Hi all,
I have about 5 months to just travel; I would like to see a lot, and would prefer seeing most of oz/nz rather than staying in one city for a while. I have been looking at companies such as Oz Experience and Oz Bus, I have heard good and bad about most things. I am on my own, so I would like to be in a safe environment as this is my first real time travelling. I also would like the opportunity to meet loads of people. Also if anyone knows of cheap ways to get sailing around Sydney etc, that would be great to know. Thanks for any help.
Reply to this Hi Valerie,
Welcome to TravelBlog.
If you are concerned about travelling on your own your first time, then maybe one of the group tours would be worth it as a starter. I would recommend leaving yourself some time though for independent travel. You'll probably find it a lot less restrictive and rushed, and if you're staying in hostels there'll be no problem meeting people.
If you let us know what kind of activities interest you most the suggestions will start flowing in. Do you like hiking, winter sports, museums etc.
During which months will you be travelling? Do you have a definite starting/end point?
Reply to this Well planning to start the trip sometime in June until early November hopefully. I had the idea of spending 3 months of that time travelling from Darwin to cairns with Oz Experience. Then maybe heading to New Zealand independently. I am very flexible with my itinerary. Well the one of the main thing that I would love to do would be sailing/water sports. Hiking etc would interest me also. Museums etc not so much, I would prefer an outdoor active holiday.
Thanks
Reply to this Looks like you'll miss the snow season in NZ - pity, or fortunate depending on which way you look at it :-)
A few links to help the homework;
National Parks
Highly recommend at least one day trip to one of the
Hauraki Gulf islands
Go sailing on one of the 1995 America's Cup yachts NZL40 and NZL41 (Auckland) -
America's Cup sailing
The only group travel network I've used is
Bottom Bus - can recommend them, and you can spend however long you want at each stop.
For independent travel there is
Intercity Coaches
Naked Bus do really cheap fares, but I haven't used them so can't comment on the service.
Reply to this Wow thanks, they were great link, some really interesting stuff. I have hardly looked at planning the NZ part of my trip.
Reply to this Hi Valerie,
I've been in the north island 6 months, have done the kiwi and stray busses and am now doing a campervan round the south island. U need to decide what you want to get you of your trip in the time you have.
If you want to meet other young travellers and do some activites with people, do either kiwi/stray/magic busses. They all offer different ideas and things so you'd need to check them all out on their websites.
If you want the independant travell then look into hiring (expensive), naked bus (online only), buying a vehicle - car/campervan and re-selling after (has its risks) or you can hitch if your really up for an adventure.
if you have a budget to, bare in mind costs of accomodation, food activities and this may help you decide what funds you have left to dictate a travell means.
hope this is usefull
safe journey
ian
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