How it all started...
Even as a young boy, I admired and loved kangaroos and thought I would one day visit Australia. Over the years, as I got older, I drifted away from this and my fear of spiders, snakes and other deadly or just hideous vermin became greater. Anyway, it was thanks to my wife Ada that I started to travel and see the world. Before Oceania, we visited many other countries, as many times there were great opportunities to buy airline tickets at special prices. Of course, after the wedding, the honeymoon didn't wait long and my wife came up with the idea of Australia. I'm not going to lie, I tried to twitch, saying that I didn't want to go anywhere, that everything would kill me there and it was too expensive (and we hadn't calculated anything yet), as you know it's not a stone's throw from the Czech Republic. Anyway, it ended up that if we are going to fly to the other side, I want to visit New Zealand as well. The word was given to the word and my wife and I took a fair 20 days of vacation in November 2022. We were away for a total of 28 days from November 2 - November 30, 2022.
How did we plan it?
I think sometime in February 2022, Australia's borders started to open to tourists and New Zealand opened its borders in April. We had a wedding in May. In June we had arranged our visa and by July the plane tickets were being bought. Let me tell you, the airfare was really a struggle. We knew we wanted to fly in November and either from the Czech Republic or surrounding countries. And so the search for all sorts of combinations began. I used all possible search engines, e.g. Pelikan, Skyscanner, Letuska, Kiwi, Google Flights (of course I would buy the tickets directly from the airline). Tried different countries and departure cities (Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary) and different arrival cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Auckland-NZ) but all those offered flights from Emirates, Qatar, Korean Airlines and many others were well above 33.000,- CZK. I wanted to fit in a maximum of 30.000,- CZK per person and a maximum of 2 connections and ideally within 30 hours flight time. After a few nights of research, I remembered that we were flying to Hawaii on FinnAir, which for some reason wasn't even listed in the search engines. I looked directly at their website. I started by picking a date that worked for us, with a flight departing from Prague and arriving in Australia to Sydney and departing Australia from Melbourne. Flights from Prague-Helsinki-Singapore-Sydney for 27.970,- CZK were a wonderful price. I tried a combination of other cities from neighbouring countries of the Czech Republic, but got nowhere near this low price and with a flight time THERE of 30 hours and 25 minutes and a journey TIME BACK of 25 hours and 45 minutes, these tickets were a clear winner. I didn't hesitate to buy. The flight from Prague to Helsinki to Singapore was operated by FinnAir and the flight from Singapore to Sydney was operated by Australian Qantas. The return flight was basically the same, but with the difference in departure from Melbourne. Our map for November got a clear beginning and end of the trip. All that was left was to fine-tune the rest. Domestic flights, accommodation, cars, entry to various places, sim cards... Although we were each entitled to 23kg of luggage from FinnAir, we only took one suitcase in the hold (because the extra baggage allowance on domestic flights was x2) and regular backpacks. I also used The North Face Jester 28L backpack as my daily pack and Ada had a Decathlon NH500 30L backpack. For the next few months I shopped for everything we needed and planned our trip. We must have spent over 50 hours of pure time on the itinerary and the time passed like water. Before we knew it, we were on the plane leaving Prague for Helsinki at 19:35 on November 2, 2022. Our adventure of a lifetime was about to begin.
We took off at 19:35 local time from Prague to Helsinki with FinnAir. The flight took ~2 hours, we landed at 22:50, as Helsinki is an hour longer.
We departed from Helsinki about 20 minutes after midnight with the same air carrier, FinnAir, without any problems. The flight took 12 hours and 12 minutes. Scheduled arrival in Singapore was at 19:00 local time. The layover was scheduled for just 1 hour and 5 minutes. I'm not saying that I wasn't worried about missing the plane, which is why we had planned 2 nights in Sydney. We ended up arriving about 40 minutes early, so totally awesome. Of course, the joy of catching the connecting flight soon passed us by and here's where the fun begins. The flight to Sydney from Singapore will be delayed and the scheduled departure is at 01:00 the next morning. What the heck, I used my Revolut card with the Metal plan and thanks to the delay we took advantage of the free airport solon. We ate, relaxed and took a shower. The whole time I was checking our flight on Google and the FinnAir app to see if anything had changed unexpectedly. Nothing. We did have an unnecessary wait of over 6 hours in the lounge, but again, it wasn't too bad. Although lounge access is only for 3 hours, we were not kicked out and stayed until our departure, which was around midnight.
00:01- We moved from the lounge to the departure boards and here we searched in vain for our flight and Google no longer showed the departure gate. So we went to ask for information. The ladies I spoke to were slightly confused, but managed to find out after calling another colleague that our flight was no longer listed under FinnAir number AY0131, but under Qantas number QF82. Okay, good. All went well and I'm leaving together with Ada to gate C20.
00:20- Already from a distance we can see that we are arriving correctly. The airport at this time was pretty much empty with only ~300 passengers waiting like us for the flight to Sydney. We find a seat and settle in. So what I immediately noticed was that although we were leaving in less than 3/4 hours, I couldn't see a plane standing outside and the staff looked like ferrets that kept calling out somewhere and it seemed like something was going on. It didn't leave me completely cold, but there was nothing I could do anyway. We still have time before departure and the other passengers are waiting. About 10 minutes later there started to be a sort of commotion between a few passengers and the Qantas staff at the counter. I didn't give up and went to see what was going on. Passengers who had the Qantas app were getting flight updates. The plane is not flying, the flight is getting further delayed. A technical glitch that could not be fixed and the scheduled flight is rescheduled for 7pm. So we will spend ~25 hours in Singapore.
00:40 - A multilingual discussion has begun between passengers and Qantas staff alike. A Qantas manager who was on duty that day/night tried to calm the situation. Suddenly Qantas staff started looking for a solution. Another plane. Another flight to Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok for example and then a change to a flight to Sydney. That was a long time coming.
