Australia and New Zealand highlights

Australia and New Zealand have dramatic landscapes and outdoor adventure. Distances are large, so choose a few places and do them well.

Australia highlights

• Sydney: the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, beaches and coastal walks.
• Melbourne: coffee, street art and food, with the Great Ocean Road nearby.
• Great Barrier Reef (Queensland): snorkeling and diving from Cairns or the Whitsunday Islands.
• Uluru and the Red Centre: the sacred rock, sunrises and desert walks.
• Tasmania, Western Australia and the Gold Coast: wild nature, wine and surf.

New Zealand highlights

• South Island: Queenstown for adventure, the fiords of Milford Sound, Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, and the beaches of Abel Tasman.
• North Island: Auckland, Rotorua's geothermal parks and Maori culture, and the volcanic hikes of Tongariro.
• Both islands are great for road trips. Drive on the left.

When to go

The seasons are the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere. December to February is summer, and the busiest and most expensive time. March to May and September to November are good for fewer crowds and fair weather. The Great Barrier Reef is often best from about June to October, and some northern waters have stinger jellyfish from about November to May, so ask local operators about safe swimming.

Getting around

• Domestic flights are useful in Australia because places are far apart.
• Campervans are popular and a good way to cut hotel costs. Book early for summer.
• Buses and trains link some cities, but a car gives more freedom in the countryside.
• Allow extra time. A map can make a drive look short when it is not.

Stay safe

• The sun is strong. Use sunscreen, a hat and water.
• Swim between the flags at patrolled beaches, and heed warning signs about currents and wildlife.
• Keep your distance from wild animals and follow park rules.

Save money

Both countries are not cheap. Self-catering, hostels and campsites, free hikes and beaches, and traveling in shoulder season all help. Check entry rules well ahead. Most visitors need an electronic travel authority for each country, and New Zealand charges a visitor levy.