This week, we will take a look at some ways that you can travel around Australia and New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand are very well set up for the independent traveller. There are a lot of transportation options and prices are reasonable. However, distances can be large. It is probably not wise to try and see all of Australia and New Zealand in one trip. Either focus on a small area and take buses and trains. Or, pick a few cities that are far apart and purchase an air pass. We will discuss these options in more detail below.
There are a lot of things to see down under. In order to maximize your travel time, it is a good idea to do some research before you leave. If you purchase a good guidebook, such as Lonely Planet or Rough Guide, you should be able to plan most of your trip before you leave. Do leave some room for spontaneity though. Some sites will not meet your expectations and others will surpass them. It is always good to have some flexibility built into your plans.
If you are a student or teacher, it might be a good idea to get some kind of identification card. Details about the International Student Identification Card (I.S.I.C.), recognized widely around the world, can be found on the Council Travel website. Whenever you buy bus, train, or plane tickets, it is always worth checking whether you can get a discount with your I.S.I.C. card.
Buses are an economical way to travel around Down Under. While they are good for short trips, within the same territory, for example, they are probably not good for trips of very long distances. McCafferty's are the major coach company in Australia. They offer one-way and round-trip tickets to all major destinations. You can book tickets and check out their extensive timetables online. An alternative bus company is Oz Experience. Again, they have an extensive network with destinations all around Australia. You can check out timetables and purchase tickets online. A variety of passes are also available. A great bus system in New Zealand is the Magic Traveller's Network. This system has routes that cover the entire country. It is very flexible and travellers can get on and off the coach anywhere on route. With a minimum of 4 coaches per week and more in summer, you can plan trips that take up to 6 months. Another option is the New Zealand Travel Pass. These luxury coach passes allow you unlimited travel for the number of days purchased. A variety of passes are available. Take a look at the website to view timetable, check prices, and buy your pass.
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