Greetings, we are leaving California on Dec 20 and returning on Jan 3rd (15days). We are trying to decide on where to go, Austrailia or New Zealand or a week in both( we realize this may be pushing it....My husband and son are surfers and ocean lovers. The waves however is not the reason for our trip. We love food and wine and are always up for a cultural experience....We would love to have your expert ideas on a perfect 15day itinerary( where to go what to see etc). My son is 15
and my husband and I are in our 40's and very well traveled....thanks so much !

I would pick one or the other, but not try to cram both into two weeks.

If you'd like some ideas for New Zealand, you can see pictures of our trip to the North Island at http://community.webshots.com/user/ElendilPickle

Lee Ann

touring Australia needs a long time,
for a 2 week tour NZ is more WOW

My own opinion is that both Australia and NZ is doable if you are selective, say 3 full days in Cairns/Port Douglas/Palm Cove to snorkle/dive the Great Barrier Reef. Do a couple of snorkelling/diving trips or a liveaboard.
Then 3 days in Sydney.
And the rest in NZ. I actually prefer the South Island - the attractions in Fiordlands not to be missed; walk the glaciers, see the sounds, etc.

Another vote for one or the other but not both, unless you enjoy frenetic travelling.

There's no shortage of great food and wine in both countries, but depending on your definition of a cultural experience, Sydney and Melbourne offer the greatest quality and variety.

Note that you'll be visiting during school holidays, so in popular vacation spots advance bookings are recommended.

I agree - do one or the other, not both and 2 weeks will give you time to see both north and south islands of NZ - experience great food and wine, culture and surf.

Hi - don't know where you are leaving from but likely I guess to be North America or Europe. It's a long way to come, and I guess the temptation must be to visit both countries.

That would give you a taste but you would have to pick just one or two places in each land that suit your interests.

Sydney (for the wine and food and museums and arts) and Cairns (possibly for the wine and food, and of course for the ocean). Two mega attractions, and you can fly between them, and that's that.

A popular route. But remember you can't just take a dip at that time of year - inshore beaches need to be netted to keep those stingers out, and even then some folk would stay on dry land. The outer reef is fine.

NZ - the landscape is the thing and the attractions are not so concentrated.
Wellington and Queenstown? Auckland and Bay of Islands? Queenstown and the glaciers. Rotorua, Queen Charlotte Sound. Apart from Queenstown (no surf) the pleasures are low key.

I'd go to just one country, like pretty much every other poster.

But what is your idea of a "cultural experience", and are you after gourmet, or just fun?

Maybe if you could be more precise more recommendations would follow.

Cheers.

I would not spend a lot of time at the Great Barrier Reef in December. The weather is not so great and there is a lot of "stuff" in the water.

Have you checked airfare prices yet? Perhaps that will help you make your decision.

Wally, what sort of "stuff" in the water? I went to reef 4 or 5 times last December (from Cairns and Palm Cove), top conditions, fantastic visibility, warm water, far better conditions than you'll find in windy winter months which make for rough seas and seasickness.

Agree totally with Pat.

Just been to the GBR in Jan - top conditions. In fact we did not have to bear with the heatwaves Sydney, Melbourne and Perth experienced during that period. When it rained it was late at night which was terrific fun - my whole family stood in the rain and squealed over the 'massaging' effects.
The one day it drizzled in the day at Kuranda was one of the more enjoyable days - the waterfalls were in full glory, and the rainforest came alive.

Summer there was a bit humid, but we were in comfortable singlets, shorts and thongs (those you wear on your feet, not under your pants!) - which reminded us we were on holidays in the tropics. If you intend to trek the forest, then just bring along the trekking boots.

There were no crowds. No queues for anything. Mangoes were aplenty.
In fact, the next time I go to the GBR, it would deliberately be summer - either in Jan because of the ideal reefs conditions, or Feb, because of the mangosteen.

Having been to both New Zealand and Australia several times, I would have to second those who recommend NZ if you only have 15 days. You'll definitely get more bang for your buck (both in how much can see and do and in how far your money goes) by going to NZ.
Since your family sounds athletic, I would suggest you do a hiking trip on the South Island. We did a guided 3-day hiking trip with teens on the Hollyford Track and it was wonderful! Also consider a 1/2 day hike on a glacier or a helihike. Also, there are loads of fun outdoor activities in Queenstown (and it doesn't have to be bungee jumping!) Have fun and think about doing things you can't do back home.

If you love wine then instead of going to a city that sells good wine, why not decide on your location based on places that MAKE good wine. Australia has some of the world's best small wineries making some vbery high quality wines. Its just that thanks to one company that we are starting to get a reputation for cheaper table wines.

So here are my three bits of advice.

1) go to South East Queensland:

here you have access to a decent city witha few things to see (not much but a few), beaches with golden sands that will keep you enticed to stay longer, themeparks (more themeparks per captia than anywhere else in australia including the Croc Hunter's own park "Australia Zoo&quot, hiking (eg mountain) that will take your breath away, local and regional foods that will give your tastebuds something to remember, australiana and history, including chances to shear a sheep etc, and wine tours that can keep you busy for days plus much more.

2) go to Adelaide

the beaches aren;t the best in australia here but you'll get some very good surf but you also have victoria harbour and kangaroo island which are potential highlights. Oh haha you ahve one of the very very few legalised nudie beaches near here too haha.
you get the city of churches so there's some culture, you get a lot of history plus you get barossa and if you care to go further then go to mildura or berri or swan hill or even broken hill (more pubs per person than anywhere else????)

3) SOUTH island of NZ: here you get much kinder weather plus God's own country. check out middle earth (lord of the rings) and lots and lots to see and do. don;t know about the wine though.

oh I don;t mean to suggest to go to all 3 locations. choose one or two

NZ, OZ is too hot then. NZ for scenery, culture and less travel time for sure. Check out the Rimu itinerary with Active NZ

In SA I wouldn't vote Victor Harbor as a must-see destination, but the drive down the Fleurieu Peninsula is nice, particularly as you can check out the McLaren Vale wine region on the way.

Neil, agreed but it does provide a very nice stop for lunch before going on.