Pour le logement en NZ, je vous conseille de loger principalement en backpacker hostel. Le backpacker est un type de logement assez répandu en NZ. Le principe est de louer une chambre dans une sorte de grande maison avec des parties communes comme le salon et la cuisine qui sont partagées avec d'autres touristes. On rencontre pleins de touristes très ouverts venant des 4 coins du monde pour visiter le pays. De plus, la carte BBH offre des réductions de prix sur beaucoups de backpackers, ce qui donne des prix encore plus faibles (variant aux alentours de 30euros en fonction du type de chambre réservé: luxueuse 30 à 50 euros ou simple de 15 à 30 euros).
Regardez le site du BBH, le réseau de backpackers de NZ: http://www.bbh.co.nz/
Pour les conseils sur les sites intéressants, il faudrait savoir si vous allez visiter le pays en entier ou bien si vous allez rester sur une des deux îles. Regardez mon blog de voyage sur la Nouvelle Zélande, peut être que cela vous aidera pour ce choix:
http://moipaulderand.blog4ever.com/articles/voayage-en-nouvelle-zelande-2014
N'hésitez pas à me re-contacter si je peux vous aider...
Merci beaucoup pour votre réponse. SI je comprends bien l'idéal est de prendre la carte BBH et ensuite on peut réserver par avance sur le site les chambres?
Votre blog est trés joli, une invitation au voyage.
Nous prévoyons sur 3 semaines de faire l'Ille de Nord (une semaine) et ensuite 2 semaines sur l'Ile du Sud. Nous n'avions pas prévu l'étapes à Dunedin. est-ce un erreur?
L'idéal est en effet de prendre la carte BBH car elle offre des réductions de prix. Pour réserver le backpacker, vous pouvez le réserver 1 ou 2 jours à l'avance, soit par téléphone, sur le site internet BBH ou par le biais d'un tourist "I-Site".
Pour vous aider à choisir votre backpacker si vous passez à Rotorua, au Tongariro, à Wellington ou à Stewart island, ceux que j'ai préféré sont:
- Cosy cottage Holiday park à Rotorua (ce n'est pas un backpacker, c'est un peu plus cher, mais ça vaut le coût car il y a spa à l'eau géothermale, barbecue à la vapeur géothermale, plage d'eau chaude (de l'eau chaude surgit du sable quand on creuse) sur la river du lac Rotorua, tout ça dans le jardin du Holiday park).
- Howards Lodge au Tongariro (c'est un backpacker où l'on rencontre des gens de partout dans le monde qui viennent faire l'alpine crossing, de plus le prix du minibus ("shuttle") qui emmène au point de départ de l'alpine crossing est compris dans le prix de la chambre).
- Moana Lodge à Wellington (c'est le backpacker un peu plus luxueux, en périphérie de la ville, contrairement aux taudis que l'on peut trouver au centre ville)
- Bunkers Backpackers à Stewart island (un backpacker confortable, joli, bien chauffé et aussi cosmopolite, où l'on rencontre des tas de touristes du monde entier, très ouverts).
Pour vous "orienter" sur une ébauche d'itinéraire, voici mes conseils:
Ne vous éternisez pas à Auckland. Quand je suis allé en NZ, je suis allé dans les plateaux volcaniques du centre de l'île du nord (Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro). Je vous conseille alors de les visiter vous aussi, du nord au sud: 1jr pour la route Auckland-Rotorua, 1 ou 2 jrs à Rotorua, 1jr pour la route Rotorua-Tongariro en passant par Kerosene creek et Huka falls, 2jrs au Tongariro pour faire l'Alpine crossing et les petites ballades autour Whakapapa, 1jr pour la route Tongariro-Wellington. Wellington n'a rien de très spécial à part son éternel vent fort, ne vous y éternisez pas.
Si vous voulez voir le Northland, le Coromandel ou Napier, je ne pourrais pas vous conseiller, car je n'y suis pas allé.
Ensuite, pour le nord de l'île du sud, vous pouvez soit passer par Abel Tasman, soit par Kaikoura, à vous de choisir: la côte de Kaikoura est une côte rocheuse avec beaucoup d'otaries à fourrure, Abel Tasman est une zone côtière avec des plages très belles à visiter en randonnée ou en kayak. Comptez 2 jours si vous allez à Abel Tasman et 1 jour si vous choisissez Kaikoura.
Ensuite, vous pouvez aller voir dans la région de Punakaiki. C'est l'une des régions que j'ai préféré (presque aussi bien que Stewart island). Il y a des grottes (ballade de fox river caves), des rivières magnifiques (rando pororari river) et le site des "pancake rocks". Comptez 2 jours.
