Hello. My fiance and I are trying to plan a honeymoon for next May. We both love big cities and historic monuments. My fiance is obviously wanting to relax by the pool/ocean and drink pina coladas. We tossed around the idea of combining Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. We will most likely take 2.5 weeks for our honeymoon. In Australia we would like to see the outback, the great barrier reef and the sights of sydney. Not sure what there is to do in New Zealand. We would like to be in the center of Auckland though. And Fiji we want to find a nice resort to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Any hotel suggestions in these places would be great. And also how much time would be sufficient in each place. We have traveled Europe the last two summers and we walk, hike, and like to keep busy the whole day. I figured after Australia and New Zealand we could relax and enjoy the rest of the honeymoon. We also enjoy the local places to eat or grab a drink. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

3 countries in 2 and a half weeks, after 20-odd hour flights each way is JUST TOO MUCH!

Australia itself is roughly the same size as mainland USA.

You should try and decide what you really want to do.

I think 3 countries in 2.5 weeks in a lot. You should skip New Zealand. I haven't been to Auckland, but I believe to be like any other big city. I was in South Island, New Zealand and with two weeks - I thought I was rushing through things. South Island is beautiful, however - you have to drive all over - and it's very outdoorsy - no pina colodas! I'd skip NZ.

Forget Fiji- fly into Sydney-have 4 days to recover from flight and see beaches, harbour, bridgeclimb,Opera House etc. Fly Syd/Ayres Rock and see rock and Olgas for 3 days-fly back to Sydney and fly up to Cairns for Silky Oaks 3 days & then Lizard Island(www.poresorts.com)for 5 days. Will be pricey honeymoon but you only do it once (or twice?). Fiji is OK but not all that sophisticated. The top resorts (Turtle, Vatulele, Yasawa)are VERY expensive and flying to them is also. Many people find a day or two wasted in transit to fly up to Fiji resort islands. You could have a couple of days in Auckland on the way home. Nice city-just a smaller Sydney without Opera House!

Jamar

If you keep Fiji in your itinery I would recommend Navini for a choice of place to stay. Small (only 10 bures) but without the "exclusive" price tag.

There is no time lost with transfers to and from Navini as you are generally on the island within 1 hour to 1.5 hours of landing, no matter what time your flight comes in as the island has its own 24/7 transfer service.

The place is total relaxation, no phones, no TV. Just a great opportunity to swim in the sea, fish, kayak sunbathe etc.

WE are off theere in less than a month for our second visit. Can't hardly wait.

Check out their website.

navinifiji.com.fj

Good Luck

Jamar,

I agree with Kiwi_acct, Navini is wonderful. We spent 5 days there last January after 3 brilliant weeks in New Zealand and it was great. Snorkelling off the beach is great, there is a reef all around the island (I took quite a few photos while snorkelling, I can email you some if you wish).
Have a great time in Navini Kiwi_acct! I am so jealous!!!

MietteMeg

I will let you know how our visit to the island goes after our return.

Steve

Steve,
Say Hello to all on Navini (including the big yellow fish by the reef!)from us (Tom, Odile, Marc). We spent New Year's eve there and we had a wonderful time. We hope to be able to go back to NZ and Navini in December 2005...if we can afford it of course.
Odile

Odile

I know we have hijacked this thread a bit however I certainly will pass on a big hello from you when we get there.

Two and a bit weeks and counting

Steve

Hi Jamar!What a romantic sounding honeymoon! However I fear if you do all that there won't be much time for romance!At the risk of sounding a spoilsport I suggest you pick one of those countries and have a honeymoon to remember .I haven't been to New Zealand but it certainly appears to be very scenic. I love Fiji and it is a good choice for a honeymoon but I have to plug for my own country . Your choice of Sydney, Barrier Reef and the outback would be lovely in May but even then you will have to plan your itinerary well as they are not close to each other. Enjoy your honeymoon where ever it is and all the best for the future.

Thanks for all the great info. We decided to cut out New Zealand as it will be too much to do in 2.5 weeks. Tenatively we want to spend 4 nights in Sydney, 4 nights in Cairns/Port Douglas, 4 nights in Fiji, and looking to add some outback adventure for a couple of nights somewhere in between. The flight to Sydney is taking 14 hrs or so....we are from San Diego, California. But the flights in between Cairns, Fiji, etc only seem to be around 3 hrs. That doesn't seem overwhelming to me. A lot of people usually disagree with my travel plans because we like to keep moving. Doing 11 countries or so in a month in Europe was perfect for us. Wouldnt have done it any other way. We have no other option but to be gone for 2.5 weeks. We both work a lot back at home and because we don't get the chance to fly to Australia every day we want to see as much as possible. Any outback recommendations? Possibly between Sydney and Cairns?