Australia/NZ in 2-3 weeks

[nika]

Hi all,

I'm sure there are about a million other similar threads already, so... here goes one more. We've been following the forum sporadically for the better part of 4 years already (!), and this autumn, in September, it is starting to look like we may finally have the chance to come over for a visit. The initial plan looks as follows:

We'd be starting off in Sydney, Australia with 5 days of some "official" program, then planning to head up to Brisbane during another 5 or so days. From Brisbane, the flight plan is for Christchurch; we're reserving another 5-7 days at the end of the trip for a stay on some of the pacific island resorts on Fiji/Tonga/Cook Islands (flights to/from Auckland). What remains between is completely open so far. We're reasonably outdoorsy people looking forward to the nature, views and all that, but are no hardcore adventurers either.

We're of course still early in the planning stage, but would appreciate any feedback regarding what would be sensible to try to fit between Christchurch and Auckland for the NZ part of our trip, which would most likely be around 9-12 days. While we're young enough to do just fine on hostel-level accommodation for the most part, I'm assuming that stretching the trip much longer will be too much for the old bank account - and summer vacation days are also a scarce resource Thanks for your comments!

[JandM]

How are you intending to travel while in NZ? Will you hire a car? Or have you thought about a camper-van?

[nika]

Haven't made up our mind yet, car rental is certainly an option. Probably will stick to buses / other public transport though.

[guzzis3]

I had a look at the campervan thing, and given it solves the transport and accomodation problems it's an economical option. Offers a lot of freedom and apparently NZ has a lot of nice camp spots you could use, and use them as start points for bushwalking and other outdoors stuff.

Why are you comming to Brisbane ? We used to say "nice place to live but you wouldn't want to visit here". Unfortunately it's no longer a nice place to live... Unless there is something specific bringing you here can I suggest instead Airly beach/whitsundays ? Truely a spectacularly beautiful place and September would be a good time to go as it's not too hot yet and early in cyclone season. It's not a tourist trap, with people genuinely happy to help and plenty of economical choices. One of the nicest holidays I've ever had. 2c.

[mylesdw]

I can't see your public transport plan working; there just isn't enough of it nor is it integrated enough. You really should consider a basic hire car; they're not expensive and you really need the freedom and flexibility.

As far as campervans go, you can sometimes get a good deal on a one way hire from CHC to AKL because most tourists bring them south. Worth asking.

[Silverwing86]

Another travel option could be the various bus companies that sell passes to different routes around NZ like Naked Bus, Magic Bus and/or Kiwi Experience. No personal experience with them, but visitors of ours have tried this 'hop on/hop off' way of travelling and found it useful.

Apparently InterCity Coachlines also sell buss passes, so I should add them to the mix as well.

Another option could be travelling by train (which we still want to try out sometime, seems like a great way to experience NZ !). I also found this website which seems to have a lot of information about travelling by train in NZ and the Rail New Zealand website.

Options a-plenty !

Whichever way you choose to travel, enjoy your trip !

Cheers,
Silver

[Duncan74]

Ok, my feel is that you need to severely cut down what you want to see. We spent 5 weeks there between Auckland airport and ChCh and didn't go into Auckland at all. Simply driving ChCh to Auckland in a camper van is a 4-5 day trip (overnight Kaikoura on the south Island, then a stop near Taupo on the way up north makes 4 days of full driving). So I can't see how you will learn anything about NZ in 5 days, especially if you're on an intercity coach. As mentioned then ChCh to Aukland at this time of year you may get a camper for fuel only (ie no hire, or a tokenm insurance payment) as they need to get them back to Auckland and will do a deal.
But I'd really say if you only have 5 days then spend 2 in ChCh and then fly to Auckland (if those are the two cities you want to see). At least then you'll see something of two places, instead of nothing at all of lots.

But of course that's just my view, and of course different people could well see it differerntly.

[Silverwing86]

Ummmm, I thought it was a bit more than 5 days, wasn't it ??

...but would appreciate any feedback regarding what would be sensible to try to fit between Christchurch and Auckland for the NZ part of our trip, which would most likely be around 9-12 days.

Cheers,
Silver

[Duncan74]

Sorry, you're right, was confused by the 2-3 weeks - 10 days in Aus.

Still tight though even in 12 IMHO if you're hoping to get a feel for a place to see if you would like to live there.

[Silverwing86]

Still tight though even in 12 IMHO if you're hoping to get a feel for a place to see if you would like to live there.

Fair point Duncan74, I agree that it is indeed short (even shorter than the 17 days we had back in '05 !) !

Cheers,
Silver