Australia/New Zealand in 14 days - should we go in Sept, Oct or Nov?
May 30th, 2004, 05:58 AM
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Australia/New Zealand in 14 days - should we go in Sept, Oct or Nov?
My husband and I are planning a 14 day trip to Australia and New Zealand for our anniversary and want to know which month we should go - SEPT., OCT. OR NOV.? We want to visit:
AUSTRALIA
Sydney
Great Barrier Reef
Queensland
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland
South Island
Would love to see lots of koalas, kangaroos & penguin colonies and plan to snorkel at the GBR. Would like to hear suggestions on the best month to go (Sept-Nov), itineraries, and whether we're being too ambitious! Thanks.
Lisey
AUSTRALIA
Sydney
Great Barrier Reef
Queensland
NEW ZEALAND
Auckland
South Island
Would love to see lots of koalas, kangaroos & penguin colonies and plan to snorkel at the GBR. Would like to hear suggestions on the best month to go (Sept-Nov), itineraries, and whether we're being too ambitious! Thanks.
Lisey
May 30th, 2004, 01:54 PM
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Lisey
As far as New Zealand is concerned the weather is better in November though this is still the tail end of spring so it can be changeable. However it will at least still be warmer than earlier in the year.
If you are wanting to see penguins then the South Island is an ideal place to do this. Penguins live pretty much right round the majority of the coast of the South Island with different breeds from little blue penguins (Which we even get occassionally up here in Auckland) to the Hoiho or yellow eyed penguin.
The East coast of the south Island being the best place to see them. The Otago peninsula with Dunedin at its base is a great place to see them.
There are guided tours out onto the peninsula where you can get up close (within 10 feet) to the penguins as they come and go from the sea. There are also beaches on the peninsula such as sandfly bay which you can go to yourself to spot wildlife such as sealions, seals and penguins. There is also a giant albatross colony at the end of the peninsula. Very impressively sized birds. The visitor centre in the Octagon in Dunedin can handle all booking enquiries for any tours.
I note that you are also looking at staying in Auckland. There is an attraction called Kelly Tarltons, which is an aquarium with a difference (It is underground). It has as a centrepiece a recreation of an Antartic ice flow complete with penguins. It is well worth a visit if you are in Auckland.
As far as the Koalas and Kangaroos are concerned I am sure that you will find plenty on your Australian leg. One place to guarantee seeing them would be Taronga Zoo in Mosman, Sydney. You can get a ferry from Circular quay over to the zoo, take the gondola to the top of the zoo and then walk down through it. We went there a couple of years ago with our (then) two year old son and he and we loved it. You can get up close with all sorts of wildlife. There are interactive sessions with the Koalas and there is a kangaroo/wallaby walk where you can walk amongst the animals. At least in the zoo you can be guaranteed to see them. As far as the rest of Australia is concerned I defer to the Aussies on this board who know way more than I.
For what you want too see 14 days may be a bit tight however if you pick and choose which locations you go to and do not try too much you should be OK. For example 14 days would barely be enough time to see the South Island alone, never mind the rest of the itinery.
Hope some of this helps
Steve
As far as New Zealand is concerned the weather is better in November though this is still the tail end of spring so it can be changeable. However it will at least still be warmer than earlier in the year.
If you are wanting to see penguins then the South Island is an ideal place to do this. Penguins live pretty much right round the majority of the coast of the South Island with different breeds from little blue penguins (Which we even get occassionally up here in Auckland) to the Hoiho or yellow eyed penguin.
The East coast of the south Island being the best place to see them. The Otago peninsula with Dunedin at its base is a great place to see them.
There are guided tours out onto the peninsula where you can get up close (within 10 feet) to the penguins as they come and go from the sea. There are also beaches on the peninsula such as sandfly bay which you can go to yourself to spot wildlife such as sealions, seals and penguins. There is also a giant albatross colony at the end of the peninsula. Very impressively sized birds. The visitor centre in the Octagon in Dunedin can handle all booking enquiries for any tours.
