US/NZ/AU Money Exchange

[NAJNLA]

Any suggestions on the best place to exchange US dollars for local money to use on shore excursions and miscellaneous purchases in New Zealand and Australia?

[Globaliser]

As ever, I would suggest getting a slug of local cash from an ATM when you arrive. It's been a long time since I last changed any money at any form of money changing place.

[m steve]

I ordered a couple of $100 from my bank last week in Oz and NZ dollars and had it in 3 days. This way i don't have to worry about taxis etc when we arrive.

[WAVTAM]

We are on the Diamond Princess presently. Use a debit card with a four digit PIN as ATM machines are readily available. WAVTAM

[maxx]

ATM's are everywhere and your best option.

[catz821]

Is Austalian and New zealand money different?

[Globaliser]

Is Austalian and New zealand money different?

Is American and Canadian money different? ;)

[turtlemichael]

In the interests of assisting the original poster, if you send me $100 US in the mail, I'll send you back $100 Australian. We Aussies are just so helpful :D

[MVPinBoynton]

I converted some money this week and yes they are different, although they are similar looking with the little plastic window in both countries currency. Rather pretty too.

[DonahCBrown]

Any suggestions on the best place to exchange US dollars for local money to use on shore excursions and miscellaneous purchases in New Zealand and Australia?

 

There are ATMs as well as currency exchange places in the airports. I'd suggest using credit cards as much as possible for purchases, as you'll get the best business exchange rate of the day on the day your purchase goes through.

 

You'll also get the best exchange rate (although not the business exchange rate, I think) from the ATMs, even if there is an ATM fee.

 

The currency exchange places almost all have a fee of some kind, or discount the rate if they claim to have "no fee".

 

ATMs are plentiful in New Zealand, at least, and I'd assume the same for Australia. Most of the time places like airports and port facilities have ATMs readily available, and we never had any problem using them with US based cards.

 

Do remember, though, to tell your bank and credit card company(ies) that you will be out of the country and to expect charges from where ever you are going to be going. We did have an experience of our VISA card provider "protecting" us and refusing charges a couple of years ago when we forgot to phone them ahead of time. It got straightened out when we phoned them, but it did create a bit of embarassment at the time.