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Barrier Reef or New Zealand


Diane Rose
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Taking a Transpacific cruise to Sydney. We are contemplating another cruise. Our options are north of Sydney to the Barrier Reef or to New Zealand. We are in our 60s, but active. Enjoy seeing new sights. This will most likely be our only cruise to Australia, We will have a couple days to sightsee in Sydney. What would you choose and why?

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My recommendation (based on multiple trips to both countries) would depend on more info: 1) What time of year?, 2) Your interests--snorkeling, hiking, wildlife viewing, etc. and 3) how much additional time do you have to spend in either Australia or NZ after the cruise?

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Taking a Transpacific cruise to Sydney. We are contemplating another cruise. Our options are north of Sydney to the Barrier Reef or to New Zealand. We are in our 60s, but active. Enjoy seeing new sights. This will most likely be our only cruise to Australia, We will have a couple days to sightsee in Sydney. What would you choose and why?

 

Most trans Pacific cruises to Sydney come in our summer cyclone season. If this is the case I would cruise to NZ, rather than GBR, as summer is a good time of year to visit NZ.

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My recommendation (based on multiple trips to both countries) would depend on more info: 1) What time of year?, 2) Your interests--snorkeling, hiking, wildlife viewing, etc. and 3) how much additional time do you have to spend in either Australia or NZ after the cruise?

 

We arrive in Australia October 26th. Interests would probably be more on land. I love taking pictures, especially of wildlife and natural beauty. Both cruises end back in Sydney and we probably would not spend additional time. We'll have some time in Sydney between cruises.

Thank you.

 

Diane

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If you don't have an interest in snorkeling and diving at the Great Barrier Reef, then I would recommend going to NZ. You'll see some amazing scenery there, but probably not much in the way of wildlife.

 

But since you say you are interested in"land" activities/sights, have you considered doing a land tour, either escorted or self-guided, rather than a cruise? Having been to both Australia and New Zealand multiple times, I think some of the best parts of both countries are in the interiors. Also, no cruise will give you enough time in any Port. If the goal of this trip is to take a cruise and incidentally see some sights in NZ or Australia, then take one of these cruises. But if you goal is to "see" either Australia or NZ, do a land-based tour.

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If you don't have an interest in snorkeling and diving at the Great Barrier Reef, then I would recommend going to NZ. You'll see some amazing scenery there, but probably not much in the way of wildlife.

 

But since you say you are interested in"land" activities/sights, have you considered doing a land tour, either escorted or self-guided, rather than a cruise? Having been to both Australia and New Zealand multiple times, I think some of the best parts of both countries are in the interiors. Also, no cruise will give you enough time in any Port. If the goal of this trip is to take a cruise and incidentally see some sights in NZ or Australia, then take one of these cruises. But if you goal is to "see" either Australia or NZ, do a land-based tour.

 

Excellent advice! Thank you.

 

Any recommendations on land tours out of Sydney?

 

Diane

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As you are arriving in Sydney on 26/10, after your cruise, you could consider flying to Cairns and staying in Cairns/Palm Beach/Port Douglas then doing day trips to GBF, Atherton Tableland, Daintree, or Mission Beach. This is a beautiful tropical region of Queensland with lots of tours to choose from.

 

Cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au

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We agree with the other post that suggests not going to the Great Barrier Reef...unless you enjoy (and are competent) at snorkeling or are a certified SCUBA diver. We have done this on the Reef (multiple times) and its fantastic. But if you are not a water person, you would be disappointed. As to NZ, we love the country and have driven extensively on both North and South Islands....as well as cruised to those islands (twice). The first time we went to NZ it was an afterthought that we tacked on a trip to Australia. The 2nd time it was for NZ.... We like Australia....but NZ is a very special place which is now our primary destination anytime we are in that part of the world.

 

Hank

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We agree with the other post that suggests not going to the Great Barrier Reef...unless you enjoy (and are competent) at snorkeling or are a certified SCUBA diver. We have done this on the Reef (multiple times) and its fantastic. But if you are not a water person, you would be disappointed. As to NZ, we love the country and have driven extensively on both North and South Islands....as well as cruised to those islands (twice). The first time we went to NZ it was an afterthought that we tacked on a trip to Australia. The 2nd time it was for NZ.... We like Australia....but NZ is a very special place which is now our primary destination anytime we are in that part of the world.

