Australia/New Zealand in 2 weeks
 

Hey there,

About us: A couple of my friends and I have a few weeks to spare after taking medical board exams and want to travel to Australia before we get too busy to go anywhere. We're all around 25 years old.

What we like: We're more interested in cities, fun nightlife, some cool Aussie-slang (because who wouldn't want to be around that?!) and some nice beaches because we are trying to escape the cold weather - we lived in St Maarten for 2 years so islands aren't on our top list of things to see unless its a must-see. Skydiving, white water rafting, etc also sound fun. We do want to soak up some of the culture so we're willing to check out rainforests, farms, etc. wherever we go. We also want to do some historical stuff but not too heavily.

My question: We only have 14 days max and we're students on a budget but we understand its going to be costly. I'm just beginning my research so I wanted to get ideas from you guys about what places you consider a "must-see" + what is enjoyable for a group in their 20's as well as areas that you think we could skip (whether its something we could do in the States because its not that unique or just something 25 year olds wouldn't probably care about). This is also my first time planning a trip so any advice or itineraries anyone may have would be extremely helpful. We also considered a Contiki trip given that our age group seems to enjoy these but most only go along the East Coast so we would do Melbourne on our own. Additionally, people have said we should definitely do New Zealand as well. Is this all possible within 2 weeks?

These areas seemed to be things that we've heard we must do/are obvious must-do's in Australia:
Surfers Paradise/Gold Coast (QLD)
Cairns/Great Barrier Reef (QLD)
Sydney
Melbourne - Great Ocean Rd

Please help if possible, I would love to hear anyone's thoughts on making this trip efficient yet fun!

<Additionally, people have said we should definitely do New Zealand as well. Is this all possible within 2 weeks?>

I appreciate your youth and enthusiasm, but no, way Jose!

Pick one country. Then pick either one island (NZ) or 2-3 areas within Australia, keeping in mind that Australia is very similar in size to the US, and that getting from one place to another will take a big bite out of your budget.
The longer you stay in one place the cheaper it is. The more hopping around you do, the more expensive it will become.

Australia is BIG. Most people fly around because it takes so long to drive.
It will be costly anyway with your airfares from the US and Sydney is particularly expensive.
You would have time for Sydney and Surfers/Gold Coast in two weeks.
Can you get your international flights from different airports to save backtracking? Otherwise it will cost you even more to get back to Sydney for your flight home.
Can you drive on the left if you want to hire a car? A road trip between Sydney and Gold Coast would work - about 850 km. Fly back from Gold Coast airport.
Sydney is a lovely harbour city and there's a lot to do there. There's a YHA in a superb location in the city with views as good as the 5 star hotels next door - Sydney the Rocks YHA. I've never stayed there because it is always booked solid.
There is definitely not time for New Zealand in this trip.

What time of year are you thinking of coming?

The Gold Coast has a vibrant club/nightlife/cafe culture happening and about 60 kms of white sand beach (some with surfing breaks).
Check out the local visitor website. Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach have abundant accomodation, eateries and nightlife plus the beach and there's a light rail between the two suburbs.

You might be interested in Byron Bay about an hours drive south from GC.

I'd probably skip Melbourne and GOR this trip, you will be back, (maybe in 20 years, ha ha). A road trip down the east coast from GC to Sydney would get you some white water rafting in Northern NSW.

There's a site called transfercar.com.au that offers almost free trips where you drive the cars and camper vans back to their origin. It's a bit last minute, you need to be flexible. There's lots of places to stop for a night, and a campervan would allow you to self cater, saving some money.

As an alternative there are buses plying the route.

The time of year is important. Assuming the weather will be okay (really almost anytime depending on your ability to handle heat) I'd suggest 3 nights GC, 4 nights driving to Sydney, whatever's left in Sydney.

The YHA mentioned above is very popular for a good reason I suspect.
Wooloomooloo is another spot to consider, close to the CBD or Kings Cross.
Definitely no time for NZ as well.

You'll find all the above on Google, sorry I'm rubbish with links.

Most people will say you can't do both Australia and New Zealand in 14 days. But, you can if you realize you will only get a taste of each country.