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At approximately 2:40am all options fail and we are sent to the Qantas Airways Bussines Lounge where we are given food, drink and our hotel is arranged. I immediately text the Sydney accommodation (where we have paid for 2 nights) that we will arrive a day late. No one is supposed to leave the airport in case the situation changes and we get an earlier departure than 7pm. The Qantas lounge was already officially closed, but due to our delayed flight and approximately 300 waiting passengers, they opened it. Coffee, tea, and water were available upon arrival in the lounge. No alcohol and a few sweetened drinks on request.
At 4am some food was available - breakfast (eggs, sausages, bacon). Blankets and pillows were handed out on request (not automatically). The passengers included young, old, children, in short all ages. Everyone found a corner, a seat, a chair where they waited. A few of the passengers were trying to find out what to do next at the reception to the Qantas lounge with the manager. It was really challenging after so many hours on the plane and almost no sleep.
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At about 6:00 in the morning we were told they didn't have rooms for that many people and were only able to provide 12 rooms for a total of 300 passengers. People were exhausted, angry and it was quite debilitating. I myself slept very little on the plane. Ada was exhausted, but she couldn't sleep. We agreed with the rooms to give them to the children and the elderly. The rest of the passengers can find a hotel up to $300 per person and can walk out of the airport. There will be no earlier flight than the scheduled 7:00pm departure. We were told that the lounge closes at 8:00 until the afternoon for cleaning and maintenance, so we will all have to leave. Where to? Some left the airport to check out the city, others left to wander around the airport and find a convenient bench to rest on, some, went to a Qantas designated spot in the lounge where (I learned in retrospect) water, coffee and some muffins were available. Before we were kicked out of the lounge, I found a hotel there on Booking, which is right at the airport, you just need to go through security. The night (read day) did cost close to $8,000, but Ada was done and I needed to sleep too and we were promised that we would be reimbursed by Qantas based on receipts up to $300. A bit of a problem was that I had to buy it as on the day of arrival and couldn't buy it back, but I took a chance. After various machinations and filling out the arrival form while being escorted by security, we were escorted out of the airport. We were directed straight to our hotel and here we got a "slap".
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It was about 8:30 in the morning and all the rooms were full and check-in was not possible until 2pm. Ada went to sit in the kitchenette and I went to find out what to do next. There was really no room available. I had already paid 8.000,- CZK and tried to think, but about 30 hours without sleep in a stressful situation I still couldn't think of anything much. Ada got a breakdown. I wasn't surprised at all. I resolved the situation with the nice receptionist by making a cancellation and she cancelled our reservation with no cancellation fee (where it was 100%). So Ada and I agreed to go back to the airport and go to the lounge to try and sleep in the chair. However, we got another slap on the wrist at check-in because our tickets were invalid as they were valid as of yesterday. We managed to get hold of someone from Qantas after various enquiries, but were told there was nothing they could do and we needed new tickets. That check-in for our Qantas flight would not be open until 2:30pm (it was about 9:20am) and that we had to wait as the system was locked. Cool. What now? Luckily I found a lounge that was one floor down. I didn't officially have Revolut access anymore because 1 person = 1 entry, but we passed 2 people in the first lounge for 1 entry, so Ada went to the second lounge for free on Revolut entry and I paid for my entry (approximately $50 Singapore dollars). We couldn't lie on the seats it was forbidden and if anyone tried to do so, they were immediately reprimanded with a 3 times and enough style. Luckily, I noticed that there was an area in the lounge with sleeping pods for $10 per hour. They only had 3 and it was about 12:25 when I even noticed them. After about 10 minutes, 2 people left that room. I didn't hesitate and bought us 3 hours. As soon as the Sleeping Pods were ready for us, we laid down and promptly fell asleep. Yeah, so this was a great sleep. 3 hours went by in a flash and we were woken up by the alarm clock. We're fresh. I check our flight on Google and see we don't leave until 10:00. Whatever, but we're still leaving, right? So we thank the lady at the front desk and leave the lounge to check in.
At approximately 15:40 we are at the check-in, which was quite fast. And the new tickets? None. We just got ours stamped. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or cry, but we just got it and went in and went through the classic security check. Arriving in the concourse at 4:20pm, I check the departure board, and our flight is marked QF82D and opens the gates at 5:50pm. Departure is scheduled for 19:00. We didn't believe it, but we did indeed depart from gate C22 at 19:05. On boarding we were still given a paper from Qantas about technical problems on the aircraft and therefore flight delay to claim compensation. Flight QF82 was for passengers who arrived (as we originally did) at ~18:30 and was delayed to a later departure time. At least that's what we were told.
After an 8 hour flight, we are in Sydney at 7:10am! Specifically, we landed at Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney. We clear customs and are in the country. We were really excited about this, so much so that we immediately headed to McDonald's for a "cheeze". After topping up our batteries, we made it to WHSmith (newsagent) at the airport to buy an Opal card (a ticket/tram pass for Sydney). I buy two and charge each one for 60 AUD. We arrive at the train and head straight from the airport to King Cross Centre station, where it's less than 5 minutes to the "Original Backpackers Sydney" accommodation for 214 AUD including breakfast (for 2 nights, but actually only 1). We arrived at our accommodation 30 minutes earlier than reception opening hours. So we had to wait. We exchanged a few words with the residents and the half hour was over. At check-in I had to pay a 20 AUD deposit for the key. For accommodation I still ordered a simcard from Amaysim from the Czech Republic, which was just on sale for 196,- CZK 50GB for 28 days (perfect for our trip). However, even though the accommodation confirmed that the simcard had arrived, the envelope with my name on it was nowhere to be found. Well, there was nothing to do now and we went to the room. The room was exactly like the picture. A small cubicle with a rickety bed, private shower and toilet, fridge, fan. In the course of unpacking, showering and changing I dealt with the sim card using the Amaysim app and live chat. Fortunately, all I was told was that I just needed to buy a new sim card for 2 AUD and pair the sim card number with the phone number I already had assigned in the app. I was relieved. I bought a new sim card at King's Cross and we were off to the whirlwind of the big city.
