PixieChick

can't seem to post my original reply. pm, do you have an email address?

pmschoe

[email protected]

KathyNZ

This has to be the craziest itinerary I have ever seen.
Your most fruitful way of seeing Auckland is to take the trip on the ferry to Devonport (takes 10 minutes across the harbour), spend an hour or so there, have lunch and then bus back over the harbour bridge, great views of the city.
Or take a two hour lunchtime cruise on a yacht, leaving from the Maritime Museum jetty, downtown.
The trips to the islands are really full day ones to do them any justice.

margo_oz

pm

I'm not suggesting anything - I'm just looking at options. You need to decide what you desperately want to see, and then check out arrangements.

For instance - if you want to see one thing in Australia - then I think the Reef is it - but you need to go to it. I've not been to Lady Elliott - so I can't comment - but snorkelling on the Reef was one of the great experiences of my life (I'm a Sydney girl!)

John's suggestion of HK or SIN to CNS is good...

The Qantas subsidiary, Australian Airlines, flies HK-CNS on Friday and Saturday, 3 and 4 October, departing 7.15pm, and arriving 4.25am the next day.

Australian Airlines flies SNG-CNS on Thu, 2 October, departing 8.15pm, arriving 4.45am the next day.

At these times, you could spend the whole day on a Reef tour (best pre-booked?), and the night in CNS, and fly to Sydney next morning.

Here's the link for Seair - it does look good, ..:
http://www.seairpacific.com.au/daytour.html
Cost $AUS649

Look at the Qantas website - that's what I've done, to get an idea of the possibilities - but don't forget to factor in all that wasted time.

KathyNZ - of course it's crazy - and I suspect pm will collapse in a heap well before he gets to Oz or NZ, at that pace. Treat it as an exercise.

We await with exhaustion the final itinerary!

pmschoe

Margo, Kathy,

Appreciate the suggestions, comments, and feedback. Unfortunately, the HK or SNG to CNS is not doable given the time I arrive into HK (9:00PM). After trying to manuever many options, I can skip HK and Bali (which is really throwing me out of the way given the cancellation off direct Qantas flights from Bali to AUS) or I do the "Iron Man" and go for it. The Qantas affiliates are not included in the cost of the round the world so I am trying to avoid those. Of course, I would have to compare the Lady Elliot cost to any outside flight that may make more logistical sense.

I will have to reflect on this for a couple of days. The way I have the back end of the trip currently scheduled ( not so worried about the front end), is very efficient except for having to Back track from Bali to HK to AUS which means I sleep on the plane ( or attempt to sleep on the plane).

In any case any suggestions on hotels would be most appreciated that would allow me to stay in the most convenient locations.

THanks!

debusa

pm, if you are going to have a day in Cairns, you should take a short trip over to Lizard Island with Daintree Air. Greg goes over quite often, and he is probably the most knowledgable man on the reef so you can get a great one-on-one day trip for a great price. Around $405AUS for a quick 40 minute flight including lunch and gear. The most memorable day of our three week Australian trip, for sure.!!! Have fun

margo_oz

Hotels - give us a clue on price?

pmschoe

Hi Margo,

I suppose I was somewhat non-descript about hotel accomodations. Ideally I would like to spend no more than $100 USD. I have no idea what range this puts me in. Here is my view, if there are really good values, discounts etc for hotel stays given the time frame I will be traveling great. As an option, I could always fall back to the mega Marriott points I have accrued, but I would prefer to use those only in the case that there really are no "deals' out there on hotels.

No need for ultra luxury hotels since my limited time will be spent outside the hotels. On the other hand, I would also do not want to stay in any low budget hotel. Ideally the hotel will be a minimum of 3 stars with a good location to access the tourist spots so I can optimize my time. Thanks for the assistance.

One more thing to throw at you...I can stretch my stay in NZ to where I fly in on a Monday early afternoon and will not need to leave until Wednesday afternoon ( from Christchurch). Does this give me any chance in ... to see some sights in the Sourth Island or should I stick with the Auckland plan.


Much Obliged for the help!

pmschoe

Okay,

I am down to the wire - here are my final options...please feel free to cast your vote as to your opinion of the best way to go-

AUS

Option one - Get into Sydney from HK on Friday morning at 10:50 am stay in Sidney Fri,Sat, then fly into Brisbane on the first flight out Sun(6:05) do the LAdy Elliot or Fraser Island and fly back same day last flight out (8:40) back to Sydney and then leave next morning (Mon) for NZ

or alternatively-

HK to SNY arrive Friday morning. Stay friday in SNY. Fly out Sat morning to CNS and spend night ( do the GBR) and return Sun to SNY early morning. Spend Sun back in SNY and leave next morning to NZ (Mon)


NZ

Arrive early Monday afternoon in Auck and stay thru Wed afternoon before leaving back to the States.

Or-

Fly into Christchrch early Mon afternoon and stay through wed afternoon (3:40) before heading back to the States.

These are the options...

johhj_au

PM

are you really going to do Bkk-HK via Bali???

my two bobs worth
Friday
that hk-sydney flight could possibly go on to Brisbane...stay on the flight and clear customs in Brisbane.Get a car and drive to hervey bay via noosa and steve irwins australia zoo.
Sat
Take the day flight to lady elliot from maryborough airport..drive back to Brissy and catch the last flight back to sydney.
Sun
have sunday in sydney...go to the rugby grand final at the olympic stadium on sunday night.
Monday
another day in sydney
fly to auckland last flight

if you have marriott points..stay at the renaiisance in sydney

Melnq8

Just reading this makes me tired. Good luck to you - I'd love to know how it all pans out.

pmschoe

I was wondering if anyone could provide their opinion on a 4 day itinerary for Queenstown & or Christchurch...I have been able to "stetch" my stay and thus will be able to spend 4.5 days in the South Island. I would be most interested in some adventurous suggestions and also would appreciate any assistance on recommended hotels or B&B in the value - 3 star range.

I am thinking about skipping spending any time in Christchurch altogether although swimming with dolphins at Akoura sounds appealing. Thanks!

Melnq8

If its adventure you're after, Queenstown is definitely the place for you - bungy jumping, white water rafting, jet boating, gondola jumping (Nevis highwire bungy), river surfing, white water sledging, canyoning, you name it. You might be quite content to fly in and out of Queenstown and spend your entire 4.5 day NZ holiday in one place.

I can recommend The Lofts and the A-Line Hotel as good places to stay, although you might want to request a quiet room away from the road at both places. They're both moderately priced.