I note that you are also looking at staying in Auckland. There is an attraction called Kelly Tarltons, which is an aquarium with a difference (It is underground). It has as a centrepiece a recreation of an Antartic ice flow complete with penguins. It is well worth a visit if you are in Auckland.
As far as the Koalas and Kangaroos are concerned I am sure that you will find plenty on your Australian leg. One place to guarantee seeing them would be Taronga Zoo in Mosman, Sydney. You can get a ferry from Circular quay over to the zoo, take the gondola to the top of the zoo and then walk down through it. We went there a couple of years ago with our (then) two year old son and he and we loved it. You can get up close with all sorts of wildlife. There are interactive sessions with the Koalas and there is a kangaroo/wallaby walk where you can walk amongst the animals. At least in the zoo you can be guaranteed to see them. As far as the rest of Australia is concerned I defer to the Aussies on this board who know way more than I.
For what you want too see 14 days may be a bit tight however if you pick and choose which locations you go to and do not try too much you should be OK. For example 14 days would barely be enough time to see the South Island alone, never mind the rest of the itinery.
Hope some of this helps
Steve
May 30th, 2004, 06:06 PM
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Hi, Lisey!
September is quite a windy month around Sydney, but I don't know if that wind finds its way as far north as the GBR, so I will let the Reef experts talk to that one. In Sydney, by late November it is getting very warm, and it will probably be even hotter by then up at the Reef, though, it seems, in New Zealand things are just getting to their best. I would vote for Sydney in mid-October (possibly with the Reef before that -- what do other posters think?) and then travel to New Zealand to follow-up the excellent suggestions made by Kiwi_acct.
Have a great time!
September is quite a windy month around Sydney, but I don't know if that wind finds its way as far north as the GBR, so I will let the Reef experts talk to that one. In Sydney, by late November it is getting very warm, and it will probably be even hotter by then up at the Reef, though, it seems, in New Zealand things are just getting to their best. I would vote for Sydney in mid-October (possibly with the Reef before that -- what do other posters think?) and then travel to New Zealand to follow-up the excellent suggestions made by Kiwi_acct.
Have a great time!
May 30th, 2004, 07:16 PM
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Dear Steve and Alan,
Thank you so much for your suggestions and insight. We'll definitely try to go in November and visit the penguins in South Island and visit the Kelly Tarton attraction. And thanks also for suggesting that we save the GBR for last. If you think of anything else, please let me know. I really appreciate it and thanks again! Lisey
Thank you so much for your suggestions and insight. We'll definitely try to go in November and visit the penguins in South Island and visit the Kelly Tarton attraction. And thanks also for suggesting that we save the GBR for last. If you think of anything else, please let me know. I really appreciate it and thanks again! Lisey
May 30th, 2004, 10:15 PM
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>>>>>>And thanks also for suggesting that we save the GBR for last.<<<<<<
Hello Lisey,
I think you will be best off to go to the GBR first, Sydney second, and New Zealand last.
In the southern hemisphere spring / early summer, I think you want to be moving from north to south, so that you can follow the warm weather as it progresses further from the equator.
Hello Lisey,
I think you will be best off to go to the GBR first, Sydney second, and New Zealand last.
In the southern hemisphere spring / early summer, I think you want to be moving from north to south, so that you can follow the warm weather as it progresses further from the equator.
May 30th, 2004, 11:19 PM
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Summer (wet season) is not a good time to go to the GBR. On the mainland beaches you get problems with stingers in the water, but out on the reef I believe it's less of an issue - but I defer to experts here. The best time for the GBR is usually winter! I'd start at the GBR and move S. NZ is much nicer in Summer and Sydney is always a good place to visit! I second koalas at the zoo - it's a fabulous zoo.
May 31st, 2004, 03:54 AM
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Lisey, if I advised you to save the Reef until last, I was having a bad-English-expression day. I MEANT to say that you should do the Reef FIRST, and probably do New Zealand last, in early November as one of the New Zealanders suggested. Sorry about that!
