Visiting Australia and New Zealand on my own?

Question

I live in the United States, have been to Canada several times but have never been overseas. I would really like to visit Australia and New Zealand; however I am newly single and don't have anyone who will go with me. Does anyone have any recommendations for group travel? Making new friends is not really a priority; however if I were by myself I might miss the good stuff or simply get lost. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

How great, the freedom to plan your own trip, without having to worry about what someone else wants or doesn't want to do! If you're worried about missing the 'good stuff', check out a few websites and make a list of stuff you'd like to see. You don't need a firm itinerary, just have a few ideas in mind.

TOURISM NZ:
http://www.tourism.net.nz
http://www.newzealand.com
http://www.nz.com
http://www.aatravel.co.nz
http://www.greatnewzealand.co.nz

Accommodation for solo travellers (these places are full of others in the same boat as you, and are great for hooking up with fellow travellers for however long you wish):
http://www.travelplanner.co.nz/accommodation/backpackers_hostels.cfm
http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz
http://www.backpack.co.nz
http://www.yha.co.nz – Youth Hostels Association of NZ

General travel:
http://www.travelpass.co.nz
http://www.interislander.co.nz – ferries between the North and South Islands (pack your favourite sea-sickness remedy; Cook Strait is notoriously rough!)

Trains:
http://www.tranzscenic.co.nz - official NZ Rail site
http://new-zealand.traintravelworld.com – links to sites featuring NZ trains
http://www.bugpacific.com/transport/railnz.html

Finally, getting lost may be a great way of finding great stuff to see & do that you hadn't planned, but do enjoy!

Haere mai (usually translated as “welcome”, also means “come here”) and kia ora (often used in greeting, conveys wishes of good health).
(Yes, I'm a Kiwi. Doubtless there are even more tourism sites for Oz!)

Answer 2

Australia has a pretty solid economy and has weathered the recent (current) recession better than most countries, mostly due to all the raw materials in the way of minerals available, that the rest of the world needs. As an Australian state, New Zealand would benefit from this by having better wages in New Zealand, plus much of the young talent would not be leaving NZ for more money and a better standard of living in Australia. Medical resources would then improve in New Zealand, as well, as treatment options would increase and be available "across the ditch". Hopefully food and materials would become cheaper for NZ due to the buying power of Australia, and markets for NZ goods and services might also increase, bringing revenue and jobs to NZ.

Answer 3

You won't need to worry about being by yourself if you're backpacking. I'm from the UK and I spend about 2 years travelling around Australia a few years back. I went by myself and landed in Darwin without a plan. I simply walked to the taxi rank and asked to be taken to the nearest backpackers hostel - you will meet so many people in exactly the same position as you are. I met a couple of guys who wanted another person to drive down the west coast (Sharing fuel costs etc). I ended up staying with them for a few months and met someone else heading the way I wanted to go and did the same.
Basically get yourself to a hostel and there is so much information on what's about and where to go, so you'll have no worries on missing the best bits.

Back your bag (Half the clothes and double the money always works!) and enjoy - it'll change your life!!!

Good luck

Answer 4

Google Travelpod and read a few of the blogs posted by visitors in the same situation, they seem to only complain about shortage of time, rarely of travel companions!

Answer 5

Pedro74 is correct in what he says.

I thought I would send you some sites to look at

http://www.backpackersworld.com.au/
http://www.backpackertours.com.au/
http://www.geocities.com/austtravel/
http://www.stonedcrow.com/travel/main.htm
http://www.ozexperience.com/index.php

Enjoy your trip.