Hello Everyone,
I will be working in Melbourne in early October. After Oct. 15th, I would like to go to Sydney (2days), Tazmania (2 days) and as much of New Zealand (10 days) as I can. I am definitely on a tight budget. So, while I would prefer not to stay in hostels (bad experiences), I can only afford less than $100 a day. Any suggestions will be welcomed. I am very interested in indigineous wildlife, natural phenoms and the most accessible places by public transportation. I think Melbourne to Wellington would be the cheapest route to New Zealand. Finally, the following cities are of interest to me. It would be great if someone could tell me the ones I should not miss.
1. Dunedin-Coastal Otago
2. Southland
3. Nelson
4. Hawke’s Bay
5. Taranaki
6. Waikato
7. Coromandel
8. Auckland
I would truly appreciate any suggestions for accommodations in NZ, the cheap tourist-friendly, easily accessible cities and advice on whether 2 weeks is a reasonable amount of time to do it all. Thanks so much.
Melodiously, Quagga
Do you have a map of Australia? Firstly, the island just south of you is called Tasmania, and while it isn't enormous, there is almost no point going there for two days. Might be worth re-thinking that one. Going to Sydney for two days is almost as pointless, but you can get something from it. Do you have a map of New Zealand? TO see all the things you list in ten days with public transport is not possible - well, possibly possible but also pointless.<BR><BR>Why not just go to NZ for two weeks - and you can get very cheap flight Melbourne to Christchurch - see JetStar. Also, see a travel agent, and get some brochures that have maps in them.
go from Sydney to Hamilton for $300 on Freedomair, and that's Waikato sorted. Get a train to Auckland, that's that sorted.
Then get buses round the rest of NZ
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<hr>Do you have a map of Australia? Firstly, the island just south of you is called Tasmania, and while it isn't enormous, there is almost no point going there for two days. Might be worth re-thinking that one<hr></blockquote>
Thanks Ian- I was going to type the same thing.
I think to dismiss ALL HOSTELS, in a country to which you've presumably never been is naive at best. Hostels in NZ exceed most travellers' needs. Give one a try - Buy a membership card & save even more. Personally I like YHA and cannot understand why some people call them "sterile" or "bland".
Look at your figures - 8 places, spanning opposite ends of NZ - 10 days - the maths doesn't work.
Try Jetstar SYD-CHC as another cheap alternative. OR you may be able to sort a "rectangle" MEL-SYD-HLZ-CHC-MEL.
Thanks for your feedback, Ian. I do know that the island south of Australia is Tasmania. I had an unexpected deadline for work and had to type fast. My subconscious must have taken over and spelled it the way Americans are so used to doing it. You know, taking creative license with foreign words. Plus the 's' and 'z' are so close. Finally, it was my first post and I don't know how to edit a message after it's been posted. So sue me. Good luck with that.
Anyway, busting my chops aside, I know I can't do every city. I really just wanted to know, of the 9 I listed, which were not to be missed in a two week period in NZ. As far as short trips are concerned, I'd rather take a looksee, than to miss them completely. I don't think I will be back down under anytime soon. Soooooo, I was hoping for some help with a 2 day trip to Sydney and Tasmania. I will be getting some travel books, but hoped for some real-time/real people feedback, that's all. Be well.
Thank you all for your feedback. I hope I cleared everything up.
Melodiously,
Quagga
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