Vous pouvez, si vous voulez, aller dans la région des glaciers (Fox et Franz Joseph), mais personellement moi ce n'est pas ce que j'ai préféré. En effet, les glaciers ont reculé de plus de 5km en 200 ans, ils ne sont pas aussi beaux qu'avant. Les excursions sur le glacier ne vous emmènnent que sur la partie basse qui est déjà abimée, et si vous voulez aller sur le haut du glacier, vous devez payer l'hélicoptère... En plus il pleut beaucoup trop dans cette zone.
Ensuite, vous continuez à descendre vers le sud, vous avez le choix entre Queenstown et Wanaka, deux station alpines très similaires (skydive, parapente, ski, etc). La différence est que Queenstown est plus touristique que Wanaka (qui est plus petite et plus tranquille). De plus, si vous préférez la randonnée, Wanaka est mieux car il y a la ballade de Rocky mountain.
Je vous déconseille le Fiordland car il pleut tout le temps.
L'étape que j'ai préféré, c'est Stewart island. Si c'est possible de rallonger votre séjour en NZ pour rester plus longtemps à stewart island, je vous conseille de le faire. Comptez au minimum 3 jours, y compris une journée d'excursion à Ulva Island (l'île aux oiseaux!!)
Ensuite, vous pouvez remonter vers Dunedin en passant par les Catlins (Curio Bay, Surat Bay, Cannibal Bay) et visiter la péninsule d'Otago. Les catlins et la péninsule d'Otago sont intéressants car il y a des lions de mer à Cannibal Bay, des albatros à Taiaroa head, des spatules royales dans l'estuaire de la Tahakopa, des pingouins à Sandfly beach, etc: http://moipaulderand.blog4ever.com/18-au-22-fevr...
L'étape à Dunedin n'est pas nécessaire, surtout si le temps est compté, mais vous serez obligés de dormir à Dunedin si vous visitez la péninsule d'Otago.
Ensuite, un peu au nord de Dunedin, c'est intéressant de passer à Shag point (colonies impressionantes d'otaries à fourrure et quelques cormorans), et à Moeraki boulders.
A vous de choisir si vous allez ou pas à Christchurch...
Bon plan: pour vous renseigner sur les randonnées, regardez le site internet du Department Of Conservation: http://doc.govt.nz/
Bonjour,
En complément des informations très détaillées de Paul, j'ajouterais qu'il est également possible de se loger dans les Holiday Parks en louant des "cabins", qui sont des mobil-homes, plus ou moins équipés (depuis une seule pièce pour dormir jusqu'à un appartement avec au moins deux chambres, un salon, une cuisine...) ou séjourner en motel.
En février, il n'est pas nécessaire de réserver longtemps à l'avance (une journée avant éventuellement pour vous éviter de passer votre fin d'après-midi à chercher...), cela vous permettra d'adapter votre circuit en fonction du temps.
Un seul point de désaccord avec Paul : il peut faire très beau dans le fjordland et de toutes façons le Milford Sound est également très impressionnant sous la pluie. Et la route entre Te Anau et Milford Sound et vraiment superbe. Vous pourrez en avoir une idée sur notre site mais en 2004, je n'avais pas d'appareil numérique et je débutais en création de site Web (et j'en suis restée là!!!).
Cependant, trois semaines, c'est court alors vous n'aurez sans doute pas le temps d'aller jusque là. Sinon, dans notre périple 2011, c'est le Parc Abel Tasman qui m'a le plus emballée. Et aussi la ville de Napier dans l'île du Nord. Cependant, celle-ci est excentrée, mieux vaut consacrer du temps au Tongariro et éventuellement au Taranaki.
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Our daughter has gone to Sydney, and we’d love to spend the end-of-year holidays with her.
The plan is to leave from Paris or Brussels and break up the trip with a 3- or 4-day layover to "split" the journey in two.
Then head back to Sydney, explore the East Coast in a van, celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in Sydney, and finally return to France with another layover.
My questions:
Which city should we choose for the layover (we’ve already visited Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and would like to see a different city)? Both on the way there and back?
Which agency should we rent a van from?
What sites should we visit on the East Coast?
If you’ve done this kind of trip before and have any tips or advice, I’d love to hear them.
Hi everyone! I’m planning a long trip of two and a half months and could use some input to fine-tune my itinerary. I already have a good idea of the dates and how the climate will vary depending on where we are in Australia. Feel free to share your thoughts!
