There is no comparison - its apples and oranges. It would be like comparing Utah's Canyonlands with Martha's Vinyard - 2 very different places.

By the way, yes I have been to all three and several times.

You might look into the weather patterns for January. Not so good in Australia, much better in NZ.

You're opening a giant can of worms here.

There are some nice spots on the North Island, but for mountains you've got volcanoes not Alps, and there won't be much snow in January. Maybe you could have him split the stay between North and South Island, could go down via Tongariro, Wellington and visit Abel Tasman or Marlborough Sounds.

If you have not been to Australia mlgb - how do you know what the temperatures are like and that the weather is better in NZ? Certainly give your impressions of NZ mlgb but not in comparison to somewhere you have not been and do not know anything about.
Australia is a huge country with all sorts of different weather throughout the year in various areas. For instance it has been the best summer in Tasmania ever, Darwin has had a good summer, Cairns has had beautiful reef weather taking out the few days of the cyclone and the Gold Coast has been lovely. The latter being a particularly beautiful place in Australia to go with its hinterland and varied flora and fauna. There are 326 varieties of birds alone in that S.E section of Queensland, has the southern hemisphere's largest caldera and the second largest in the World, has remaining Antarctic Beach Trees which are thousands of years old. Has magnificent beaches, beautiful waterways, wonderful islands and that is before you go into northern New South Wales with its beautiful countryside and interesting little towns like Byron Bay and Nimbin ( a not to be missed place for a lot of reasons).
How do I know all this?????? I have just been there for the 3rd time.
I agree that you cannot compare Switzerland with Australia but Switzerland with NZ perhaps and then that is not fair because in Switzerland there is always so many people around and about whereas NZ is natural and unspoilt and does not have floods of people in one place at one time. Then again Switz. has historic places and so on and so forth. Switz is also one of the most expensive places for anything on earth.
Others will come up with other comparisons I guess so I will leave it to them now.

Hi Melissa -

As you know, I've been to all three countries many times (live in one), and there's just no way to compare, as each is unique and wonderful in it's own way.

Due in part to its sheer size, Australia is incredibly diverse and there's something for everyone here, it's just a matter of deciding what interests you the most...beaches, reef, rainforest, wildlife, wine, red dirt and big rocks, forests, mountains, gorges, aboriginal culture, cities...it's endless, it truly is.

I too, feel that the SI of NZ and the Berner Oberland are the most stunning places I've personally visited, but there's a whole lot of the world I've not yet seen.

I've lived and worked in two of them (still do in Australia) and been to Switzerland several times, and agree with others that there is no comparison between the three countries.

January of course is summer; there are parts of Australia which won't be ideal weatherwise, I'd probably avoid the red centre, but in a country of this size there'll be countless areas where the weather will be fine. In fact, January is high season for many areas, and is the time of year when many Australians choose to take their annual holidays.

So its really up to what interests you ... if you give us some ideas you'll get tons of help here.

<<Please share about that soulful, magical, transformational moment in Australia, New Zealand, or Switzerland...>>

Aussies and Kiwi's don't do that kind of rhetoric, we leave that to Oprah

ivenotbeeneverywhere: I would really enjoy hearing about 3 special experiences you have had: 1 in Australia, 1 in Switzerland, and 1 in New Zealand. Hearing about other people's favorite places sometimes ignites a spark in me. It's like browsing in the "library" of your memories to help me find the "book" that really speaks to me. Guidebooks are full of facts...but hearing about people's magical moments is the heart & soul of travel.

mlgb: That's an interesting idea...You know, we didn't really see the north side of the south island either... No worries about the can of worms, they could be a gourmet treat for a bird! I appreciate your reply, and thank you for being so bold as to voice your opinion. I want to hear everyone's viewpoint. If nobody disagrees with you...then probably you haven't said anything original! The glory of originality is what I love about the forums. Thank you for posting a reply.

