A problem to reach Australian island (5)

I believe the answer is:

aruba

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'island' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a problem to reach australian' is the wordplay.
'problem' becomes 'rub'.
'to reach australian' becomes 'a' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'rub'+'a'='ARUBA'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aruba that I've seen before include "Island resort in the Dutch Antilles" , "Caribbean island" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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