**Zone 1: DARWIN – August 17 to 22 (6 days)**
Activities & visits: Crocosaurus Cove, Kakadu Park scenic flight, 3-day excursion to Kakadu, Litchfield, and Katherine National Parks
Flight to Alice Springs on the 23rd
**Zone 2: ALICE SPRINGS – ULURU – August 23 to 30 (8 days)**
Car rental
Activities & visits: Alice Springs (1 day), West MacDonnell Ranges (1 day), Watarrka National Park, Uluru (3 days)
Flight to Cairns on the 31st
**Zone 3: CAIRNS – August 31 to September 9 (10 days)**
Car rental from the 31st to the 6th
Activities & visits: Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Mount Quincan, Herberton Historic Village, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef
Bus to Townsville on the 10th
**Zone 4: TOWNSVILLE – NOOSA – September 10 to 26 (17 days)**
Activities & visits: Magnetic Island
Bus to Airlie Beach on the 13th
Activities & visits: Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef
Car rental from the 17th to the 20th
Activities & visits: Eungella National Park
Overnight bus from Mackay to Hervey Bay (20th to 21st)
Activities & visits: K’gari (Fraser Island)
Bus to Noosa on the 25th
Activities & visits: Noosa National Park
Bus to Brisbane on the 27th
**Zone 5: BRISBANE – September 27 to October 1 (5 days)**
Car rental from the 29th to the 1st
Activities & visits: Brisbane, Glass House Mountains, Springbrook National Park, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
Bus to Coffs Harbour on the 2nd
**Zone 6: COFFS HARBOUR – October 2 to 4**
Car rental from the 3rd to the 4th
Activities & visits: Dorrigo National Park
Overnight bus to Sydney (4th to 5th)
**Zone 7: SYDNEY – October 5 to 9 (5 days)**
Car rental from the 7th to the 9th
Activities & visits: Sydney, Blue Mountains, Jenolan Caves
Overnight bus to Melbourne (9th to 10th)
**Zone 8: MELBOURNE – October 10 to 16 (7 days)**
Car rental from the 13th to the 16th
Activities & visits: Melbourne, Phillip Island, Great Ocean Road
Flight to Hobart on the 17th
**Zone 9: TASMANIA – October 17 to 23 (6 days)**
Car rental from the 17th to the 23rd
Activities & visits: Hobart, Tasman Peninsula, Freycinet National Park, Natureworld
Flight to Perth on the 23rd
**Zone 10: PERTH – October 24 to 27 (4 days)**
Activities & visits: Rottnest Island, Wave Rock, Perth
Flight to Paris on the 28th
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the scattered info out there and I'm struggling to organize my solo trip to French Polynesia. I'm all about snorkeling—no hiking for me—so it's all about the water, water, water... I'd love to meet whales (what's the best season?), stay with locals or in budget guesthouses (I'm pretty low-key, no worries about comfort), and most importantly, be as close to the coral reefs as possible (all day long...).
I'm retired, so I've got plenty of time...
If you can help, it would mean the world to me.
Thanks everyone! !
Hi,
I'm planning a trip to this region in November. My initial plan was Adelaide-Darwin by van, but I'm worried about those critters. I'm now considering staying in hotels instead, but for the Red Centre, camping is more practical... if we overlook those pests.
What do you think? Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m reaching out because I’m finally living my dream later this year, and I could really use your advice!
On December 26th, I’m flying to Tahiti, then Moorea, and finally Bora-Bora.
Since I’ll be staying in Bora-Bora for several days, I’d love to take a day trip to another island: either Maupiti or Tahaa-Raiatea (my top picks...).
My issue is that the schedules for getting to Tahaa and then to Raiatea don’t quite work for me. Here are the two options I’ve looked into:
**Option 1: Day trip to Tahaa-Raiatea**
- Morning departure at 7:00 AM to Tahaa from Vaitape (I’ll be staying on a motu, so I need to check if there’s a shuttle connecting the motu to Vaitape early enough).
- Arrival at 8:15 AM in Poutoru, Tahaa. Tour of the island, visit to a vanilla plantation.
- Hire a "private" boat to Raiatea around 12:00–1:00 PM.
- Tour of Raiatea.
- Departure at 4:00 PM from Uturoa (Raiatea) back to Bora-Bora.
**Option 2: Day trip to Maupiti**
- Morning departure from Bora-Bora at 8:30 AM.
- Arrival in Maupiti at 10:05 AM. Visit the island and the motus.
- Return in the evening at 4:00 PM.
My questions:
- Will I have enough time to explore Tahaa-Raiatea from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM?
- Car rental? Bike rental? For all three islands...
- Time lost during rentals?
- Distance between rental shops and the ports where I arrive?