Purchase an Opal card (Sydney Flyer/Tram Pass). I buy two and charge each for AUD 60.
Sunday, a beautiful sunny day and we are heading by bus to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. We are scheduled to leave for Auckland, New Zealand at 8:00pm. We find a companion in our room, a cockroach. I named him Standa. We had breakfast at the accommodation before the trip. There was coffee, toasted bread, nutella, a few jams and milk. Low budget breakfast, but for us a feast of kings.
The Opal Card works for the trip. On Saturdays and Sundays, spend no more than AUD 8.40 per person. The bus ride took about 2.5 hours to the Palm Beach Golf Club station. Upon arrival, we bought an AUD 8 coffee at the kiosk and walked to the lighthouse.
You go through a park full of parrots, along the beach next to the bay and uphill via an easier but longer path or a shorter but more challenging path. We chose the latter and it was great with beautiful views. There is an option to look up at the top of the lighthouse every +/- 30 minutes for AUD 10 per person, but we didn't take advantage of it. Even so, you will find spectacular views all the way to the horizon. We took the easier route back down.
The trip took us a couple of hours and knowing that it would take us another 2.5 hours to get back, we wait for the bus a little after noon and go back to our accommodation to get our stuff and get our 20 AUD deposit back.
Main Station.
Let's pick up our suitcases and head to the airport.
On arrival at the airport everything is in order, we only need to show our New Zealand visa and return ticket. Everything happened so quickly that we are already on the plane and leaving for Auckland.
A few minutes after midnight local time we landed. We had 20 minutes from the airport booked accommodation from Ibis Budget for the night for 144 NZ. We wandered around for a while. It's night, we're without internet, but we managed. At check-in, the lady hands me an envelope with the sim card I ordered for the hotel from the Czech Republic. Operator Skinny 10GB/7days for 317,- CZK.
When I wake up in the morning, I go to the supermarket next door to buy breakfast and some supplies for the trip. At 9:30, the rental company will bring the sting to our hotel. Via Booking.com including full insurance for 1743,- CZK for 24 hours. The car was a Toyota Yaris. It was my first time driving in my life on the left side. It was a shock, it was strange, but I quickly got the hang of it and we were whizzing from Auckland to Hobbitin near Matamata, where we had reservations from 12:10pm.
My childhood dream came true while visiting the Hobbitín. It was truly wonderful, so much so that it made me shed a tear of joy that we were able to visit this place despite previous complications.
After visiting the Hobbitín, we moved on to Waitomo Caves where we toured the caves and took a boat ride on the water to see glow worms on the cave ceilings. You could see the blackness and look at the stars. Fascinating sight. Cost for both of us for an hour in the caves 122 NZD.
From Waitamo Caves, we made our way back to Auckland to stay in a private beautiful house in a quiet neighborhood with breakfast. Look for "Flat Bush Holiday Accommodation" on Booking. The night cost us 1606,-Kč.
We returned the car this afternoon. At 12:00 we had a flight from Auckland to the South Island to Christchurch.
We picked up our luggage from the conveyor belt upon arrival and it was not fresh at all. A dented and immobile wheel. I knew the claim wouldn't solve anything, but I needed a write up and report for the insurance company. We didn't have time to look for a new one somewhere, unless something came up along the way.
At 14:15 we were picked up by shuttle bus from car rental via Holiday autos - Snap rentals, 3 days for 3700,- CZK with full insurance. We got a Toyota Camry Hybrid. We need to buy some more supplies and we are moving to Punakaiki. It takes 4 hours to drive from Christchurch. After a minor delay in the form of a crash due to my fault and a replacement car for a Toyota Aqua hybrid, we set off for Punakaiki.
We had arranged a hellicopter flight over the glacier. The flight was scheduled for 14:00. We arrived about an hour early and had lunch in town. About 10 minutes before departure, we got a call from the departure center. We were a short walk from it, so I went straight there. They told us that they weren't going to fly today because the weather had deteriorated. They could have offered us a flight the next day, but we couldn't do that because we had arranged accommodation in Haast which was a 3 hour drive away and again would have been a huge hit to the itinerary. A solution was found as the next day we would be from the other side of the glacier where there are other departure points. Somehow we made a deal and that we should arrive the next day.
We arrived in Haast in the late afternoon and it was only by coincidence that I noticed at the reception that the bridge in the middle of our journey was closed from 8:00 the next day. Not noticing the little sign, we would stay in Haast until at least lunchtime and our plans for the next day would fall through.
We are leaving Haast very early in the morning to avoid road closure.
Too many pesky mosquitoes.
Here we found out that you don't fly on a glacier, but on Aoraki/Mount Cook, which is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It was 13:30 and the flight was at 14:00 and we were the only ones yet to fly. The problem arose that you fly with a minimum of 4 people, but it is possible to fly with 2 people as a VIP tour, but the price will be the same as 3 people. It was some 13.000,- CZK, but we should not despair, it is possible that someone will show up. So we waited. Half an hour gone. No one showed up and we had to make a decision. Well, I won't lie to you. I didn't want to pay. It was another hit to the budget, and although Ada argued that she would pay for it from the original flight, which she would be refunded because it was cancelled, it was up to me to pay the rest. A precarious situation, but I stood my ground and wasn't going to pay it. It was quiet. Accompanied by the clink of a fallen needle on the ground, we walked to the car. A heated discussion ensued. Ada started crying and I kept arguing that at least we had a helicopter trip over the Great Barrier Reef and a whole vacation ahead of us. It took us a while before I started the car and was about to leave. Let's just say it was a golden 10 minutes in the car before we had to leave and again, thank goodness for that. I'm already buckled in and shifting into reverse and I see Hazel in the rear view mirror. Hazel was the young lady from reception who ran up to us saying that if we still wanted to fly, 3 other people had just arrived and we could join them. There was room in the helicopter for exactly 5 people + the pilot. I peek into the car and tell Ada "let's go". Adele looked at me and just sobbed "what? when?", and I said "right now. And on the way to the building I quickly explain the situation. Crisis averted, but not by me. By the luck of the draw. I have to say, it was probably even nicer than I imagined. Our first helicopter flight. The snow on the peaks is clean and white. The pilot has landed at a predetermined spot. After getting out of the helicopter, we were immediately knee-deep in snow. We took beautiful photos, had a great view and the experience is priceless. The price was about 8500,- CZK for two.
