Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - 9 days in NZ/Australia

Hi all!

So the 2nd part of our honeymoon trip (after week in Tahiti/Bora Bora), is taking us to the NZ/Australia area. We fly into AKL on April 20th (TN flight arriving at 11:15 am), and we are leaving out of SYD on April 29th (QF flight departing at 1:20 pm).

Obviously, we don't have that much time, so where should our travels take us? We were thinking either a 5 day/4 day split between New Zealand (staying in Auckland and taking day trips) and Sydney. Or a 3/3/3 split between Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney.

If this amount of time would make it a rush to get from 'here to there', we could also spend an extra 4 days in the FP area, take the PPT-SYD flight on the 24th and stay in SYD for 4 days?

Thoughts, Suggestions? Thanks!

Hi all!

So the 2nd part of our honeymoon trip (after week in Tahiti/Bora Bora), is taking us to the NZ/Australia area. We fly into AKL on April 20th (TN flight arriving at 11:15 am), and we are leaving out of SYD on April 29th (QF flight departing at 1:20 pm).

Obviously, we don't have that much time, so where should our travels take us? We were thinking either a 5 day/4 day split between New Zealand (staying in Auckland and taking day trips) and Sydney. Or a 3/3/3 split between Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Thoughts, Suggestions? Thanks!

I will leave others to talk about NZ but I wouldn't spend that long in Auckland.

As for Australia I would probably choose Sydney or Melbourne. There is definatley enough to see in Sydney to fill up 5 days.

Obviously, we don't have that much time, so where should our travels take us? We were thinking either a 5 day/4 day split between New Zealand (staying in Auckland and taking day trips) and Sydney. Or a 3/3/3 split between Auckland, Melbourne, and Sydney.With flight times, time at airports checking in / immigration and airport to hotel trying to go to 3 cities is not feasible in my view. NZ & 1 city in Aust should be OK (3.25 hr flight time NZ to Aust). All depends on what you like doing.

Thanks for the responses so far.

As for what we like to do, we are both easy-going, and up for anything. Equally comfortable lazing around on the beach or running around the city.

We are making the final decision b/w

~ 4 nights in AKL and 5 nights in SYD ; OR
~ 5 (extra) nights in PPT and 4 nights in SYD

Is there enough to do for 4 nights in AKL and the nearby area. We don't want to rent a car, so it would be via tours and the sort. Also, it would be 15 days total if we stay the extra days in the PPT area, is that too much time in PPT/MOZ/BOB?

Another minor factor is we can get 2 FC seats PPT-SYD, but (for now) only 1 BC and 1 Coach for PPT-AKL.

Any more thoughts and suggestions? Thanks!

4 nights in AKL and 5 nights in SYD
4 nights in AKL without a car could be a bit much. It is a marginal interesting city with the ability to get out to some islands, but not really worth the full 4 days, IMO.
You could clearly get out to other areas, but I've never done it via tours/trains/public transport.
5 (extra) nights in PPT and 4 nights in SYD
That would seem to me to be the better option, since 4 nights in SYD would (or COULD) be packed with things to do - no need for car.

Take a look at this forum for ideas on what to do in SYD, and I'm sure you'll find the option that suits you.
Have a great time!
Dave

I would agree, 4 days in Auckland without a car could end up being rather boring. Much better to spend your time in Sydney! To think I said that and I come from Melbourne!

That would seem to me to be the better option, since 4 nights in SYD would (or COULD) be packed with things to do - no need for car.


While I realise the OP is on a honeymoon so a fair amount of the activities can be "created", 12 nights in Tahiti seems like a long time.

I'd counsel the OP still consider a combo Melbourne/Sydney option, if they don't want to rent a car there is plenty to do in those cities to fill in the time.

We don't want to rent a car, so it would be via tours and the sort.

As much as exploring the Blue Mountains or going for a drive to the vineyards in the Hunter Valley is just fantastic, Sydney traffic can put paid to valuable time. I agree that 4-5 days in the city and immediate suburbs, beaches, etc. should definitely keep you occupied.

Take care, and SMILE!!! =)

I agree with the others who have suggested that, if you don't want to rent a car and want to stay in the city or cities you fly into or out of, Sydney and Melbourne are much better choices than Auckland (or Wellington, for that matter). The most interesting and beautiful parts of New Zealand are outside its two largest cities. That said, it is easier than you might think to get around New Zealand without a car if you want to. I had a great time hopping from place to place in a 10-day period via plane and train a few years ago. One-way flights on Air New Zealand were relatively cheap, even at fairly short notice.

