More than twice the width of the Atlantic Ocean,
the South Pacific is 10,000 miles wide.
Many of the pioneers who made it to the most easterly islands
set off from its far-western corner.
And, for most, New Guinea was the launch pad.
Three times the size of Britain,
this is the largest tropical island in the world
and the richest in animal life
with some truly eye-catching residents.
Like this Goldie's Bird of paradise.
Never filmed before,
Goldie's are just one of New Guinea's 38 species of bird of paradise,Goldie
all famed for their spectacular plumage.