely to be better than you get here.

Also remember that there are only two aussie banks (ANZ and Westpac) in Vanuatu and you may not be able to access building society type accounts at all.

Just returned.... We got 88 Vatu for the Aussie dollar at both the airport and 7-11. Goodies we got about 3 Vatu extra (91 Vatu for the Aussie dollar) but their opening horse are not as long as 7-11 and therefor after returning from day trip they were often shut but if you can Goodies in town is deffinately the place where you get the best exchanges (also note they do not charge a fee on top of that like most countries!!)