Best way to see Australia / New Zealand?

Just an update for those booked on a cruise to New Zealand or those doing research to travel there - Ports in Christchurch and Lyttelton have been closed at least through the end of the season (April) due to earthquake damage. The New Zealand government is asking tourists to stay away from Christchurch until further notice.

You can read further about it and receive updates on both of these sites:
Cruise Critic - Christchurch Port Closed for Remainder of Cruise Season Following New Zealand Earthquake - Various
Tourism New Zealand daily updates - Christchurch Earthquake Latest Update - Tourism New Zealand

Shy ~

I am just starting to think about the details of a 30-day trip next September and appreciate your detailed information, gives me a place to start. I now have enough miles to buy one tix and get the other on points. We toured Aus and NZ many years ago on a biz junket and have never forgotten those wonderful people and the scenery. Also have never forgotten the grueling flight , so this time it has to be a lie-flat seat.

Any opinions on best airline for flying up front? I have status at Delta, United and Virgin, nothing on Quantas and haven't checked to see what other carriers serve Sydney. I think we'll have to catch the plane in LA ... last time we flew to Hawaii for a couple of days, and stopped in Fiji on the way back for 2 nights. I think I saw something about Air France LAX to Tahiti ... don't even know if that's "on the way" or not! Any opinions and information will be warmly welcomed!

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Originally Posted by judyserienagy

I am just starting to think about the details of a 30-day trip next September and appreciate your detailed information, gives me a place to start. I now have enough miles to buy one tix and get the other on points. We toured Aus and NZ many years ago on a biz junket and have never forgotten those wonderful people and the scenery. Also have never forgotten the grueling flight , so this time it has to be a lie-flat seat.

Any opinions on best airline for flying up front? I have status at Delta, United and Virgin, nothing on Quantas and haven't checked to see what other carriers serve Sydney. I think we'll have to catch the plane in LA ... last time we flew to Hawaii for a couple of days, and stopped in Fiji on the way back for 2 nights. I think I saw something about Air France LAX to Tahiti ... don't even know if that's "on the way" or not! Any opinions and information will be warmly welcomed!

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j...i believe air new zealand (NZ) flies to australian cities via auckland which should enable you to fly to australia and leave from new zealand...NZ is part of Star Alliance of which UA is also a part of so you may be able to redeem UA miles for this trip...as for flying up front, i've only flown a handful long haul "over water" on AA in first and business and only one time on NZ when we took denied boarding on our return and was rebooked in business so i may not be the best judge...depending on the carrier and their plane configuration, not all seats may lay flat...efg