One possible itinerary could be: (1) Auckland to Wellington by plane (and explore Wellington for a day or two); (2) then take the ferry to the south island and hop on the train that runs along the coast and then down to Christchurch. You can stop along the way in some interesting, small coastal towns (e.g. Kaikoura for whale-watching). From Christchurch you can take the TranzAlpine train across the island to Greymouth and back again. Then fly Christchurch to Sydney. That sounds like a lot of moving around in a short period, but it's not nearly as hectic as it sounds.

we are just back from a three night stop-over in auckland, and then on to oz.
we loved, loved, loved new zealand. we spent two days and one night in rotarua, about 3 hours south east of auckland. a fabulous mauri evening, amazing mudpots, and a kiwi experience that we loved. the next day we drove to waitomo (which you could also do with a tour) and visited the glow worm caves. after a recommendation from a fellow ft, we stayed at the hobbit hotel, and loved it. the views were beautiful, and it was an incredible quiet and peaceful place. (ie. its not the nightlife capital of anywhere at all).

as for oz.... so many possibilities, so little time.

Thanks to all of you for the helpful replies. After speaking with the future Missus, she would not prefer to spend the extra time in Tahiti, so we will be moving onwards for that 9 day stretch.

Seems that these are our best options from what I understand:

~ AKL only if we rent a car. How difficult is it to rent a car and drive around? Is there enough to do within a 3-4 hour range of AKL?

~ Move around and do something as faerieloch did. Otherwise, is 4-5 days enough for something like KateCanuck proposed? How long would we need to maybe fly and see things in Wellington and/or Queenstown?

~ Go straight to MEL and spend 4 days there.

Thanks again to everyone!

I'd toss in another option. Fly to AKL, then immediately get on a flight to Christchurch or Queenstown. The best stuff in NZ is on the south island.

Christchurch + car gives you the chance to go up to Kaikoura for whale watching and Blenheim for all of the wineries in the area.

Queenstown is within driving distance (or a flight) to Te Anu and Millford Sound. Though in April you do begin to approach the cold time of the year.

I'd skip AKL altogether and either go to South Island then onward to SYD, or skip NZL for another time (allow 2-3 weeks) and split your time between SYD and MEL

~ AKL only if we rent a car. How difficult is it to rent a car and drive around? Is there enough to do within a 3-4 hour range of AKL?


I think its very easy to rent a car in New Zealand and drive around.
There are plenty of places around within the driving distance to
keep you occupied.

A few things that I can think of: Piha beach (nearby) you can even drive
out to Rotorua, Lake Taupo and everything in between. You can also
venture out to the north towards Cape Reinga.
Not the greatest site.. but some overall info about north island:
http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/--north-island/

Some of the distances are far, so it may make sense to stay over at some of these distant places for a night.. instead of driving back to Auckland.



~ Move around and do something as faerieloch did. Otherwise, is 4-5 days enough for something like KateCanuck proposed? How long would we need to maybe fly and see things in Wellington and/or Queenstown?

~ Go straight to MEL and spend 4 days there.

Thanks again to everyone!

With only a few days, I'd say just stay around AKL and drive. Queenstown
if my favorite place, but I think if you are visiting the south island,
you better go with a lot of time.

I'd toss in another option. Fly to AKL, then immediately get on a flight to Christchurch or Queenstown. The best stuff in NZ is on the south island.

Christchurch + car gives you the chance to go up to Kaikoura for whale watching and Blenheim for all of the wineries in the area.

Queenstown is within driving distance (or a flight) to Te Anu and Millford Sound. Though in April you do begin to approach the cold time of the year.

I'd skip AKL altogether and either go to South Island then onward to SYD, or skip NZL for another time (allow 2-3 weeks) and split your time between SYD and MEL

This is what I would do too.. but 4-5 days is just not enough for it.
If I were OP.. I'd probably do just Nz or just Oz.

4-5 days is just not enough for it.
If I were OP.. I'd probably do just Nz or just Oz.
And, you'd be exactly RIGHT!! With only a few days, I think this is likely the best option, but a short trip to AKL would be workable - just not perfect.

Dave

Well, I think it's generally overwhelming based on our time frame that we jsut won't have enough time to fully appreciate NZ. We're going to try and connect through AKL (no award seats available yet), head straight to MEL for 4 days and then spend the rest in SYD.

Looks like we'll just have to book another trip to NZ for the anniversary next year!

Thanks to everyone for all the advice. Now onto figuring out the must-dos in MEL and SYD!