- For Tahaa and Raiatea, should I hire a guide? Would that be better organized, meaning no car rental needed, to save time or explore the island on my own?
- Finally, what do you think of these three islands and their points of interest? Which would you choose between Maupiti and Tahaa-Raiatea?
If you can shed some light on this, I’d be so grateful!!!!!!!
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and advice!
Hello! We’re heading to the Marquesas in July-August and I’d love to know if it’s possible, for a fee, to do a leg of the journey on the Aranui—like from Hiva Oa to Fatu Hiva, or Nuku Hiva to Ua Pou, or even Ua Pou to Ua Huka? Sure, there are shuttles twice a week with Codim connecting these islands, but the schedules won’t be known until two months in advance, and I need to book flights and hotels much earlier than that. So, what’s the best way to handle this?
Looking forward to your replies—thanks in advance!
Elisabeth Marcel
babeth.marcel@yahoo.fr
Hi there,
I’d like to go to French Polynesia.
I found round-trip flights for 650 € with Air Caraïbes.
That seems really cheap—anyone here who can tell me about this airline if you’ve flown with them before?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi everyone. I’ve got a round-trip ticket to Perth for 4 weeks. Is it better to stay on the west coast the whole time?
Or should I grab a round-trip to the east coast?
Or even head over to NZ as well?
Thanks for your tips.
We’re crossing New Zealand next April and we’re wondering which to choose between exploring Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound.
The first is more well-known, famous, and popular, a UNESCO natural heritage site, while the second can be just as spectacular—bigger, harder to access, and less touristy.
Thanks for your thoughts!
I’ve blocked out 3 weeks at the end of March/beginning of April, arriving in Sydney and departing from Adelaide while following the coast.
Kangaroo Island is a bit of a question mark for me. If I go, I can dedicate 2.5 days to it. Is it worth the time and the cost? I’ve read plenty of travel journals highlighting the landscapes and wildlife, but I’m sure I’ll see plenty of that along my route anyway. I’m not factoring in the financial side (which isn’t negligible for KI), but I’d rather not be disappointed. What are the real added values of KI, especially since the island has been affected by fires? I’ve also come across people online calling it a tourist trap. For example, I ruled out Phillip Island because it felt too organized and structured. Sorry if I’m opening Pandora’s box here!
Hi! I just spent a month in New Caledonia (backpacking/tent) and I know some of you were looking for info on accommodations and itineraries, so feel free to reach out if you want me to share my little experience. Just to say—New Caledonia is AMAZING!!!
Hi there,
I just got back from two weeks in Fiji, and I noticed the forum discussions here are a bit outdated (the most recent ones are from 2017).
So feel free to ask if you'd like an update!
Hi,
I’m heading to Viti Levu, the main island, for a few days’ vacation.
I usually rent a two-wheeler to keep some independence.
On several forums, people advised against it—first because it’s not really the local culture, and also because of the road conditions and local driving habits.
But I’m a bit wary of English-language forums where the typical vacation is just airport-resort-airport with a taxi in between.
Can you confirm if it’s really that risky compared to, say, Southeast Asia? What are the alternatives? Buses, taxis?
Thanks!
I’m planning and budgeting a trip to Australia for August 2026, lasting 40 days.
Here’s the current itinerary:
Arrival at Port Macquarie Airport in New South Wales and return from Cairns Airport in Queensland.
- South West Rock
- Cap Ridge Park
- Springbrook Park
- Stradbroke Island
- Maleny
- Noosa
- Rainbow Beach
- K’Gari
- Gladstone
- Heron Island
- Airlie Beach
- Townsville
- Magnetic Island
- Cairns
- Cape Tribulation
My main issue is transport to cover all of this.
The first leg is already tricky—I haven’t found a way to rent a car in Port Macquarie and drop it off in South West Rock.
And if we keep the vehicle until Cleveland (8 days) before taking the ferry to Stradbroke Island, it’s already around 1000 €.
- Are there any systems where we could buy a vehicle in Port Macquarie and be sure it’s bought back at the end of the trip in Cairns?
- Do you know of any Australian online car rental sites?
As for trains, they’re not really an option for our stay in New South Wales.
In Queensland, I found the Queensland Rail Travel website with a Brisbane–Cairns line, but trains don’t run every day.
- Do you know of any other train companies in Queensland that connect coastal cities from Brisbane to Cairns?
For flights, I checked Queensland with Qantas, and most routes require a stopover in Brisbane, which wastes a lot of time, and the prices are still high.
Do you know of any low-cost airlines for domestic flights in Australia?
