capstonebead

In July, I will be attending a psychology conference in Adelaide, AU. My university will be paying for somewhat over half of my trip, and I will have to pay for the rest, but I figured it was the chance of a lifetime. I want to keep costs down--I have a son attending a private university, so money is tight. The best deals on airfare seem to be the online deals from Air New Zealand and from Qantas. Qantas has an air pass that allows 3 stops in different Australian towns in a zone--Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane are in the same zone as Adelaide. I will probably only stop in one other town, however, because of cost and time. For about the same price, Air New Zealand will allow me to stop free in Auckland. I am leaning toward flying Air New Zealand because I really like the idea of seeing a little of New Zealand as well as a little of Australia. What do you think?

DownUnder

If you are anxious to see N.Z. then Air N.Z. maybe the way to go. From Auckland you can visit Rotorua and the Bay of Islands etc. However if you are coming all this way and are only visiting Adelaide then you are not seeing much of Australia. Adelaide is my home town and it is a delightful place, especially North Tce. where the Uni. is situated. The Barossa Valley and the Adelaide Hills are also closeby. But Sydney and Melbourne are the biggies. Sydney with the Harbour, Opera House etc. is one of the world's great cities and Melbourne has a lot to offer. IMO that Qantas Air Pass is good value. I would also add that from a travellers point of view there is nothing worse than reading afterwards about the places you didn't see, especially when you have had the chance to see them. Incidentally Qantas flys to N.Z from Australia so you may be able to do a deal.

Melnq8

DownUnder -

I've been considering Adelaide for a future visit. Since you're from there, maybe you can tell me how big it is?

longhorn55

My main concern for going to Auckland in July would be the weather. A quick check online of their average July weather shows temperatures similar to that of Adelaide (lows around 45 degrees F and highs around 57 degrees F.) However, Auckland gets twice as much rain that time of year as does Adelaide--over 125 mm in July!
You don't mention if you are staying in Sydney for awhile after you land before continuing on to Adelaide. Sydney is a MUST! Adelaide is a lovely city, but Sydney is world-class and absolutely should not be missed. If you still have time for another city after Sydney and Adelaide, I'd suggest you head north to the Great Barrier Reef (through Cairns). There you've got both the rainforest and the reef and it's a true modern wonder of the world. If beaches aren't your thing, consider heading up to Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield National Park--more amazing scenery, but desert-like.
It will cost about $200 more on the Airpass to go to Cairns or Darwin, but I think they are worth it. However, if you aren't going to use all three internal flights anyway, you might forego the Airpass and just check out individual fares with JetStar or Virgin Blue.

DownUnder

Melng8 Adelaide has a population of one million people compared with Melbourne 4 mill. and Sydney 4.5 mill.
It is a lovely city and because of its size it is very is easy to negotiate. The city area is flat so you can walk everywhere. The area around the River Torrens, Frome Road, North Tce. and the Botanical Gardens are attractive parts of the city . It has some good restaurants and eating areas, but it can be very hot and dry town during the summer months.

Melnq8

Thanks DownUnder - we're thinking about a July or Aug visit, but have just started to research. The Grampians has recently caught my attention too.

Bokhara

Hi Melng8 & capstonebead: Adelaide's charming; lots of "old money" houses of bluestone, very pretty and small enough to be accessible. It's proximity to the wine areas (my personal favourite is the Clare, and in particular the area around Sevenhill)and the beaches, makes it a great base for exploring the region, too.

You'll find lots of very good restaurants and also excellent, innovative food in pub bistros. They were the first to start serving kangaroo as a gourmet dish 20+ years ago, when everyone else was still doing "cuisine minceur" (LOL).

If you have an ear for linguistics, listen for the distinctive Adelaide accent & use of different words for some items.

You'll be pleasantly surprised at prices there compared with, say, Sydney & Melbourne, too.

Do try to fit it in Melng8 - I'm sure you'd love it. (BTW, I don't live there ... it's just another one of my "favourite" Australian cities (LOL)

Melnq8

Bokkara -

Funny you mention Clare Valley because my latest favorite Merlot is from that very spot (Taylor's 2004).

