Australia newzealand for 3 weeks need help
Mar 11th, 2008, 07:17 PM
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Australia newzealand for 3 weeks need help
Hey,going to australia new zealand for 3 weeks have booked my tickets and have divided my stay 4 days sydney,4 days cairns ,4 days melborne ,1 day ayers rock,4 days queenstown,4 days christchurch.what are the must do in all this places.also wanted to know will it be scenic in newzealand in early june?
Mar 12th, 2008, 03:08 AM
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Marsha, it's always scenic in NZ - only the snow cover changes. But as you've already booked your tickets, the question is somewhat academic.
As for "must-dos", you've asked a very big question - it depends on your interests, and would take several books to answer properly. Fortunately quite a few companies have written useful guidebooks to Australia and NZ, and I strongly suggest you invest in a couple. This forum is good for more specific questions, and I'm sure you'll find the contributors here very helpful once you narrow it down.
As for "must-dos", you've asked a very big question - it depends on your interests, and would take several books to answer properly. Fortunately quite a few companies have written useful guidebooks to Australia and NZ, and I strongly suggest you invest in a couple. This forum is good for more specific questions, and I'm sure you'll find the contributors here very helpful once you narrow it down.
Mar 12th, 2008, 03:30 PM
#3
Marsha,
If you start with ... "Why did I choose MelboUrne?", "What attracted me to Sydney?", the answers will give us (and you) something to work with.
Otherwise, with respect, it's a bit like my saying, "I've booked to go to Moscow, London, St. Peters ....why am I going?" to a bunch of strangers in Times Square and expecting an intelligent answer
If you start with ... "Why did I choose MelboUrne?", "What attracted me to Sydney?", the answers will give us (and you) something to work with.
Otherwise, with respect, it's a bit like my saying, "I've booked to go to Moscow, London, St. Peters ....why am I going?" to a bunch of strangers in Times Square and expecting an intelligent answer
Mar 12th, 2008, 05:14 PM
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Hey, i guess i should narrow it down .my main concern is we will be on south island of nz from 31st may to 8th june i know its winter but what is the scenery like will it be as beautiful like it is in their summer?we are from ny so cold is okay.
Mar 12th, 2008, 06:08 PM
#5
yes marsha the scenery in nz and australia will be beautiful; and there will not be snow everywhere you will be able to see and do lots and in cairns it will not be cold at all and again very beautiful but tropical so quite different to both south island of nz and the other parts of australia.
Mar 13th, 2008, 01:21 AM
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How are you travelling in NZ, Marsha? If by car between Queenstown and Christchurch, there are some things that are worthwhile having a look at in between. If you are flying, we'll start with maybe hiring a car in ChCh and take you from there.
Mar 13th, 2008, 03:37 AM
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New Zealand is lovely. has spectacular scenery - lakes, mountains, coast.
As far as I know mountains don't move and lakes don't shift, so what do you mean by "will it be scenic in NZ in early June"? And what's your definition of "scenic?
As for "must dos" - mate, I wouldn't spend all that money on the airfare if I hadn't done some research. Maybe you'll arrive and find nothing that appeals.
And you can do the basics for free. Just go to your local library and borrow a guide book. Does't matter if it't not the most recent edition.
Mountains, lakes, etc. don't move.
As far as I know mountains don't move and lakes don't shift, so what do you mean by "will it be scenic in NZ in early June"? And what's your definition of "scenic?
As for "must dos" - mate, I wouldn't spend all that money on the airfare if I hadn't done some research. Maybe you'll arrive and find nothing that appeals.
And you can do the basics for free. Just go to your local library and borrow a guide book. Does't matter if it't not the most recent edition.
Mountains, lakes, etc. don't move.
Mar 14th, 2008, 07:26 PM
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Even a cold, rainy or snowy day in New Zealand is better than any day spent in the office. And the South Island scenery is always spectacular, even when the weather is not so good.
As far as what to do, it's all personal preferences. As other poster said, start at the library and get some guidebooks (old or new editions). Check your library for travel series DVDs - I recommend Globe Trekker's DVDs on New Zealand and Australia (you can rent these from Blockbuster as well).