After landing, we returned to the car and headed to Lake Pukaki, where we stopped for some time to absorb the beautiful nature of New Zealand.
After the descent we made our way to our accommodation at Lake Tekapo, which is hidden amidst the tops of the surrounding mountains. For an evening or morning, you will be in awe of how beautiful the scenery is and how the clouds surround the peaks.
We drive from Tekapo back to Christchurch, where we return the car and fly back to Australia, to Brisbane. We make a few stops along the way and again try to enjoy the scenery. Finally, on New Zealand, I would like to add that I have never seen greener grass and bluer skies or lakes. The sight of so many sheep, cows or horses grazing along the roadside in corrals but at the same time not used to people is indescribable. You have to see it with your own eyes.
After arriving in Brisbane with Qantas, my luggage is even more ruined. Again, I file a second claim (although to no avail) and find out where I can get a baggage claim this afternoon/evening. I have not gotten any advice that I can use. The suitcase barely rides and is held by force of will.
On the train I look at what options I have to buy a new suitcase and therefore not much. Luckily I thought to try using the local Facebook marketplace and managed to get a suitcase from a girl who lived 20 minutes walk from our accommodation for 50 AUD. WIN WIN situation and crisis averted.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
We went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where I had arranged tickets in advance to enter and to bury the koala. Upon entering the sanctuary, thanks to the pre-purchased tickets, we skipped the entire line and were able to store our suitcase in the enclosed staff area as well. Upon entering, we received a bag of kibble to feed the kangaroos. We were honestly very surprised that the shelter allows you to feed, pet and even cuddle the kangaroos. The enclosure is huge, they have several species of kangaroos and even children can run around in different ways. The kangaroos are very friendly and it really was a great experience, I was very excited because we purposely went to the sanctuary just to see the koalas. We had pre-paid for the koala burial from 11am. If you don't buy well in advance, they're usually not available on site. They only have a few koalas working that day and the windows for behavior options are very small. Everything worked out well. The koala left a brown present for me, and after a wash we were able to leave the shelter at 12pm.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
At 13:00 we took a bus from Brisbane station to Gold Coast for 280,- CZK per person by Premier motor service.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
From our accommodation we went on a day trip to Sea World in the Gold Coast. We were buying from the Czech Republic and entry to Sea World including a cup for unlimited drinks was AUD 220 for both of us. The part of the park with the more adult attractions was just being renovated, but we were not deprived of the experience. They have a beautiful giant aquarium, lots of rides and at feeding time after buying a cup of dead fish ( AUD 7) I fed myself more than just stingrays.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
At 6:45 we left the Gold Coast for Cairns. We used Uber to the airport and the journey at 4am.
Free shuttle bus from the car rental company.
Return of the car.
We went on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef including a 10 minute helicopter flight. Adya snorkeled and I paid for a deep sea dive as well. It was my first experience and an incredible experience. We bought it through TripAdvisor.
In the afternoon around 3pm we left Cairns for Darwin. We spent the day lounging at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. We left our suitcases at the hotel. There is no bus to the airport, so we took an Uber.
We got to Darwin at about 18:00 and had to take Uber from the airport again.
We picked up the car from Bargain Car Rentals.
We drove about an hour out of town for the "1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River". Bought on TripAdvisor.
We are returning the car.
We had scheduled the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove for 10am. The only place in the world where you can swim with these prehistoric reptiles. We toured the grounds and saw baby crocodiles, a reptile house that had some of the world's most venomous snakes such as the Australian Taipan. It was also just time for the reptile show, so I got to hold a (non-specific) snake and a lizard.
After arriving in Perth, we took the train to the city centre.
When we woke up, we had a delicious breakfast at Little Willy's, which was right next to our accommodation.
After the valley we took a bus to the Blue Boat House. The wider city centre is marked as "zone free" and so you don't need to buy tickets.
We spent most of the day at Leighton Beach. As it was further away from the city centre, we bought a ticket from the driver, which is valid for the whole day.
Early in the morning after we left the accommodation we move to the car rental "no birds".
I am picking up a Toyota Corolla hybrid for 6300,- CZK including full cover and leaving a deposit of 5.000,- CZK.
We leave our accommodation early and head to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Here we walk among the treetops at heights of up to 40 metres. The footbridge sways a bit and I'm in awe of it. We're really high up. Aďa is laughing at me. Entry for AUD 21 per person also takes you to a section called "the Ancient Empire" where you will find trees that are over 16 metres in circumference.
From the city of Albany, we make the 4 hour drive to Wave rock. We drive through the Stirling Range National Park -> Chinocup Nature Reserve -> Salt Lake, which has been dyed pink -> and finally to Wave rock. The temperature from the south is 14°C higher and the humidity is nonexistent.
So the worst experience we have is from flies. They are cheeky and crawl into our ears and nostrils and swatting them away doesn't help. Unfortunately, we don't have a hat with a net. There weren't many tourists at Wave Rock. We'll walk the area and take some pictures. Next to the rock formation there is a reservoir with a strict no-entry policy. It's the drinking water for the next town, Hyden.
From Wave Rock we leave shortly afterwards to the western part of the town of Toodyay, where we have booked accommodation.
The accommodation is surrounded by animals such as sheep, horses, parrots or alpacas. It's really wonderful to stay here. Accommodation via booking Pecan Hill BNB.
In the afternoon we had planned Sandboarding and Buggy tours in Lancelin.