Now I'll HAVE to go, but think I'll take a pass on the 'roo.

Sorry for hijacking your thread capstonebead.

Bokhara

Melng8 .... www.skillogalee.com.au

Melnq8

Bokhara -

Now you've really done it....

Bokhara

OK Melng8: Here it is
http://www.thornpark.com.au/index1.htm

As well as your tasting & lunch at Skillogallee, take a drive to Mintaro.

http://www.clarevalleymintaro.com/MI...TRACTIONS.html

... and in the afternoon walk back along the track from Thorn Park to:
http://www.sevenhillcellars.com.au

And if anyone asks you "Is it worth it?" ... your reply is: "Naahh - horrible, you'd hate it all!"

fuzzylogic

I am confused. Ate you saying that the price with Qantas including the air pass is the same as Air NZ with just the stop in Auckland?

If yes - then clearly the Qantas offer is a better deal overall. But then if you only want to go to one other place - then there's nothing to choose between them... am I on track so far?

I understand the dilemma, but you need to ask yourself - how much time would you have for that stop in Auckland?

What do you have in mind when you say "a little of New Zealand"? How many days?

Melnq8

Thanks again Bokhara. I've added all your links to my quickly growing Adelaide file. I'll try not to shout from the roof tops if I fall in love with the place (and something tells me I will).

capstonebead

Yeah, basically I am going on a business trip and trying to add a little bit of pleasure to it so I will only have a few extra days. One extra stop is probably going to be plenty. I will get a chance to see some of the area around Adelaide--the conference folks plan to take us to the wine country. I will also visit some distant relative who live near Adelaide. I guess the question is: Auckland, Melbourne, or Sydney? I am more interested in scenery than in great restaurants, etc. I will stay 2 or 3 days in whichever place I choose. Brisbane is another possibility.
BTW, you all are great! So many replies, so quickly!

ksb04

Sydney is nice for all your touristy scenery, Melbourne for your shopping and Brisbane is rather bland unless you're willing to make it to the Gold Coast or further North.

How long are you permitting in each state?

RalphR

Adelaide is a wonderful destination, somewhat off the beaten path of the typical international tourist. My wife and I visited Adelaide and South Australia for 10 days last July/Aug. We didn't spend much time in the city itself, though it is a very nice town. Visited the Barossa, Clare and MacClaren wine districts (the Clare Valley was out favorite...lunch at the Skillogalee Winery being absolutely delightful). Then we drove north to the outback outpost of Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges for 2 full days of spectacular scenery, hiking and wildlife. Stopped en route for a beer at the the rustic Cradock Hotel - a great Aussie pub and seemingly the only business left in this ghost town. We wished we'd planned on overnighting there.

We next headed 8 hours NW across the outback (a desolate, yet strangely beautiful lunar landscape) to the opal mining town of Coober Pedy, which we found highly interesting - a wierd combination of Mad Max (filmed nearby) and the Flintstones - underground homes, churches and businesses, corrugated iron, road trains, odd mining contraptions, etc.

So once you've flown all the way to Adelaide, why not try to make the most of all SA has to offer?

July/Aug weather was cool, clear and pleasant. Frost one night only (Flinders Ranges).

Melnq8

Ralph -

You must be a mind reader. I was just about to start a new thread asking about August weather in Adelaide! We have 3+ weeks to spend in August/early Sept and can't seem to decide between revisiting the SI of NZ* or going to Adelaide. Not so much interested in the city itself (not city people) but the surrounding area sounds intriguing. Coober Pedy has been on our radar for some time, so it might be a good chance to see it too.

*Yes, I know it's going to be cold in NZ.

Apologies capstonebead, I did it again. Guess I should start my own thread.

mjs

If you only have a few extra days I would skip Auckland and stay within Australia. The lure of NZ to me is not a large city but the wilderness. The South island especially is gorgous but you will need some time to tour. Sydney would be my choice for one extra stop or perhaps the Great Barrier Reef if the travel were not too complicated. Cairns may be in the same zone for you as Brisbane.