Australia and New Zealand in SepOct

Posted by palka23 on 07/08/24 10:45 PM

Hello!! My mum and I are traveling to Australia for a family wedding in September and adding in a 5-day trip to NZ. We will be based out of Sydney doing day trips, heading to Queenstown on Sep 30th, and returning to Sydney on Oct 4th. We know it's Spring weather, but would appreciate any advice on places to go/see and stay on a moderate budget in NZ. She is in her 70's and active, but no ziplining /white water rafting etc. This has been on her bucket list for years and I want to make it the best trip possible since its prob our only trip here together.

Specific questions?
1. Guidebook recs?
2. Do we rent a car?
3. Ferries?
4. How much can we realistically do? and we decided to skip Auckland and other areas based on friends' recs to stay in the South.
5. Any additional tips for day trips traveling out of Sydney would be a bonus from Oct 5th- Oct 8th:)

Thanks in advance for any advice/tips. We cant wait to go!!!

Posted by MaryPat

Irving

07/08/24 11:19 PM

3172 posts

Does your mom know what she would like to see? If your mom doesn’t know which island (north or south) then buy: https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/experience-new-zealand-book. If she wants to visit the north island buy: https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/new-zealands-north-island. If she’s more interested in the south-island buy: https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/new-zealands-south-island-book.

Posted by Simon

Singapore

07/08/24 11:21 PM

512 posts

A few thoughts from an Australian and former Sydney resident - weather wise its changeable, could be cold, could be warm. Will probably be pleasant, but bring warm clothes anyway.

Yes, if renting.a.car is a good idea if you want to take day trips out of the city. Public transport within Sydney (trains and buses) is good, parking can be a hassle and driving expensive with tolls, but heading into the countryside you need a car.

You don't say where you're staying within Sydney, which will make a difference to daytrips. Blue Mountains (Katoomba etc) is an obvious one, another is Southern Highlands. Both are great for natural beauty, good food, antique/gift shops etc. Heading north there's the Hunter Valley wineries. And plenty of other options.

Ferries - yes, definitely they're great fun. They're actually standard public transport across the harbour.

Posted by Eatsrootsandleaves

Kamarooka

07/09/24 10:29 AM

430 posts

I found Q'town a bit too busy for my liking but it is in a stunning location and has unlimited commercial activities available to do.
Nearby Arrowtown is an exceptionally pretty town (it was stunning in May/autumn) with a fascinating mining history. I'd recommend visiting.
The museum should be first port of call, one of those quirky small town gems. Take the time to visit the old Chinese campsite too.
Worth a drive from Arrowtown up the switchbacks of Crown Range (the road to Wanaka) for a stunning vista from the top carpark back toward Queenstown. There is a walking track from the carpark that takes you even higher.

2 of our highlights from our May South Island visit were coach and cruise trips to Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound.
We took both of these from Te Anau rather than Q'town. People do take these tours from Q'town but it ends up being a 13 or 14 hour day compared to an 8 or so hour day if done from Te Anau.
Personally I much preferred the quieter Te Anau anyway. Stunning location. It is 170 kms (2 hrs) scenic drive from Queenstown to Te Anau.
Milford Sound is the famous big ticket tour. Although I loved it I enjoyed the lower profile more isolated Doubtful Sound tour even more. We went with Real/NZ tours and happy to give 5 stars.
From memory the 2 trips for the 2 of us were a combined total of around $USD400, certainly our big spend of the trip but worth every cent IMHO.

I think you could probably work both into a 5 dayer starting and finishing from Queenstown.

I don't get north to Sydney often (l live in regional Victoria) but among favourite haunts are Blackheath and Katoomba.
Cheers.

Posted by Kiwi

07/18/24 06:24 AM

132 posts

Here's a couple of my suggestions for your 3 days - you could do more depending on your flight times, as I've assumed that the flights will take up the best part of the arrival and departure day and you basically have 3 full days. Lots of options really depending on your pace, whether you like driving, do you like wineries, would you rather do organised day tours etc..

30th Sept - arrive from Sydney - stay in Qtown lakeside without a car
1 Oct - Pick up car and drive towards Te Anau. Stay in Te Anau
2 Oct - Pick a Sound and do a cruise (Doubtful or Milford) Stay in Te Anau
3 Oct - drive back to Qtown, stop in Arrowtown. Stay wherever looks nice (you have a car)
4 Oct - Drop off car at Airport

30th Sept - arrive from Sydney - stay in Qtown without car
1 Oct - Pick up car and drive towards Clyde/Bannockburn/Clutha via Kawarau gorge/Gibbston Valley - visit wineries in vicinity - stay Qtown
2 Oct - Visit Walter Peak on Earnslaw (from Qtown ), Gondola, Onsen day spa - stay Qtown
3 Oct - Visit Arrowtown and Wanaka (via Crown range and Cardrona hotel) or visit Glenorchy - Stay Qtown
4 Oct - Drop off car at Airport

Qtown accomodation
- with a car I like Kamana Lake house. Without a car it's a bit of a walk with a hill into town (they may do a shuttle) or Oaks (on Frankton Road)
- without a car I like Novotel lakeside or Scenic Circle. Scenic you used to get free parking

Food
- The Cow (cosy vibes)
- Bepoke kitchen (brunch/coffee)
- Vudu Cafe (brunch/coffee)
- Sherwood (veggie but special)

I would recommend not staying near the airport (it's nice and safe, but just a bit dead after hours)