I'm considering honeymooning in New Zealand and/or Australia. Has anyone been to either?

Question

My fiance and I are thinking of New Zealand and/or Austrailia for our 2 week honeymoon in late October of this year. Should we do both or just one? Do you prefer one over the other? Are there any specific areas to visit and even ones to avoid? Is it worth the money? How's the food? Do they welcome tourists? etc. etc., Please help us decide if either of these places are where we want to honeymoon :)

Answer 1

Both are amazing, depends what you would like to do/see though.  I would say New Zealand for 2 weeks (save Oz for a time when you can stay for longer - very big place, lots to see in just 2 weeks).  NZ is beautiful and I think it could be very romantic for a honeymoon, you could stay in one place - somewhere quiet and peaceful like Mt Cook or Fox (with the glacier) or travel around a bit and see different things; could do a bit on the North Island (Paihia is nice) then get the ferry to the South just to make the most of being there.  Also, I found the people in NZ extremely helpful, talkative and friendly - it's a real feel-good place.  (Of course it is up to you!)  Have a look at these sites for a bit more info;

http://www.newzealand.com/

http://www.australia.com/

Answer 2

Each country would have great places you could spend two weeks on holiday in.  However, one thing you may want to consider is the weather. October is generally rather wet in NZ - pretty much everywhere! Each time i have been to Australia in October - (early October) it has been lovely weather. Not too hot but still sunny and good for exploring.

So, while i don't wish to comment on either place as i think you would have a fantastic time regardless, if you are the type of people where the weather will effect your trip and your enjoyment of the trip, then you may want to consider Australia.

Answer 3

I live in Australia and have been to New Zealand. Both are incredible and worth the money. The food is western, but with Aussie/Kiwi influence so may have a slightly different taste with some things.

Australia you could consider the Gold Coast, Cairns (and visit the great barrier reef), Sydney, Melbourne, the outback (if you go with others perhaps).

New Zealand... Auckland, Milford Sound (sp?), that Hobbit thingo, the glaciers, coloured pools, geisers.

Good luck fitting them both in 2 weeks though. :P You will be very busy. Both welcome tourists. I'm bias, but I like Australia the most. :P

Answer 4

I would say choose just one, because the distance ( I'm assuming you're coming from the US) is just too great for that short length of time.

I'm originally from the US and have lived in AU for 13 years..  We recently went "home" ( I have an Aussie partner) for a 2 week holiday and although it was good,  the jet lag takes it out of you.

I would never again go for such a short time, because it took me a week to recuperate.

I've never been to NZ, tho I hear that it's beautiful as well - just in a different way to AU.

October will be springtime, so you should have lots of options as to where to go and the weather should be pretty good.

The food is pretty much the same as US food, people are friendly and the $$ exchange is pretty even right now - although that may well change by October.

I would say go to your local travel agent and get as many brochures as you can find  and narrow down both the country, and  the locale you want to visit.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding !

Answer 5

Kia ora,We'll if you have 2 weeks your probably better off visting NZ, where as Australia is so huge & can not drive around Aus like you can NZ. Fly into Auckland hire a car or campervan drive up north for few days very beautiful & green with golden beaches then drive your way on down to Waikato & stay in Taupo, which is right on the lake Taupo has so much to offer from bungy too huka falls aswell as mineral pools plenty of motels there! drive on down through desert road stop at Mt Ruapehu for a play in the snow : ) then drive on thru some of the best fishing areas Turangi, Rangitikei,Manawatu. Make sure you check out the big ugly wind mills in Palmerston North and go for a drive through the Gorge. Head on down to Kapiti with eye catching country side you will in no time be in Wellington, Capital! Take the ferry on over to Picton and your only half way through your adventure there, With breath taking untouched views the South island is by far one part of NZ you do not want to miss out on. They all say Nelson is gorgeous so you better have a toilet break there but drive on down to Christchurch & for such a young city Christchurch has so much history and class from there you can move onto Otago with the very popular Queenstown this is tourist heaven. Dont forget to check out some of the LOTR locations while down under....Most of all have a wicked time!

Answer 6

I'm an Australian /Newzealander and have travelled extensively around both Countries.  You only have 2 weeks so need to choose wisely what you would like to see. If you choose Australia I would suggest Sydney and drive to the Gold coast and fly out of Brisbane. Anywhere further North in October will be very hot . It is the start of the wet season in the tropics. But the weather between Sydney and Brisbane should be perfect in October. You would need to hire a car or Campervan and if you hire a car there are plenty of Motels . Another Suggestion would be Which would also be my choice would be to have a stop over in Sydney for a couple of nights then fly to Wellington Take a look around Wellington say 2 nights. A ride on the Cable Car and walk through the Botanical gardens are a must then get the ferry down to picton. that costs approx $65 and takes 3 hours sailing from Wellington Straits through to the Marlborough Sounds. then pick up a hire car or campervan driving around Queen Charlotte Sounds through to Nelson on To Kaiteriteri and The Able Tasman National Park then down the West Coast to Christchurch taking in the wonderful Rugged West Coast where you will see sea lions through to Fox Glacier and Franze Joseph and fly out of Christchurch. I doubt you will have time to do anything else but if you had more time then carry on to Wanaka and Queenstown. New Zealands weather will be cooler so  a warm jacket will be needed. You will have a super Honey moon Good luck