My recommendations for the places you list:
Sydney - Harbour Bridge climb, Opera House (if you can buy tix to an evening performance, it's incredible - if not, take the daytime tour), a ride on the Manly Ferry - cheap, great views from the boat of the Sydney skyline and Manly is a very nice beach (more low-key than Bondi). Walk around Circular Quay, The Botanical Gardens and down by Mrs. MacQuarie's Chair.
Cairns - personally, I think is not the best place for Reef activities. If you haven't booked a place to stay, I would recommend flying to Cairns and getting a transfer up to Port Douglas (1 hour by shuttle van). From Port Douglas you can do the QuikSilver reef tour, there's an excellent Chinese Junk that takes very small parties out sailing and snorkeling on a private island (better visibility here than snorkeling off QuikSilver), and you can get a number of day tours to Cape Tribulation or Atherton Tablelands.
Melbourne - great city. Excellent museums, Victoria Market, Anzac Memorial.
Ayers Rock - obviously, Uluru & Kata Tjuta are the main draws. I recommend the sunset Harley ride around the base of Uluru.
Queenstown - It's all about adventure sports (bungy, jetboat, Fly By Wire).
Christchurch - It's pretty small, so 4 days is a lot of time to spend there. It does have some nice museums and gardens to walk around. The city itself is pretty and quaint. Seeing The Wizard of Christchurch speak is entertaining for an hour (he shows up mid-day). You can cover all that in about 2 days - I would suggest you look into a day tour if you don't have your own transportation. If you have access to a car, try Kaikoura (about 2 hours north) - nice coastal town that has great whale watching.
As far as what to do, it's all personal preferences. As other poster said, start at the library and get some guidebooks (old or new editions). Check your library for travel series DVDs - I recommend Globe Trekker's DVDs on New Zealand and Australia (you can rent these from Blockbuster as well).
My recommendations for the places you list:
Sydney - Harbour Bridge climb, Opera House (if you can buy tix to an evening performance, it's incredible - if not, take the daytime tour), a ride on the Manly Ferry - cheap, great views from the boat of the Sydney skyline and Manly is a very nice beach (more low-key than Bondi). Walk around Circular Quay, The Botanical Gardens and down by Mrs. MacQuarie's Chair.
Cairns - personally, I think is not the best place for Reef activities. If you haven't booked a place to stay, I would recommend flying to Cairns and getting a transfer up to Port Douglas (1 hour by shuttle van). From Port Douglas you can do the QuikSilver reef tour, there's an excellent Chinese Junk that takes very small parties out sailing and snorkeling on a private island (better visibility here than snorkeling off QuikSilver), and you can get a number of day tours to Cape Tribulation or Atherton Tablelands.
Melbourne - great city. Excellent museums, Victoria Market, Anzac Memorial.
Ayers Rock - obviously, Uluru & Kata Tjuta are the main draws. I recommend the sunset Harley ride around the base of Uluru.
Queenstown - It's all about adventure sports (bungy, jetboat, Fly By Wire).
Christchurch - It's pretty small, so 4 days is a lot of time to spend there. It does have some nice museums and gardens to walk around. The city itself is pretty and quaint. Seeing The Wizard of Christchurch speak is entertaining for an hour (he shows up mid-day). You can cover all that in about 2 days - I would suggest you look into a day tour if you don't have your own transportation. If you have access to a car, try Kaikoura (about 2 hours north) - nice coastal town that has great whale watching.
Mar 15th, 2008, 11:58 PM
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Hi
Just in case you are interested in nature and Australian wildlife here are some suggestions for Sydney:
I can speak for Sydney as there is so much to do. Below are few suggestions relating to your wildlife question.