MaryD2: Thank you for sharing all those glorious glimpses of Australia! What really drew you back to return to Australia for the 3rd time? Will you return to Australia for a 4th trip? What if you had to name just 1 personal favorite experience in Australia, what would you choose? Australia is hard for me to tackle because it is so huge and varied!

melnq8: We must have been born under the same star. The south island of New Zealand and the Berner Oberland in Switzerland are the most stunning and addicting places on earth that I've visited so far, I agree with you. I feel like I can't get enough of them. I guess mountains and wild coasts are 2 of my very favorite things on the planet. So far... Who knows what lies ahead for me to discover? I also like to seek out what is unique in a new country when I visit. Aboriginal culture in Australia has always interested me. (I've never been to Australia, but have seen some films and documentaries about it.)

pat_woolford Although we can't compare Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland, it sure is fun to try! I am wondering what YOU fell in love with in any of these 3 countries? Not a complete list...just one special moment or experience? Guidebooks have facts...but sometimes it's an intuitive spark that draws me to explore a new country...

Isn't it fascinating how unique we all are? For example I just came back from Bosque del Cabo on the Osa peninsula in Costa Rica. I went there to be immersed in the environment of the rainforest, and to hear the wild ferocious-sounding call of the howler monkeys and the birdsong, the cicacas and the ocean shushing and tossing...And I loved it! I miss nature's symphony the most. And guess what? When we were sitting in the tiny Nature Air airport on the return flight home, we met a family of travelers who had also stayed nearby. But the man said, he liked the area "except for those #$%!! howler monkeys waking me up every morning", is what he said! It was funny, because I LOVED being awakened every morning by the exotic call of the howler monkeys, and that is mainly what I went there to experience!

Geordie: Aussies and Kiwis are fortunate because they are surrounded by living poetry, in my view of things. Maybe you have already been transformed and are light years ahead of me! Here I am running halfway around the world just to get a decent cup of coffee and a really fresh fish.

I may need to post 2 separate questions...one on Australia's forum and one on New Zealand's forum... I am just looking for that intuitive sense that I always have when I know where we are headed for our next adventure!

Right now I'm curious to hear what made YOU fall in love with Australia, or New Zealand?

Its easy for me as an ex-American, I am married to an Aussie and I choose to live here in Australia and love every minute of it - always have and always will. Its the way of life, the friendly people, the open country and being able to find a beach or piece of rainforest where you cannot see or hear another person. The animals and particularly the birds are fantastic for me as well, so many and so unique.
Actually I do not agree with you about The Berner Oberland and the South Island of NZ being the two most beautiful places in the World but then thats just me. I have my own favourite places in the World - my two places are The Dordogne area of France and Bariloche, Argentina together with Terra Del Paine in Chile ( cannot split the last two ). So in answer to your question, I did not get a feeling of wonder and awe when I went to Switzerland ( have relatives in Geneva ) but that could have been because of the high costs there and the regimental attitude of the Swiss which gets to be a pain after a while.

Torres del Paine, Liz.

mlgb: Muchas disculpas. Aunque la mona, se vista de seda, mona se queda

El que tiene rabo de paja, que no se arrime a la candela

Ditto drongo

Come on...if I can figure out you're saying, I'm sure the editors can too.

If you think NZ is the most stunning place you have been wait til you go to Iceland. It makes NZ, the Isle of Skye and the Lakes district of England look ugly step sisters. I haven't been to Switzerland, but I'm guessing she would be an ugly sister too.

Australia Generally speaking:
North Australia will be hot and tropical with a chance of cyclones.

Central Australia; the West and South Australia will be consistently hot and dry - up to 40 celsius.

The south east Sydney through Melbourne and western Victoria could be anything from 15-35.

SO - As we hate hot weather we tend to favour TASMANIA. It truly has everything, but in a lovely mild (some would say cold and wet) climate. There are mountains that rival NZ for beauty; rolling hills; stunning coastlines of every sort - cliffs to beaches; wineries, breweries, gourmet food; lovely little towns; great walking; great whisky; great ecotourism(penguins in arms reach; sea eagles sea lions within metres);stunning geology and diving. There really is something for everyone. And best of all - no crowds (except for cradle mountain) like you would get else where. The distances are small and you can comfortably travel the whole Island. Plus Tasmanian Devils are on the verge of extinction due to their facial cancer. Not would be the time to see them.

NZ in January will be full as a boot (pun intended). It is their peak season (another pun). Prices for accommodation etc. will be up to triple what you would pay in the off season. Not value for money in my thinking. If you have been to the South Island, then the North Island may come as a bit of a disappointment. I actually like the North Island better.

