melimoo

Hi everyone!

I am planning a 3 week trip with my boyfriend in February and it is LAST MINUTE! We are only able to take 3 weeks off from work so that's all we have to work with. We are in our mid 20s and are looking for sightseeing/hiking/relaxing/beach. We are from Montreal, Canada so we want warm weather!

So far we've been thinking of Sydney, Melbourne, Darwin, the Gold Coast, the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbaine, Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, maybe Perth and Cairns... I've also read about Cook Islands and Fiji, but I think they might be too far?

I know it's impossible to see all this in 3 weeks so I'm wondering what we should skip? Also don't wanna get stuck in monsoons and rain..

Anyways if you can give us some pointers we would really appreciate it!

Cheers!

eliztravels

Since one of your goals is relaxation, I suggest you start by determining the distance and travel time between the destinations you're thinking of and be realistic about how much time you want to spend sitting in airports and planes. Australia is huge; Sydney to Perth , for example, is roughly the distance from Toronto to Vancouver. Add to that the fact that is takes two days to get there, and you will have 12 or more hours of jet lag to contend with. Seems to me three cities in three weeks is plenty, especially if you want to get out into hiking country as well.

Narrow your destination list down, way down, and others here can help you with suggestions for each locale. You don't have much time to plan so you might be better off going with a package which includes flights and hotels. Think of it as a 'tasting menu' or a reconnoitre mission, knowing you can't begin to see it all but find some places you can fall in love with and dream of getting back.

Melnq8

melimoo - I'd start by scratching Perth from your list. Not only is Western Australia a looooong way from anywhere, it's five times the size of Texas - you could easily spend your entire three weeks here and barely scratch the surface.

AND, February is WA's hottest month. We've just had a heatwave with temps in the 38C to 41C range (100F-106). I don't even want to be here right now.

Suggest you trim your wish list to one country, and then go from there.

Susan7

This is a little odd; you are going for 3 weeks in February to Australia and New Zealand, and 3 week to Asia. I like the idea of 6 weeks worth of holiday in February, but before offering advice it would be good to know if you are actually planning a trip.

AlanJG

This is now the wet season in northern Australia. I think it is a great time of year but then I grew up with it. Lots of people avoid the tropics when it is both warm and wet and as you are worried about getting stuck then come this way some other time.

There is heaps to do in and around Sydney. Have a look at aerial photos to see all the bushland. Check out other posts on this board for ideas. This way you can base yourself in that area and then match your activities to the weather forecasts. I also like the area in and around Auckland so I would limit your bases to two, Sydney and Auckland.

Poida10

Great time of year to come down here. First, keep away from Northern Australia. Being the wet season. Gold Coast is great. But they too have been in the middle of a big wet. Because of your time constraints. ( and who doesnt have them when they're travelling)Id stick to the major cities in Australia. You can do some one day trips from them to the countryside. Melbourne and Sydney have their own 'jewels' for tourist. You could give each city a week. Id fly direct to Sydney from Vancouver. Unless you fly to LA and then direct to Melbourne. That's all personal choice. Id fly direct to Queenstown, spend 4 days there ( no where near enough time) and then a few days in Auckland and fly back to Canada.

eliztravels

If you want to do several destinations you will probably do best with Qantas which means going through LA.

ElendilPickle

Melnq8 is right - choose one country and spend your time there. You could see a good amount of New Zealand in three weeks without spending every day on the road. A few days on the North Island and the rest on the South Island would be about right.

Lee Ann

OldKiwiGal

February is the peak month to travel in New Zealand. The children have gone back to school, the weather is settled, and it's when NZ has great out door concerts and shows.
15th to 20 February is Art Deco Weekend in Napier. It's an experience to dress up and play out 1930's with old vintages cars, trains, motorbikes, and planes. Plenty of free things to do. Street dancing, air shows etc.

You could join a Cruise Ship round NZ and Australia. At this time of the year huge Cruise Ships are almost causing their own Tasman Sea traffic jams!

The Golden tracks for NZ travel are Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch and onwards.
OR fly Auckland to Christchurch, West Coast, Queenstown and onwards.

The Far North of New Zealand is fantastic. The Coromandel districts are very romantic and wonderful. I'm biased...honeymooned there years ago. Rotorua is unique... thermal steam & geysers and with everything set up for tourism. It is also located close to many central North Island desinations.
It is a big big world..you'll never see it all.

RickPorgera

No response/s from melimoo...? Makes one wonder if it wasn't all pie in the sky anyway.

eliztravels

Makes me wonder,too, or maybe the OP found a travel agent to to do their thinking for them.

MountTaylor

Whatever you do, don't go to Darwin. Great in mid-year (known locally as 'the dry'), but yuck in 'the wet' (now until about May). So humid and sticky!