How to see Oceania on a Canadian’s Vacation Time
Strapped for Time But Want to go on Vacation Down Under? Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific are Waiting!
Short on Vacation Time
Let’s face it – when it comes to the number of paid vacation days a Canadian may get, we’re hanging out somewhere around the bottom of the list compared to other nations. Due to this, having the opportunity to take a trip to Australia, New Zealand, or anywhere in the South Pacific may only come once in a lifetime. Depending on where you live in Canada, the flight itself can easily take 20-plus hours! So why invest so much time and money into visiting this region, when we have closer to home options?
An Incomparable Vacation Experience
When it comes to international destinations, it’s hard to beat Oceania’s authentic and incomparable experiences. Australia and New Zealand require a longer visit to fully experience their diverse offerings. Australia is the sixth largest country in the world! New Zealand is made up of two separate islands with about 15,000 kilometers of coastline. With only two or three weeks vacation each year, how do you make the most of your time abroad? Is it possible to experience the uniqueness of both countries in such a short period of time? The answer is yes!
Affordable, Short-Haul Flights
Airlines such as Air New Zealand offer international connections to domestic routes, with multiple, daily departures – allowing you to see the highlights of their country in a short period of time.
Visiting Sydney for business? Pop over to New Zealand for a few days to spend some time in Auckland, where you can also take a day tour out to the Waitakere Ranges and Piha Beach. You’ll find lush rainforests, waterfalls, and black sand beaches and feel like you’re stepping into a Jurassic Park movie set.
Continue down to the South Island, where you can visit the “Adventure Capital of the World”, Queenstown. This beautiful town is nestled into an aptly named mountain range, the Remarkables. You can enjoy an incredible view as you fly into its airport. For those who have ever visited Banff, this town will remind you of that iconic Canadian destination.
While in Queenstown you can participate in any of its adventure sports; bungy jumping, jet boating, rafting, skiing, or even heliskiing. For those who are looking for a more relaxing, scenic adventure, take a day trip out to Milford Sound to witness its majestic beauty along with one of the most scenic road trips.
Some other domestic destinations within New Zealand include Christchurch with its art galleries, skiing, snowboarding, beaches and seaside villages. Dunedin, the country’s oldest city, offers castles, brewery tours and is home to seals and penguins. Dip into Rotorua’s natural hot springs or visit the home of Bilbo Baggins in Hobbiton! Alternatively, if New Zealand is your main destination, the national airline also offers flights to some of the surrounding islands in the South Pacific, such as Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands.
Australian In-Country Flights
If you’re visiting Australia and plan to stay within the country, domestic flight options abound. Keep in mind that due to its size, some destinations might be pricier with longer flight times from Sydney, the country’s main airport hub.
Keep in mind, cities such as Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth aren’t too far away! Reasonably-priced flights can get you there in approximately two to five hours. If you are interested in world-renowned wine, incredible coastlines, plentiful wildlife encounters, coffee culture, and art; then these cities are for you!
You Won’t Regret It!
Whether you’re travelling for business, leisure, or perhaps your honeymoon, this area of the world has something to fulfill every bucketlist desire you may have. Think of it as a chance to see some of the world’s most iconic cultural, architectural and natural sites, all in one amazing trip.
July 9, 2018
