NZ vs Aust
 

I am in the beginning planning stages for a trip to NZ and wanted your thoughts on whether we should try to fit in Aust or just concentrate on NZ? 2.5 weeks is pretty much our max. Any suggestions for stop over places like Bora Bora or Fiji? Not Hawaii. please. We are older so a tour works better for us, now. Any suggestions on good tours?

I have been to both Australia and NZ many times and I strongly recommend that you NOT try to "fit in" Australia if you only have 2.5 weeks for this trip. There is more than enough to see and do in New Zealand for 2.5 weeks, especially if you are taking a guided tour as those tend to "eat up" more time than does a self-guided tour. I think you will find that if you try to see both Australia and NZ in 2.5 weeks, you will feel that your did not see enough of either country.

If you are planning a stopover for several days, then it might make some sense to go to Fiji or Bora Bora. However, just a one-night stopover does nothing to alleviate jet lag when going to Australia or New Zealand (been there, done that). In fact, I think it makes things worse by dragging out the whole travel process. I'd recommend just going straight to New Zealand in that case. I've done it that way from the East Coast of the U.S. and it's not as bad as you think it will be.

I agree with longhorn55 - with 2 1/2 weeks, limit your trip to New Zealand.

I don't know how you define older, but New Zealand is a surprisingly easy country to travel in on your own. Give yourself a couple of days in Auckland, assuming you're flying into AKL, to get over the jet lag, then take off. Driving on the left is pretty simple, and it's really hard to get lost. It also gives you more time to just stop and enjoy the scenery.

Lee Ann

Longhorn is right on both counts. Trying to do both countries in the time you have available will ensure you are rushed and exhausted and at best will give you a taste of what you will want to come back and see in depth later. And having made a 35+ hour trip from Toronto to Western Australia 5 times, my advice is to get to your initial destination as directly and quickly as possible and plan at least a day or two at the outset to get caught up on your sleep and get your bearings. I find jet lag lingers for several days and I feel quite fuzzy-headed even if I follow all the advice about re-setting my internal clock. On one trip we were routed through Singapore and had an overnight stay at the marvellous Changi airport which worked out okay and another time we arrived in Perth about midnight and stayed at a local hotel for a night before tackling the final 3 hour leg by train. So if there is an opportunity to catch some sleep enroute it is good to arrive somewhat rested, but I would not recommend adding in an additional destination such as you suggest.

For an organized tour, check out Roads Scholar:

www.roadsscholar.org.

It is a not-for-profit educational travel company geared toward the older traveller. (Used to be called Elderhostel). They have several options for New Zealand of varying lengths and differing activity levels, one of which we will be taking in December. It will be the first time travelling with them but we have heard nothing but good things from others who have a similar travel style to our own.

Oops, that link should be;

www.roadscholar.org

Just stick to NZ. Probably the cheapest way to get to Tahiti (Bora Bora) is via NZ anyway.

Probably the most popular way to get around NZ is in a campervan or motorhome. There are a number of good sites by i find one better than most. Here is the page that deals with NZ. Has a list of most the campervan hire companies there http://www.ecampervanhire.com/camper...e-new-zealand/

I think Australia is the best spot for travelling, here has tons of attractions for tourists, climate is good, cultural country, better communication. Here you stay as luxurious and trip in lots of historical as well beautiful places in these cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin and so along.

I totally agree with WineAroundOZ. A 2.5 week campervan holiday of the south island.

Campervan is an excellent idea if you are looking towards a driving holiday. Once you're out of the main centres it is pretty hard to get lost, usually only one or two options to get from a to b.

Depending on what you mean by "older" and what you like doing, if you're a walker check out new Zealand's great walks (Milford track, routburn, Kepler, heaphy)...ultimate hikes have some good guided options. If you like cycling look at the otago rail trail, there are also some guided options for that too