Train station.
Breakfast at the airport
After arrival, a pre-booked shuttle bus will pick us up at the airport.
We were picked up from the hotel by a chauffeur.
One of the main reasons for our visit to Australia and Adele's dream wish was a trip to see great white sharks from Calypso Star Charters, based in Port Lincoln.
We were taken to the hotel by a shuttle.
Shuttle bus to the airport.
We are picked up at the airport by a shuttle bus from Bargain Car Rentals.
In the morning we checked out of the hotel and went to the rock phenomena.
In Port Campbell we stopped for a meal at Waves Cafe, Bar and Restaurant and left our Czech banknote as a souvenir.
Time was pressing and we headed back to Melbourne to check in and visit the city.
There is a circular tram (like the Prague 23), which is free of charge. We took advantage of it and also with accompanying commentary during the ride.
Our flight left Melbourne at 12:50 local time.
We are returning the car.
From the rental car company, we are driven to the airport.
Cost
Lettuce 135.676,-
return Australia: 55.940,-
Sydney - Auckland: 19.133,-
Auckland - Christchurch: 3.258,-
Christchurch - Brisbane: 9.613,-
Gold Coast - Cairns: 3.777,-
Cairns - Darwin: 5.886,-
Darwin - Perth: 9.981,-
Perth - Port Lincoln: 14.044,-
Port Lincoln - Melbourne: 14.044,-
Accommodation40.647,-
Sydney with breakfast: 3.626,- / 2 nights
(NZ) Auckland Ibis budget: 2.141,- / 1 night
(NZ) Auckland Flat bush with breakfast: 1.703,- / 1 night
(NZ) Punakaiki: 1.418,- / 1 night
(NZ) Haast: 1.737,- / 1 night
(NZ) Tekapo: 1.630,- / 1 night
Brisbane: 1.669,- / 1 night
Gold Coast: 3.500,- / 2 nights
Cairns: 2.259,- / 2 nights
Darwin with breakfast: 3.549,- / 2 nights
Perth: 2.350,- / 3 nights
Pemberton: 1.798,- / 1 night
Albany: 1.034,- / 1 night
Pecan Hill BNB with breakfast: 2.669,- / 1 night
Perth (via Qantas): 1.395,- / 1 night
Port Lincoln: 3.286,- / 2 nights
Port Cambell: 2.549,- / 1 night
Melbourne: 2.334,- / 1 night
Car 20.624,-
(NZ) Auckland 1.744,-
(NZ) Christchurch 4.780,-
Cairns: 2.291,-
Darwin: 1.700,-
Perth: 6.301,-
Melbourne: 3.808,-
Total for petrol: 10.513,-
Food: 25.424,-
In sum and with other items, the trip to Oceania cost us 314.078,- CZK. This was by far our most expensive vacation since we have been traveling together in 2017.
Conclusion
Since I didn't want to go in the first place, I'm so glad I have a wife like this to do the trip with. Despite a miserable first week, with bad luck nipping at our heels, everything worked out perfectly. The most surprising thing was how friendly, kind and smiling people are in both Australia and New Zealand, even though we are complete strangers to them. It was a shock for us to see everyone here in the Czech Republic the day after our return, frowning, cold, snowy and gloomy. Anyway, no day we had such bad weather that we had to cancel our plans. A little rain didn't stop us. The temperature differences between cities and territories in Australia was noticeable, but what do you expect too. It's a huge continent. It was really hot in the Northern Territory and quite cold and windy again in Melbourne. We liked Western Australia the best, it had perfect weather and overall we spent the most time in ZA. Overall our holiday was one big rush and we had to work with what we had. Limited vacation time at work. When we fly this far, we just want to make it. If he visits the other side again, I'll take a breather and only visit maybe 2 states. The itinerary was really hard to plan. Paying for everything in advance so that we would have certain tickets or even flights (and maybe cheaper ones). There were many times that by the time I bought a flight and rocked up, I couldn't find it. I don't know if it was due to a sell out or a flight cancellation. With so much going on and everything building on each other day after day, we were taking a lot of risks and it wasn't easy. I'd like to say I'm glad we got it over with, but I'd be lying. I'd give it another go.
Here's to new discoveries!
Dan
How it all started...
Even as a young boy, I admired and loved kangaroos and thought I would one day visit Australia. Over the years, as I got older, I drifted away from this and my fear of spiders, snakes and other deadly or just hideous vermin became greater. Anyway, it was thanks to my wife Ada that I started to travel and see the world. Before Oceania, we visited many other countries, as many times there were great opportunities to buy airline tickets at special prices. Of course, after the wedding, the honeymoon didn't wait long and my wife came up with the idea of Australia. I'm not going to lie, I tried to twitch, saying that I didn't want to go anywhere, that everything would kill me there and it was too expensive (and we hadn't calculated anything yet), as you know it's not a stone's throw from the Czech Republic. Anyway, it ended up that if we are going to fly to the other side, I want to visit New Zealand as well. The word was given to the word and my wife and I took a fair 20 days of vacation in November 2022. We were away for a total of 28 days from November 2 - November 30, 2022.
How did we plan it?