If you want to dive with the sharks go to Manly Ocean World ( you don’t need to be an experienced diver) – go by ferry – a Manly ferry ride is an iconic trip when in Sydney. see http://www.oceanworld.com.au/
In Darling Harbour (city centre) there is the Sydney Aquarium and http://www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au/
The Australian Reptile Park, north of Sydney – reptiles, giant tortoises and pythons. http://www.reptilepark.com.au/
Also outside Sydney but easily reached either independently or via tours is Featherdale Wildlife Park see www.featherdale.com.au
Taronga Zoo. The site below is a tour site but you can go to Sydney Taronga Zoo by yourself- catch a ferry takes about 15 minutes – spectacular views of the Sydney Harbour from the Zoo. There is a great Flight Bird Show; watching the birds swoop down towards the harbour is amazing.
http://www.affiliate.viator.com/broc...amp;SUBAUID=AU
The text here is extracted from the above site :
“The Zoo with a View is just 12 minutes by ferry from downtown Sydney and is located on the spectacular shores of Sydney Harbor.
You can see the platypus, echidna, kookaburra and Frilled Lizard in the Streets 'Creatures of the Wollemi'. You'll also meet other Australian native animals in the 'Australian Walkabout' exhibit. There's lots of excellent photo opportunities with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, birds, wombats and echidnas so don't forget your camera!
At your leisure, board the Sky Safari's 21 six-passenger gondola, operating between the Zoo wharf and the Top Entrance. Fly above the Zoo as it skims the canopy of the Asian rainforest inhabited by Taronga's Orangutans and glide across the mysterious riverscape of AGL Amazonia, home to the Zoo's South American animals
The Backyard to Bush exhibit is an environmental wonderland where visitors will travel from the familiar world of the home and backyard complete with creepy crawlies and pets, through an adventure packed Australian farmyard, and into the wilderness of the bush, including a gigantic Wombat burrow. “
See also
http://www.whats-on-in-sydney.com.au...ries.asp?id=39
and
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/re...neyHarbour.pdf
Just in case you are interested in nature and Australian wildlife here are some suggestions for Sydney:
I can speak for Sydney as there is so much to do. Below are few suggestions relating to your wildlife question.
If you want to dive with the sharks go to Manly Ocean World ( you don’t need to be an experienced diver) – go by ferry – a Manly ferry ride is an iconic trip when in Sydney. see http://www.oceanworld.com.au/
In Darling Harbour (city centre) there is the Sydney Aquarium and http://www.sydneywildlifeworld.com.au/
The Australian Reptile Park, north of Sydney – reptiles, giant tortoises and pythons. http://www.reptilepark.com.au/
Also outside Sydney but easily reached either independently or via tours is Featherdale Wildlife Park see www.featherdale.com.au
Taronga Zoo. The site below is a tour site but you can go to Sydney Taronga Zoo by yourself- catch a ferry takes about 15 minutes – spectacular views of the Sydney Harbour from the Zoo. There is a great Flight Bird Show; watching the birds swoop down towards the harbour is amazing.
http://www.affiliate.viator.com/broc...amp;SUBAUID=AU
The text here is extracted from the above site :
“The Zoo with a View is just 12 minutes by ferry from downtown Sydney and is located on the spectacular shores of Sydney Harbor.
You can see the platypus, echidna, kookaburra and Frilled Lizard in the Streets 'Creatures of the Wollemi'. You'll also meet other Australian native animals in the 'Australian Walkabout' exhibit. There's lots of excellent photo opportunities with koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, birds, wombats and echidnas so don't forget your camera!
At your leisure, board the Sky Safari's 21 six-passenger gondola, operating between the Zoo wharf and the Top Entrance. Fly above the Zoo as it skims the canopy of the Asian rainforest inhabited by Taronga's Orangutans and glide across the mysterious riverscape of AGL Amazonia, home to the Zoo's South American animals
The Backyard to Bush exhibit is an environmental wonderland where visitors will travel from the familiar world of the home and backyard complete with creepy crawlies and pets, through an adventure packed Australian farmyard, and into the wilderness of the bush, including a gigantic Wombat burrow. “
See also
http://www.whats-on-in-sydney.com.au...ries.asp?id=39
and
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/re...neyHarbour.pdf
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