Australia vs New Zealand: Journey of Contrasts Across the Southern Hemisphere

Australia and New Zealand are just about 3 hours away from each other and both the countries are away located across the world. If you had planned only to visit Australia as you don’t have much time to visit both, just to let you know that it takes the same amount of time to go from Sydney to Western Australia! New Zealand is known for lush forests, mountains, glaciers, and fiords. There are also landscape volcanoes like those of science fiction shows. Native wildlife varies contrastingly between New Zealand and Australia.

You cannot find kangaroos in New Zealand, and you cannot spot a kiwi in Australia. The later has 4 seasons – spring, summer, autumn and winter except for the tropical Far North of Australia, which has only wet and dry seasons. The Maori and Australian Aboriginal history are totally different but one thing that they have in common is how their lives have changed after European explorers arrival. Australia and New Zealand are more different than you might imagine and by visiting both, you are going to see Aussies and Kiwis. A combined trip is ideal for all first-time travellers to visit both the countries in one trip as you will get a total experience of what lies the other side of the world!

Check out what places can be combined and visited in both the countries and don’t miss out on the top highlights!

Discovering Australia:

The Kimberley

Broome, the pearl fishing town is the gateway to this extraordinary plateau of rainforest-choked gorges and tropical savannah. It is home to abundant wildlife and the iconic, humbug-striped Bungle Bungles. You can reach out to this place by both land and expedition cruise to this outback wilderness. You can reach out to this place by both land and expedition cruise to this outback wilderness.

Uluru

Experience the Dreamtime of the Anangu people as they guide you around sacred Uluru. You can also visit wonders like Kata Tjuta.

Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef stands on the eastern side like emeralds on a turquoise necklace, with over 900 islands. In some islands, you can stay but to experience this mesmerizing World Heritage Site, taking a cruise is a must! A cruise will take you to secluded coral cays and reefs that is beyond the reach for most visitors. You have a lot of stay options in cruising depending on the number of nights you want to cruise starting from Cairns.

Kangaroo Island

A ‘Galapagos Down Under’, Kangaroo Island teems with native wildlife, from koalas, echidnas, and kangaroos to penguins, possums, and fur seals. You can visit on a day trip from Adelaide but stay overnight if you can.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the best place for boutique shopping, cafes, sporting, and cultural events along star sites like the Yarra Valley Winelands. One must-do trip is the Great Ocean Road which is a scenic stretch of coast in Victoria. The waves here have sculpted 45m-high cliffs into sea stacks, arches, and caves treating your eyes with breath-taking views!

Tasmania

Almost a third of Tasmania is protected national parks and reserves and is a paradise for wildlife, as well as hikers, bikers, kayakers, nature lovers and birdwatchers. Hobart is a colonial charm, while the Tassie wilderness has some stunning lodges.

Sydney

Sydney is one of the world’s great coastal cities that has an instant ‘wow’ factor with its stunning harbour, but also offers a wealth of attractions, from bridge climbs to cruises. Leaving Circular Quay, your boat slips past the Opera House before heading into the harbour’s upper reaches where palatial waterfront homes mingle with parks, beaches, and marinas.

Daintree

Birdwatchers get all-of-a-flutter in North Queensland’s tropical rainforest. It houses 430 species that are best observed when its calm, pigeon-stepping stroll along a forest boardwalk. You can go for river trips in search of saltwater crocodiles and picnic on the white sands of Cape Tribulation.

Discovering – New Zealand

Northland

The North Island protrudes like a giant ‘thumbs up’ with highlights that range from a Bay of Islands and far-flung Cape Reinga to the mysterious giant kauri trees of the Waipoua Forest. Beautiful beaches and subtropical weather makes it the best region for exploring, from Auckland.

Rotorua & Tongariro National Park

Both the National Parks are north islands hotspots. Rotorua has boiling pools, geysers with deep-rooted Maori culture, while Tongariro boasts volcanoes with one of the world’s finest day walks.

Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay has a lot to see and do. Hot-air ballooning over orchards and vineyards to wine tasting, surfing, trout fishing, and admiring the art deco architecture in Napier.

Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman’s crinkle-cut coast is one of New Zealand’s top sea kayaking locations. The sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons, and lush forests along with native birds make it the most beautiful place. Sea kayaking locations and boat trips can also be taken. At Tonga Island, you can go for hiking or snorkel with seals 

Doubtful Sound

An overnight cruise experience can be taken on this majestic patch of Fiordland which generally starts from Deep Cove.

Wellington

Tucked amid forested hills and a lively harbour, New Zealand’s capital, Wellington is packed with cafés, restaurants, and galleries. Visit the Te Papa museum, which takes you on a journey through New Zealand’s heritage. You can also visit Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience which is close to the museum.

West Coast

Don’t miss out to visit Greymouth’s old town tour and Franz Josef Glaciers. The west coast also boasts a wide variety of blowholes, fur seals, and Pancake Rocks on this wild and rugged shore.

Southern Lakes

The beautiful corner of South Island has both action and adventure or indulgence and relaxation. You can go for jet-boating to genteel cruises in the Southern lakes region. Queenstown is the main center, but Milford Sound, Mt Aspiring, and other scenic beauties are all easily accessible.

So don’t hesitate to travel to Australia and New Zealand as these places have much unexplored and you will leave breathtaking scenic experiences. You can craft your itinerary or pick one of our Australia tour packages and New Zealand tour packages for your vacation with PickYourTrail and enjoy a happy vacation with your family!