The North Island Has lots to offer. The vulcanology is great. Go to White Island by helicopter. Possum Hunting was fun. Napier was largely destroyed earthquake and so was rebuilt when art deco was the rage.

The bay of islands rightly has a good reputation.

NZ distances are deceptive and it takes a bit of time to get anywhere.

In January Tasmania would win hands down. At other times of the year I would go for the Outback or Northern Australia.

Why go back to somewhere you have been when there is a whole world to explore? And it is all in Tasmania.
I sound like an advertisment, but it truly a wonderful place.
Read my trip report.

Enjoy your 30th.

MaryD2: Do you mean Torres del Paine Chile? You have been there? Where did you stay and how did you get there? We have been thinking about going there for a few years...but it seems remote and challenging to get to. And the place that caught my eye as the place to stay...I think it's called Explora...is super unbelievably expensive... I enjoyed reading about what you love in Australia.

PeterSale: Wow! You make Tasmania sound enticing! Now I've got to look up more info on Tasmania. I'll look at your trip report. Thanks! If Tasmania has good weather in January that's a plus too.

Yes, I made the mistake and it is Torres del Paine, Chile.
I crossed the Andes from Baroliche to Puerto Montt by local but ( takes 5 hours or so and costs, well it did then, $15 as compared with the US tours of $150 which go via the lakes and road across the Andes).
From P.M, where I stayed in a fantastic hotel on the side of a hill, the name of which I cannot remember unfortunately but it was some very old and historic house apparently, I got the Navigmag ship down to Puerto Natalas where I stayed again in a hotel and again the name escapes me. We did tours into Torres del Paine but stayed in P.N so I cannot comment on the accommodation in T.D.P but I loved the look of the place that is on a lake with those beautiful mountains behind them. I would love to stay there.
This trip had coincided with flying down the Ushuaia ( sp??) spending time exploring that area - fantastic! Then flying to El Califate and visiting the glaciers which come off the Southern Patagonian Icefields - now these are what you call glaciers, the one I liked the best was the Moreno Glacier which is constantly calving and which is growing. The front of the glacier stands at 90 ft or so high and is exceptionally wide. Then we flew up to Bariloche where I was blown away by the beauty of the area and spent 10 days there.
I have also done a cruise to Antarctica then up to Ushuaia then Punta Arenas, through the Beagle Channel ( which is fabulous and absolutely stunning with many glaciers named after either the country or the person who was on the Beagle at the time, then through the Magellan Strs. All of that area is beautiful but I think southern Chile is particularly stunning.
The Navigmag boat is not 5 star but you do get very close to everything and of course there are not thousands of other people on it. Puerto Montt is not the most wonderful place in the World but the snow covered volcanoes you can see from there are very interesting. Also the lake district is very close.
Back to Australia, see if you can find the music and words to the song " I still call Australia home" which I think is how most of us feel about the country.

Southern Argentina is another of Iceland's ugly sisters!

I thought it was the most amazing and stunning place... til I went to Iceland.

Here you are. The music and lyrics were from the late Peter Allan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqaCzsCSn90

Obviously Peter you did not go where I went in Southern Argentina did you? Bariloche and El Califate?

Also Peter did you get to Torres del Paine in southern Chile?

The only hotel inside the park with a combination of the grand view of the Cuernos and good quality lodging is the all-inclusive minimum-stay Explora. There are other alternatives that are simpler or farther away, including Las Torres or some of the hotels near Rio Serrano. If you are not up to hiking the W, there is a drive along the main road that the tour busses take, but it is not the same as staying inside the park and having the opportunity to watch the dawn and sunset on the mountains.

It's quite an expensive trip (as you've noticed) between airfare, high cost of meals, lodging and transport.

My Trip report
http://www.fodors.com/community/south-america/trip-report-punta-arenas-puerto-natales-torres-del-paine.cfm

We spent several days in El Calafate. We didn't get to Torres del Paine, but we did do two glacier cruises and a couple of walksand drives (with a geomorphologist).

Reread my post -
"I thought it [southern Argentina] was the most amazing and stunning place... UNTIL I went to Iceland."

Iceland simply blows all other "beautiful places" out of the water!

