Home > Our Publications > Travel Australia and New Zealand > Feburary 2001

AUSTRALIA and New Zealand are two of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world, according to various surveys taken every year, especially among young people.
Now they are even better value than ever, thanks to the fall in the value of both of the dollars; continuing discounted international air fares; cheaper domestic air travel plus reduced room rates, especially at the top hotels.
Last year's Olympic Games, in Sydney, gave the whole of Australia a huge boost and also saw a big increase in tourism projects with many others being expanded and upgraded, to provide even better value for money for visitors.
At the same time, New Zealand has improved its tourism product with new campervans, more hotels and improved facilities, generally.
So this is a great time to visit both countries, as your money will go further, although the bad news is that one vital necessity of life in Australia - the amber fluid has gone up in price - but it's still cheaper than in the UK. Petrol also has increased but again it's cheaper than in the UK and the roads generally are less cluttered with moving chunks of metal.
As a rule of thumb you can say that a dollar buys the same value in Australia and New Zealand as a pound does in the UK - so that means everything is around one-third the price of things in the UK.
And both countries offer great attractions and shopping in the major cities plus fantastic soft and hard adventure tourism in all areas, while New Zealand has come up with more outlandish ideas - such as rolling downhill in a huge ball called a 'zorb'.
A big plus for any visitor in both countries is that the cities are generally safe, the coaches, trains and hire cars are of a very high standard, the food is great; the wine and beer are excellent and, if you have to, you can drink the water. Plus the plumbing and hot water works -