I think sometime in February 2022, Australia's borders started to open to tourists and New Zealand opened its borders in April. We had a wedding in May. In June we had arranged our visa and by July the plane tickets were being bought. Let me tell you, the airfare was really a struggle. We knew we wanted to fly in November and either from the Czech Republic or surrounding countries. And so the search for all sorts of combinations began. I used all possible search engines, e.g. Pelikan, Skyscanner, Letuska, Kiwi, Google Flights (of course I would buy the tickets directly from the airline). Tried different countries and departure cities (Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary) and different arrival cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Auckland-NZ) but all those offered flights from Emirates, Qatar, Korean Airlines and many others were well above 33.000,- CZK. I wanted to fit in a maximum of 30.000,- CZK per person and a maximum of 2 connections and ideally within 30 hours flight time. After a few nights of research, I remembered that we were flying to Hawaii on FinnAir, which for some reason wasn't even listed in the search engines. I looked directly at their website. I started by picking a date that worked for us, with a flight departing from Prague and arriving in Australia to Sydney and departing Australia from Melbourne. Flights from Prague-Helsinki-Singapore-Sydney for 27.970,- CZK were a wonderful price. I tried a combination of other cities from neighbouring countries of the Czech Republic, but got nowhere near this low price and with a flight time THERE of 30 hours and 25 minutes and a journey TIME BACK of 25 hours and 45 minutes, these tickets were a clear winner. I didn't hesitate to buy. The flight from Prague to Helsinki to Singapore was operated by FinnAir and the flight from Singapore to Sydney was operated by Australian Qantas. The return flight was basically the same, but with the difference in departure from Melbourne. Our map for November got a clear beginning and end of the trip. All that was left was to fine-tune the rest. Domestic flights, accommodation, cars, entry to various places, sim cards... Although we were each entitled to 23kg of luggage from FinnAir, we only took one suitcase in the hold (because the extra baggage allowance on domestic flights was x2) and regular backpacks. I also used The North Face Jester 28L backpack as my daily pack and Ada had a Decathlon NH500 30L backpack. For the next few months I shopped for everything we needed and planned our trip. We must have spent over 50 hours of pure time on the itinerary and the time passed like water. Before we knew it, we were on the plane leaving Prague for Helsinki at 19:35 on November 2, 2022. Our adventure of a lifetime was about to begin.
We took off at 19:35 local time from Prague to Helsinki with FinnAir. The flight took ~2 hours, we landed at 22:50, as Helsinki is an hour longer.
We departed from Helsinki about 20 minutes after midnight with the same air carrier, FinnAir, without any problems. The flight took 12 hours and 12 minutes. Scheduled arrival in Singapore was at 19:00 local time. The layover was scheduled for just 1 hour and 5 minutes. I'm not saying that I wasn't worried about missing the plane, which is why we had planned 2 nights in Sydney. We ended up arriving about 40 minutes early, so totally awesome. Of course, the joy of catching the connecting flight soon passed us by and here's where the fun begins. The flight to Sydney from Singapore will be delayed and the scheduled departure is at 01:00 the next morning. What the heck, I used my Revolut card with the Metal plan and thanks to the delay we took advantage of the free airport solon. We ate, relaxed and took a shower. The whole time I was checking our flight on Google and the FinnAir app to see if anything had changed unexpectedly. Nothing. We did have an unnecessary wait of over 6 hours in the lounge, but again, it wasn't too bad. Although lounge access is only for 3 hours, we were not kicked out and stayed until our departure, which was around midnight.
00:01- We moved from the lounge to the departure boards and here we searched in vain for our flight and Google no longer showed the departure gate. So we went to ask for information. The ladies I spoke to were slightly confused, but managed to find out after calling another colleague that our flight was no longer listed under FinnAir number AY0131, but under Qantas number QF82. Okay, good. All went well and I'm leaving together with Ada to gate C20.
00:20- Already from a distance we can see that we are arriving correctly. The airport at this time was pretty much empty with only ~300 passengers waiting like us for the flight to Sydney. We find a seat and settle in. So what I immediately noticed was that although we were leaving in less than 3/4 hours, I couldn't see a plane standing outside and the staff looked like ferrets that kept calling out somewhere and it seemed like something was going on. It didn't leave me completely cold, but there was nothing I could do anyway. We still have time before departure and the other passengers are waiting. About 10 minutes later there started to be a sort of commotion between a few passengers and the Qantas staff at the counter. I didn't give up and went to see what was going on. Passengers who had the Qantas app were getting flight updates. The plane is not flying, the flight is getting further delayed. A technical glitch that could not be fixed and the scheduled flight is rescheduled for 7pm. So we will spend ~25 hours in Singapore.
00:40 - A multilingual discussion has begun between passengers and Qantas staff alike. A Qantas manager who was on duty that day/night tried to calm the situation. Suddenly Qantas staff started looking for a solution. Another plane. Another flight to Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok for example and then a change to a flight to Sydney. That was a long time coming.
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At approximately 2:40am all options fail and we are sent to the Qantas Airways Bussines Lounge where we are given food, drink and our hotel is arranged. I immediately text the Sydney accommodation (where we have paid for 2 nights) that we will arrive a day late. No one is supposed to leave the airport in case the situation changes and we get an earlier departure than 7pm. The Qantas lounge was already officially closed, but due to our delayed flight and approximately 300 waiting passengers, they opened it. Coffee, tea, and water were available upon arrival in the lounge. No alcohol and a few sweetened drinks on request.
At 4am some food was available - breakfast (eggs, sausages, bacon). Blankets and pillows were handed out on request (not automatically). The passengers included young, old, children, in short all ages. Everyone found a corner, a seat, a chair where they waited. A few of the passengers were trying to find out what to do next at the reception to the Qantas lounge with the manager. It was really challenging after so many hours on the plane and almost no sleep.
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At about 6:00 in the morning we were told they didn't have rooms for that many people and were only able to provide 12 rooms for a total of 300 passengers. People were exhausted, angry and it was quite debilitating. I myself slept very little on the plane. Ada was exhausted, but she couldn't sleep. We agreed with the rooms to give them to the children and the elderly. The rest of the passengers can find a hotel up to $300 per person and can walk out of the airport. There will be no earlier flight than the scheduled 7:00pm departure. We were told that the lounge closes at 8:00 until the afternoon for cleaning and maintenance, so we will all have to leave. Where to? Some left the airport to check out the city, others left to wander around the airport and find a convenient bench to rest on, some, went to a Qantas designated spot in the lounge where (I learned in retrospect) water, coffee and some muffins were available. Before we were kicked out of the lounge, I found a hotel there on Booking, which is right at the airport, you just need to go through security. The night (read day) did cost close to $8,000, but Ada was done and I needed to sleep too and we were promised that we would be reimbursed by Qantas based on receipts up to $300. A bit of a problem was that I had to buy it as on the day of arrival and couldn't buy it back, but I took a chance. After various machinations and filling out the arrival form while being escorted by security, we were escorted out of the airport. We were directed straight to our hotel and here we got a "slap".
