zxcvbnm

Are NZ and Australia nice to visit at the end of april/ beginning of may? from what i've read new zealand gets colder earlier on than australia, so it would seem that new zealand should go first on such a trip; is that accurate? Also heard it's hotter in aus this year, so winter might start later? Would all national parks be accessible at that time of year in both countries? Would it be nice to visit, or would earlier in the year be a nicer time? Wanted to go in Feb, but it didn't work out. Is Dec- February a nicer time to visit in general, if I want to see scenic places? Should I push my trip off for a different year?

Bokhara2

Autumn is generally a good time to visit most places. Australia & New Zealand are no exception.

Yes - New Zealand is cooler than Australia. In both places, the north is generally warmer than the south. NZ's weather is more quickly & frequently changeable due to its length & geographical positioning.

For weather patterns & forecasts - check www.metservice.com for NZ

and www.bom.gov.au for Australia.

Dec - Feb nicer time to visit? No. It's the height of summer, the school & other holidays and high season generally.

Information about where you are from, length of your proposed stay and a rough itinerary would be helpful for people trying to give you meaningful information and perhaps some comparisons to places with which you may be familiar.

Was the information given to you in your earlier posts useful?

sartoric

We really need to know which of Australia's National Parks you want to visit in May. Kakadu in the Northern Territory will be perfect then, sunny, clear skies and warm, maybe 30 degrees C.

Some parks in Tasmania might have snow, or at least temperatures cold enough for snow.

April and May definitely better than Dec/Jan.

Could you give us your ideas about where you want to go ?

Melnq8

<Is Dec- February a nicer time to visit in general, if I want to see scenic places?>

That would be a big fat NO. You're smart to visit in April-May -lovely time on both islands of NZ (although NZ weather is unpredictable year round) and in many parts of OZ.

Big country though, you'll need to narrow down where in OZ you'd like to visit before any of us can be much help.

zxcvbnm

thanks for replying.
In NZ: I'd like to visit Christchurch, mt cook, lake tekapo, lake dunstan, queenstown, Milford Sound.

In AUS: We'd like to visit kakadu, katherine gorge, maybe litchfield park, maybe cairns and the great barrier reef, maybe cradle mountain, blue mountains (I know some of these are pretty far apart and we'd fly between cities)

which ones of the above will be nice in late april/may.
any other suggestions for scenic parks, lakes, mountains in either location?
tia

sartoric

Kakadu, Nitmulik (Katharine Gorge) and Litchfield NPs will all be good weather wise in May. They are driving distance apart and can be done in a loop out of Darwin. Edith falls is worth a look on your way back up the Stuart Hwy from Katharine to Darwin. You could then fly Darwin - Cairns, spend some time on the GBR before flying out of Cairns to Tassie. Check airlines on this, doubt there'd be direct flights.

Melnq8

<In NZ: I'd like to visit Christchurch, mt cook, lake tekapo, lake dunstan, queenstown, Milford Sound.>

Easily done if you fly into Christchurch and out of Queenstown. I'd allow a 7-10 days to visit these particular areas. You'll need much more time if you start adding things on though.

Curious why Lake Dunstan? Sure, it's nice, but this is the first time I've seen someone include it on an itinerary. The drive from Mt Cook to Queenstown will take you right by the lake. There are several nice wineries in the area. Cromwell makes a good base for exploring Lake Dunstan.

Diamantina

March-April-early May is my favorite time for the places you will visit on NZ's South Island, mainly because of the autumn foliage and the more settled weather. It's also grape harvest time in March and early April, so the vineyards are lovely to look at. However, Bokhara2 is quite correct in informing you that NZ's weather is highly changeable and you can expect variable weather any time (so you should prepare for this).

We went to Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook in early May 2013 and it was gorgeous, sunny with blue skies. The view from Mt. John Observatory was incredible, with early snow on the mountaintops. There were still a few autumn leaves on the trees. In Mt. Cook Village, we took a boat cruise out onto Tasman Lake and conditions were sunny with blue skies. There was a small cloud on Mt. Cook, but it later cleared and the top of the mountain became visible. We felt quite lucky, as the weather could have been completely different. Note accommodation rates start to drop in April for this area--so another good reason to choose this time to visit.

We plan on going back to Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook Village in few weeks, just before NZ Easter school holidays start. Here are the dates for school terms in 2015:
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/theMinistr...msAndHols.aspx
My friends with kids generally stay in family-type accomodation, such as vacation homes with multiple bedrooms, or they camp. A lot of the university students go home to visit their families, though Queenstown remains a popular destination for vacationing college students as it is a bit of a party town.

By April, the days grow shorter, the nights longer, which makes stargazing in Tekapo and Mt. Cook enjoyable.

Melnq8

Your lovely description makes me want to hop on a plane and go back right this minute Diamantina.

We'll be flying through Auckland in less than a week, but sadly only passing through my favorite country.

Melnq8

PS - with seven bottles of Liqueur Verdelho in tow

Diamantina

Thanks for the compliment, Melnq8. We got lucky with weather, which made all the difference. We intended to go to Tekapo a few days earlier to view a major meteor shower, which would have been too perfect—but my husband had to work. We heard it was fabulous.

You must have solved your wine packing problem. I am predicting grateful friends and family in CO and a well-stocked wine cellar for your eventual return.

I don't know if you heard about NZ's newest marine reserves; I think you'll be pleased:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environmen...ectid=11220592
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/politi...-for-the-coast

Melnq8

You give me too much credit Diamantina - we're being totally selfish with the wine - it'll be stored at my Mom's for our own personal consumption at a later date. Fortunately, she doesn't drink, so it'll be safe until then.

Friends and family will have to make due with the Tim Tams, Kinder Eggs and Emu oil lotion.

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look.

PS - I visited the winery in question a few days after our shipping discussion - they told me they'd just shipped a carton to NZ (at an astronomical cost) - I asked if it went to Dunedin, thinking it might be you. (It wasn't).

sartoric

Sorry, gotta ask, what's the Liqueur Verdelho ? Is this from some winery in the South West ? Please name names, sounds right up my street !

Melnq8

sartoric -

It's from the Swan Valley in Western Australia. It's our absolute favorite.

http://www.taliwine.com.au/home.php

sartoric

Thanks, I'll look for it over here on the east cost with probably not much luck.
Maybe another visit to Perth is in order.

Thanks again