2025 is shaping up to be amazing, as I’m lucky enough to be planning a 6-week trip to Polynesia.
I wanted to buy the *Guide du Routard* (my favorite), but I discovered there isn’t one for this destination. And the *Lonely Planet* is from 2022, which I feel is already a bit outdated.
So I’m looking for other resources: in your opinion, what’s the best paper guide, and most importantly, what online resources have you used to prepare a trip to Polynesia?
My wife, our 3-year-old son, and I are planning a trip along Australia’s East Coast, leaving in early October and returning in mid-November. The plan is to do a 4-week road trip in a campervan, then settle down for about ten days.
The question I’m asking myself is: which way should we go? From Sydney to Cairns or the other way around? Despite all the documentation I’ve read, I’m still struggling to decide the best direction based on the climate at that time and swimming conditions.
Up north, the weather will be warmer, and the water too, unlike the south. However, in the north, there are swimming restrictions, especially because of jellyfish, whereas in the south, there seems to be less danger (apart from sharks, maybe). Are there many protected beaches in the north where we can swim safely?
Also, I should consider that in the south, the Great Barrier Reef no longer protects the beaches, so I imagine there are fewer calm spots for swimming?
I’d love any tips or advice you can share, and thanks in advance!
Hi there,
for a 6-month trip to Australia and NZ starting in NOVEMBER, I’d like to visit PNG and the Solomon Islands. Has anyone already explored these two countries?
How can you travel solo there—transport, accommodation, banking, safety—and what’s the best way to get there from AUS?
Thanks for any tips! Are there any French-language sites about these destinations?
Cheers,
jps
Hi there,
I’m leaving on March 4th for Australia from Réunion Island, landing in Perth, then a road trip down to Melbourne before flying out to Vietnam on April 15th.
I’d like to visit Perth and the surrounding area, then head southwest to Margaret River, Albany, Esperance, and back to Perth to catch a flight to Adelaide. From there, I’ll make my way to Melbourne.
1/ What do you think of this itinerary?
2/ For flights, are there any domestic airlines worth prioritizing for good prices?
3/ I’m planning to rent a car after exploring Perth and the area—I’m traveling solo. Any rental companies you’d recommend, as well as nice hotels, B&Bs, or hostels?
4/ Any tips, good deals, or info are welcome—don’t hesitate to share!
Thanks in advance.
I’m planning a solo trip from April 16th to June 2nd!
I have to work for 3 weeks in Papeete when I arrive in French Polynesia, so I can only explore on the weekends (3-day weekends). For my first weekend, I’ll visit Tahiti; my second weekend will be dedicated to Moorea, and the last weekend to Huahine.
After my work period, I’ll continue with my vacation and keep exploring:
Maupiti - 4 nights
Raiatea - 3 nights (including a day trip to Tahaa)
Bora Bora - 3 nights
Rangiroa - 4 nights (could do 3)
Tikehau - 2 nights (could do 3)
Fakarava - 3 nights
For activities, I’m mostly interested in discovering the islands, hiking, and observing wildlife.
I’m not a diver, but I plan to do a beginner’s dive once I’m there. I love snorkeling, though, and I’m wondering if I’m spending too much time in the Tuamotus, which are famous for diving from what I’ve seen.
For travel between the islands, I’ve already looked into the Bora Tuamotu Max pass, which seems like the best option, but I’d love advice on replacing it with one or more ferries.
What do you think? I’m struggling to finalize my itinerary.
We’ll be in Adelaide from February 24th to March 4th and we’d like to spend 3 days and 2 nights on Kangaroo Island.
Any recommendations?
We always travel with simple accommodations
Hi everyone, we're heading to Australia next month. We have 7 days to go from Adelaide to Melbourne via the Great Ocean Road. Should we visit Kangaroo Island or not? We can't decide! Thanks for your advice.
We really want to see kangaroos and koalas in their natural habitat.
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to NZ at the end of January.
It’s peak season—do you think it’s necessary to book activities in advance (like a cruise to Milford Sound), or is it not essential?
Thanks
We’ll be in New Zealand starting March 15th. We’re considering renting a car from Christchurch to Auckland. We’ve read that a lot of ferries have been canceled—is that true? Would it be better to rent one car in the South Island and another in the North Island? Thanks, and happy New Year!
Hi,
When I hear our French friends talk about them, they’re the most beautiful islands in the world.
For those of you who’ve traveled extensively, is that really the case?
Are the prices for accommodation, even basic ones, justified? Isn’t a room in a family-run guesthouse at 150/200 € a bit much?
Are there other islands in Polynesia (non-French) that are just as "paradise-like" but more affordable?
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