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It was about 8:30 in the morning and all the rooms were full and check-in was not possible until 2pm. Ada went to sit in the kitchenette and I went to find out what to do next. There was really no room available. I had already paid 8.000,- CZK and tried to think, but about 30 hours without sleep in a stressful situation I still couldn't think of anything much. Ada got a breakdown. I wasn't surprised at all. I resolved the situation with the nice receptionist by making a cancellation and she cancelled our reservation with no cancellation fee (where it was 100%). So Ada and I agreed to go back to the airport and go to the lounge to try and sleep in the chair. However, we got another slap on the wrist at check-in because our tickets were invalid as they were valid as of yesterday. We managed to get hold of someone from Qantas after various enquiries, but were told there was nothing they could do and we needed new tickets. That check-in for our Qantas flight would not be open until 2:30pm (it was about 9:20am) and that we had to wait as the system was locked. Cool. What now? Luckily I found a lounge that was one floor down. I didn't officially have Revolut access anymore because 1 person = 1 entry, but we passed 2 people in the first lounge for 1 entry, so Ada went to the second lounge for free on Revolut entry and I paid for my entry (approximately $50 Singapore dollars). We couldn't lie on the seats it was forbidden and if anyone tried to do so, they were immediately reprimanded with a 3 times and enough style. Luckily, I noticed that there was an area in the lounge with sleeping pods for $10 per hour. They only had 3 and it was about 12:25 when I even noticed them. After about 10 minutes, 2 people left that room. I didn't hesitate and bought us 3 hours. As soon as the Sleeping Pods were ready for us, we laid down and promptly fell asleep. Yeah, so this was a great sleep. 3 hours went by in a flash and we were woken up by the alarm clock. We're fresh. I check our flight on Google and see we don't leave until 10:00. Whatever, but we're still leaving, right? So we thank the lady at the front desk and leave the lounge to check in.
At approximately 15:40 we are at the check-in, which was quite fast. And the new tickets? None. We just got ours stamped. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or cry, but we just got it and went in and went through the classic security check. Arriving in the concourse at 4:20pm, I check the departure board, and our flight is marked QF82D and opens the gates at 5:50pm. Departure is scheduled for 19:00. We didn't believe it, but we did indeed depart from gate C22 at 19:05. On boarding we were still given a paper from Qantas about technical problems on the aircraft and therefore flight delay to claim compensation. Flight QF82 was for passengers who arrived (as we originally did) at ~18:30 and was delayed to a later departure time. At least that's what we were told.
After an 8 hour flight, we are in Sydney at 7:10am! Specifically, we landed at Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney. We clear customs and are in the country. We were really excited about this, so much so that we immediately headed to McDonald's for a "cheeze". After topping up our batteries, we made it to WHSmith (newsagent) at the airport to buy an Opal card (a ticket/tram pass for Sydney). I buy two and charge each one for 60 AUD. We arrive at the train and head straight from the airport to King Cross Centre station, where it's less than 5 minutes to the "Original Backpackers Sydney" accommodation for 214 AUD including breakfast (for 2 nights, but actually only 1). We arrived at our accommodation 30 minutes earlier than reception opening hours. So we had to wait. We exchanged a few words with the residents and the half hour was over. At check-in I had to pay a 20 AUD deposit for the key. For accommodation I still ordered a simcard from Amaysim from the Czech Republic, which was just on sale for 196,- CZK 50GB for 28 days (perfect for our trip). However, even though the accommodation confirmed that the simcard had arrived, the envelope with my name on it was nowhere to be found. Well, there was nothing to do now and we went to the room. The room was exactly like the picture. A small cubicle with a rickety bed, private shower and toilet, fridge, fan. In the course of unpacking, showering and changing I dealt with the sim card using the Amaysim app and live chat. Fortunately, all I was told was that I just needed to buy a new sim card for 2 AUD and pair the sim card number with the phone number I already had assigned in the app. I was relieved. I bought a new sim card at King's Cross and we were off to the whirlwind of the big city.
Purchase an Opal card (Sydney Flyer/Tram Pass). I buy two and charge each for AUD 60.
Sunday, a beautiful sunny day and we are heading by bus to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. We are scheduled to leave for Auckland, New Zealand at 8:00pm. We find a companion in our room, a cockroach. I named him Standa. We had breakfast at the accommodation before the trip. There was coffee, toasted bread, nutella, a few jams and milk. Low budget breakfast, but for us a feast of kings.
The Opal Card works for the trip. On Saturdays and Sundays, spend no more than AUD 8.40 per person. The bus ride took about 2.5 hours to the Palm Beach Golf Club station. Upon arrival, we bought an AUD 8 coffee at the kiosk and walked to the lighthouse.
You go through a park full of parrots, along the beach next to the bay and uphill via an easier but longer path or a shorter but more challenging path. We chose the latter and it was great with beautiful views. There is an option to look up at the top of the lighthouse every +/- 30 minutes for AUD 10 per person, but we didn't take advantage of it. Even so, you will find spectacular views all the way to the horizon. We took the easier route back down.
The trip took us a couple of hours and knowing that it would take us another 2.5 hours to get back, we wait for the bus a little after noon and go back to our accommodation to get our stuff and get our 20 AUD deposit back.
Main Station.
Let's pick up our suitcases and head to the airport.
On arrival at the airport everything is in order, we only need to show our New Zealand visa and return ticket. Everything happened so quickly that we are already on the plane and leaving for Auckland.