May 31st, 2004, 05:28 AM
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Thanks to all of you for your wonderful suggestions (Alan - I think you had it right the first time - I mis-read it!). We'll plan on going to Sydney and the GBR the last week in October and then to New Zealand the first week in November. Thanks for all your suggestions and especially those animal tips.
Can anyone recommend a wonderful and charming B&B in New Zealand (South Island)? Lisey
Can anyone recommend a wonderful and charming B&B in New Zealand (South Island)? Lisey
May 31st, 2004, 01:48 PM
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Lisey
While I cannot recommend a B&B in the South Island (we usually stay with friends or take a motel/hotel room when we are in the South Island) I have posted here a link which gives a pretty comprehensive list of B&B's in the South Island. Some of those listed have their own web pages so you can get an impression of what they are like.
http://www.accommodationinnewzealand.co.nz/inns2.php
Hopefully this will assist in your decision making.
Happy travels
Steve
While I cannot recommend a B&B in the South Island (we usually stay with friends or take a motel/hotel room when we are in the South Island) I have posted here a link which gives a pretty comprehensive list of B&B's in the South Island. Some of those listed have their own web pages so you can get an impression of what they are like.
http://www.accommodationinnewzealand.co.nz/inns2.php
Hopefully this will assist in your decision making.
Happy travels
Steve
May 31st, 2004, 04:27 PM
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Steve - thanks for the website! If we're planning to visit Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown in 5 days, is there one area we should use as the base or should we stay at different inns? Lisey
May 31st, 2004, 06:50 PM
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Lisey
Given the distance between all three places you will need to choose new accomodation in each.
BTW are you flying or driving round the South Island. If you are driving, the times between the three locations are 5 hours from Christchurch to Dunedin and four hours from Dunedin to Queenstown. However if you fly it is about 50 minutes from Christchurch to Dunedin. If you were to go from Dunedin to Queenstown you have to backtrack via Christchurch as there are no direct flights to Queenstown from Dunedin. Though it would only take about 2.5 hours all up to fly this trip if your flights were sufficuiently close together.
One option would be flying to Dunedin from Christchurch picking up a rental car and using this for your Dunedin and Queenstown legs. Then you can leave the car at Queenstown and fly back.
Steve
Given the distance between all three places you will need to choose new accomodation in each.
BTW are you flying or driving round the South Island. If you are driving, the times between the three locations are 5 hours from Christchurch to Dunedin and four hours from Dunedin to Queenstown. However if you fly it is about 50 minutes from Christchurch to Dunedin. If you were to go from Dunedin to Queenstown you have to backtrack via Christchurch as there are no direct flights to Queenstown from Dunedin. Though it would only take about 2.5 hours all up to fly this trip if your flights were sufficuiently close together.
One option would be flying to Dunedin from Christchurch picking up a rental car and using this for your Dunedin and Queenstown legs. Then you can leave the car at Queenstown and fly back.
Steve
Jun 1st, 2004, 08:15 PM
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Lisey
For your first 2 - 3 hours out of Christchurch heading south you are in Canterbury and the terrain is as flat as a pancake. However all along the road if you look to your right and if it is a moderately clear day you are looking at the Southern alps. A fantastic backdrop. The farmland round here is cropping land and sheep farms.
When you get south of Timaru the road starts to undulate a bit but it does not get too hilly. You still have the Alps off to the right.
When you get to Oamaru (an hour south of Timaru) you start to hit a few hills. The road becomes more interesting for the driver (At least it does for me I get bored with straight roads). Between Oamaru and Dunedin you will pass a turn off for Moeraki beach. It is well worth you stopping here for a quick trip down onto the sand. The beach is very pleasant,there is a nice cafe there and when you get onto the beach the shape of the rocks usually takes the unawares by suprise. I don't want to spoil the suprise so I will leave it for you to find out. BTW you may well see penguins on this beach as well.
