Where should I go in Australia/New-Zealand?
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18 commentsReplies
Joel Mushiking said, (148 days ago)
I'll accept recommendations for places to go in South America too, though that is sortof decided just based on flight paths (Santiago, Buenos Aires, Lima, Sao Paolo).
Matt Potato said, (147 days ago)
Tasmania in summer is supposed to be nice (also a bit more temperate than more northern places). Can you pick Hobart? Cradle Mountain is supposedly beautiful.
Queensland in summer is intense. You can't swim in the ocean without a full body wetsuit if you go to any beaches north of the, admittedly gorgeous, Agnes Water (marine stingers ... some of them fatal).
Joel Mushiking said, (147 days ago)
Marine Stingers? Jelly fish and manta rays? Yikes.
Unfortunately Hobart only flies to Sydny and melbourne, so that'd add one more leg which is possible but means I cut somewhere else (like Sao Paolo).
Matt Potato said, (147 days ago)
Well box jellyfish specifically. Most venomous creatures on earth! Also Queensland is really really hot and humid in Summer.
Both Sydney and Melbourne have plenty of things to check out within easy driving distance. The Blue Mountains near Sydney are great. I lived there for 5 years and never came close to doing all the walks that are possible to do. Canyoning is fun if you're into the outdoors stuff. I know less about Melbourne but some of the other goteamaustralians might be able to help you out there.
Matt Potato said, (147 days ago)
Also: Manta Rays are awesome. A friend of mine swam with them off Western Australia. He said it was like swimming with giant aliens.
artschooled said, (147 days ago)
MELBOURNE AND KAIKOURA!
Melbourne is amazing, I just spent a year living down there. Fantastic city, and in terms of things to see around, there's heaps. The Great Ocean Road is crazy-beautiful, and makes for excellent campery. Omgosh, really, Melbourne has stolen my heart and I can't wait to move back. Really, it's such a great city.
And Kaikoura is just north of Christchurch, it's really mini (much like everywhere but the major cities in NZ). It's stunning, has a fantastic feel and beautiful, beautiful hiking/camping/swimming around and seeing seals and dolphins. It was my first stop when I went camping around NZ and I ended up going back after a month because it's simply perfect. And, as a bonus, that whole area looks like Jurassic Park.
artschooled said, (147 days ago)
(and i know amazing places for you to stay for cheap and awesome! i have amazing people you could hang out with! if you go to melbourne, you can stay at my old work. i'm getting so excited for you, stranger. haha oh, and once you're in australia, and if you wanted to go to say tasmania without adding another stop, if you book it ahead with someone like jetstar, you can get to tasmania and back for $80ish, sometimes less.)
Joel Mushiking said, (147 days ago)
Whoa, nice. Is it easy to travel up and down New Zealand on the cheap, or no? not sure if I should spend a leg of the trip on flying between places that might be a cheap busride away...
@artschooled: Thanks for the tips! I've been planning this trip for a long time but I'm just now finalizing the itinerary and signing up for couchsurfing.com and all of that business. Should be good!
artschooled said, (147 days ago)
I rented a car with a mate and traveled around NZ for a month--- food, camp sites, hostels, car rental, petrol, supplies, EVERYTHING- we spent $900 each. It can be really, really cheap if your standards are that of a budget traveler! our flights over were really inexpensive, too. i reckon it's cheaper than australia for a lot of things, actually.
Sally said, (147 days ago)
BBQ in the park... sally, kenneth and the rest of the topness gang...
if you can prove you aren't an axe murderer... and give me plenty of time to butter up the bf and buy me a litre of duty free gin... there might be room on my setee
Joel Mushiking said, (146 days ago)
@Sally: You don't know that your ex-bf (June 2006) isn't an axe-weilding-maniac? My stars...
Where do you live in NZ (I don't need an address, just a city!).
Which is better, Queenstown, Wellington, Christchurch or Hobart?
Sally said, (145 days ago)
I live in Sydney... which last time i checked... was in Australia
New Zealand: Don't go there.
OK, I get 3 stops in Australia area. One will be Sydney, One will be Auckland. Any recommendations for a 3rd? Cheap lodging is always a plus!