Do Great Ocean Road or head to New Zealand?

Old Apr 13th, 2014, 09:46 AM
  #1  
PMJ
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do Great Ocean Road or head to New Zealand?

Fellow Fodorites,
I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand for next January 16-February 5th. My husband and I are currently flying to Brisbane and plan to go to Heron Island for first three days. Then we are going to Melbourne for a couple days of the Australian Open. We are trying to decide if we want to spend two more days driving the Great Ocean Road or head on to New Zealand to rent a car and explore there. Will the GOR be jammed with tourists about the 24th of January? Is the scenery less spectacular on the GOR and should we just cover more of New Zealand? I've had several people tell me to skip the GOR and just go on to NZ, saying it is that much more spectacular. Would appreciate input from those who have done both.
Thanks!
PMJ is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2014, 04:42 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
NZ is spectacular, the GOR pretty average IMO.

I'd choose NZ (South Island) over the GOR in a New York minute, but only if you have TIME and it makes logistic sense. I certainly wouldn't do it for only two days, but if you're planning to extend time already allocated to NZ, by all means do so. You absolutely cannot go wrong in NZ - the more time spent there the better.
Melnq8 is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2014, 06:06 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,942
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
I'm not clear on how much time you were planning to have in NZ. If it's 24 Jan - 5 Feb ( assuming you don't so the Great Ocean Road), then yes - go to NZ earlier.

If you were only planning 2 days in NZ - save your time & $.
Bokhara2 is offline  
Old Apr 13th, 2014, 06:11 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,942
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
Australia Day is 26 January & a public holiday so the weekend of 24th - 26th is likely to have quite heavy traffic & accommodation pressures along the GOR.

It's also the last days of the school holidays
Bokhara2 is offline  
Old Nov 17th, 2014, 04:36 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
By "Heron Island for first three days", do you mean 2 or 3 nights? Two nights is too few in my opinion, especially if you like snorkeling and diving. We didn't want to leave even after 5 nights.

We really enjoyed the GOR and have done it twice. But we've also been to NZ several times and would agree it is tops.
RalphR is offline  
Old Nov 17th, 2014, 04:37 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Oh...just noticed the original post was over a year ago!
RalphR is offline  
Old Nov 17th, 2014, 01:44 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,758
Received 83 Likes on 5 Posts
Ralph - A mass spammer topped several threads last night.
Melnq8 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Barbara_Mckeon
Australia & the Pacific
10
Aug 14th, 2012 06:50 PM
hnovello
Australia & the Pacific
4
Mar 27th, 2009 05:36 PM
langrobe
Australia & the Pacific
10
Nov 10th, 2008 02:37 PM
dba31498
Australia & the Pacific
4
Apr 8th, 2008 06:24 PM
snappy
Australia & the Pacific
13
Oct 25th, 2007 08:40 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -