I am planning my trip to the south pacific. I plan on leaving late January 2005, This is what I have planned so far:

Fly LA to Auckland, NZ
Drive Auckland to Christchurch (12-14 Days)

Fly Christchurch to Melborune, Oz
Stay Melbourne (5-7 Days)

Fly Melbourne to Sydney
Stay in Wollongong (study abroad) for 4 months

Fly Sydney to Nadi, Fiji
Stay Fiji (5 Days)

Fly Fiji to LA

This is my first trip ever and I will be alone. I am still researching hostels and what to do/see but do you think this plan affords enough time in each location?

Hmm, I don't know if 4 months in Australia is enough ;)

Nah, sounds good - you've got a minimum of 5 days in each city, so it looks like you're all set. And I'm sure you can make some weekend trips out of Sydney to break up the studying. :thumbup:

Trips always start off so planned and organized, don't they? :) They never end up going as planned though.

Your plans look good, somewhat researched, and fairly constructive. Good luck! Just go with the flow and enjoy yourself. Traveling alone kicks ass and you are always a different person when none of your "daily people" are around. :lol1:

Just make sure to give yourself weekends off of school so you can go up the coast from Syd.

Jeff,

Not sure how your cash is but if you want to save some $$$ for clubbing and what not. You should check out the great rail systems New Zealand and Australia have. I would imagine it being a lot cheaper then driving and flying. Just a thought. All the info is availbale online and it is dirt cheap.

Besides that awesome trip!!! :thumbup:
I hope you have a blast!!!

Mikie :cheers:

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies! I am DEFINETLY leaving myself LOTs of time to travel during weekends (I sure as hell am not there to study, so my classes should be.....easy shall we say :thumbup: ) I talked to a guy from my school that studied abroad in Wollongong last year and he said it was an amazing experience.

Any suggestions on places to go diving? I know most of the east coast is good on the GB reef but are there any cities or dive shops in particular you would recommend? I am taking the pool and classroom work for SCUBA right now and plan on getting certified with my open water once I get to OZ.

I found fares around 88$ flying one-way from Melbourne to Sydney. Would the rails be much cheaper and if they were is it worth the extra time it takes? I plan on using them during the weekends for sure. I would really like to see all of the East coast while I am there if I can.

I heard the beer is amazing but expensive?

While I was there last time a couple told me that the rail system in Aus. has a pass much like the EUrail pass. Now if this is the case it could save you a ton of money on the weekends and for your long trips as well. My suggestion is to take a look into it. I can not hurt.

Now as far as diving goes. As long as you are getting PADI certified you will have no problems find a shop out there to rent gear from. My suggestion is to ask around the shops the locals usually know the best spots, and in my case even offered to take me out with them on their boat!! BIG PLUS!!

Ohh and friendly suggestion, I am not sure how into diving you are, but trust me on this investing in your own fins, snorkel, and mask. These are things you normally can not rent and really don't want to even if you can.

Mikie :cheers:

rail can be quite cheap but always check with the corresponding flights, especially now that we have 2 buget airlines now (at least im sure that we have an easyjet thats starting here soon if not already but i just could not find their website.

Anyhow If u like trains :
check out http://www.railpage.org.au/railmaps/ for a nice map of the train lines in OZ, to find out which route to take, and
http://www.railaustralia.com.au/rail_passes.htm for some info on rail passes,
according to http://www.countrylink.nsw.gov.au/ sydney to brisbane is $115 one way (adult)
(and takes 15 hours)


$89 if u book early enough (else $200) via virgin blue (25 min flight)

$75 early bird ( ranging to $201) via qantas,

for all the prices i put in a date of nov 16th, so u will need to check for the exact date closer, butit gives u an idea of price comparison.

hope this helps
zyl

Thank you for the prices! This really gives me a good idea of what I want to do.

While in Sydney, make sure you get to see a Rugby League game. Sydney has around 7/8 top teams, and it most proberly is the roughest sport on the planet. have fun mate