Australia/ NZ for Christmas 2005
 

My husband, and I and our 15 year old son are planning a 2 week holiday trip to Australia and New Zealand. Both of my guys are surfers and are definetly interested in exploring the beaches in Austrailia and beauty of New Zealand. I do not surf but will enjoy the adventure. My husband mentioned a wonderful way to see New Zealand would be by motor home ? Has any one ever done this kind of trip and how comfortable is it( iam not much of a camper but I thought this woudl be ok) ? We are coming from Southern California and are planning on starting in New Zealand. I have just started planning and would love some ideas.
Thanks in advance for your help !

Hi newport,

Two weeks to do Australia and New Zealand is not going to give you much time in either country. For what it is worth my opinion is for you to decide to do one or the other and enjoy that country for two weeks.

I don't think there is anything worse than going on a holiday and racing here and there trying to cram everything in and not really experiencing anything along the way.

If you do decide to do just one country then there are people on this board who are experts in their own regions who will undoubtedly give you great advise for your trip but to do both countries in 2 weeks is not feasable imo.

Cheers

Paul_S

Agree 100% with Paul.

Hi newport,

Just to give you an example of what I meant in my first post. My wife and I did a 12 day motorhome tour of just the South Island of NZ and we still did not get to see everything it had to offer let alone do the North Island as well.

If you were to come to Australia only and because you like the water sports, I would suggest taking a week to tour the coast from Sydney up to the Gold Coast in Queensland. Then fly up to either the Whitsunday Islands and explore around there maybe do a bareboat charter or go up to Cairns and see the Great Barrier Reef from their and sample the Port Douglas area.

Cheers

Paul_S

Hi there in Southern CA (from me, in Northern CA),

I agree with everyone else's postings --2 weeks is not enough time to split between two countries. Since your guys are surfer dudes, I'd suggest sticking with Australia.

As far as the camper vans go, I haven't done it, (but I've done a site inspection of them - which made my decision -- too claustrophobic for me, and as I'm the driver, too slow!) :) It's very popular in New Zealand though (I've certainlk PASSED enough of them on the road)!

Hope this is helpful!

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist

Hi Newport,
My husband and I had a month-long honeymoon in Australia in March/April 2003. We had considered taking in two countries, but figured in the end we could come back and do the rest another time. That might seem very blase, since there aren't that many chances to travel right across the world like that, but it was our preference rather than cramming too much in. As it was, we only picked and chose the number of things we wanted to visit which would still allow us have a very relaxing time.

Part of our holiday was a week when we had a campervan. We had not expected this to be the high point of our trip, and were reserving funds to stay somewhere really nice the last week. However, we were so pleasantly surprised. We loved the campervan. It was the type of motorhome which has a double bed where the seating/dining area is, and another above the cab. It was comfortable, with shower, but we often used the (more powerful) showers at the camping grounds where we stopped. What we so loved about this week of our trip was the convenience to stop and start wherever we chose. One lunchtime we had stopped to see the Twelve Apostles, on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. It was breezy and started to rain. A tour bus arrived shortly after us, and as we returned to our campervan, everyone looked chilled and a bit frazzled. There didn't seem to be anywhere to get a hot drink or a meal in the visitor centre, and we were starving. So, we just settled ourselves in a corner of the carpark...and made lunch. Best tortelloni I've eaten in a while!

There are lots of other good experiences (and not so good, somehow I managed to get a speeding ticket....yes, in a *campervan*), but on the whole I thoroughly recommend it.


Anna

We took our son (20) & daughter (17) last year. We stayed 5 days in Sidney (lots of places to surf) manly, bondi, etc. We then went to Cairns for one night and on to Lizard Island for 3 nights. Lizard cost an arm and a leg however was the most fantastic, wonderful place on earth!!
You are actually out on the reef instead of having to take an expensive several hour boat trip. We saw blue star fish, giant clams (3 ft. across)that were teal, purple,and blue, swam with turtles right off the beach in front of our room, not to mention the FOOD and SERVICE. All we can say is WOW!

From there we flew to Auckland (took all day) and stayed at the airport. Drove to do "white water rafting" at the Waitomo Caves to see the glow worms. You and your son will love it. I am a wimp sometimes but it was an easy thing to do. On to Rotorua for 2 nights-took in a Mauri show. Flew to South Island. Queenstown for 3 nights (really fun & tons of activities-kids bungy jumped (I covered my eyes)jet boat on the dart river, drove toward Milford sound, spent night and saw the sound the next day. Flew to Christchuch for 1 night as werre were flying home from there the next day. Fun trip.

My family and I live in Wollongong (which is one hour south of Sydney). My husband also loves surfing. I also agree with everyone else, two weeks is not enough. We just returned from a three week holiday in New Zealand - both South and North Island and found that we didn't have nearly enough time. We stayed in a motorhome (four of us - two boys as well) and loved it. We used Alamo motorhomes - very comfortable and reasonably priced. They come equipped with shower, toilet, colour TV, microwave, stove, airconditioning, heating, etc. (their website is www.alamo.com.au) Campsites cost approximately NZ$25/night. Since you are short on time, definately see the south island in preference to the north. It is just absolutely beautiful. My family expecially enjoyed Queenstown. We spent 5 days there alone. When are you travelling to Australia? According to my husband, if it is winter, there is not much surf in Queensland or northern NSW. Would recommend anywhere from Sydney south to the bottom of Victoria (Bells Beach). There is occassionally good cyclone swell in summer in Queensland and northern NSW - but of course, not too pleasant for you on dry land!

I just got back from a 2 week trip to Sydney and Western Australia. My bf grew up in Margaret River and absolutely loves surfing. He also surfed in Sydney when we were there, but there were tons of beaches in the Margaret River area that your guys could explore. The natural beauty of that area is just stunning as well and if you're interested in wine or wine-tasting---there are beautiful vineyards producing excellent wine.