 

Hank

 

Thanks Hank. Not sure that we'll ever get back and I want to see as much as possible. That is one reason I thought a cruise would be good. NZ cruises the Sounds and has 3 stops in 9 days. Or we could do a land tour out of Sydney, or add on some day trips. So much to choose from and can't do everything.

 

Diane

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As you are arriving in Sydney on 26/10, after your cruise, you could consider flying to Cairns and staying in Cairns/Palm Beach/Port Douglas then doing day trips to GBF, Atherton Tableland, Daintree, or Mission Beach. This is a beautiful tropical region of Queensland with lots of tours to choose from.

 

Cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au

 

Thank you, I'll check this area out.

 

Diane

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Is that the Radiace of the Seas NZ cruise in October 2018?

 

I have some concerns about that cruise:

Firstly it's not the best time of year to go to NZ, there is a higher risk that weather conditions may impact the Fiordland scenic cruising, and even getting around to Dunedin.

Secondly, it crosses the Tasman Sea twice, and that bit of ocean can be rough.

Thirdly, doing a cruise to NZ and only seeing three ports is a waste of money IMHO.

 

If you can afford the time I'd recommend spending a few days in Australia, perhaps flying up to Cairns and basing yourself at Port Douglas, an easy shuttle bus ride from Cairns airport. Then fly back to Sydney/Melbourne and do a full NZ cruise. There are three in early November:

5th November ex Sydney on Majestic Princess

8th November ex Melbourne on Golden Princess

8th November ex Sydney on Celebrity Solstice - this one's a one way cruise to Auckland and would allow you to follow the cruise with some land travel in NZ if desired.

 

With those cruises you'll get the North Island ports, plus Akaroa, as well.

Dunedin has an albatross sanctuary, a penguin sanctuary, and the Taieri Gorge Railway - a very scenic trip.

Akaroa is my favourite NZ port stop, the harbour is just so beautiful. There are some very rare dolphins, Hectors dolphins, that live in that harbour.

Tauranga is the gateway to the Rotorua thermal region, or to Hobbiton if you're a LOTR fan (it's amazing).

The Bay of Islands is gorgeous, plenty of photo ops there.

If you stay in Auckland for a few days you could do a day trip to Tiritiri Matangi, a wildlife sanctuary. Also on another day a trip to Waiheke Island which is also beautiful, and has some superb wineries. Auckland itself has some interesting places to go. The east coast beaches are interesting. The drive to Piha takes you through some lovely NZ bush, and Bethells Beach has a massive black sand dune just inland from the beach - you can see it on the Google Maps satellite view.

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Also while in Sydney a day or so in the Blue Mountains is recommended. Spectacular scenery and some nice walks.

 

Make sure you do a ferry ride to Manly. Go in the afternoon, explore Manly, have dinner there then get the ferry back. That way you get to see the harbour by day and by night.

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If you're coming all this way it would be a shame not to go to NZ, it's gorgeous (I'm biased as I grew up there) but not on that Radiance cruise.

 

Yes, it is a shame not to visit both Australia and New Zealand but a visit to both countries really deserves at least 4 weeks and many people don't have that much time available. So that's why I always recommend people choose one country or the other if their travel plans are for 3 weeks or less.

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Jumping on....was just going to post this very question. Looking at Solstice jan- march either GBR or NZ. I have always wanted to snorkel GBR - know it isn't the best time but need to flee Boston winter. But is the NZ itinerary better?

Been to Sydney, uhluru and blue mountains. Want to keep total time under three weeks.

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Jumping on....was just going to post this very question. Looking at Solstice jan- march either GBR or NZ. I have always wanted to snorkel GBR - know it isn't the best time but need to flee Boston winter. But is the NZ itinerary better?

Been to Sydney, uhluru and blue mountains. Want to keep total time under three weeks.

 

I agree that is the best time for NZ, not GBR on a cruise. If you don't mind the heat and humidity, and want to visit the GBR at that of year, I recommend that you stay at one of the northern beaches of Cairns or Port Douglas and visit attractions from that base. Then if it is cyclonic weather conditions and boats don't run to the reef, you may be able to go another day. The tropics are a beautiful place to holiday, summer and winter.

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Hello! As a Kiwi, I would recommend New Zealand, not just because I am biased though! There are a few cruise options over summer that should give you the opportunity to see some wildilfe and spectacular scenery, as well as being active. Have you come across Wild Earth Travel before ? (http://www.wildearth-travel.com), they have a selection of small ships that cruise Australia and New Zealand and being pretty small there is a lot of time for activities. Good luck with your researching, it is a beautiful part of the world, you will love it!

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