Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Sash]

I am planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand. I am looking for things to do (along with guestimate prices) in and around the Melbourne and Auckland areas (group of 3). I would cap it at 75 Australian Dollars per person per activity, hopefully there are less costly activities. [2 weeks]

I haven't picked a location in New Zealand, and I am planning to travel alone. I'm looking for some good recommendations if I must depend on public transportation (or rent a bike), things that won't be costly, and activities that I can do alone. [A week or less than a week]

I know it isn't much time to see the countries completely. I'm up for anything including outdoors sports, cultural attractions, or shopping!

[blackjack]

Hi there

If i were you i would consider skipping Auckland, it is a pain to get around without a car, the weather is windy and cold in winter (summer is nice tho), and there are much nicer areas to see. Fly into Christchurch and head over to Queenstown (hire a car, hitch or bus). That or fly into Auckland and straight down to queenstown (the former would be cheaper). There are heaps of other backpackers in queenstown so being alone will not be a problem. everyone is really laid back and not the snobby type backpackers you often find in SE Asia

Things to do in queenstown ( http://www.queenstown.nz.com/activities.aspx )
-it is the home of bungy jumping (has a 143m bungy)
-the shotover jet boat
-paragliding
-simply stunning scenery
-Skiing (if you are an advanced skier you might find it a bit boring)
-party from 11am through to 6am (bar opening hours) happy hours from 4 pm to 1am
-trout fishing
-day/overnight trips to milford sounds ( http://www.fiordland.org.nz/ )

For cheap flights between NZ and australia

http://www.jetstar.com/skylights/cgi-bin/skylights.cgi#
http://bookings.virginblue.com.au/skylights/cgi-bin/skylights.cgi

I currently live in Auckland and i lived in Queenstown for two years. I have lived/been to most of NZ main cities and small towns. I have also been to Melbourne (about 10 years ago tho).

If you want any more info or photos of auckland/queenstown pm me

[chris_J2]

Around Melbourne I would visit:

* Great Ocean: Road (both sections: Torquay to Apollo Bay & Princetown to Port Campbell)

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo206866.htm

* Phillip Island & penguins

* Sovereign Hill at Ballarat

* Dandenongs

* Mornington Peninsula National Park http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/1park_display.cfm?park=145

* Wilsons Promontory & the walk to Mt Oberon lookout

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/photo139410.htm

The South Island of NZ is more spectacular but the thermal area around Rotorua / Taupo, in the central North Island, was also good.

[Sash]

Thanks!

I mostly have qs about NZ.

I was looking through some of the activities, and the ones in NZ seem a bit pricey. How much can I expect to spend in one day?

I will be traveling to NZ directly from Australia and was wondering how much I can bring without worrying about leaving valuables at a hostel, or carrying heavy bags around.

First time backpacker here.

[blackjack]

Most backpackers have lock up rooms for bags now, pretty safe i have used them alot over the years never a problem. expect to pay between 15 and 30 dollars for a dorm bed (mixed) upward of $40 for a single room.

I still recommend queenstown. it is not cheap but stunning. If you were in to lord of the rings most of it was filmed around there

My advice would be pick one or two things you really want to do.

example i would recommend
-the nevis bungy 134 metres (440 feet) cost around $200 NZ an expensive couple of hours but you will never forget it trust me

-milford sound ( http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/information/searchresults/?category=milford-sound&listingtype=PROD )
range of costs you could even get together with other backpackers and hire a car

here is a bunch of links to a whole heap of things

mountain biking http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/information/searchresults/?category=mountain-biking&listingtype=PROD vertigo is meant to be very good

the shotover is a must see http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/information/product/?product=shotover-jet-queenstown

hope this helps. if you want more info pm

[Sash]

It does indeed help!

On a related note, what is the cheapest option if I want to go from Korea -> NZ -> Australia -> Korea

or

Korea -> Aust -> NZ -> Korea

I can find cheap flights from Aust to NZ, but it's hard to find a cheap flight from Korea to either Australia or NZ especially one way. A roundtrip from Korea to Australia isn't too bad (though July and August are a bit pricier than finding a ticket for another season).

Does anyone know if www.whypaymore.co.kr books one way tickets?

My last resort plan is to book 2 roundtrip flights one from Korea to Australia, and another roundtrip from Aust to NZ.

[blackjack]

you can normally get return flights between NZ and australia for less than $300 NZ.

Try www.freedomair.com or www.virginblue.com.au

[chest rockwell]

Head to Taranaki. Its a beautiful and really underrated place to see which most people miss cos its not somewhere you can get to directly. I lived there through secondary school and my family still lives there now so I know that place well. And I can tell you definitely check it out

[Sash]

Can anyone recommend a place/website to get a visa for Australia?

[sheba]

In NZ I wouldnt reccommend staying in Auckland either.... big city, but still nothing that great to do coming from overseas.

Ive never been to Quessntown, but I hear its one of the most expensive places in NZ because its a tourist city, but that being said there are a lot more things to do there. If you can, try to check out Milford Sound.... Ive heard kayaking with the dolphins to be one of the most memorable experiences. Christchurch is also a very beautiful city.... Id reccommend popping in for a visit if you can. If you head north, the Bay of Islands are worth a visit, and also Rotorua for all the cutural activies.

[blackjack]

Just remember it is winter down here so things like swimming or north of auckland is not that great at the moment. The south island gets a lot less rain, but is also a lot colder bring warm water proof clothes

for an australian visa

http://australia.gov.au/233
http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAAus1En.html

You should not need a visa for NZ (we let anyone in ) (i could be wrong)

[Kiwi Paul]