Best Vacations in Oceania: 7 Trips Across Australia, NZ, and the Pacific
New Zealand adventure
Queenstown is the single most-visited New Zealand adventure base. Bungee, jet-boating, hiking, and skiing (July to September) all run from one small town. A week-long Queenstown trip runs $3,200 to $7,500 per person; adding Milford Sound and a Routeburn Track day hike extends the week. Auckland and the North Island add volcano hiking (Tongariro), Maori cultural experiences, and the Bay of Islands at $3,200 to $7,500 per person for a week.
Australia cities and reef
Sydney is the single best Australian city for first-time visitors: harbor views, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains day trips, and the Opera House. A week in Sydney runs $3,500 to $8,500 per person. The Great Barrier Reef (Cairns or Port Douglas as base) adds snorkeling and diving to any Australia trip at $3,800 to $8,500 per person for a week. Combined Sydney plus reef two-week trip runs $6,500 to $15,000 per person.
Pacific islands for the honeymoon tier
Bora Bora and Fiji are the two Pacific island destinations most commonly visited from the US. Bora Bora overwater villas run $8,000 to $20,000 per couple for a week with meals included. Fiji is the lower-tier alternative at $5,000 to $10,000 per couple for a week; flight access from the US West Coast is easier than Bora Bora.
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