Affordable way to travel around Aussie and NZ

[to2leo]

Hi my Australian friend,

My friends and I are planning to go to sunny Australia in Feb or March, 2010.  We are wondering what is the most affordable way to see the eastern half of the country from Cairns (great barrier reef) to Sydney and maybe Ayers Rock and New Zealand for 14 days.

 

Is there any affordable tour or passes that you would recommend? Please provide websites.

Is there any hostel chains or affordable hotel chains?

Are there any super cheap Australian operated Chinese tour groups?

 

Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated!

[westfalen]

Good question, but I'll pass the ball to my fellow countrymen. In the past 20 years I've spent more time traveling overseas than at home, my next holiday is now looking like Japan in Aug/Sep next year. When I do travel at home, being a railway employee I get a free pass during my annual leave.

 

I find "The Man in Seat Sixty-One", http://www.seat61.com/index.html a good website. I've referred to it when traveling to Malaysia and Europe. He has a good page on Australia. http://www.seat61.com/Australia.htm

 

P.S. Found this page on Australian railpasses. http://www.railaustralia.com.au/

 

I'm sure any Kiwis on the forum will agree with me that New Zealand is worth 14 days on it's own.

[to2leo]

Wow that's amazing, I very excited to go to a part of the world who is known for their travelling experiences.  I cannot wait to hear what other Aussies and Kiwis suggest!

 

Thanks for the links so far Westfalen

[alpineaustralia]

I have had many friends from Europe visit on extended holidays like the one you have suggested and the best way they found to get around was to buy a cheap Holden or Ford car for under a AUD $1000 and drive themselves around.

[to2leo]

Interesting concept AlpineAussie, is there a reliable resale chain who does that? 

[serenityFan]

14 days to do Cairns - Sydney + Ayers Rock + New Zealand?

That would be a bit of a rush. Especially ayers rock which is out on it's own in the middle of the continent, I haven't been there myself because of that.

 

You probably have to fly domestic to save time. You can start looking for cheap airfare here:

 

http://www.virginblue.com.au

http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/index.aspx

 

[westfalen]

14 days to do Cairns - Sydney + Ayers Rock + New Zealand?

That would be a bit of a rush. Especially ayers rock which is out on it's own in the middle of the continent, I haven't been there myself because of that.

 

You probably have to fly domestic to save time. You can start looking for cheap airfare here:

 

http://www.virginblue.com.au

http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/index.aspx

 

I must admit I would fly interstate these days too, even with my free rail travel.

[alpineaustralia]

Interesting concept AlpineAussie, is there a reliable resale chain who does that? 

 

This company has a guaranteed buyback. You buying the car and selling back to them when you are finished with it, so effectively you hire the car.

 

http://www.travellers-autobarn.com.au/

[to2leo]

Thanks for all the tips so far.  I am now officially conflicting with the activities of the holidays and the excitement of planning a trip to Aussie and NZ.

 

Is there a hostel or hotel chain that is very affordable and trusted...like the Toyoko Inn?

 

What about overnight bus sleeper?  Are there any?

 

Leo

[westfalen]

Golden Chain and Budget are a couple of motel chains.

 

http://www.goldenchain.com.au/

 

http://budgetmotelchain.com.au/

 

I've never heard of any overnight sleeper buses in Australia. Cheap airfares may be to hard for them to compete with, in today's newspaper I noticed Jetstar advertising Brisbane to Rockhampton for $39 versus train $104.50 and Greyhound $130.55.

[alpineaustralia]

There is also Youth Hostels of Australia (YHA) and backpackers and B&Bs in most places of interest.

[westfalen]

One option could be to combine modes of transport. When I visited New Zealand for three weeks in 2005, after a couple of days in Auckland riding the commuter trains and visiting the local auto club to pick up maps and an accommodation guide, I spent the first week traveling to Christchurch by train then rented a car, and over the next two weeks made my way back to Auckland, spending the nights at whatever town I ended up in at the end of the day.