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josephinea14:29 UTC19 Jan 2004

This message has also been posted on the Australasia branch.
Myself, my boyfriend and our 3 year old son are planning a 3 week trip at the end of this year. We would like to visit both Australia and New Zealand, but it will not be possible for this trip to do both. Can anyone please advise me which they think would be better for us to visit in December? We were thinking of hiring a campervan for the trip to get us around. We are very laid back people and would just like to see beautiful places and beaches and hopefully have a few fun things for the 3 year old to enjoy too.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

debbiew07:03 UTC20 Jan 2004

I live in Australia but have travelled around NZ. The advantage of NZ is that it is so compact you can drive from place to place easily particularly with a child. The weather will not be quite so hot as in Australia. With only 3 weeks you would probably have to decide between the North and South island. The other choice is to fly into Sydney and travel down the coast and around to melbourne and explore Victoria. It depends what you want. If it's sun and surf and coastal scenery- Australia. If it is european type scenery -NZ. A lot comes down to how good a traveller your child is. Our first venture with children was Australia to the USA and then 9000 kms travelling in 4 weeks!!! Luckily our girls travel well!!Good luck deciding.

familyof423:16 UTC20 Jan 2004

The above post makes sense, but I am not sure I quite agree about New Zealand providing "european scenery". Yes there are mountains, plains, fiords, lakes (as there are in Europe) but I think the atmosphere in New Zealand is very different, and that there is more of a wilderness feel to it.

Just a comment if you do choose NZ. I agree it better to do either the North Island or the South Island. Take the South Island - it is much more dramatic and beautiful.

sandragreen07:00 UTC24 Jan 2004

Come to Australia! It's perfect for kids with lots to do and at this time of year the weather is sunny, beautiful and the water perfect for swimming.
I advise that you start in Sydney and travel down the coast (as the 1st post says).

Australia or NZ? Interest forums / Kids To Go
josephinea14:29 UTC19 Jan 2004	This message has also been posted on the Australasia branch. Myself, my boyfriend and our 3 year old son are planning a 3 week trip at the end of this year. We would like to visit both Australia and New Zealand, but it will not be possible for this trip to do both. Can anyone please advise me which they think would be better for us to visit in December? We were thinking of hiring a campervan for the trip to get us around. We are very laid back people and would just like to see beautiful places and beaches and hopefully have a few fun things for the 3 year old to enjoy too. Any advice would be much appreciated.
debbiew07:03 UTC20 Jan 2004	I live in Australia but have travelled around NZ. The advantage of NZ is that it is so compact you can drive from place to place easily particularly with a child. The weather will not be quite so hot as in Australia. With only 3 weeks you would probably have to decide between the North and South island. The other choice is to fly into Sydney and travel down the coast and around to melbourne and explore Victoria. It depends what you want. If it's sun and surf and coastal scenery- Australia. If it is european type scenery -NZ. A lot comes down to how good a traveller your child is. Our first venture with children was Australia to the USA and then 9000 kms travelling in 4 weeks!!! Luckily our girls travel well!!Good luck deciding.	1
familyof423:16 UTC20 Jan 2004	The above post makes sense, but I am not sure I quite agree about New Zealand providing "european scenery". Yes there are mountains, plains, fiords, lakes (as there are in Europe) but I think the atmosphere in New Zealand is very different, and that there is more of a wilderness feel to it. Just a comment if you do choose NZ. I agree it better to do either the North Island or the South Island. Take the South Island - it is much more dramatic and beautiful.	2
sandragreen07:00 UTC24 Jan 2004	Come to Australia! It's perfect for kids with lots to do and at this time of year the weather is sunny, beautiful and the water perfect for swimming. I advise that you start in Sydney and travel down the coast (as the 1st post says).	3

Australia or NZ?