Je cherche une idée de parcours, pour deux semaines sur place , départ de Dunedin et arrivée à Auckland(mois de mars)en voiture individuelle.Merci de m'apporter vos lumières car j'ai du mal à faire mon choix(c'est vrai que deux semaines, c'est court, mais je n'ai pas le choix)Merci d'avance de vos réponse.
Veux-tu vivre heureux?Voyages avec deux sacs, l'un pour donner, l'autre pour recevoir.
Goethe
Je remonterai la cote ouest de l'ile du Sud avec un petit tour dans Abel tasman et finir à Picton
ensuite rapide tour à wellington
tongariro, rotorua ou taupo et auckland.
En 2 semaines c'est vraiment court et il faudrait savoir si vous aller rouler de nuit, si vous voulez faire des randos, des visites, voir la faune, etc.
J'ai les mêmes contraintes que vous, 2 semaines, voiture individuelle, départ de Christchruch (juste au dessus de Dunedin), arrivée à Auckland.
J'ai donc cherché un peu et le résultat fait 2000km. Ca peut paraitre beaucoup, mais c'est en moyenne 140km par jour, pas tant que ça (des journées de 300-400km et des journées de découvertes alternées). J'ai prévu des treks, un peu moins de visites de villes. Il faut bien faire des choix, je choisi la nature.
Les détails ici. (seul point qui n'est pas mentionné sur la carte mais que je veux faire: Milford Sound)
Je pars en Avril, donc ton itinéraire final et tes avis m'intéressent beaucoup ;)
Bonjour stef,
Votre itinéraire, je l'ai fait en 18 jours sur place sans visite de villes (1 jour à wellington)... sans passer par invercagill (trop loin) on a pas vraiment eu le temps de faire des randos (avec notre petit bout de 2 ans) mais on a été jusque milford :D, on a fait quelques musées en route et la pointe de coromandel
Identifiez bien ce que vous voulez faire et prenez en compte les horaires des activités. Si vous etes plusieurs, roulez en fin d'apres midi ou debut de soirée, ca permet de gagner du temps
Bon voyage
Pour avoir fait un parcours de ce type en un peu plus de deux semaines, je peux vous conseiller les endroits suivants :
Ile du Sud : Banks peninsula, une bonne demi journée, jusqu'au village "français" d'Akaroa, Otago Peninsula, ne pas hésiter à descendre sur Sandfly Bay (Seal Point Road) pour une ballade au milieu des lions de mer et des pingouins, Milford Sound est effectivement un incontournable, ça peut paraitre onéreux, mais les excursions vol / croisière sur le fjord / vol depuis Queenstown sont fantastiques (www.milfordflights.co.nz par exemple), L'intérieur de l'île, les lacs Wanaka, Pukaki et Tepako, La côté est, de Haast à Greymouth, très sauvage avec de très beau points de vue sur le Mont Cook, Nous n'avons pas eu le temps d'aller dans la partie nord, mais Kaikura pour les baleines, le Abel Tasman Park et Marlborough Sound semblent également dignes d'un grand intérêt.
Ile du Nord : Cape Pallisser, au coucher de soleil, pour un sensation de bout du monde garanti et (encore) sa colonie de lions de mer, Bride Veil Fall et ses alentours, entre Kawhia et Raglan, La région volcanique autour de Taupo (piscine d'eau chaude Taupo Debretts, prévoir le maillot de bain),
Coromandel Peninsula, jusqu'à Port Charles (attention, la route est plus un chemin, ça passe sans problème avec une simple voiture de tourisme, mais ça prend du temps).Tout dépend de ce que vous cherchez, mais si c'est la nature, je vous conseille de rester un peu plus longtemps sur l'île du Sud, qui, je trouve, est mieux pourvue de ce côté, le nord est un peu plus urbain. 9 jours au sud, 5 au nord me parait être un bon compromis, même s'il faut faire des choix, cruels parfois.
