Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Ideas for ~2 weeks in AU/NZ?

I'm planning a trip to Australia, and possibly a side trip to New Zealand as well. Will be flying into MEL, and then back to SYD, then finally back home:

Day 1 arrival into MEL
Day A MEL-SYD
Day 16 Depart SYD

So I'm wondering how much time to spend in MEL, and if I can do sidetrips from SYD to the Great Barrier Reef AND New Zealand. Other destinations in the general area will also be entertained ;)

Each of SYD and MEL take a minimum of 3 days to see, 7 days is a nice amount. Lots of day trip material around both cities. You could do 5 days in each and 5 days on the GBR. Don't recommend you try to squeeze NZ in, it takes 2 weeks to see on its own and you simply don't have the time. AKL does work well for an overnight stay on the way back to LAX, but that isn't your itinerary.

Each of SYD and MEL take a minimum of 3 days to see, 7 days is a nice amount. Lots of day trip material around both cities. You could do 5 days in each and 5 days on the GBR. Don't recommend you try to squeeze NZ in, it takes 2 weeks to see on its own and you simply don't have the time. AKL does work well for an overnight stay on the way back to LAX, but that isn't your itinerary.

I second that. 2 wks is not enough time to do NZ and Aus justice. Take your 2 weeks and spend it in MEL/SYD/Whitsundays/Cairns. If you want, you can also go to Tassie or Ayers Rock, but I'd do the others first. Save NZ for another trip.

Thank you both for your recommendations. Now I need to figure out where I should stay in Cairns, and what to do in MEL and SYD :D

For Cairns accommodation (http://www.tropicalnorthqueensland.com.au/cairns_accommodation.asp?ref=100) try looking here.

For Australia wide accommodation try Wotif (http://wotif.com.au) or Octopus Travel (http://octopustravel.com.au)

In Cairns I'd look at staying some where near the Esplanade. The Hilton in Cairns is very well placed and often has some really good deals.

Tell us a little more about what you like and you'll probably get a few suggestions. ^

Tell us a little more about what you like and you'll probably get a few suggestions. ^

I'm going to take you up on the offer, Itsalongwaydown! :D

I'd like to see "natural beauty" of each area. I'd probably devote one or two days exploring the metro parts of SYD and MEL, but I'm certainly open to hiring a car and driving to places, although I'd like to limit the driving time to less than 2 hours each way, maybe even 1 hour...

I'll checkout Cairns/Esplanade. Are there Starwood or Hilton hotels thats in the Cairns area worth looking at as well?

I'm going to take you up on the offer, Itsalongwaydown! :D

I'd like to see "natural beauty" of each area. I'd probably devote one or two days exploring the metro parts of SYD and MEL, but I'm certainly open to hiring a car and driving to places, although I'd like to limit the driving time to less than 2 hours each way, maybe even 1 hour...

I'll checkout Cairns/Esplanade. Are there Starwood or Hilton hotels thats in the Cairns area worth looking at as well?

More questions for you. When are you coming? Are you more familiar with warm or cold climates? Are your dates fixed or flexible? Do you prefer wineries or beaches etc?

In Cairns the Hilton has a great location. Not the best Hilton I've stayed at but certainly quite good. I haven't stayed at the Starwood.

In Melbourne the airport Hilton is one of the best you'll find and the refurbished Sydney Hilton is very over rated and over priced by popular opinion.

With recent Typhoon Larry damage in/ around Cairns, you may want to rethink your itinerary- since the eye was south of Cairns perhaps visiting Port Douglas would work better for you- it is a bit "touristy" but enjoyable nonetheless.

With recent Typhoon Larry damage in/ around Cairns, you may want to rethink your itinerary- since the eye was south of Cairns perhaps visiting Port Douglas would work better for you- it is a bit "touristy" but enjoyable nonetheless.

My understanding is Cairns is not effected. Suggest you look at Google Australia (http://www.google.com.au) and simply type Cairns and there are many responses. Even if you go to Port Douglas you will fly into Cairns. :D

More questions for you. When are you coming? Are you more familiar with warm or cold climates? Are your dates fixed or flexible? Do you prefer wineries or beaches etc?

Beaches! Not a wine drinker, and wife is not a snob with regards to alcohol either, though she likes Krug more than Dom ;)

We're looking to come during AU's winter, May/Jun'ish, so we're prepared for 10 deg C or lower temps. I think Cairns will have warmer weather though, something like 25 deg?

