Hi to all: I am flying solo from US to Aus. April 1st and from MELBourne to ChristChurchMay5th and from Auckland to US on June 3rd. I feel (from reading 100's of postings on this site) that I may have too much time in NZ. I will not be driving, kayaking, airballooning...only sightseeing. My ticket is changeable and wonder since it may be my only trip down under, how long is the trip from Auckland to say Singapore, Thailand???what airlines???weather in NZ in MAY...I know my itinerary for Aus ..all guidebooks say Sept is a better month in Australia...is it??what is the weather in NZ in Sept...traveling solo &amp; changing areas so much how not to have tooo much luggage???Thank you so much for all the input and the sites.<BR>

Hi, Johanna!<BR>First, with regards to Australian weather in April and September... relax. These are the two best months of the year to visit Australia, and there's little to choose between the, weather-wise.... in Sydney, in fact, April might even be a little better, as in September you can get afternoon storms. <BR>I think you may be right about your length of stay in New Zealand.... if you plan to drive yourself, you will see most of both islands in a leisurely three weeks. However, there may be better alternatives than catching a flight to Bangkok, as this part of south-east Asia is still several hours away from Sydney. However, if you do go ahead with an Asia extension, check out Philippine Airlines, which is currently offering a discount fare from all major Australian capitals for the time frame your talking about for around $910. You have to stop a night in Manils (but that may be a plus in your case) and you must take no more than 35 days for the full trip (not a problem here, either) but you have your choice of Bangkok, Shangai, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and a couple of others. Very likely they's be willing to let you do an &quot;open jaw&quot;. I don't know if this fare is available from New Zealand -- I would expect not -- so if you are going to do this, it may be best to tack it onto your Australian leg rather than the New Zealand leg. I assume you're going to the Great Barrier Reef, so the shortest flight would be out of Brisbane.<BR>Whether you go to New Zealand in May or in September, it is going to be quite cold in the south island, whiich is the most scenic of the two. <BR>I don't know how much help this has been, but at least it will start the ball rolling. Cheers!

Thanks Alan, I thought it would be cold in NZ...How cold? I have tried to change the itinerary to go to NZ first but I havent been that lucky so far. With 6 wks in AU,do you think my itinerary of 5-6days in Sydney, (taking side trips,then where should I fly to next? Cairn or to Alice Springs area. I want to spend 3-4? days there and try the camel trek, then Cairns to go to Port Douglas based on everyone's comments here to stay a wk and do all side trips, Daintree etch and I need to end up in Melbourne as I fly from Melbourne to Christchurch and from Auckland to US. I guess Quantas or Air NZ doesnt fly from NZ. In Melbourne I would spend about wk &amp; try to go to Tasmania from there but it looks like it will be very cold...What months would be the best to visit that would have warm weather in both countries but not too hot to visit the center? Appreciate your help.

Tassie won't be that cold at that time of year. Probably in the mid teans Celcuis with clear skys. It is usually milder in Tasmania than it is in Canberra on the mainland and a lot further north. <BR>Brisbane is about 8 hours flying time from Manilla and most other Asian cities except Bali. I think you have your timing pretty right as it is as there is lots to do and see in both countries.

Which part of the USA do you live in as this will help in determining whether you think may and sept are cold in NZ? For instance I have friends in Virginia who are snowed in at the moment and could not go out with all the ice as well causing huge problems. Something that rarely occurs here unless you are in the high country in winter. I can assure you that may is definitely not cold and september is a lovely month with the mountains looking their best and the spring daffodils and lambs about. If you are making the effort to tour Oz and NZ, I would not be wanting to tack Asia on but would do that at a later date.

Hi Kathy and Liz: I live in FLorida so anything below 50F is cold. I just came from NC with ice andsnow and I was miserable. I am also thinking of a woman traveling alone and having so much luggage if it is exceedingly cold. I feel that since I am flying so far I can take an extra month and visit Asia? Someone had said I couldnt fly to Asia from Auckland so I am rethinking my route...Also, please give me the name of a nice hotel or B&amp;B in the center of all the sites in Christchurch as I do not plan to get a car...I will take tours with local guides and take the train if possible, from Christchurch, to Auckland(if that is possible) or should I plan to fly. If you know the name of a travel agent locally who can help I would greatly appreciate it..My time is getting shorter. I appreciate all the help!!!!

Three weeks should give you all the time you need to have a good look around New Zealand. Have you considered taking a few days off your time in New Zealand and having a stop over in Fiji on the way home. Very relaxing place with lovely people and the weather should be perfect at that time of the year.

If you tell us what 50F is in Celcuis then we can tell you what temps you could expect :0)

Lizf, it's about 12 celsius. So you might get a few days around that but you'll get some that are a lot warmer also. I think the weather is your last concern really, just wear a couple of layers and have a jacket.<BR>It is easy to get from Auckland to Asia, there are many different ways and airlines partnering up with each other. Look on some websites, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways etc. Those trips are about 9 hours. If you really wish to fly Christchurch to Auckland have a look at the Air NZ website. <BR>For accomodation ideas see www.purenz.com<BR>You can pick up plenty of accomodation brochures etc at the airport on arrival. I wouldn't panic too much about not making bookings everywhere, but if going to Queenstown in sept. you should book in advance.

Thanks everyone. I am finalizing the plans and am thinking I may visit the Cook Islands and/or Figi and do Asia on another journey. I am sure I will have more questions as the day gets closer. Thank you for all the help.

Johanna,<BR>I think you have made the right decision in leaving Asia to another holiday. There are so many interesting places to visit (and some beautiful resorts) that devoting a full holiday to Asia is a good idea.<BR>Wherever you go, have a great time.