Visiting NZ and Oz
 

Heading for NZ and OZ for the month of February. Flying in and out of Sydney, and visiting vacationing relatives on the North Island. What MUST I see?

To answer your question: Cruise Sydney Harbour, swim at Bondi and/or Cronulla, climb the harbour bridge (mortgage may be necessary to buy ticket), fly around the blue mountains (buzz the three sisters), have a picnic in the botanic gardens, and for dinner you can either eat at Harry's Cafe De Wheels at Wooloomooloo or lash out for seafood at Doyles Watsons Bay.

That should see one weekend anyway...:}

If you want to live past 3 minutes after landing LOOK RIGHT BEFORE CROSSING THE ROAD!!! Just a friendly reminder that we do things different hereabouts.:eek:

MMMM...Yes...visited Bermuda with a friend who couldn't quite grasp that, when riding our mopeds :ouch:

Thanks for the other suggestions. Obviously just starting my list of things to do and see, at this early date, but will put them on the list!

Just watch out for 35kt westerlies if you're trying that one. Can make for a somewhat uncomfortable flight!!

If you want some REAL excitement....how about doing one of the RNAV approaches into Queenstown in IMC to minima, then wait for a blue sky day to see just where you went.:eek:

Actually if you want a bit of excitement then Queenstown is the place (provided you survive the approach:uhoh: )
Bungie jump, skiing, hanggliding, parasailing, base jumping, aerobatics, luging....
you name it it's probably there....and if stunning scenery is your thing then there's enough here for even the most seasoned traveller. If you're in the area then don't miss Wanaka Aerodrome, location of the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow...take a peek in a few hangars around there...you'll find Polikapovs, Harvards, Mustangs, Kittyhawks, Lavochkin, Albatross, plus a few other types.

If volcanic activity is more you scene then don't miss Rotorua (Rotovegas to the locals), more boiling mud and geysers than you can shake your fist at. Take a helicopter ride out to White Island if you're keen on strolling round a (very) active volcano...spectacular.

Oh...just read your inital post...Queenstown is in the SOUTH Island, but Rotovega is in the North and well worth the visit!

When Buzzing 3 Sisters
 

Look at the ERSA re: FNA Blue Mountains first, may save some probs. later.
If you wish I'll take you and we can also do a Victor one 500' over water down past Sydney. just PM me.
Kickatinalong

The only flying I personally plan to do is the back with drink in hand. But thanx for all the ideas :)

Keep your babies away from the dingos!

If you have time in NZ, definitely get down to Queenstown or even Milford Sound on the south island... even getting the ferry from Wellington to Picton across the Cook Strait is quite beautiful and Kaikoura on the east coast of the south island (about 1.5hrs north or Christchurch) is amazing too (sealife, beach and mountains all in one hit)

if you don't have time, then the Coromandel Peninsula on the north island is beautiful, Rotorua is very interesting with its multi-coloured sulphur springs, and Mt Whakapapa (you'll laugh when you hear how its pronounced, "wh" = "ph") down the south end of the north island is meant to have some great walks. If you're into hiking NZ is the place to do it, they have an extensive trail hut system maintained by the Dept of Conservation and no cougars or bears to worry about....

Have a great time - oh yeah, February tends to be the hottest month...

Idiot...:hmm:

There is always one in a crowd...

Keep it up mate :ok:

CMN :E

Oz is big, really BIG, like Canada but warmer and flatter, especially in feb [the warmer bit that is]. Which bits are you visiting and what are your hobbies, we cater for wine buffs , beer drinkers , culture nuts, waterskiers, scuba divers , the list goes on and on so give us a clue.

Well, Sydney is my starting/ending point in Oz, so probably stick to the eastern side. And everything you mentioned, except waterskiing, I have been known to partake of. (Well, I have waterskied..once...wasn't pretty :ouch: ).

Haz, you KNOW I don't have babies!

Why would you want to go to Australia in the first place?
A simple google search with the following terms should explain why...Australia Convicts History :E
Just go straight to NZ...much nicer people from the good stock :ok:

LOL...well, if I'm flying that far...I figure I should see as much as I can of both! Plus the "seat sale" was to Oz, not NZ? Might as well stop while I'm there.

and kiwis are much better at rugby, netball, basketball, league and we've never lost the ashes to the poms :p :E

Whilst sydney is a nice enough city, has some good pubs, is near to the hunter valley wine region, one of Australia's more unique features is the Great Barrier Reef. Just a coupla thousand kays up the coast more or less, and some of the best sailing , scuba , and drinking spots in the region. Feb is a bit warmish up there though[not to mention the cyclones, box jellies, and tiger sharks] so the southern part, say Keppel Is , may be best. Must be someone on here from that region.
I'm inland myself so let us know if you are going west of the mountains.

:) Thanks for all the replies so far! There is SO much on the internet, it's great to have some suggestions from the locals to help narrow it down a bit. Keep 'em coming, please!

hmmm ... visiting Sydney -

WHAT ABOUT A PISSUP ????????

I don't think we have had one yet, and what better excuse than to welcome a fellow pruner to our shores !

any suggestions ?