I'm planning on spending about 5 weeks in Oz & NZ around Nov/Dec. It's not much time so I was wondering what are the best places to go and see during this time considering I'm a budget traveller. <BR>

<BR>With appologies to Fodors, I would suggest picking up a copy of "Frommer's Australia on $50 a Day" book. <BR> <BR>It took my wife and me thru 5 weeks of Australia last year and there wasn't a bad recommendation the whole time. <BR> <BR>What you see & where you go depends largely on what kind of person/traveler you are: <BR> <BR>*Do you like hiking/heavy outdoor activity? <BR> <BR>*Do you want beautiful beaches? <BR> <BR>*Are you into Sport or Culture? <BR> <BR>*Do you dive? <BR> <BR>*How do you plan to travel between sites? <BR> <BR>*Etc.

Hi Mark <BR>All good questions in the first reply. <BR> <BR>Get back with information if you will be travelling alone, and if you are into adventure activities or if you just want to see as many sights as possible in the time. <BR>Are you going to back pack and hitch rides, use buses, or air travel? Do you belong to the YHA? How long do you plan to spend in NZ? What sort of budget are you working on? <BR>Happy to advise on the NZ section. <BR>Kerry

Thanks for the responses. I'm not into hiking or many outdoor activities for this trip, looking to to see the sights and get an idea of the culture of these countries. However, I'm into sport big-time and wouldn't mind spending some time on those glorious beaches. Am travelling with a like-minded friend and planning on spending about 3 weeks in Oz and 2 weeks in NZ. Haven't decided how we are going to travel around yet but we can't drive. We're both students.

Hi Mark <BR>Your informarion is great help. <BR>To see the country and get into the culture I would recommend that you put on a backpack and spend 2 months using the network of backpacker hostels that have sprung up round the country - great value accommodation. <BR>BUT as you have only 2 weeks then your best bet would be one of the 18 to 35 year old tours. In December www.kiwicampingtours.com run tours on the same lines as you have in Europe and they have a 15 day and shorter tours - have a look at their site. Another popular company is Contiki Holidays - another idea from Europe. <BR> <BR>If you don't want to be organised, and I think that you do need to be if you are going to see as much as possible, there are excellent value rail passes. I have had visitors use them and you can get a combination rail, ferry, air passes that give excellent coverage for your time. <BR>The other option, and one that I value, is to pick say two areas and spend a week at both, stay at hostels, do the odd hike, hitch a few rides (NZers are happy to pick up visiting students, drink at the local pub etc. If I had to pick two areas I would go for the Central Plateau in the North Island - National Park, Tongariro National Park, Lake Taupo, Rotorua area; and in the South Island Queenstown. <BR>I have holidayed through Europe and the best experiences were always when I put up my tent or stayed in a hostel for 4/5 days and explored the local spots. <BR>Hope this helps. <BR>Kerry

<BR>Just off the top of mind for your Oz portion, how about the Great Barrier Reef, The Sunshine and/or Gold Coast outside of Brisbane, Byron Bay in northern NSW, Sydney & the Blue Mountains, and Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. Tasmania and the NT are nice but _can_ take more time/budget. <BR> <BR>The Summer cricket test tour and 1-day world series should be starting in December -- not sure who is visiting this year.