Hi, <BR> <BR>We are headed to Oz and NZ next month and I wanted to validate my itinerary with all of you experts. Just one note: my wife will be 4 months pregnant, so that is why you don't see any strenuous activities like the bridge climb, etc. on this itinerary. <BR> <BR>Days 1&2: Auckland Hilton - on an award stay. This is brand new. Anyone stay here yet? We will use these 2 days to see the sights of Auckland and its suburbs. We will be renting a car in NZ. <BR> <BR>Days 3-5: Rotorua - Haven't finalized accomodation yet, but was considering the Silver Fern Inn. We will visit the Waitomo Caves, see the geothermal areas and probably visit Taupo as well. May drive through Napier before heading back on day 5 to Auckland airport. <BR> <BR>Days 6-7: Sydney - Renaissance Hotel (on award stay). Will visit the major sights on the 1st day and then see an opera that night. On the second day, we will see more of the city; we were planning on a visit to the zoo and northern areas. <BR> <BR>Days 8-10: Cairns/Port Douglas - Staying at the Courtyard Palm Cove (also on award stay). We will be renting a car here. Planning on a day snorkel trip to the reef. Which boats offer the glass-bottomed option for my wife, who may not snorkel? Also, planning a day on the Daintree/Mossman area. We would also like to see Kuranda, but may only have a 1/2 day. Is this possible? <BR> <BR>Day 11-12 - Back to Sydney. Staying at the Airport Hilton for 1 night before flying back to the US. Planning on seeing stuff we missed earlier in the trip. <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance for any tips you can give. I know this is very rushed, but we can't and don't want to leave our 2 yr old with Grandma for any longer than 2 weeks <BR> <BR>Paul <BR>

Hi Paul - <BR> <BR>Can't help w/ NZ bits, but your Aus. itinerary sounds fine. Most of the larger GBR operators (Quicksilver,etc.) have glass bottom boats. THere are many to choose from. Brochures & booking agents will be everywhere. As for Kuranda, I think 1/2 day is enough. Enjoy.

Paul my comments on the NZ portion are that it's a lot of driving - distances and times en route can be deceptive. The Whakarewarewa thermal/cultural complex in Rotorua is great but we didn't choose to stay in town for much else; Taupo was fine for a few hours only (dismal weather on the day we visited didn't help). We really enjoyed Waitomo (touristy but still a blast) but absolutely adored Napier - helps if your an art deco fan, for which Napier is heaven on earth. Long drives between these places, though, so you probably should look closely at your priorities and make some contingency plans if time starts running short.

Given the fact that your wife is pregnant, she may find the sulpher smell in Rotarua hard to take (similar to the smell of rotton eggs). It didn't bother me at all but our travelling partners could hardly stand it. There are many great places to stay in Rotarua. I personally liked Taupo better. Just a thought for you to consider.

Hi Paul <BR>Pleased to hear that you will be visiting NZ. Sorry about the weather at the moment - snow over the central plateau, wet and wild in the North. Which brings me to the point of suggesting that you add an hour or two to your traveling times for this time of the year. <BR>To your questions: <BR>1.The Hilton - it has only just been completed - construction company problems but it will be fine and a wonderful location on the wharf. <BR>2. Rotorua - it is about 3 hours drive in winter from Auckland. Yes it can be a bit sulpury but you soon get used to it. <BR>3. I would suggest some changes to your itinerary. <BR>Day 1 Auckland as planned <BR> <BR>Day 2 Auckland - may be a harbour trip, visit the wineries and West Coast beaches - an easy 2 hour round trip <BR> <BR>Day 3 Auckland to Rotorua, afternoon sightseeing Rainbow Springs on your way into town. SDtay the night in Rotorua. I don't know the property you are proposing to stay at there. <BR> <BR>Day 4 Morning thermal area of Whaka (about 2hours is plenty)Rotorua to Taupo, about an hour will be plenty and drive on round the lake through Turangi to National Park (live volcanos etc and an excellent road) and on to Tamruanui or Te Kuiti where you would stay the night (good accommodation near the caves and I can recommend a good B&B) <BR> <BR>Day 5 Waitomo Caves and back to Auckland about 3 hours drive. <BR> <BR>I recommend this triangle to all of our visitors and if you had more time would have suggested that you include a loop through the Bay of Plenty. With this route you will see a lot of NZ and a wide range of countryside. <BR> <BR>Napier is good if you are into art deco buildings and wine but a long drive and back tracking. <BR>Contact me if I can be of further help. <BR>Kerry

Re Kuranda: you can do it in 1/2 day. Take the skyrail as it is the best part of the trip. Reserve the 1st trip of the morning. The tours don't get there till a 1/2 hour later. I would recommend the skyrail coming down as well. Many people take the train, but unless you really love trains, we thought it was kind of a long and boring trip. <BR>We enjoyed the butterfly sanctuary and wandering the market and shop. It is very much a tourist trap these days, but not bad for a tourist trap. i heard the boat trips were nice, but didn't take it. <BR>We really enjoyed the Tjapukai Aboriginal center next door to the Skyrail starting point. Fascinating and very friendly people working there. the gift shop had some of the nicest and bewst priced aboriginal art that we found. <BR>You might think about the bridge climb. I'm totally out of shape and scared of heights but that was one of our trip highlights. they go very slow and stop often to point out sights. A 90 year old woman did it a short while before us!

Re. your Cairns area queries. Mossman/Daintree is an easy, picturesque drive from Palm Cove - maybe 1 to 1.5 hours. With your won rental car you can travel at your own pace. If you have time, cross the Daintree River and head up to Cape Tribulation, a wonderful drive and lovely beaches and rainforest. <BR>For the Reef trip, I think Quiksilver offers what you want, ie viewing without getting wet. They pick up Palm Cove. See their web site at www.quicksilver-cruises.com/

Thanks to all for your feedback. I will post a trip report when I get back. <BR> <BR>Paul

I did a hotel inspection of the Hilton last month (I live in Auckland)and it is great. Don't know what room you get on the award basis but the EAST facing rooms are the ones with the view, or even the southern corner where you see the city but the west facing rooms don't get a view so try to NOT get those - they're not busy at this time of year so some sweet talking at check-in might get you switched. <BR>Napier is great for the art deco buildings but I agree with the others - too far to drive considering your timetable. <BR>If the weather in Auckland is wet the days you're here (it is winter)then make sure you visit the museum - it is very good and also has a good shop with high quality greenstone from some of the top carvers. <BR>Don't know Silver Fern in Rotorua - it's not one of the better hotels. Get a price for the Millenium. <BR>Taupo - lovely in Summer but a bit low key at his time of year. Driving through on the way to the mountain is a good suggestion - you could go up and play in the snow for a day or a few hours.If you do end up staying in Taupo at least make use of the hot pools. <BR>e mail me if you want more.