Also, going against the previous advice of skipping NZ, we're planning to do 2 nights in either Wellington or Christchurch, so our plan looks something like:

Day 1 arrive into MEL
Day 4 fly to SYD
Day 6 fly to WLG or CHC
Day 8 fly to CNS
Day 11 fly to SYD
Day 15 fly back

We really don't know when we'll come back to this part of the world, with this much time (I know, 2 weeks is not a lot, but for us, 2 weeks of vacation TOGETHER is quite hard to come by), so we'd like to take a quick hit of NZ while we're in the area, so please don't burn me for shoving NZ in :p

My understanding is Cairns is not effected. Suggest you look at Google Australia (http://www.google.com.au) and simply type Cairns and there are many responses. Even if you go to Port Douglas you will fly into Cairns. :D

Absolutely right- although I have heard that there is some damage in Cairns-

Not sure anything can be done with only 2 nights in NZ, you really need 3 in order to allow some travel away from the airport vicinity. Depending on your interests and weather, the places to visit are Nelson (ferry from Wellington to Picton), Rotorua, or Queenstown-Te Anau-Milford sound. For 2 days I would pick Thames and Coromandel Peninsula (3 hour drive from AKL). You can't really do Nelson from Wellington in 2 days and enjoy it (but it works for 3). It really takes weeks to see NZ properly (probably more time than for Australia, for example, there is so much diversity in NZ).

thanks for the suggestions. I got a quick Q:
Cairns or Hamilton Island? Both seems to be a good way to experience the Reef.

Hamilton Island is a lot nicer (though better is something like Heron Island, however gets expensive).

Heron is interesting as there is a University research base there as well, and sometimes the researchers give talks etc at teh resorts.

Beaches! Not a wine drinker, and wife is not a snob with regards to alcohol either, though she likes Krug more than Dom ;)

We're looking to come during AU's winter, May/Jun'ish, so we're prepared for 10 deg C or lower temps. I think Cairns will have warmer weather though, something like 25 deg?

Also, going against the previous advice of skipping NZ, we're planning to do 2 nights in either Wellington or Christchurch, so our plan looks something like:

Day 1 arrive into MEL
Day 4 fly to SYD
Day 6 fly to WLG or CHC
Day 8 fly to CNS
Day 11 fly to SYD
Day 15 fly back

We really don't know when we'll come back to this part of the world, with this much time (I know, 2 weeks is not a lot, but for us, 2 weeks of vacation TOGETHER is quite hard to come by), so we'd like to take a quick hit of NZ while we're in the area, so please don't burn me for shoving NZ in :p

Hi there

I agree that you're trying to squeeze in a hell of a lot in just two weeks, but as a Scotsman who has lived in NZ for almost nine years, and visited Oz a fair bit too in that time, here are my suggetsions:

Stay centrally in Melbourne - there are some excellent boutique hotels in the city centre, particularly The Lindrum and The Adelphi, as well as (IMHO) the best big chain hotel in town, namely The Westin. You can walk pretty much everywhere or hop on a tram from all three of these hotels. Check out some great deals on these and other Australian hotels at http://www.wotif.com/?country=1.

In Sydney I'd check out wotif.com again and stay reasonably centrally. My favourite spots to lay my head include the W Hotel, The Sebel Pier One and The Establishment - check it out at http://www.merivale.com/establishment/hotel - it's fabulous !

If heading to NZ and then CNS I'd actually recommend that you go to Auckland - you can fly straight into CNS from AKL on Air NZ (or via BNE on QF). Stay at the Hilton on Auckland's waterfront and maybe take a day trip to Waiheke Island and visit some of their great little boutique wineries or hire a car and get out of the city and head for the coast - somewhere like Raglan on the west coast south of the city is a real slice of New Zealand !

But if you're intent on either WLG or CHC then head to Wellington as NZ's Capital City has far more going on than Christchurch. There's Te Papa, NZ's National Museum, great arts and restaurants in the city, the Wairarapa Wine region (an hour out of town) and possibly a day trip to Marlborough on the Interislander ferry (weather permitting) for more food and wine at the top of the South Island. Check out Wellington's tourism webiste at http://www.wellingtonnz.com/ for some ideas as to what's on in May/June. If you do decide on WLG let me know and I'll recommend where to stay, play, eat and drink !

When you get to Cairns head north to the beaches. Personally I'd stay at Palm Cove rather than Port Douglas. Stay at the Outrigger Beach Club & Spa - check it out at http://www.outrigger.com/hotels_detail.aspx?hotel=57 - they'll even transfer you to and from Cairns airport in the hotel's Rolls Royce ! Make sure you eat at Nu Nu - it's one of four restaurants out front of the hotel and is Australian Pacific Rim cuisine at its best !

