If you only had a week vacation and you want to visit Australia & New Zealand?

Question

My 1st trip to Oz & NZ. I would like to see all the exotic animals like kangaroos & koalas in Austrailia. What are the best cities to see that?

In New Zealand, I would love to see the beautiful mountain valley landscapes that I've heard so much about, and wouldn't mind seeing the heard of lambs either!

I basically want to be able to visit cities that would overall tell me what Oz and NZ is all about with such a short amount of time. Thanks!

Answer 1

your wasting your time and money if you only have a week,better to pick one or the other and not do both

australia is huge so you would need to pick one area or fly between destinations

Answer 2

A week? It depends how far away you are flying from. I recommend 1 month for New Zealand and god knows how long for Australia as it is so much larger. At the rate of 1 week you're probably going to lose 2 days for international travel so that leaves you with 5 days to see things. I'd stick to only two cities. If you must see both countries, maybe you want to see the capital cities of both countries or the highest population. Spend time at 1-2 museums and the zoo in each country. Then it's time to go home.

Sydney or Melbourne

Auckland or Wellington

I went to museums and zoos in both Auckland and Wellington. Both offer various things to see and are easy to get around. Wellington is smaller though for some reason I want to say it's easier to get around Auckland. Perhaps because I spent more time there so I got to know the transportation system better. The best museum in the country is Te Papa in Wellington and it's free. Another reason for Wellington is that it's the capital so you can visit Parliament and see the outside of the Beehive. Auckland has the most people though. There's a mountain range close to Auckland and one of the backpacker buses that tours the country has free day trips in Auckland (kiwi experience). I took it 2 or 3 times because each time they may go somewhere different so you'd have to ring them up to find out if they're going to the Waitakere Ranges. There's a short hiking trail there. However if you really want to experience the kiwi wilderness, you'd have to go to the South Island so perhaps fly to Queenstown, the sporty adventure city (bungee jumping, jet boats, skiiing, etc.). From there, you can sign up for various activities at the hostels.

Kiwi Experience bus

http://www.kiwiexperience.com/

the day trip bus goes to the Arataki visitor Centre (if they still offer it)

http://www.destination-waitakere.com/GAR...

Auckland zoo

http://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/

Wellington zoo

http://www.wellingtonzoo.com/

Te Papa

http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/Tepapa/English...

Answer 3

I live in Sydney, and I hope you realise you won't see kangeroos and koalas unless you go to Taronga Zoo, it's really good there and it has good views of the city and everything.

Sydney would be the best city to visit because it has the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, really really good beaches, the zoo, Luna Park. and hot surfer boys of course.

For New Zealand I'm not sure sorry.

Answer 4

A week isn't nearly long enough to appreciate what the two countries are all about, and you really should consider only visiting one, but if that's all you have, here are some suggestions,

Your flight will probably land in Sydney which is the largest and most beautiful state capital on the east coast. Go on a cruise or a commuter ferry on the magnificent Sydney Harbour. Stop off at Taronga Zoo and time it so you can take one of the special Zoo tours where you can see and hand feed kangaroos and have your photo taken with a koala (Wild Australia Experience is one of these tours but there are others). Some of Australia's most famous beaches like Bondi and Manly are in Sydney, so don't miss seeing at least one of them - they're both very easy to get to.



After 3 or 4 days in and around Sydney, fly to New Zealand. A major problem is that because of the time zone change, you spend about 7 or 8 hours (on the clock) to travel from Australia to NZ and that is one of your precious days gone.

Most of the mountain valleys and other magnificent scenery like glaciers and glacial lakes are on the South island so fly into Christchurch, but the North Island is also well worth seeing for its thermal areas and it also has incredible and very varied scenery.  For ideas go to: http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destina...

As soon as you go 50 or so km out of just about any NZ city, you will see more sheep than you ever imagined could possibly exist.

Answer 5

A week is hardly enough time to see one city. But if you insist then I would suggest the following. Choose  a3 day stop in one of Australia's cities. Sydney is wonderful or Brisbane where you can take a trip to Australia Zoo and a day trip to the Gold Coast. Then fly to wellington so you need a day to travel there.  In Wellington take a day trip on the ferry to Picton. If the weather is good the sailing through the Marlborough Sounds is lovely. takes about 3 hours one way and approx $65 one way. On your other 2 days there go on the cable car up to The Botanical gardens and wander through them you can walk back to the city if you want. Here you get a good view of Wellington. And also go to The New Zealand Museum Tepapa a cultural experience.

Answer 6

if you are in Melbourne,  best to visit healesville sanctuary

http://www.zoo.org.au/HealesvilleSanctua...

you should try and have at least 2 weeks to visit Aust,  if possible have 4 weeks

Answer 7

I think you have set yourself an impossible mission. The flying times between Australia and New Zealand may be only 3 hours but it can still take almost all day to get from Australia to NZ with time zone changes.eg We can leave a Melbourne or Sydney hotel at 9.00am and not be home till 5.pm The mountain landscapes would take more time to get to .

You really will see very little of even one of those countries in a week. I suggest you do one this time and save up to do the other next. You won't see the mountains and lambs in a city.They are in the country.The mountains you are talking about are probably the Southern Alps in the South Island. To get from Christchurch to the mountains and back in 2-3 days is pretty impossible.You can do day trips to a farm show from Auckland for lambs.

Have a look at my site listed below to see more about New Zealand. There is also a distance chart there. NZ is a bigger country than people realise to travel.

Answer 8

I don't think 1 week is enough to see both Australia and NZ.

