What is the currency in Australia & New Zealand
Despite how close they are to one another, Australia and New Zealand do not rely on the same currency. In Australia, travelers will have to use Australian dollars when required for payment. In New Zealand, travelers will use the New Zealand dollar.
As of 2020, the exchange rates for their currencies are virtually the same, with the Australian dollar being worth a little more than the New Zealand one.
Weather and Best time to go
As one of the largest countries in the world, the weather at different locations in Australia tends to vary within the same season. Aussie seasons are opposite of those found in the Northern Hemisphere. That being said, depending on which upper or lower half of the country travelers find themselves in, weather and tourism fluctuate greatly.
Travelers are cautioned to remember that October through April in northern Australia and November to March in Western Australia and Queensland are peak box jelly-fish migration periods. This makes swimming in the waters around these areas potentially dangerous to travelers who come into contact with the animals. Please consult tour companies with further questions regarding tour-stops in these locations during these seasons.
Typically, January through March marks the “wet season” in northern Australia. This means fewer tourists are in the area, but also that a raincoat will definitely be required. In southern Australia, these months are some of the warmest, making the beaches and reefs popular travel destinations.
April through May usually has a significant dip in tourism across the country while roads to remote locations in the north become more accessible with less rainfall and the beaches become more temperate in the south. From June until September (Australian winter), the northern half of Australia has its “dry season” and access to snorkeling around reefs becomes a major pastime.
The southern half of Australia sees its own dip in tourism and access to remote, dangerously warm in the summer, hiking locations become available. October through December brings more rainfall in the north, providing water to the bursting foliage that comes in the spring. This is also when wildlife tours are at their prime in southern Australia. Across the country, both Christmas and New Year’s Eve are taken seriously and celebrations can be found in nearly every city.
In New Zealand, the weather is a bit more reliable given its relatively smaller size. The peak tourism period is during the summer months of December through February. While the weather is temperate and the water is warm, travelers who plan to visit the island during this time need to book tours far in advance to ensure their availability.
For those who are planning hiking tours, this season is when the days are at their longest during the year, making unwinding with some holiday festivities even easier. During March through May, New Zealand undergoes its fall season, when the temperature is much cooler and lends itself to arduous hikes across the island.
The changing leaves will make for great photo opportunities as well! The temperature continues to fall during New Zealand’s winter months of June through August, yet that does not stop many travelers from skiing at the peaks near Queenstown. For those who wish to stay warm, hot pools can be visited during hiking tours.
In springtime (September through November), the days become long again and sheep roam the hillsides amongst the blooming flowers. Tourists are few this time of year, but that does not stop many travelers from enjoying the winter sports that are still available along with open hiking trails.
Common tour routes
Although Australia has a landmass that is just shy of being the same as America’s, it is divided into just six states and two territories. This leaves more than 70% of the country under the title of “the Outback,” sparsely and full of astounding natural landmarks. Within this swath of underdeveloped land are two major tourist destinations: Alice Springs and Uluru.
Depending on which major coastal city travelers fly into, they will likely head to another one (Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, or Brisbane). From there, travelers can fly into either of the Outback’s travel attractions or spend a significant chunk of time on the National Highway A87 that runs through a small portion of the wilderness. These travel methods typically depend on the type of guided tour that travelers choose to go on, as more adventurous ones will likely drive in order to stop at campsites and luxury ones will provide comfortable airline accommodations.
To prolong their travels even further, some tourists venture just beyond the borders of Australia into New Zealand. Just outside the country (4163 kilometers to be exact!) is the island of New Zealand, where direct flights from Australia’s major cities to those in New Zealand make sightseeing in both countries very convenient. The best part is, certain guided tours will provide free-days amidst their itinerary, which allows travelers the freedom to experience either Australia or New Zealand without jeopardizing their current travel plans.
Who will enjoy visiting Australia & New Zealand
Despite its associations with expansive wilderness and larger-than-life animals, Australia is a prime vacation destination for those who enjoy adventures into the surrounding ocean and mountains. For the most part, hiking is a crucial part of many
Australian guided tours, which means packing comfortable shoes is a necessity.
In the same way, travelers can also enjoy Australia and New Zealand from the comfort of their many beaches or cruise lines. Travelers are encouraged to visit the vibrant coastal cities that Australia is known for, along with the rolling, pastoral hills found in the New Zealand countrysides.
Since many of the countries’ tourist attractions are found in their major cities, travelers of all accommodations will find accessibility in the cities. It is only when leaving these areas that the terrain will become much rougher and a sense of adventure along with a willingness to hike rewarding distances are needed to truly enjoy Australia and New Zealand’s unique landscapes.