Holiday for 1 month in Aus and 1 month in NZ

Johnnyweetabix

Johnnyweetabix

Well-known member
Howdy folks, so my wife and I have finally booked a two month trip to Australia and New Zealand broadly one month each place.

We are going in October and November with Australia first and then New Zealand. We are proposing to do the right hand side of Australia and of course both islands in New Zealand.

we are also spending three nights in Singapore on the way there.

So I know some of you folks either live or have spent time now or holidayed there. We are going from Cairns down to Melbourne and north to south New Zealand and I’m just looking for any hints, tips or cool places to consider visiting as we start to map out our 60 odd day plus trip.

My wife has already started the agenda, and we will be taking end of course things like the Great Barrier Reef, whitSunday Islands and the major cities.

As always, thanks a lot.
 
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GingerTravel said:
I've far too much to add to this thread! But let me give you one tip, if you do South to North in New Zealand and are hiring a car, you can get no one way fees and often several free days. That's because everyone does the opposite so they need the cars back in Auckland.
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B@gger wish I’d thought of that before we locked and booked the flights but we’re flying home from Christchurch
 
Spent a month in Aus last year, two weeks travelling Sydney to Brisbane and back.

What mode of transport are you using? Campervans are excellent, the campsite facilities are excellent. We had a pop up tent box so we could stay almost anywhere. I'd recommend using an App, can't think of the one we used, to book ahead as sometimes the place you are aiming for is fully booked.
Reflections was a kind of upmarket campsite, camp show grounds mid and then there were just basic facilities with a compost toilet and cold shower.

Loads of places to see and do along the way. The main route can either take you the beach route or inland. Depends what you want.
 
The_Tiler said:
Spent a month in Aus last year, two weeks travelling Sydney to Brisbane and back.

What mode of transport are you using? Campervans are excellent, the campsite facilities are excellent. We had a pop up tent box so we could stay almost anywhere. I'd recommend using an App, can't think of the one we used, to book ahead as sometimes the place you are aiming for is fully booked.
Reflections was a kind of upmarket campsite, camp show grounds mid and then there were just basic facilities with a compost toilet and cold shower.

Loads of places to see and do along the way. The main route can either take you the beach route or inland. Depends what you want.
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We were thinking of camper van maybe for New Zealand ?
 
New Zealand N Island. Assuming you arrive in Auckland - North you have the Bay of Islands (4 hours drive), you could spend a couple of days in that area sight seeing.

In Auckland get across to Waiheke Island for a day wine tasting. - A pleasant 45 minute ferry ride our from the city centre

I'd heartily recommend a visit to Napier and the surrounding vineyards. On Route I'd suggest a couple of days in Taupo (where I live), explore the lake (its massive), hot springs, ski fields etc; it's central to visit places like Rotorua (1 hr drive) and Waitomo caves (2 hours in the opposite direction). Taupo is 3.5 hours from Auckland and from there it's another 2 to Napier. From Napier you can then head S towards Wellington and the ferry to the S Island.

You'll be arriving in late spring so pack your swim gear and wooly jumpers, sunscreen and big coat :D
 
We live in the South Island, near the Abel Tasman park.

Top of the south is lovely, loads to see here.

I would try and do a bit of a circular route if you can.

Come over on the ferries, assuming they are working, not crashing or broken down. It’s a beautiful journey through the sounds.

Drive from Picton to Nelson, can go via Blenheim and do the vineyards or queen Charlotte drive which is gorgeous.

I’d see Nelson but stay over our way, towards a small town called Motueka. Spend a day in the Abel Tasman park (you can aquarium taxi in and out or taxi in and walk out).

Then drive down to the west coast through punakaki to see the rocks and through Franz Josef and Fox, take time out to go to lake Mathieson if you can, get some beautiful photos of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Through to wanaka and Queenstown through the Haast gorge which is amazing in spring.

Spend time there then scoot over to Dunedin way , see the Moeraki boulders and head on up to Christchurch.

You can go round Christchurch and head up to kaikoura for whale watching and then come back down, it’s not too far.
 
Johnnyweetabix said:
Howdy folks, so my wife and I have finally booked a two month trip to Australia and New Zealand broadly one month each place.

We are going in October and November with Australia first and then New Zealand. We are proposing to do the right hand side of Australia and of course both islands in New Zealand.

we are also spending three nights in Singapore on the way there.

