New Zealand vs. Australia...we love beaches, snorkeling, which one ist better?

Question

We are student couple and we are planning to spend January in one of these two countries...we would like to rent acaravan and travel along the coast..we both are really crazy about swimming, snorkeling...sea world.Can you hepl us which country to choose?Where is also cheaper to travel(groceries, renting car or caravan, hostels)?thank you so much...I know my question is hard to answer but I will be very thankful.

Answer 1

I am a New Zealander & as much as I love it here, if the coast & the sea are what you are after then I think Australia is a better bet.  But January is a terrible time as all the kids are on holiday so that's when the whole of NZ & Australia are out & about on their holidays & Australian beaches in particular will be very crowded, not to mention the hostels, camping grounds & all accomodation.  If you leave it till February the schools go back during the first week but Australia is unbearably hot & humid at that time (but NZ is not too bad in Feb compared to Aust & in fact Feb in NZ is our only guaranteed great weather month with no rain).  Maybe late November - early December is better, the schools break up mid December for the start of the holidays.

Costs are probably similar in both countries.  If snorkeling is your thing then make sure you do The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland.  In fact Queensland would be the best place for you altogether.  Maybe get a lonely planet guide, one for NZ & one for Australia & make your decision based on that.  We also have whale watching, swimming with the dolphins & great beaches in the North of the North Island, Northland & The Bay of Islands, Auckland, The Coromandel & some rugged surf beaches out West Auckland, etc but probably Australia's surf beaches are better.  Also of course there are the Pacific Islands like Fiji, etc & they can make for cheap holidays with stunning tropical views & fantastic snorkeling too.

Answer 2

Hi there.. I live in NZ, so I am inclined to say NZ... but since I am Russian, I will provide a non-bias opinion.

Australia is definately warmer than NZ by far, but if you go to the very top of the North Island NZ it is nice :)

They are approximately the same price, but I think NZ would be slightly cheaper (honestly though, by a couple of dollars).

However the tourist destinations for snorkelling in Australia (like great barrier reef) will have overpriced stuff, but hostels would be resonable.

I suggest you go to Australia!!

Good luck and travel safely

Answer 3

well from what i saw in finding nemo i think you should try australia