US Currency in Australia and New Zealand ??

Question

We are going to Australia and New Zealand next year and I need to know whether its a good idea and/or necessary to exchange US dollars for Australian dollars and New Zealand dollars? Will I need Aussie dollars for the taxi cab from the airport to the hotel; for shopping for souvenirs from a market, or small store; for tipping; and for things we may buy from a street vendor?? Then if I buy Aussie dollars will they be any good (accepted) in New Zealand for the same type activities (i.e. taxi, small purchases) or will I need some of both currencies ??

Answer 1

There's good advice in the answer above.

One extra bit of infomation.... We don't automatically tip here or in New Zealand. That's an American thing to do.

If we recieve exceptional service then maybe, but in general no.

I hope you enjoy your holiday (vacation) here.

Answer 2

I agree with the first answer.  You need NZ$ for NZ and AU$ for Australia.  I don't know how long you are here for, but I would suggest you don't bring more than $100 per week.  As long as you have a mastercard or visa card you can use it basically anywhere (including taxis, etc)  The same applies to NZ.  You do definately need some actual money though for the small purchases.  Hope you have a great holiday.  And no - we don't tip unless we feel someone has gone above and beyond what we expect of them (which is a fairly rare occurance!)

Answer 3

When travelling, I usually take a relatively small amount of local currency with me for immediate use, as you say the cab from the airport is the most pressing. Take a couple of extra hundred with you just to get underway, then just use the good ol' ATM. Check first that you card is good internationally         ( Cirrus is a name that comes to mind.)

Obviously, any foreign currency is useless in another country, US dollars or otherwise, in an advanced economy such as Australia or New Zealand.

I have used ATM's in some pretty weird & out of the way places in some strange countries, (including America) so it will certainly work here in Australia and New Zealand. You will need New Zealand Currency in New Zealand (ever tried using Canadian dollars in the USA?)

Answer 4

You will need Ozzie dollars, and yes you can use them in New Zealand.

Have a fantastic trip.

I've been going for 9yrs.

It's my favourite place in the world.

Answer 5

Smart shops in tourist areas will accept US dollars on a 1 for 1 basis, and you will lose on the exchange rate (but not for long with the little Aussie battler).  Your call.  You can exchange to the local currency, or pay more with US dollars.

Answer 6

Having lived in both Australia and New Zealand for some time, I can tell you with near-certainty that only the local legal currency is accepted in both countries. AUD for Australia. NZD for New Zealand.

Exceptions exist, in some high-volume transactions like casinos. I don't think cabbies and souvenir shops will accept your US dollars.

These are very bad times to be exchanging US dollars for Australian dollars ; the US dollar is devalued like mad while the Aussie dollar is within 5c (AUD) of parity (1:1) with the US dollar.

Answer 7

you need to use the currency of each country,you can not use Us dollars

what you have left over when you leave exchange it for your currency at the airport

Answer 8

Take NZ dollars for NZ

Take Australian dollars for Australia

However, depending on where you live in the US, you may find that the exchange rate your bank is offering for a minor currency is less than what you would probably get in NZ if you changed your money here (because our banks and exchanges generally have more need to change USD than many (most? All?) US banks would.

So, in short, i would confirm that the cards from your bank can be used overseas on the cirrus/plus/maestro network. Assuming they can (and all except a few generally can be used in at least ATM's), then just take a small amount (perhaps AUD and NZD 300- 500 in each currency? I generally take a lot less when i travel but then again, i don't really use cash much). Then change it in NZ or Australia when you get here.

Very few places in NZ are going to accept Australian money other than banks, currency exchanges, duty free stores at an Airport and (oddly) the McDonalds in Queenstown.