I've been designated as the travel planner for my best friend's 3 week honeymoon to Australia/New Zealand later this year. My friend and her fiance both enjoy outdoor activities and wildlife-hiking, camping, kayaking, etc. I visited both Australia and NZ in late November several years ago and found it perfect. Is there a better time to go, maybe early/mid December? <BR> <BR>I was thinking of advising them to see the following <BR> <BR>3 days Cairns/Port Douglas-go out to the reef, see Daintree <BR> <BR>2 days Sydney- a couple of days to see the city, wildlife park, zoo <BR> <BR>2 days Melbourne-Philip Island to see the fairy penguins <BR> <BR>2 days Kangaroo Island-a couple of days to drive around and see the wildlife <BR> <BR>10 days South Island of NZ-maybe the Routeburn Track, a couple of days in Queentown, maybe Mt. Cook, see the glaciers <BR> <BR>Is there anywhere I've missed? Maybe Tasmania added in somewhere? <BR> <BR>Thanks for any advice!

I spent two months on my honeymoon in Australia and New Zealand almost three years ago and probably spent close to a year researching and planning it. I think most of your suggestions are dead on. My only thoughts are (and I hate to say this because I think the South Island is one of the most beautiful palces on earth!) cut two days off there and eliminate Melbourne (they can always catch penguins near Dunedin, N.Z. and the yellow-eyed penguin reserve) and add a side trip to Tasmania. Tassie is great--especailly if your friends like hiking and camping. I would suggest that they fly from Adelaide (after Kangaroo Island --a marvelous choice, by the way and one of our favorite spots!) to Hobart in the morning and then rent a car and drive down to Port Arthur (the penal colony) and stopping at Tasmanian Devil rescue operation along the way. After the day at Port Arthur, they should spend the evening in Hobart around Salamanca Place. Then spend the morning in Hobart and then continue driving across the island to Strahan with the ultimate goal being Cradle Mountain and The Cradle Mountain Lodge. They should reserve a Pencil Pine Cabin and then they can spend a day or so hiking on the incredible trails--a very romantic and wonderful place. Then they can continue on driving to Launceston where they can catch a flight back to the mainland and then off to N.Z. Just a thought. Our trip was in August, Sept. and October and, for the most part was great in terms of crowds and weather. if they love to ski, I would suggest Septemeber in N.Z. for the spring skiiing. If they are skiiers, they should try to ski the Tasman Glacier at Mt. Cook. It is really expensive (about $600US/person) but it was one of the best days of our lives (and that's no exaggeration!). Our trip took us from Sydney, to Canberra, to Port Douglas to Alice Springs, to Ayer's Rock, to Adelaidae, to Kangaroo Island, to Hobart, to Cradle Mountain, to Christchurch, Dunedin, Mt. Cook, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Wanaka, Fox & Franz Josef, Auckland, Lake Taupo, Rotorua, Napier, and the Bay of Island. I can certainlly suggest places to stay in most of those locations if any interest you. Feel free to write with anymore questions either directly or via postings here. You have some lucky friends!

Thanks for the response Hans! Yes, I do have lucky friends, not only for the lovely trip they'll be taking, but also for having me to plan it for them! <BR> <BR>A couple more questions (for today anyway-I'll most likely be back) <BR> <BR>How did you get around the South Island and what route did you take? I think that they would enjoy Mt. Cook, Milford Sound, Queenstown and maybe the glacier although they are not skiiers. Were the glaciers interesting apart from the skiing? <BR> <BR>Is Dunedin on the North or South Island? Melbourne may have to leave the itinerary although I found it to be a charming city. <BR> <BR>Where did you stay on Kangaroo Island? I believe we stayed in a place with King in the name but it seemed far from the places we went every day. <BR> <BR>What sort of place was the Tasmanian Devil rescue operation? It sounds like something they would enjoy. <BR> <BR>I may just have to stow away in their luggage!

Kristi, <BR> Yes, sneak into the luggage. I spent 6 months last year independently travelling in NZ and OZ. I'll second previous post on Taz. It is great, although, more like NZ than the rest of OZ. I did Kangaroo Island with a tour run by a fellow named Daniel ("Daniel's Tour"). Instead of staying in the hotels on the east end of island and driving to the animals on the West, he has a place on the west end (sleep in 'swags'). We loafed during the day when the animals loaf, then went out after sundown watching roos, and were up and waiting along the ponds before sunrise to see the platypus when they feed. (you miss these with the long drives) On NZ S. Island, the glacier heli hike was excellent. Unless they are hardy campers, I'd question doing the Roteburn much before Nov. Have fun planning.

