Trip Report Australia, NZ, South P
 

I have just returned from New Zealand, Australia, and The South Pacific ( Bora Bora<BR>Tahiti and Moorea. I would be happy to answer any questions. I will write a full report but in the mean time if I can answer any questins I will. This board helped me so much when I was planning my trip.

hi, karen,<BR>6 of us leaving for os and nz trip for 2weeks.we got air hotels done.i for one who does not like to pre book the tours.the others are apprehensive.looking forward to your trip report.i got lot of info from this board.we like sight seing.we have 3days at sydney,2days(gbr&amp;kuranda).we leave to christ church take tranz alpie train to fran-joseph to queenstown for 3days(milford sond planned),then flt to rotorua for 2 days then yo us.looking forward to your suggestions.and comments..thanks

Hi,<BR> We booked with The Posideon for GBR, it can hold about 70 passengers. They do both snorkling and scuba. If you are interested in a larger say about three hundred people The Quicksilver comes to mind. We met a couple who took Quicksilver, it was nice but having 300 hundred people snorkling and scuba they said was a bit much.<BR> Kuranda was great. We took the train up and the skyrail back..what great views. Kuranda is really a tourist trap..but hey some people love to shop<BR>and they have plenty of shops and restaurants. Also there, if interested they have a place to hold and be photographed with a Koala Bear.<BR> As far as prebooking I would recommend to prebook The GBR..they are very busy, we were in Port Douglas for 5 days, the day we wanted to go they were booked but did manage to book for the following day. Don't know what your experience is with boats, scuba, snorkling etc, but the day we went it was a bit rough out there. From Port Douglas it is about an hour and a half out to the reef. There were plenty of sea sick people.The crew was very good and were very knowleable, we did enjoy<BR>The Posideon.<BR> Where are you staying in OZ ? Oh, they are in a drought, so things are not quite as green as they should be, but still pretty. Port Douglas is nice plenty of shops and nice restaurants.<BR> As for NZ I was in Tauranga, took a river raft trip, so I can't comment on your destinations. However NZ is beautiful, and I want to return to where your destinations are, Christchurch, Milford Sound, etc. Hey my last name is Milford so I have to go..:-) If I can answer any more questions for you I will..if not enjoy your trip..when are you leaving ?

hi,karen,<BR>thanks for reply.we are leaving feb 21 LA to sydney.out of 3 days we planned 1 day to blue mountain trip.apart from horbour cruise &amp; operahouse what else we can see(should see)other 2 days.we leave to NZ 3/1 for 7 days.AT CC we are in crownplaza,franz joseph SCENIC CIRCLE douglas wing,queenstown parkroyal,at rotorua we are at millenium.if you have any opinion please comment.thanks

HiKaren: I have been reading with interest your response .I am getting lots of info from this site reg. au but need help w/nz.will leave melbourne for Christchurcn 5/5 and leave from Aucland 5/15 to return to the states. I am from FL so used to warm weather. Will it be cold? Best way to get to each area for a woman traveling alone...dont think I want to drive (if possible to see the sites)train, plane...thinking of getting a boomerang pass for au do they have that in nz? Thanks for the help

Rama,<BR> Of the places you mentined to stay I am not famniliar with them. Since I did not go to Sydney, I realy can't comment on things to do, but I met a couple who spent two weeks in Sydney and of all the things they did they enjoyed the Bridge climb, don't know if that is something you would enjoy or not. Sorry I don't have anymore info, but I'm sure there are many on this board who have been to Sydney who can offer their opinions. I know you will have a great trip ! I would love to know how the trip goes in NZ, since I did not get to go where you are.

Johanna,<BR> I wish I could answer your questions regarding NZ. As far as driving, we did not drive, we took tours, plus of course in NZ the driving is on the left side of the road, and that would take a bit of getting use to.<BR>I did not go to Christchurch, but was in Tauranga &amp; Auckland which is a big city. I don't know what the weather will be like either, sorry wish I could be of more help, but others on this board will be able to help you. Enjoy your trip !