Australia or New Zealand: Which Should You Visit?

Australia and New Zealand are both fantastic countries located in Oceania. Time permitting, it’s a great idea to visit both nations on the same trip due to their close proxmity. But for many people, time and budgetary constraints may force a choice. Both countries are well suited for a vacation so the Australia or New Zealand debate comes down to your interests and preferences. Upon careful comparison, one is likely better suited over the other for your vacation.

In a nutshell, Australia wins for lovers of city getaways as both Sydney and Melbourne are bigger than New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland. New Zealand wins for landscapes, with higher mountains compared to Australia. Australia wins for wildlife, with more diversity compared to New Zealand (but that also has pros and cons since New Zealand does not have poisons snakes). New Zealand wins for culture in my opinion, because Maori culture is more incorporated into New Zealand than aboriginal culture is located into Australia.

20 Years of Couples Travel and Life Abroad

Last updated on March 10th, 2023 at 10:59 pm20 years ago we met in a hostel in Brugge, Belgium. We were both backpacking solo after college and our paths randomly crossed. I was traveling from the USA and Bell was touring the continent from Australia. We were both heading to Amsterdam with a single overlapping…

Navigating an Emergency Passport

Last updated on March 18th, 2024 at 05:06 pmWe currently reside in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Alex is an American citizen, but for several reasons, I am still a USA green card holder who travels on my Australian passport. It’s a passport with privilege, so a passport upgrade isn’t a driving force for us. However, the…

Alex and Bell atop the ruins of Durnstein Castle overlooking the Danube River in the Wachau Valley of Austria

Tips for Planning a Great Trip to Australia

Last updated on January 25th, 2024 at 11:49 pmFor many, Australia is a far off destination filled with exotic animals and friendly locals. Recent surveys have shown that Australia ranks first on many Americans’ travel bucket lists. Bell is Australian and we return to the island continent every few years to visit family and check…

Koala sleeping in a tree

Sydney Pubs and Restaurants You Should Visit

Last updated on April 16th, 2021 at 07:00 amBy Alex Kallimanis: Sydney is Australia’s largest city, often serving as the initial point of entry for many visitors. The Sydney Opera House, built in 1973, is one of the world’s most iconic buildings. Set along Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour is one of the country’s most dramatically…

Alex giving a thumbs up to the Sydney harbor bridge