14 Days To Explore Down Under ... Australia And New Zealand. A Short Time, I Know But How Else Can I Backpack Around The World With So Many Places To See And Experience With So Little Damm Time ....

Possible Plans So Far .... NZ North Island 4 Days .. CHC 3 Days. Then AU.. CNS 3-4 Days .... SYD 2-3 Days...

Suggestions, Ideas, Comments, Smart-Donkey Criticism ... Welcomed. See You In "The Outback"

I know you want to see both countries, but with only two weeks, I would pick one or the other. Two weeks is barely enough for New Zealand's South Island, much less two separate countries. Factor in flights, etc. and it would be really difficult. Save one country for another trip.

Lee Ann

I agree with EDP above. When you consider that travel from one to the other country will take best part of one day and Sydney to Cairns ( if that is what CNS means) takes the best part of half a day then you are missing a few more days. Do one or the other but not both. Also you don't say when you are going and that certainly is a factor.

Thanks for input. I am leaving LAX 10/18. It is difficult to get "Down Under" from US East Coast. Any highlight suggestions for NZ-North Island and AU-Cairns?

Qantas flies from NYC

Sounds like you're determined to stick with your original plan. Okey dokey then...

Since you're backpacking, I'll guess you're on a pretty tight budget. If you can get a good flight on Southwest to LAX, then fly Air New Zealand to Auckland.

Click on my screen name and you'll find our trip report - 10 days on the North Island in April 2004.

Lee Ann

Thanks .. Lee Ann. Read Your Post. Spending Next 3 Days In AKL

3 days in Auckland; 3 days in Christchurch (wtf) and only 2-3 days in Sydney - something wrong with those priorities!