Même si elles sont très agréables, notamment Wellington, Christchurch et Dunedin, nous n'avons passé que peu de temps dans les villes, qui ressemblent à des villes anglo-saxonnes traditionnelles.
En règle général, il est très facile de "visiter" la Nouvelle-Zélande, de nombreux panneaux sur le bord des routes vous indiquent les "hot spots", il ne faut pas hésiter à laisser la voiture, se laisser guider et marcher quelques kilomètres, le résultats est toujours au rendez-vous. Sinon, demander aux gens, ils se feront toujours un plaisir de vous renseigner.
De plus, pour les trajets en voiture, les autoroutes néozélandaises sont comparables à nos départementales ou petites nationales en France, limitées à 100 et sinueuses. Ca n'en rend les trajets que plus agréables, mais attention à ne pas se faire piéger par le temps.
Je vous souhaite un excellent voyage, vous avez bien de la chance.
J'ai passé un an à voyager en Nouvelle Zélande en 2011, donc j'ai visité une bonne partie du pays.
Voici ce que je te recommande, même si il va pas falloir trop trainer car 2 semaines c'est assez court et les distances sont longues à parcourir (sur l'ile du sud qui est très montagneuse il faudra compter entre 1h30 et 2h pour faire 100km).
- La côte sud appelée les Catlins qui est au sud, entre Dunedin et Invercargill
- Remonter vers Milford Sound et consacrer une journée entière à faire les 120km de route vers le sound et la croisière
- Continuer la remontée en passant par Queenstown et Wanaka, puis toute la côte Ouest entre Haast et Westport en passant par les glaciers et à Punaiki
- Remonter vers Nelson et si tu as du temps tu peux faire un crochet vers Motueka et une rando dans la parc Abel Tasman qui est magnifique.
- Picton et les Marlborough Sound où tu prendra le bateau pour Wellington
- Puis le centre de l'ile du Nord et notamment le Tongariro National Park où tu peux faire la marche d'une journée (assez sportive) "Tongariro Alpine Crossing"
- Ensuite Taupo puis Rotorua
Je suis d'accord avec le commentaire précédent: rester plus longtemps dans l'ile du Sud, moi c'est celle que j'ai préférée et largement !
J'espère que ça va t'aider un peu.
Bon voyage !
Pauline
Ensuite pour remonter à Picton pour le ferry soit tu prends par l'est et Christchurch, ou par l'ouest, Abel Tasman et le Queen Charlotte Drive comme le suggèrent d'autres.
Pour l'île du Nord, tu peux y passer moins de temps que dans le sud, en faisant:
1/2 journée à Wellington, puis tu peux faire pas mal de route, par ex jusqu'au Tongariro
Lendemain: rando au Tongariro (on a été époustouflé par l'Alpine Crossing), sinon il y en a bcp, des moins longues, du télécable avec petites rando de 2 h, puis tu peux encore faire 1 ou 2h de route vers le nord.
Et ensuite Auckland selon le temps qu'il te reste avant ton vol retour.
Mais pour commencer, regarde plutot si tu as envie de passer plus de temps dans le nord ou dans le sud, ce sera plus simple pour commencer à construire un circuit réaliste!
Profite bien de la préparation du voyage, cela fait déjà partie du voyage 😉
Merci pour tous ces bons conseils, j'ai vraiment hâte d' être!
je passerai donc plus de temps au sud, comme prévu et comme suggéré par ... tout le monde!
Encore merci, je ne manquerai pas de vous faire partager tout ça!
Je suis en train de préparer mes futurs vacances en NZ qui se dérouleront entre le 18 Avril et le 4 mai 2011 et je suis un peu perdue!!!!! Je ne sais pas du…
Bonjoir à tous, je pars dans 10 jours, je n ai pas réservé d'auberge de jeunesse et je vais le faire très bientôt, mais au cas ou, avez vous une bonne adresse,…
Je m'appelle Sylvain et avec ma femme Virginie on fait notre voyage de noce en Nouvelle Zélande du 10 novembre au 05 décembre 2004. On est en train de mettre…
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.