AoG does Australia and New Zealand

[Army of GOD]

I have booked a flight to Sydney in mid August and have 15 days to spend in both Australia and New Zealand. Yes yes, I know I'm an idiot and it will be winter there in August but the timing of the trip works for me so shut up

Anywho, I was wondering if any Aussies or Kiwis or Saxis had any advice for things to do while I'm there. Here's my current loose plan:

Australia (5-6 days):
- Sydney for 2-3 days
- travel to Cobar through Dubbo (I'm guessing I may fly to Dubbo if it's cheap enough then train or car to Cobar) for 2-3 days. I desperately want to see the outback and Cobar looks like it's just inside the edge of what some consider the outback and also has some cool mining and Aboriginee stuff

New Zealand (8-9 days):
- Tongariro National Park for 2-3 days. I'm under the assumption that it will be covered in snow so I'll plan some skiing and snow hiking
- Northland for 2-3 days. I'm thinking there should be some good non snowy hiking up there, probably around Cape Brett
- Auckland for 2-3 days

Does my plan sound realistic to anyone? Any suggestions or glaring idiocies?

Also if any of you punks want to hang out down there I am down

[nietzsche]

but baby... you're tiny...

you're going to die in Australia

[2dimes]

You booked? Oh well, enjoy Sidney.

Melbourne is spectacular, from there you can drive the Ocean Road to the west or check out Phillips Island to the east, even better would be Tasmania.

[mrswdk]

Go and see the kangaroos, and also make sure to try the seafood.

[TA1LGUNN3R]

Watch out for the drop bears.

[Army of GOD]

but baby... your tiny...

you're going to die in Australia

That's what I'm hoping for

[Razorvich]

Kill as many feral cats as possible with extreme prejudice

goats and camels are also fair game, but they bite... in fact everything here bites... so just stick with the kitty cull.

Don't look an emu in the eye.. they are dumb and you can't outrun them

On a serious note... go see an AFL game, it will be getting to the pointy end of the season and the game will blow your mind.

If you change plans and make it to Perth.. look me up.

Spoiler

[mrswdk]

Wear suncream.

[2dimes]

Wear suncream.

My Kiwi buddy that used to work here, claimed you don't want to bring your own, you should buy it there because it's a different formula.
Any uv experts here want to explain why that's truth or myth?

In NewZealand are you going to both big islands? We were mostly near Aukland but took a ferry to one of the small islands then a bus to the beach, it was super nice.

[mrswdk]

That sounds like nonsense. Only difference between sun creams is the strength, surely?

[2dimes]

I rarely use lotions, I try to get a base tan plus avoid sitting in direct sun for extended periods but I wondered if there was any truth to it or if he was just imagining things.

He has lived/worked in Canada and NewZealand with stops in many places between, and claims they work differently.

According to him local formulas are more effective. Fair enough, it was only when he started to claim they get more uv-b and we get more uv-a that I started to question it.

There is a bonus that as an American it will be cheaper there.

[nietzsche]

you're all pussies.

suncream? pffft.

[riskllama]

why would u bother packing sunscreen?

[HitRed]

1 day of moving every 3 days is ruff. 1 in 4 is better. Time might be limited. Enjoy!

[TA1LGUNN3R]

Go to Tasmania and find a devil. Please post a pic of him fucking you up.

[2dimes]

why would u bother packing sunscreen?

My wife does it but she has enough Irish genes that there is a risk of her bursting into flames or something if she ventures unprotected into direct sunlight.

[Symmetry]

Tips:

1 ) Memorise the names of leading Canadian politicians and landmarks before you leave. It will help you avoid bar fights.
2 ) Complain about British people. All Aussies like whinging about how the Brit's are whingers.
3 ) TG is right- most tourists avoid drop bears.
4 ) Try not to be shocked if anyone uses the word "abo". It's exactly as racist as it sounds, but you can't fix it.
5 ) Purchase a really bizarre hat before you go. When you arrive, tell everyone that you were told that it was what Aussies wear. Let them buy you a new hat. Free hats!
6 ) Everything in Australia is poisonous, unless barbecued. Make sure to barbecue tap water before drinking.
7 ) Tipping in Australia is complicated- a nation divide by a common language. Rather than monetary "tips", give them real "tips" on how they could have done between 15-20% better. Over-tipping can be seen as insulting though.
8 ) Remember that the difference between sun-screen, sun-block, and sun-glasses is basically marketing. Pick one and stick with it,

[2dimes]

6 ) Everything in Australia is poisonous, unless barbecued. Make sure to barbecue tap water before drinking.

This is legit,
I would have had a better trip if I knew not to drink Sidney tap water.

[Symmetry]

6 ) Everything in Australia is poisonous, unless barbecued. Make sure to barbecue tap water before drinking.

This is legit,
I would have had a better trip if I knew not to drink Sidney tap water.

Indeed, although Australians use the word "fosters" when referring to tap water. Presumably because of the bacterial content it fosters.

[2dimes]

I mistook Sidney for a major city that wasn't like Flint.

[Symmetry]

I mistook Sydney for a major city that wasn't like Flint.

You're not a big thinker, don't worry yourself.

[saxitoxin]

never been to AUS or NZ

maybe post a trip report or something on your return ... everyone always comes here asking for tips and then you never hear anything again after they return

[nietzsche]

that's an uncharacteristic saxi post.

[Army of GOD]

4 ) Try not to be shocked if anyone uses the word "abo". It's exactly as racist as it sounds, but you can't fix it.

curious, but why? as an American this seems just like a nickname for Aborigine.

8 ) Remember that the difference between sun-screen, sun-block, and sun-glasses is basically marketing. Pick one and stick with it,

Either you're not using sun screen/sun block correctly or you don't know what sunglasses are

[TA1LGUNN3R]

In sym's mind anything that makes reference to ethnicity or race is racist unless it's about honkies.