So alike… and yet so different. That is the only way to describe Australia and New Zealand.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that although I was born in Iowa, my mother was Australian, so I lived in Canberra for several years as a child. Long before I ever knew Bob, he also lived there as well – first to work at World Expo ’88 in Brisbane, and then as a backpacker around both Australia and New Zealand. So we both have a strong personal connection to both these countries.
These two South Pacific Island nations share many things in common: they are both Commonwealth nations (with very similar looking flags); they historically have collaborated on many military and security initiatives; and they obviously have proximity.
They are also very different: Australia is huge (almost as large as the Lower 48 states), NZ is about the size of Colorado. Australia’s aboriginal population is about 4% of the population and there is some debate as to whether they are of African descent, or if they are a unique race. New Zealand’s Maori population is about 18% of the population, and are Polynesian.
English is the predominant language in both countries. When I lived in Australia, I could easily tell the difference between an Aussie and a Kiwi as soon as they spoke. I’m embarrassed to say that with the exception of some specific trigger words, I now have to ask. Australians love to shorten words, and have some really unique phrases. The Kiwis have integrated many native Maori words into their English.
One other thing these countries share: they are a long way from the United States (a 14 or 15 hour plane ride from the West Coast). This is one reason why people tend to visit both, after making the investment in time and money to get there.
New Zealand is spectacular for the diversity of things you can do outside. They have beautiful sandy tropical beaches in the North, and snow-capped glaciers in the south. There are wineries, hot springs, and a series of charming small cities and towns throughout the country. You can see New Zealand quite easily by cruise ship, or a driving vacation if you’re so inclined.
Australia has the Great Barrier Reef that really doesn’t have anything that compares with it anywhere on the planet. Sydney is a fantastic urban experience. The Red Center and Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock), are spectacular. Australia is full of wide-open spaces — there are less than 30 million people in that huge area, and most of them live on the perimeter, along the ocean.
Here are my best suggestions for seeing these two beautiful countries:
- Go for as long as you can. The flight is long, and never cheap.
- See both countries. Australia tends to attract more visitors, but in many ways there is more to see in New Zealand.
- If you want to explore different parts of Australia, do it by plane. It is too big to explore by other means unless you go for many months. Bob drove around the country (over the course of 6 months), and he claims he’s still recovering from that road trip!
- Their seasons are opposite to ours, but the weather is moderate in both places year round (although Northern Australia can be very hot in December & January). Those visiting from the Northern Hemisphere usually go November through April, but there’s no down-side to visiting at other times of the year.
- Plan in advance: demand is high for these two countries after having effectively being closed for 2 years.
- In repositioning season, the cruise ships migrate between Alaska and the South Pacific. If you don’t feel like a 15 hour flight, you can make the journey one-way by ship. They either cross to Japan, and then down the east side of Asia, OR head out to Hawaii, and then to Fiji, Tahiti and the Pacific Islands. Either trip is usually about 4 weeks.
As different as these countries are from the United States, and each other, they are probably the MOST like us when it comes to travel. English is overwhelmingly the most spoken language in both places, and their infrastructure is very similar to ours.
If you go to where the young people hang out in Australia, you find an overwhelming number of 20-something travellers from the UK and Canada. This is no coincidence – the ease of travel in Australia and New Zealand make it a great place for kids to learn how to travel. It probably also helps that as members of the Commonwealth, kids from the UK and Canada are legal to work down-under.
Today’s Travel Opportunities
There are a few different ways to experience New Zealand and Australia by ship. Here are some ideas for each of those ways:
A cruise including Australia’s East Coast and New Zealand. Usually these are about two weeks long, and travel between Sydney and Auckland:
Celebrity Edge Sydney to Auckland
- 12-days, departing February 4.
- Visit Milford Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga, Bay of Islands
- Verandas from $3050
SilverSea Auckland to Melbourne
- 14-days, departing February 1.
- Visit the Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Gisborne, Napier, Wellington, Kaikoura, Dunedin, Bluff, Hobart (overnight).
- Suites from $6150 per person (15% off), including a $300 per person on board credit.
- Includes gratuities, an open bar, shore excursions, and butler service in every suite.
Viking Ocean Auckland to Sydney (or reverse)
- 15-days departing January 2, 16, or 30.
- Visit Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Foveaux Strait, Tasmania, Bass Strait, Melbourne, Gippsland Coast.
- Veranda Rooms starting at $7599
- Includes transfers, beer/wine with meals, a shore excursion in every port, and wifi on the ship.
Don’t want to fly both ways? Here’s some repositioning cruises:
Majestic Princess: Sydney to Seattle
- 33-days departing April 10, 2024
- Visit Picton (NZ), Wellington, Tauranga, Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tahiti (overnight), Honolulu, Kona, Vancouver (overnight), Victoria.
- Veranda Rooms starting at $4003
Oceania Regatta: Sydney to Los Angeles
- 42-days departing March 10, 2024.
- Visit Napier, Rotorua, Auckland, Bay of Islands, Lautoka (Fiji), Suva (Fiji), Pago Pago, Apia, Bora Bora (overnight), Raiatea, Moorea, Tahiti (overnight), Rangiroa, Nuku Hiva, Hilo, Lahaina, Honolulu (overnight), Nawiliwili.
- Inside: $9299 Balcony: $13,999
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online or by phone. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation.
We’ll check over your booking to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
We also have access to unadvertised promotion codes you may not be aware of. Depending on the exact situation, these promotion codes can save you money and/or get you extra perks.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line). We have access to all the same prices and special promotion codes… and we can always add something above and beyond what you’d receive by booking directly with the cruise line.
Also, in case you’re wondering, there is NO fee to work with us. We get paid commission by the cruise lines after our clients travel. So, please get in touch to let us know about your existing reservations (including those made while on board).
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I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