The big Island of Hawaii, Scandinavia, Finland, Tasmania UK and NZ come down the list. To use a horse racing term Iceland wins at a canter the others come second at the flog.

OK Pete but have you been to Antarctica - now that is a place out on its own.
I am making a note about Iceland though and will do that on my swan-song trip.

PS: I was running out of places to go Pete that are ones that still are on the top draw.
On my second trip to Alaska I found that that is a place I should go again - next is Russia cause I loved St Petersburg, now I have Iceland and also Syria so at least there are still some that attract me.
I would go back to Antarctica in a flash too but will bypass the Falklands next time.
I got bored with Finland and Scandinavia et al.
But I am sure I can find enough goodies to do a really big swan song.

Not as yet. It is on the list with a trip to South America. But it will be hard to beat Iceland. But then again, so are huge icebergs and penguins and killer whales. It will be a close race I'm sure. The bookies are only offering evens.

The combination of volcanoes and glaciers was just amazing. The isolation added to it as well.

Often we were the only people at a waterfall or thermal area. Going in Autumn helped, but meant that most restaurants etc. were closed. One night we had dinner of breadand jam from the supermarket asit was the only thing open.

We did the fiords cruise up the coast of Norway straight after Iceland. It was a bit Ho Hum (drizzle and being in the boat most of the day didn't help - I admit). If you do go and haven't been to Norway , be sure to do it first.

Just be aware that Icelnad is much bigger than it looks.

Sorry for the Hijacking of the thread - Go To Tasmania.

Well southern Chile offers volcanoes and glaciers, which brings me back to the original poster, if she is still with us after all our detouring - what kind of things do you particularly like? Perhaps if you told us that we could zoom in better for you and hopefully not get sidetracked again.

Common mammals of Australia - this is only a list of common ones
: http://teachingtreasures.com.au/science-projects/mammals.htm

Birds of Australia: www.birdphotos.com.au

THANKS EVERYONE for the delightful debate about WHERE is the most amazing spot to visit on the planet! My husband and I are working on our 5-year-travel plan....all the trips we HOPE to take in the next 5 years!

What do we love? My husband is a passionate biologist/herpetologist and he is a fearless adventurer. I am a poet and dreamer, and I enjoy being inspired by the places I go and the people I meet. We are very different in some ways, but the following things tend to please us both on a trip:
--unspoiled location with natural wonders to explore
--SCENERY! Gorgeous natural scenery
--beautiful national parks with convenient facilities
--delicious FOOD made with fresh local ingredients & interesting spices at reasonable prices
--MOUNTAINS
--wild seacoast (NOT all built up)
--waterfalls
--rainforests or cloud forests
--Fijords
--cultural experiences
--unique cities (Austin, Texas; Rome, Italy)
--small towns or villages (Murren, Switzerland; Westport, Ireland)
--native flora and fauna
--music (any music except for jazz)
--ABOVE ALL, BEAUTIFUL PLACES THAT HAVE ACHIEVED A NICE BALANCE BETWEEN PRESERVING NATURAL RESOURCES, AND PROVIDING COMFORTS FOR US TO ENJOY, SUCH AS...comfortable beds; good food; friendly lodging; hot showers; etc.

Well that doesn't narrow it down much!!! I hope to have time this weekend to do more research on Tasmania, Australia, and New Zealand.

Well between Australian and New Zealand we have all of those things.
PLUS we got lots and lots of interesting stuff in the herpetology scheme of things.

For hubby: http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/tbiol/zoology/herp/herp2.shtml

Just got back from first time visit to A and NZ for six weeks. I loved the Great Ocean Road and the GB Reef in Australia as well as Kangaroo Island and the most scenic place--Tasmania.

But nothing beats the tranquil Doubtful Fjord -- be sure and take the overnight boat trip! Willing to send itinerary if anyone wishes.