So I know some of you folks either live or have spent time now or holidayed there. We are going from Cairns down to Melbourne and north to south New Zealand and I’m just looking for any hints, tips or cool places to consider visiting as we start to map out our 60 odd day plus trip.

My wife has already started the agenda, and we will be taking end of course things like the Great Barrier Reef, whitSunday Islands and the major cities.

As always, thanks a lot.
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I usually transit in Singapore when visiting the UK. So much to see and do...and the food!!!!!! You need to go to a hawker centre...we usually go to Lau Pa Sat, you need to have the satay chicken there and the heienese chicken...be warned..it gets very busy at times...all hawkers do and you need to be assertive if it is. You can't be all British reserved about bagging a table or getting served...you need to get stuck in...otherwise people will jump infront all night long. Sentosa Island is fun..basically a big theme park and we get the cable car across. Hit Raffles for an afternoon Singapore sling. So many restaurants by the river yo pick from. Have a look at the Marina Bay Sands hotel...the one with the big surf board on top. Gardens by the bay is another must do and us all lit up at night...go later light show on an evening. Shop till you drop on Orchard Road....or take in a temple for some culture..little India is good.....so much to see and do!!!

Will start on Australia soon!
 
The obvious ones:

Milford Sound - the drive there itself (prepare for a wait at the Homer Tunnel) is incredible

Queenstown - winter sports centre, get paddle steamer (built in Stockton from memory) on Lake Wakatipu. The Shotover Jet is here, that was briiiant.

The trip to Doubtful Sound is fantastic if weather is good, boat across Lake Manapouri, then bus across the pass to Doubtful Sound. Don’t know if you can still get in Manapouri Power Station but that was a great place as well - you stay in Te Anau for this (and Milford Sound potentially)

Wanaka, Arrowtown both in stunning locations. If you decide to drive up the west coast of SI the scenery is stunning, be aware there’s nothing much for miles in terms of services. Matheson Lake, Franz Josef glacier and then could get the train over to Christchurch, stunning train ride (although note you have a car so may not fit).

If you are into hiking/walking there are loads of them (tramping they call it). Didn’t get chance to do any on account of having a 2 year old with us, Tongariro Crossing in the North Island (Mt Doom in LOTR) would have been my choice.

It’s probably the most beautiful place I’ve ever been, miles and miles and miles of stunning vistas.

I’m planning 2 trips back when we are retired, 4 weeks in each island.

Australia - only went to Sydney. Do the Harbour Bridge climb, Dorman Long steel. The Rocks area was good for a few drinks, decent pubs, not sure what it will be like now as heard mixed reports since we were there. There’s a fish restaurant called Doyle’s in Watson Bay, brilliant seafood.

Very jealous. Enjoy!

Finally, read Down Under by Bill Bryson before you go. It’s a brilliant (and funny) insight into Australia covering some of the places mentioned above.
 
GingerTravel said:
I've far too much to add to this thread! But let me give you one tip, if you do South to North in New Zealand and are hiring a car, you can get no one way fees and often several free days. That's because everyone does the opposite so they need the cars back in Auckland.
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Havind done that recently when I went to Christchuch for the Test you can pick up relocation cars much easier going north but they usually want them back pretty smartish (max 3 dayd) so not sure it will work on a month miander up the islands.

So much to do but a month will be great (and it will be relatively expensive as NZ cost of living is high)

On your agenda

Auckland and go over to Waiheke Island for 2 nights. Do the island vineyard tour by bus. Dont dwell too long in Auckland though. You can pretty much see all there is to see there in a day.

Rotorua for the geysers, The Coramandel for superb beaches Taupo and Mount Ruhupehu. Art Deco Napier and the Hawkes Bay wine region. Down to Wellington for a couple of nights. Ferry to Picton. Marlborough wine region, Abel Tasman National Park and Nelson. lakes - superb. Train across Arthurs Pass to Christchurch from Greytown (dont stay in Greytown). Whale watching in Kaikoura. Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo. Down to the staple of every visit to NZ Queenstown. Over to The West - plenty of choices but my favourite is fishing in the Doubtful Sound and stay overnight on the boat.

Then if you have time go over to Stewart Island at the very south of NZ.
 
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