I helped two 27 year old gals plan such a trip. They were on a tight budget. I found them the least expensive flights from our own home city (Hawaiian Airlines from Sacramento to Auckland). They rented a car in Auckland for 5 days, went zorbing, cave tubing and bar hopping. They flew discount airlines to Cairns for 3 nights where they snorkeled on the GBR and toured the rain forest. Flew to Sydney for 3 nights. They used AirBnB for their accommodations. They went last November had a blast! Research is the key.

Thanks everyone! So, we decided we're gonna just do Australia in 2 weeks. It got far too costly and as someone mentioned above, definitely seems like we would be rushed. We do want to make the most of our trip but I think we would rather really take in Australia as much as we can. Plus, I could always do NZ after I meet my future aussie husband, right?! A girl can dream :)

So this is what we decided on:

Day 1-3: Sydney
Day 3 we'll drive up towards gold coast in the evening to save time the next day + hotels are super (still not sure where to stop, so any thoughts? considering byron bay so we can see the sunrise the next morning)
Day 4-5: Gold Coast/Brisbane/Sunshine Coast
Day 6-7: Cairns
Day 8-12: Melbourne (I have family here so I can stay here as long as I'd like; plan to do GOR during this time)
Day 13: Fly home

We can add in a day for somewhere - but we're still debating what to do with it. Any thoughts would be highly appreciated!

Again, thanks for all the input, you guys are the best!

Oh also, we would be starting this trip on May 5th - so soon! So we are trying to get this trip together asap - we couldn't start earlier because of our board exam, but young and spontaneous is the motto right now!

Hi there, hope you have a ball here but I think your plans are way too ambitious. I'd skip Cairns or skip Melbourne - probably Cairns as you have family in Melbourne. You would have to fly from Brisbane to Cairns which takes a big chunk out of the day, then how much time would you have left there? Then you'd have to turn around and fly to Melbourne which is about a 3 hour flight. Also have to factor in time to reach the airport, check in 30-60 mins prior to flight etc etc. A short flight can still end up taking up most of the day.

Also days 3, 4 and 5 you've allocated to drive from Sydney to the Sunshine Coast and see the coast area, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. It's not going to happen, sorry. You need to check the distance on a map and realise if you are driving that the roads are not what you are used to in America, travelling will be slower here.

I'd say narrow down your choices a bit, pick the places that interest you the most and leave the rest for another trip.

Kay

Great advice from Kay--your travel plans are unrealistically optimistic. For a 12-day visit, especially one in which you want to make a driving trip, you should not try to include more than 3 destinations.

Go back and consult a map and decide what you most want to do. (And don't forget to factor in the weather). Then, since Sydney and Melbourne (because of the family) are "must visits", decide whether you want to see Brisbane or Cairns.

Agree with Kay - you will just see Australia from inside the car.
Have a good look at a map as this plan is as crazy as driving from Florida (Sydney)up to Cairns(actually in Canada and then flying back to New Orleans for more driving.
Factor in petrol prices, hotels etc and it will not be cheap at all. I'd recommend getting a GPS with your car as well.

What people say in Oz, seeing this itinerary: 'They'll sure see a lot of bitumen'.

If you're going to drive you should consider that your average speed will be no more than 80km/hr. Between slow zones in towns, road works, photo ops, toilet stops etc this is what you'll achieve even when it is mainly highway driving. Factor this is when you look up distances between places on google maps and you'll see how long it will take to get places.

If you are going by road
campervan: http://ecampervanhire.com.au
Cars: http://www.cheap-auto-rentals.com/

have fun

Cheers
T

if you have family in Melbourne it could make sense to fly into or out of there but by doing that [and adding in Cairns] you are adding loads of logistical problems to your trip, stretching yourselves too thin and as others have pointed out.

These are not short hops in a plane - the flight from Brisbane to Cairns is 2 ½ hours [which in European terms is as far as London to Athens] and you are still within Queensland. It is HUGE! And driving, whilst not as tortuous as in NZ, is not that easy or quick.

Tasmangirl has the best plan, IMO.

The OP says they’ll be leaving May 5th, so I doubt they’re paying any attention to our recent suggestions.

well spotted, Eliz.

I hope they have a good time, whatever they decided to do.

it would be nice to have some feedback!