HI,
I've been to Switz. twice and N.Z. only once. And Aukland for only one day. Let me try to sum up my experiences and rationale. Although I'm a bit prejudiced I fear. My personal preference is lush, green and mountainous over flatter, or beachy terrain. So after reading a NZ guidebook to help me decide how to plan my trip, I quickly decided to spend all three weeks on the So. Island of NZ and only one day in Aukland. There was a decided difference in the feel of Aukland vs Christchurch btw. Christchurch felt and looked more intimate and less "big city" despite the fact that it is a city.
My three top experience memories ( I couldn't choose just one. They were all very magical, unusual and very unique.)on the S.I. are:
1. Abel Tasman N.P. offers a regular service water taxi that stops at set beaches at set times along the coast. So we took it to a stop , they took us to shore in a dinghy or zodiac ( can't remember) and we then walked the trail through this absolutely magical, lush rain forest to the pick up point a short few miles away. Like 2 or 3. As we walked the trail wandered in and out along the coastline offering views and glimpses of the ocean and beaches and cliffs a short distance below. Occasionally we would pass another person but mostly it was just us. It gave me such a feeling of awe and appreciation to be able to experience that magic. The walk was not at all difficult, honest. I'm not at all athletic. When we arrived at the next water taxi stop we went down to the beach and sat on rocks, totally alone in nature on this tropical beach, and waited. Then we waded out to the zodiac to be rowed back to the small boat a short distance out.
2.Fijord cruise; I took both the Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound cruises. Both were wonderful. The boats are small and intimate allowing them to get close to the walls of the fijords to see birds nesting and waterfalls close up. Milford Sound is very well known and more popular, I think. But a woman I'd been emailing with, a B&B owner strongly suggested Doubtful Sound over M.S. And I think I agree but only by a narrow margin. D.S. is one of the rainiest spots on earth and is very frequently misty or drizzley. It is also a bit narrower if I recall. The cruise, day, was also magical, almost surreal with the mist and wisps of fog. Quite different that a sunny open day which was what the M.S. cruise was. Also saw fairy penguins, also called blue penguins if I remember right. Little bitty things, quite cute, floating on the water, and catching fish. That was very special and fun too to watch them. Hard to put into words, the difference. I loved both. Both were gorgeous. On the other hand, the M.S. cruise was an overnight and returned early morning the next day. And what was the strongest memory of that cruise was at dusk, we dropped anchor close to the mouth of the fijord looking out to the Tasman Sea I think. The crew then put in kayaks for those of us who wanted to paddle around. It was absolutely silent save for us humans talking. So with the kayaks one could get a short distance away from the boat and others and experience the grandeur and beauty alone. Really gives one chills.
3. Penguin Sanctuary;On the southeast coast, near Dunedin, there is a place,( google penguin sanctuary Dunedin as I can't remember the name of the outfit) that offers a unique experience. They will take you out to their sanctuary where they have placed many nesting boxes for the little fairy penguins to safely sleep and breed when they come on land each night at sundown. The guide takes you before sunset on a trail to the preserve area. It is not a stroll but not difficult either. The rafts of penguins- a raft of p is what the group of them is called as they float together- can be observed and it's times to see them swim to shore and make their way up the hillside to their nests in the boxes. By this time the sun has gone quite low and it's quite dim. By the time you are making your way back to the car, it's pretty dark and while the guide had a flashlight, I could have used one myself. This experience wasn't magical and gorgeous like 1 and 2 but very unusual and special too.
I'm so glad I chose the SI over the NI in NZ. The scenery all over was very varied and beautiful. It seemed the NI wasn't as dramatic and the guidebooks focused on beaches and valleys of fruit. I wanted variety. I never got to explore the wine growing area, NE, of the SI. Three weeks wasn't enough time to see it all.

Hi Melissa5,

A tough decision indeed. We have not been to Switzerland, but have been to Patagonia (Argentina side) and both Australia and New Zealand. My husband and I ranked Australia above New Zealand only due the amount of variety of experiences, but both are great. Out of all of our travels however, those two countries come out on top. If you haven't been to Australia, I would do that and you for sure will have a memorable experience.

Since your husband has an interest in biology you have the opportunity to see a lot more wildlife in Australia than New Zealand. We saw the yellow-eyed penguins in NZ which we thought was cool until we saw 200,000 Magellanic penguins in Patagonia, other than that no particular wildlife comes to mind from our travels to NZ. Australia on the other hand had so much more diversity in their wildlife from coast to coast. If you go near the Great Barrier reef there is obviously great ocean life, then take a day trip into the rain forest with David Ambrose at his private reserve (I hope he's still doing trips, we were there 9 years ago now). We saw a ton of animals up close with him. We loved the desert of the red center and saw several animals there too (camels & dingos). Then near Melbourne at Grampians NP we saw our first Koala in the wild. Kangaroos and Wallaby's are pretty abundant as are a large variety of birds.