Hope some of these suggestions help - happy travels DOWN UNDER !

ScottieNZ

Do youself a favor and book a penguin parade tour bus to Phillips Island. Its amazing to see hundreds of wild Penguins up close.

Also, going against the previous advice of skipping NZ, we're planning to do 2 nights in either Wellington or Christchurch...Haven't (yet ;) ) been to CHC, but I can wholeheartedly recommend WLG for a two-day visit. It's compact and easy to get a handle on, yet still has a lot going on.

Thanks to everyone! I think I'll try for WLG, since AKL is "easier" to get back to again if I travel back to the area. Gotta go book my trans-Tasman tix ;)

Do youself a favor and book a penguin parade tour bus to Phillips Island. Its amazing to see hundreds of wild Penguins up close.
Just planning a trip for our family for late June-July 2006. TA has recommended Philips Island. From my readings, it is really touristy. Massive lights, massive crowds, announcer describing event over a licrophone etc. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks

Just planning a trip for our family for late June-July 2006. TA has recommended Philips Island. From my readings, it is really touristy. Massive lights, massive crowds, announcer describing event over a licrophone etc. Can anyone confirm this? ThanksThere are elements of that, but it isn't as bleak as you suggest and ranks as a "must see" attraction despite the rampant commercialization. They do try to keep it nice (flash photography is banned, for example, ostensibly to keep from blinding the penguins, but they sell photos for exorbinant prices at the gift shop). Judge for yourself at http://www.penguins.org.au/

I'd rate it as better and more natural than any of the wildlife theme parks in the US (such as Sea World).

There are elements of that, but it isn't as bleak as you suggest and ranks as a "must see" attraction despite the rampant commercialization. They do try to keep it nice (flash photography is banned, for example, ostensibly to keep from blinding the penguins, but they sell photos for exorbinant prices at the gift shop). Judge for yourself at http://www.penguins.org.au/

I'd rate it as better and more natural than any of the wildlife theme parks in the US (such as Sea World).


Thanks number_6. Can you provide a few details from the perspective of someone who has been there? How long does the penguin "parade" last? Few minutes? Longer than that? Are there other things on the island to do that you would recommend? Which viewing option would you recommend. I see several on the website that you kindly directed me to. And finally, if you only had two days in the Melbourne area, is this something you would make it a priority to do or would you skip it? Thanks in advance!

Can you provide a few details from the perspective of someone who has been there?

If you want to get a good seat you may find yourself waiting for an hour or so before the penguins start emerging from the sea. Once the first ones start "parading" the process continues for an hour or so.

There are a few other attractions on the island (by the way, it's connected to the mainland with a short bridge) but the Penguins are by far the most interesting.

If you're pushed for time and don't mind long days you could think about the following:
1. Leave Melbourne very early and head out on the Princes Highway to Warrnambool. This will be the most boring part of your trip.
2. Return along the Great Ocean Road from Warrnambool and enjoy the Apostles - there are plenty of places to stop and get a closer look. If you have time, a diversion to Cape Otway lighthouse is also worthwhile. Continue to Lorne, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet or Torquay and spend the night at one of these spots.
3. Next morning, head back towards Melbourne but divert at Geelong to Queenscliff and take the Queenscliff-Sorrento vehicular ferry (http://www.searoad.com.au) (over to the Mornington Peninsular. Spend the morning exploring this area - there are some nice wineries if you're interested and many other interesting activities plus good ocean beaches. Also, there are many pleasant "villages" with copious opportunities for good coffee and food.
4. In the afternoon, make your way around Westernport Bay towards Koo-Wee-Rup and join the road down to Phillip Island in time for the Penguins. For a local treat, enjoy fish and chips in the park at Cowes before heading down the island towards the Nobbies. After the show, the return trip to Melbourne that night will take a couple of hours.

By the way, I lived in Melbourne for 9 years and took my kids to the penguins at least a half a dozen times. Ignore the lights and expensive photos, enjoy the penguins - they are great.

There is an awful lot to do in Melbourne (for both adults and kids). 2 days is very short, you'll have to miss most of the attractions. I'd skip the penguins as it takes a half-day and you don't have that much time, but it is a unique experience and your kids might like it more than other attractions. You really need a minimum of 5 days in Melbourne.

The penguin parade is defintely worth doing. If you go, skip the bus tours and go on your own. When I was there I noticed the bus tours left before the birds stop coming ashore. Being able to stay later, the crowds thin out and you get a much better (and closer) view.