MrSter

Hello,
I am planning a three week trip to Australia (two weeks) and New Zealand (one week) in early March. My hope is to go to Sydney for a couple of days, and to the coast for a couple of days, and then to do some backpacking.

Can anybody provide some insight about backpacking in AU and NZ? Any insight about Sydney and the Great Barrier Reef?

Thanks,
Glenn

Judy_in_Calgary

>>>>>>I am planning a three week trip to Australia (two weeks) and New Zealand (one week) in early March.<<<<<<

I recommend going to New Zealand first and Australia second. Although this may not be such a strong consideration in EARLY March, in the southern hemisphere fall one usually travels from south to north in order to keep ahead of cooler weather.

>>>>>>My hope is to go to Sydney for a couple of days, and to the coast for a couple of days<<<<<

You may want to re-think how you expressed that. Australia is an island continent with a gazillion miles of coastline. Which "coast" was it that you were wanting to visit for a couple of days?

>>>>>Can anybody provide some insight about backpacking in AU and NZ?<<<<<<

There are some posts here at Fodors about hop-on-hop-off bus passes that also include hostel accommodation. Both Australia and New Zealand offer combined bus/hostel packages if you're interested in that sort of thing. You might want to search the forum for old discussion threads.

But distances in Australia are great. Even with two weeks at your disposal, there might be merit in flying some legs of your trip if you were going as far north as, say, Cairns. (See my reservations about this, below.)

>>>>>>Any insight about ...... the Great Barrier Reef?<<<<<<

If you went to the GBR in March, you would arrive during The Wet. There are conflicting opinions here about how good or bad that might be. I love the GBR but, if I was travelling in March, I would not go there. Instead I would go down the coast from Sydney to Melbourne and then along the Great Ocean Road. That too is a lovely part of Australia, and it usually has delightful weather in March.

>>>>>>Any insight about Sydney<<<<<<

Sydney is a fantastic city. It is with good reason that its harbour, with its bridge and opera house, is a legend. I would spend a minimum of 3 days in Sydney, but the city could keep a person interested for a week.

Judy_in_Calgary

MrSter, I don't know if you envisage this as the only visit you're likely to undertake to Australia. If so, then perhaps you should think of including Far North Queensland, even if the timing is not what I would consider to be the best for that area. The Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforest are experiences not to be missed.

If, on the other hand, you think there is a chance you'll return to Australia, then perhaps you could try to arrange your subsequent visit at a time of year that would be more suitable for the GBR.

wlzmatilida

Mrster,

A total of 3 weeks is a good chunk of vacation, to be sure...however, in my humble opinion, not enough to do both areas in the time alloted. (and yes, don't we all have the same problem..not enuf time or funds to do everything we want!)

One week is not enough to cover New Zealand, unless perhaps you're limiting yourself to either the South or North Island...and then, of course you're missing the other one, aren't you?

Please realize the travel time involved...Australia's roughly the size of the US, and to go to NZ it's going to kill off either a day (depending on where you're flying from..say, Cairns to Auckland), or at least more than a half day in travel. Of course, there's all your sightseeing, travel time, etc to take into acocunt.

I strongly urge you to perhaps visit one area, either Australia or New Zealand and commit all your time to one area...trust me - you won't be bored, and you will return to this area of the world again to sightsee on another trip!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist

ALF

MrSter, when you write that you want to go, 'backpacking', I'm assuming that you are thinking about going overnight hiking, right? You should know that in much of the rest of the world, 'backpacking' means low-budget traveling, with all your belongings in a backpack. In the U.S., we would call that something like, 'hosteling'. If I'm right, then I just want to let you know that you should let Ozzies know that you want to go, 'bushwalking', and tell Kiwis that you want to go 'tramping'.

There are many fine places to go walking in both countries. New Zealand is a wonderful place to go walking, there are countless locations. A recommendation would depend on where else you intend to be. With only a week in NZ, I would concentrate on only one island. One good overnight hike on the N Island would be the Tongariro Crossing, with fantastic rugged volcanic scenery. On the S Island, I would check out some of the hikes in Fiordland, such as the Kepler or Routeburn Tracks.