The closer it is to summer, the better it will be. Just remember that NZ will be getting crowded (and flights more expensive) around the millenium. The glaciers are very interesting to visit - consider them maybe doing a heli-hike. Ski season on most NZ ski fields about September. The biggest glaciers are the Fox and the Franz Josef glaciers. Maybe they'd enjoy a couple of days walking the Abel Tasman National Park walk as the weather will be much more pleasant there than the Routeburn. For any NZ questions feel free to e-mail. <BR>

Late November is a pretty good time to go.Otherwise I would leave it until late Feb Mar. If you are on honeymoon you should check out http://www.olivers.co.nz

Hi Kristi, <BR> <BR>We spent our honeymoon in NZ and AUS two years ago. I agree with the recommendation to drop Melboure if you need more time.... <BR> <BR>On the South Island of NZ we flew into Christchurch, spent a couple of days there, then took the train across the island (I think the route was the Tranz-Alpine) to Greymouth, where we rented a car. The train trip is wonderfully relaxed and the scenery is fantastic! <BR> <BR>We then drove to the Fox Glacier and spent the night - pretty drive near the ocean and then through the rainforest/mountains. The next morning we took a helicopter ride up to the glacier where they let us get out to walk around and take pics...awesome! <BR> <BR>Then we drove to Queenstown where we stayed for five days (lots to do there!) <BR>On one of the days in Queenstown, we took the flight to Milford Sound where we then took a kayak trip on the Sound - SOOOO cool...dolphins came to play with us....saw seals, etc.... <BR> <BR>Dropped the car off in Queenstown at the end of the five days then flew back to Christchurch so we could fly over to Australia. <BR> <BR>Our travels did have bit of driving, but we got to see a lot of stuff that we would have regretted missing if we hadn't done it this way. <BR> <BR>Most fun in NZ: Milford Sound kayaking, <BR>Shotover River ride, golf on the peninsula...oh, and definitely make time to walk around Lake Mattheson near Fox Glacier - so beautiful, esp at sunset or sunrise!!! <BR> <BR>Australia was a blast too....Melbourne was so-so, but Sydney is terrific fun. Highly recommend the Taronga Zoo - it's set up so that you start at the top of a mountain/hill and work your way down - as you see the animals, you also get a phenomenal view of the Harbor and Sydney. <BR> <BR>We also spent a week on Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef, which was an adventure in itself. <BR> <BR>Best of luck......

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Now I've just got to get the bride and groom to commit to a date (for the honeymoon that is, the wedding should be taking place in about two weeks!) <BR> <BR>

hello kristi <BR>Please think about them spending 3 or 4 days in the Coromandel region - can Travel the pacfic coast highway fronm auckland - Please email me and I could give some details and recommendations <BR>for accomm etc. <BR>[email protected] <BR>Coromandel is NZ best kept secret! <BR>Cheers <BR>Sharon

Hi Kristi, <BR> <BR>Nobody has mentioned the Bay of Islands in New Zealand's Far North. <BR>Untouched wilderness, Kauri Forests, Ninety mile beach, Cape Reinga, Cape Brett, hiking through native forests, great weather, numerous water based activities; swim with the dolphins, sailing, sea kayaking, deep sea fishing all accessable from Kimberley Lodge is Romantic Russell <BR>See our website at www.lodges.co.nz

I agree with the most recent post; pick up Dunedin - not only is there the penguin colony, but also the albatross colony - well worth the effort. I had always wanted to go to Australia, did so with great pleasure, dove the G.B. reef - both ends and found it spectacular, loved the Austalians and stopped in New Zealand as an after thought. With all of the suprelatives that were true for me in Aus. the South Island of New Zealand was 10 times better! Debbie

Hi, <BR>We were in NZ at the end of November and in the SOuth Island, it was still cold and rainy. <BR>We still loved the South ISland, and the highligts of out trip were: <BR>the Hollyford Track (where we also saw yellow crested penguins, seals and keas), <BR>The Hike up to the Franz Josef Glacier (A MUST for us, if we ever go back again), <BR>A hike in Mount Cook that goes to something which is like a lake with icebergs (3 hours long) <BR>Kaikoura - where we took the swim with the dolphins tour <BR> <BR>Alexandra