mass

Thinking about Aus or newZ. I have 14 days in Feb to see a part of the world I have not seen. Like the nature stuff but would also like to dive and spend sometime on a beach relaxing...any suggestions about how to do it (fly, driving..) where to stay? Is there enough to do in either country for 14 days or should I combine the two places. Any input would be great. masn

wlzmatilida

Hi Mass!

With 2 weeks total to spend, there's no way that you should do both countries; too much to see and do, and you'd have NO time to relax!

As you mention diving, I'd have to go with Australia for the ultimate experience of the Reef.

Hope this is helpful!

Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist

dotty

Hi, mass,
I would have to support melodie's recommendations - you would need a minimum of 3 weeks for New Zealand alone, and even longer for Australia! Go for the Great Barrier Reef. If you approach from Cairns you can then also enjoy the rainforest areas which are also pretty awesome.
Come and visit us in NZ another trip.

hokiangafarmer

I have lived in australia for 32 years, New Zealand for 14, it is hard to choose between the two, but if you like diving and have plenty of money, go to Heron Island in queensland, a friend of mine who has dived around teh world says this is the best

Judy_in_Calgary

>>>>>>Is there enough to do in either country for 14 days or should I combine the two places.<<<<<<

Australia is the size of the lower 48 states of the U.S. New Zealand is the length of the west coast of the U.S., from the Canadian border to the Mexican border.

You have received good suggestions from Melodie, dotty and hokiangafarmer. You can find more information from the "port douglas" and "queensland islands" links at this website:

http://www.queenslandislands.com/

If you want to visit the GBR, whether from the mainland or an island, you will have to fly, either to Cairns or to the island of your choice.

Cairns has an international airport. I've always thought it would make sense to fly straight there, but I've only known a few people who have done that. The most popular and hence the most affordable flights across the Pacific are those to Sydney, so most people touch down in Sydney and then fly from there to Queensland. Mind you, that's not all bad, because Sydney is a really beautiful city, and 3 days there would be a good investment of your time.

pat_woolford

Hi Judy, we get quite a few US guests who fly Continental to Cairns via Guam. Awful arrival time though, about midnight, I think there's 3 flights a week. They then usually fly down to Sydney and back to Cairns for departure with Continental.