What shouldn't I miss in Australia (and New Zealand)?

Question

I’m planning to go to Australia (and possibly New Zealand) for a few months, and want to know what would be the best place to go to or spend most of my time in to get an authentic Australian (NZ) visit. What are some places – cities or specific institutions, anything – that I shouldn’t miss? Are there any places that are overrated, and either shouldn't be included or just shouldn't be at the top of my list?

Answer 1

My brother lives in Victoria (Melbourne to be exact) and I spent 2 weeks there in 2005. It was amazing! If you are in that general direction, head down the Mornington Peninsula to any of the places along the coast. Portsea is a little town there with a great beach and restaurants. There are beaches, wineries, etc. throughout the whole area. Also, If you are in Victoria...Great Ocean Road is a MUST!! The 12 apostles are there, take the helicopter ride over it and you will see some of the most breathtaking views that you will ever see in your life. If you like hiking and camping, check out Wilson's Prom. You can rent little cabins (must be done in advance because they fill up fast), hike to different beaches and hike up some great mountains. We hiked to the summit of Mt. Oberon and it's an amazing view from up there. There is a beach there called Squeaky Beach too that you have to check out if you go. The sand is so fine that it actually makes a squeaky noise when you walk in it. You can climb out on the rocks and get great pictures too. Wilson's Prom is a great place to see wildlife too (kangaroos, echidnas, kookaburras, opossums (not like opossums in the U.S.), and especially wombats...they just walk around the campgrounds!) There are some wildlife reserves too where you can get up close to kangaroos and hold koalas, I didn't get a chance to do that but my Mom did when she went a few months after me. If you get near the city of Melbourne, check out stuff along the Yarra River. There is an awesome casino there that has big giant torches that go off every hour that are right on the river, inside the ceiling is covered with millions of hanging crystals and they have a bunch of fountains that are chorographed to classical music.. a sight to see!

If you are in Syndey, take the walk over the harbor bridge. You can see the opera house (the famous building with the big arch things) and you literally walk up and over the top of the bridge...crazy! If you near the northern part of Australia, you can't miss the Great Barrier Reef, you can go into it, on top of it, fly over it...very cool!

Whatever you get into, take in as much as you can and enjoy it, it's quite an experience.

Answer 2

Australia- i recommend you arrive in Sydney and you will be able to see all the popular tourist attractions in one spot. the obvious are the sydney opera house, harbour bridge (you can do a bridge climb for around $180 www.bridgeclimb.com) you must also visit taronga zoo which is great and if you are interested sydney aquarium but its not one of the most popular places. The Gold Coast (queensland) is great at any time of the year n the beaches r ausome and the theme parks are great, maybe only go to one or two so ur not wasting ur holiday time and you can often get good packages with accomodation at the gold coast and entry into a theme park ( this may only be with dreamworld tho). My friends from Canada recently spent a few days at Alice Springs and saw Uluru, which may give u an insight into the Aborigingal people's culture. Fruit picking is very common among backpackers usually when they visit Victoria whcih will give u an insight into some farming communities. The great barrier reef is a must see too, and also the blue mountains r really great esp. if ur here in winter.if u love shopping i would recommend going to melbourne, n if u r interested in going to tasmania they have some really good history stuff there which you may want to check out on the interenet before going. they also have the cadbury factory! i live on the east coast so i dont know so much about the other states but im jst going on what my canadian friends did while they were here

Answer 3

DO NOT MISS the South Island of New Zealand. Specifically: Te Anau / Fiordland Nat'l Park; Wanaka / Queenstown; Nelson / Marlborough / Abel Tasman. And of course, the Southern Alps. If you are going to Oz, take a detour and see this gem of paradise - 3 weeks is more than enough time to get a great sense of the place. Lots of adventure and activity, with a car, accommodation, eating out every night, and doing one activity every other day, it can be done for $1000-$1500.

http://southisland.blogspot.com

Answer 4

The Sydney Opera House

Answer 5

Don't miss New Zealand first of all. Go to Rotoua, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. Take the opportunity to ride the ferry between islands, that way you'll get to see the Marlboro Sounds off of Picton.

Answer 6

In NZ - bungy jump, repel in the deep cavern, go on that speedy boat ride

In Australia - go to the zoo and see the crocodile hunter steve irwin

Answer 7

(aus):go to the gold coast
(nz):try out auckland

Answer 8

skip Ozzie all together. All you need can be found in NZ.

Rotorua
Queenstown
Taupo
Auckland (I don't know why I put that there)
Bay of Islands
Kaikoura
Wellington

I don't know there is heaps to do so little time.