I've hit New Zealand on 3 different times as a stopover on UA/NZ *A awards, twice at AKL for the north and once at CHC for a week in the south. The south island is definitely not to be missed, though supply/demand on accoms in the "summer" can be problematic, a bit like Alaska in July.

Tahiti is beautiful but unbelievably expensive, worse IMO than Japan (haven't been to Iceland, though). Am much more partial to the Cook Islands, which is on the same latitude and far less expensive. I believe it's possible to tack RAR on as stopover on Air New Zealand for an LAX-RAR-AKL itin, and Virgin Blue/Pacific Blue also might be an LCC option from island to island. The northern hemisphere summer is the best time to go to the Cook Islands, but that's "winter" in NZ. Spring/fall might be a good balance.

Being "driveable" I think is a real advantage for New Zealand in that you could do a loop trip on either island (or both if you had enough time), whereas Oz is really vast.

Now onto figuring out the must-dos in MEL and SYD!

Any proper Sydneysider's local advice is to stay away from MEL =P That said, feel free to give us a yell if you'd like some local advice for SYD.

Take care... and SMILE!!! =)

we are just back from a three night stop-over in auckland, and then on to oz.
we loved, loved, loved new zealand. we spent two days and one night in rotarua, about 3 hours south east of auckland. a fabulous mauri evening, amazing mudpots, and a kiwi experience that we loved. the next day we drove to waitomo (which you could also do with a tour) and visited the glow worm caves. after a recommendation from a fellow ft, we stayed at the hobbit hotel, and loved it. the views were beautiful, and it was an incredible quiet and peaceful place. (ie. its not the nightlife capital of anywhere at all).

as for oz.... so many possibilities, so little time.

We are heading for Australia in late June/early July for about 15 days and we are traveling with 2 young children . We are planning on Sydney for about 5 days, Cairns (we want to go scuba diving the GBR and will probably do an overnight liveaboard) for about 4 days and then were tossing around a trip to the southern island of New Zealand since flights from Australia to New Zealand are so much cheaper than intra-Australia.

I'd appreciate any specific tips & recommendations for New Zealand (and/or Sydney/Cairns too). Since we are traveling with kids, we're not really the party/club type of folks. Basically at night, it is put the kids to bed and crash from exhaustion. From Christchurch with 3 days, what can we see & do? Any must see things to do? We will probably rent a car.

I know 15 days isn't enough time to do justice and "see" any country, much less such a physical large area such as Australia & New Zealand, but since we have to vacation following the kid's school schedules, the reality is that we probably won't visit down under for a while again and so have to see what we can while we can squeeze it in.:(

Thanks,

Onedog

We are heading for Australia in late June/early July for about 15 days and we are traveling with 2 young children . We are planning on Sydney for about 5 days, Cairns (we want to go scuba diving the GBR and will probably do an overnight liveaboard) for about 4 days and then were tossing around a trip to the southern island of New Zealand since flights from Australia to New Zealand are so much cheaper than intra-Australia.

I'd appreciate any specific tips & recommendations for New Zealand (and/or Sydney/Cairns too). Since we are traveling with kids, we're not really the party/club type of folks. Basically at night, it is put the kids to bed and crash from exhaustion. From Christchurch with 3 days, what can we see & do? Any must see things to do? We will probably rent a car.

I know 15 days isn't enough time to do justice and "see" any country, much less such a physical large area such as Australia & New Zealand, but since we have to vacation following the kid's school schedules, the reality is that we probably won't visit down under for a while again and so have to see what we can while we can squeeze it in.:(

Thanks,

Onedog

If you exclude snow activities, I think the three most accessible trips from CHC may be (in no order of preference):

1) Akaroa, on the Banks Peninsula. About 90 mins drive from CHC, was a French settlement and retains French street names, though not too much else of that nature. They offer boat tours of Akaroa Harbour. The one we took, forget the name, found a few dolphins and penguins and other wildlife. Quite interesting and enjoyable.

2) Hanmer Springs, maybe 2 to 3 hours drive from CHC. Offers, as the name suggests, some natural hot springs, and some natural beauty.

3) Kaikoura, maybe 3 hours drive from CHC (and in roughly the same direction as Hanmer Springs). Coastal town where the mountains (2600 metres) meet the sea. Offers whale watching and also great scenery.

A big disclaimer: I've never visited these places in Winter, so can't guarantee all the above activities. However the scenery will still be great.

Queenstown is a 6 to 7 hour drive. A good one too, but perhaps too far/limiting if you only have 3 days.