After that it is south to Dunedin. The road is still very good along this stretch with more hills and ocasional vistas out to sea.
You do not go through any forests on this road as the main forests on the South Island are on the West coast the Notrh or in Otago Southland.
The drive from Dunedin to Queenstown is slightly more scenic as you go from the coast at Dunedin through the Taieri plains just south of Dunedin into the dryer central Otago region. Lots of mountain vistas especially as you get closer to Queenstown. Along the edge of lake Dunstan it can be particularly impressive.
Overall I would recommend that you do drive the journey. If you were to leave Christchurch at an early hour you will arrive in Dunedin with sufficient time to get out onto te Peninsula to see the sights or to have a good look around the city which has its own attractions (Again I recommend you go to the visitors centre in the Octagon which is in the centre of town to get directions). Parking is relatively easy in Dunedin with parking lots and street parking available.
If you leave again reasonably early for your trip to Queenstown and you get there before lunch that would gve you more than enough time to arrange a jetboat trip on one of the nearby rivers or even to possibly get out on the lake on the steamship that plys the Lake. The visitor centre in Queenstown will help you with this.
Hope this helps
Steve
For your first 2 - 3 hours out of Christchurch heading south you are in Canterbury and the terrain is as flat as a pancake. However all along the road if you look to your right and if it is a moderately clear day you are looking at the Southern alps. A fantastic backdrop. The farmland round here is cropping land and sheep farms.
When you get south of Timaru the road starts to undulate a bit but it does not get too hilly. You still have the Alps off to the right.
When you get to Oamaru (an hour south of Timaru) you start to hit a few hills. The road becomes more interesting for the driver (At least it does for me I get bored with straight roads). Between Oamaru and Dunedin you will pass a turn off for Moeraki beach. It is well worth you stopping here for a quick trip down onto the sand. The beach is very pleasant,there is a nice cafe there and when you get onto the beach the shape of the rocks usually takes the unawares by suprise. I don't want to spoil the suprise so I will leave it for you to find out. BTW you may well see penguins on this beach as well.
After that it is south to Dunedin. The road is still very good along this stretch with more hills and ocasional vistas out to sea.
You do not go through any forests on this road as the main forests on the South Island are on the West coast the Notrh or in Otago Southland.
The drive from Dunedin to Queenstown is slightly more scenic as you go from the coast at Dunedin through the Taieri plains just south of Dunedin into the dryer central Otago region. Lots of mountain vistas especially as you get closer to Queenstown. Along the edge of lake Dunstan it can be particularly impressive.
Overall I would recommend that you do drive the journey. If you were to leave Christchurch at an early hour you will arrive in Dunedin with sufficient time to get out onto te Peninsula to see the sights or to have a good look around the city which has its own attractions (Again I recommend you go to the visitors centre in the Octagon which is in the centre of town to get directions). Parking is relatively easy in Dunedin with parking lots and street parking available.
If you leave again reasonably early for your trip to Queenstown and you get there before lunch that would gve you more than enough time to arrange a jetboat trip on one of the nearby rivers or even to possibly get out on the lake on the steamship that plys the Lake. The visitor centre in Queenstown will help you with this.
Hope this helps
Steve
Jun 2nd, 2004, 05:06 PM
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Steve - thanks so much for all your valuable information again. And we will definitely stop by Moeraki Beach after reading what you said - I can't imagine what we'll find there! Can you give any hints!? Thanks again. Lisey
Jun 5th, 2004, 09:17 PM
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OK Lisey
I give in. The rock formations at Moeraki are what I was referring to. They are certainly different, if you catch the right light you can get some good camera shots.
As well as the rocks there is also some wildlife there with penguins and seals.
There secret out
Have fun
Steve
I give in. The rock formations at Moeraki are what I was referring to. They are certainly different, if you catch the right light you can get some good camera shots.
As well as the rocks there is also some wildlife there with penguins and seals.
There secret out
Have fun
Steve
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