I need travel tips for Australia and New Zealand!?

Question

I'd like to visit both Australia and New Zealand during my winter break. I've looked into booking flights and it's overwhelming because I don't know much about the region. First of all, which cities are the best to visit? Second, is it easy to travel between the two countries? Anyone gotten any good deals? I know it's an expensive time to go.

Answer 1

Hi there from Kiwland.

If you love the beach and the sunshine, then Surfers Paradise Beach on the Gold Coast of Queensland would be my pick for Australia.  About 1 hours drive from Brisbane airport.

It has a fabulous warm climate, lots of great reasonably priced hotels, theme parks, beaches, shopping and its the number one holiday destination for Kiwi's. There is so much to do here.

In New Zealand you could start in Auckland (our biggest city) and move south. Rotorua (about 3 hours drive from Auckland) is the North Islands tourism capital with great geothermal parks, cultural attractions, outdoor adventure activities and lots more. Highly recommended.

The South Island is a beautiful scenic, adventure destination. High mountains, huge forrests, lakes.  You can enjoy walking, outdoor pursuits and scenic touring in the south.

Not sure where you are coming from but you will enjoy both destinations. Hope you can fit it all in.

Answer 2

In the NZ part, well there is the North and the South Islands.

THe North Island is more heavily populated ( has 3/4 of the population) and has more cities.....its probably considered the less "pretty"of the 2 main islands, but there are some places that people like,

Auckland...largest city, and has a lot to offer as a result, also nice beaches in some parts.

I hear hte Bay of Islands up north is nice but I have never been there.

Rotorua...has the famous hot/mud pools

Tongariro National Park.....cool scenery ( and skifields)

South Island ( I'm a South Island girl)...has some cool places, more naturally beautiful. eg West Coast of South Island, Fiordland ( Milfod Sound),

Mt Cook National Park

Christhchurch is the main city inthe SOuth Island and is worth a look ( Dunedin is ok too, but its much smaller)

I'll give a couple of websites to help. THe aa travel one has 101 things for kiwis to see and gives you an idea as to what we like here about our own country.

Answer 3

Australia is a huge country and I am not sure what your travel plans are. New Zealand is a 3 hour flight from the east coast of Australia, preferably Brisbane to Auckland or Sydney to Auckland.

New Zealand is much easier to travel around and it is made up of North Island and South Island. You can land in AUckland in North Island or Christchurch in South Island. For a start, a week should be enough on each island to see the important landmarks (though it would not do full justice).

I travelled around North Island and South Island in a Jucy campervan and found it really economical as it comes with beds, kitchen and shower. To use heavy duty appliances like toaster, microwave etc, you need 240V power supply for which you can park in a campervan park for about NZ$30 per night. Hope this helps

Answer 4

Stacks to do here in New Zealand. Kiwi mate!

Answer 5

Its relatively easy to travel between Aussie and NZ....about a 2 hour flight....cant say whats good to see in Australia, as I am a native Kiwi, but in NZ....cant go wrong with visiting Auckland, biggest city in NZ.  Has something for everyone.  Rotorua is awesome for cultural experience, with geysers and mudpools.  Wellington has our national museum Te Papa, which has different attractions.  Not sure about deals though sorry although Air New Zealand is our national airline, if that helps.