For Australia maybe try a city and visit a zoo to see the animals as there's no guarantee you'll be able to see them in the wild. I'd suggest Syndey or Melbourne, or going to Port Douglas if you want to see the Great Barrier Reef as well.

As for New Zealand- the south island has really pretty landscape. Fly into Christchurch and go from there.

Answer 9

One week is scarcely long enough for even one location. I would suggest either Sydney in Aus or Christchurch and/or Queenstown in NZ, but definately not both countries - you don't have time. A proper visit to either country would be at least two weeks, four is better. It takes 1-2 days to get over the jet-lag before you can really enjoy yourself. Just pick one city or extend your stay.

Have a great time :-)

Answer 10

one week wouldn't even be long enough in NZ, let alone Australia, let alone BOTH. sorry to sound like a broken record but i'd say your best bet is to stick to just one of the two countries. Or as people have mentioned maybe Sydney, Australia for 3 days and Christchurch/Queenstown, NZ for 3 days (because you'll lose a day from flying)

Good luck

Answer 11

You definately have to visit MELBOURNE (Victoria) !!!

The following is a must see and do list of all the things Melbourne, and the broader state of Victoria has to offer (well the majority of things to do)

The Royal Melbourne Zoo http://www.zoo.org.au/MelbourneZoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo http://www.zoo.org.au/WerribeeOpenRangeZ...

Healesville Sanctuary http://www.zoo.org.au/HealesvilleSanctua...

Melbourne Aquarium http://www.melbourneaquarium.com.au/

Melbourne Museum http://museumvictoria.com.au.

National Gallery of Victoria http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au

The State Library of Victoria http://www.slv.vic.gov.au

Luna Park http://www.lunapark.com.au/

Puffing Billy http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/

Fairy Park in Anakie http://www.fairypark.com/

Queen Victoria Market (weekend market)http://www.qvm.com.au/home.php

Scienceworks http://museumvictoria.com.au/Sciencework...

Melbourne Observation Deck http://www.melbournedeck.com.au/

Eureka Tower http://www.eurekatower.com.au

Eureka SkyDeck http://www.eurekalookout.com.au

Rialto http://www.rialto.com.au/

Sovereign Hill http://www.sovereignhill.com.au/

The Old Melbourne Gaol (have a self guided tour or for something more scary go on a night tour (tickets fort this can be bought from ticketek 13 28 49 ) http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au

Federation Square http://www.fedsquare.com

Polly Woodside (Melbourne Maritime Museum) http://www.pollywoodside.com.au/

Fitzroy Gardens http://www.fitzroygardens.com/

Botanic Gardens http://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/

The Arts Centre ( Easily identified by its 1115m spire, this is the home of the Australian Ballet Company and Melbourne Theatre Company. It also houses the Performing Arts Museum and has a fine collection of Australian art) http://www.theartscentre.com.au/Default....

You also gotta go to Phillip Island and check out the Penguin Parade. While in Phillip Island go to Amaze 'n' Things http://www.amazenthings.com.au/

If you are hanging out to do some shopping whilst in Melbourne, not only can you find some bargains at the Queen Victoria Market, but DFO have heaps of designer brands at bargain prices, so you gotta check that out too. http://www.dfo.com.au

Don't forget to go down to Lygon Street for a bite to eat (there are heaps of Italian restaurants and there is an ice cream shop there (sorry I forgot the name of it) where they sell the best ice cream in Melbourne)

If you are after restaurants specialising in cuisines from all corners of the world - From Thailand to Spain, and from Turkey to South America for instance then the place to go is Brunswick Street in Fitzroy

If cakes and pastries are more to your liking, then a definate place you gotta check out is Acland Street in St Kilda. This is a street filled with the best cakes and pastries in Melbourne.

Chinatown is also a place you should check out if you are into Chinese cuisine. Not only this, but you can also go to the Chinese museum, and participate in a Chinatown heritage walk http://www.chinatownmelbourne.com.au/

If you are after a unique dining experience, why don't you try Hard Rock Cafe http://www.hardrockcafe.com.au and T.G.I . Fridays http://www.tgifridays.com.au

For a real memorable dining experience, spend the night at the Titanic Theatre Restaurant in Williamstown (this is worth the money you pay) http://www.titanic.com.au/html/home.html or the Colonial tramcar restaurant http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au/

You can also grab a bite to eat as well as a floorshow at the many theatre restaurants located in and around the city such as Dracula's and Witches in Britches just to name a few.

If you feel in the mood for some serious gambling (its your choice), the place to go is Crown Casino. At Crown you can also grab a bite to eat at any of their 40 restaurants, cafes or snack bars, take in a movie at Village Cinema which is located inside Crown Casino, play ten pin bowling at King Pin bowling lounge, play interactive games at Galactic Circus, dance the night away at Fusion and Club Odeon nightclubs or just SHOP, SHOP, SHOP at exclusive designer boutiques such as Versace, Louis Vuitton or Prada just to name a few and other general fashion stores http://www.crowncasino.com.au/

Victoria can be called the sporting capital of Australia as it holds the Melbourne Cup (don't forget to go to one of the weekly race meets at either Flemington, Caulfield

or Moonee Valley while you are in Melbourne), The AFL Grand Final, The Australian Open, The Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park and the MotoGP at Phillip Island just to name a few sporting events.

You can also find out of things to see and do at Docklands and Waterfront http://www.docklands.com

There are plenty of other things that you can do while in Victoria, just go to the visit victoria website for more details http://www.visitvictoria.com.au or http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au (that sounded like an advertisement just then * ha ha*)

Enjoy your stay in Melbourne and have lots of fun!!!!