Scenery... it may be hot in the red center of Australia, but the rocks are worth seeing at some point, if not this trip then hopefully another one. Since you like the fjords of NZ so much, consider Tasmania if this is a "must have" part of your trip, or go back to the south island of NZ. North island NZ is less exciting and the exciting parts are more like the dry desert of Australia with volcanos (Tongariro), which is also worth seeing some day.

Cities... Sydney beats Auckland hands down in my opinion, and in the opinion of many other non-native travelers that have visited both. Melborn was just ok for us, but the driving there was stressful for us and we only spent one day there. Wellington in NZ was just about as good (again only one day). Most of our travels don't usually center around city activities though so I am not the best to ask about that if you are really into cities.

Food... more variety in Australia (at least where we visited). I ate a whole lot of venison in NZ which was great, but it got old after 3 weeks and I don't recall ever getting bored with the food in Australia.

Regardless of where you decide to go I honestly think you can't go wrong in either of these countries. Happy Anniversary!

Hello Melissa,
Tough choice indeed. Firstly let me say how much I enjoy North America - incredible diversity and stunning scenery. I love Colorado, the Pacific North West and the grand deserts (is there anything more spiritual and beautiful than Monument Valley? You must stay at the new View Hotel. Stunning. But to answer my own question, yes, Uluru. Magic. And for the same reason, deeply spiritual).
I agree with just about everything the other posters have said. Tasmania is an unspoilt (well, mostly) State. Quiet and peaceful. Wineglass Bay/Freycinet Peninsular is STUNNING. Take your shoes off and plunge your feet in the cold, crystal clear waters. You'll need to, the climb up/down to get there will see to that. I also loved Lake St. Claire, the beautiful Lake Pedder - the birth of the "Green" movement in Australia, Hobart, Straughn and the glorious wines/food in this State. The Southern Hemisphere is reputed to have cleaner air than the north; I have been to Argentina and Chile but not the deep south. To me, Tasmania has the cleanest air I've ever experienced. I was choking from the pollution I'd never noticed before when I got back home.
And home is Sydney. It is a great sprawling mass with lovely areas and there is hardly a more beautiful walk anywhere than the Bondi-Bronte beach cliff walk. Superb. Sydney is cosmopolitan and a great city to live in (and I've lived around the world. Only comparison, to me, would be San Francisco). Fantastic food and lots of 'stuff' to do. As most flights come to Sydney, spend a few days at least.
Queensland has been well covered and is fantastic for both variety and marvellous sea food.
Victoria - you can't beat the Mornington Peninsular: spectacular scenery, wines and food.
Few have mention Western Australia. It is a l o n g flight but Qantas are introducing lie flat beds on the domestic route from Sydney and Melbourne. The Kimberley's in the north are stunning, in fact the whole western coast line is. Magnificent sunsets over the Indian Ocean. Few facilities though and not cheap. Try the south western tip. Gorgeous places like Margaret River and Denmark; gentle climate and yet again, great food and wines. Just don't go in the ocean - too many sharks for my liking!
Travelling in Oz can be quite expensive. Book as much as you can from US sites.
One thing is guaranteed, you WILL love it here. Australians are very fond of our US cousins and most of us will go out of the way to make sure you're having a good time.

Thank you for sharing so generously! We have changed our travel plans! I'm excited. We decided I will choose our destination trip for September 2011, and my husband will choose our destination for January 2012.

This changes things a bit and its exciting for us because instead of trying to agree on trips we decided to take turns choosing our dream destinations. We are in our 50's and are forming our 3-to-5-year trip plan.

So this means I get to choose our destination for September 2011, and then again for January 2013. My husband will choose the destinations for January 2012 and September 2013. In any case I'll still be the trip planner...what we are changing is how we decide on the destination.

So Australia and New Zealand trips might be postponed by a couple years I think, we'll see.

Thanks so much! I keep trip files and this discussion is going in my file.

We'll still be here. We hope.

No matter where you go it will be great.