A few minutes after midnight local time we landed. We had 20 minutes from the airport booked accommodation from Ibis Budget for the night for 144 NZ. We wandered around for a while. It's night, we're without internet, but we managed. At check-in, the lady hands me an envelope with the sim card I ordered for the hotel from the Czech Republic. Operator Skinny 10GB/7days for 317,- CZK.
When I wake up in the morning, I go to the supermarket next door to buy breakfast and some supplies for the trip. At 9:30, the rental company will bring the sting to our hotel. Via Booking.com including full insurance for 1743,- CZK for 24 hours. The car was a Toyota Yaris. It was my first time driving in my life on the left side. It was a shock, it was strange, but I quickly got the hang of it and we were whizzing from Auckland to Hobbitin near Matamata, where we had reservations from 12:10pm.
My childhood dream came true while visiting the Hobbitín. It was truly wonderful, so much so that it made me shed a tear of joy that we were able to visit this place despite previous complications.
After visiting the Hobbitín, we moved on to Waitomo Caves where we toured the caves and took a boat ride on the water to see glow worms on the cave ceilings. You could see the blackness and look at the stars. Fascinating sight. Cost for both of us for an hour in the caves 122 NZD.
From Waitamo Caves, we made our way back to Auckland to stay in a private beautiful house in a quiet neighborhood with breakfast. Look for "Flat Bush Holiday Accommodation" on Booking. The night cost us 1606,-Kč.
We returned the car this afternoon. At 12:00 we had a flight from Auckland to the South Island to Christchurch.
We picked up our luggage from the conveyor belt upon arrival and it was not fresh at all. A dented and immobile wheel. I knew the claim wouldn't solve anything, but I needed a write up and report for the insurance company. We didn't have time to look for a new one somewhere, unless something came up along the way.
At 14:15 we were picked up by shuttle bus from car rental via Holiday autos - Snap rentals, 3 days for 3700,- CZK with full insurance. We got a Toyota Camry Hybrid. We need to buy some more supplies and we are moving to Punakaiki. It takes 4 hours to drive from Christchurch. After a minor delay in the form of a crash due to my fault and a replacement car for a Toyota Aqua hybrid, we set off for Punakaiki.
We had arranged a hellicopter flight over the glacier. The flight was scheduled for 14:00. We arrived about an hour early and had lunch in town. About 10 minutes before departure, we got a call from the departure center. We were a short walk from it, so I went straight there. They told us that they weren't going to fly today because the weather had deteriorated. They could have offered us a flight the next day, but we couldn't do that because we had arranged accommodation in Haast which was a 3 hour drive away and again would have been a huge hit to the itinerary. A solution was found as the next day we would be from the other side of the glacier where there are other departure points. Somehow we made a deal and that we should arrive the next day.
We arrived in Haast in the late afternoon and it was only by coincidence that I noticed at the reception that the bridge in the middle of our journey was closed from 8:00 the next day. Not noticing the little sign, we would stay in Haast until at least lunchtime and our plans for the next day would fall through.
We are leaving Haast very early in the morning to avoid road closure.
Too many pesky mosquitoes.
Here we found out that you don't fly on a glacier, but on Aoraki/Mount Cook, which is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It was 13:30 and the flight was at 14:00 and we were the only ones yet to fly. The problem arose that you fly with a minimum of 4 people, but it is possible to fly with 2 people as a VIP tour, but the price will be the same as 3 people. It was some 13.000,- CZK, but we should not despair, it is possible that someone will show up. So we waited. Half an hour gone. No one showed up and we had to make a decision. Well, I won't lie to you. I didn't want to pay. It was another hit to the budget, and although Ada argued that she would pay for it from the original flight, which she would be refunded because it was cancelled, it was up to me to pay the rest. A precarious situation, but I stood my ground and wasn't going to pay it. It was quiet. Accompanied by the clink of a fallen needle on the ground, we walked to the car. A heated discussion ensued. Ada started crying and I kept arguing that at least we had a helicopter trip over the Great Barrier Reef and a whole vacation ahead of us. It took us a while before I started the car and was about to leave. Let's just say it was a golden 10 minutes in the car before we had to leave and again, thank goodness for that. I'm already buckled in and shifting into reverse and I see Hazel in the rear view mirror. Hazel was the young lady from reception who ran up to us saying that if we still wanted to fly, 3 other people had just arrived and we could join them. There was room in the helicopter for exactly 5 people + the pilot. I peek into the car and tell Ada "let's go". Adele looked at me and just sobbed "what? when?", and I said "right now. And on the way to the building I quickly explain the situation. Crisis averted, but not by me. By the luck of the draw. I have to say, it was probably even nicer than I imagined. Our first helicopter flight. The snow on the peaks is clean and white. The pilot has landed at a predetermined spot. After getting out of the helicopter, we were immediately knee-deep in snow. We took beautiful photos, had a great view and the experience is priceless. The price was about 8500,- CZK for two.
After landing, we returned to the car and headed to Lake Pukaki, where we stopped for some time to absorb the beautiful nature of New Zealand.
After the descent we made our way to our accommodation at Lake Tekapo, which is hidden amidst the tops of the surrounding mountains. For an evening or morning, you will be in awe of how beautiful the scenery is and how the clouds surround the peaks.
We drive from Tekapo back to Christchurch, where we return the car and fly back to Australia, to Brisbane. We make a few stops along the way and again try to enjoy the scenery. Finally, on New Zealand, I would like to add that I have never seen greener grass and bluer skies or lakes. The sight of so many sheep, cows or horses grazing along the roadside in corrals but at the same time not used to people is indescribable. You have to see it with your own eyes.
After arriving in Brisbane with Qantas, my luggage is even more ruined. Again, I file a second claim (although to no avail) and find out where I can get a baggage claim this afternoon/evening. I have not gotten any advice that I can use. The suitcase barely rides and is held by force of will.
On the train I look at what options I have to buy a new suitcase and therefore not much. Luckily I thought to try using the local Facebook marketplace and managed to get a suitcase from a girl who lived 20 minutes walk from our accommodation for 50 AUD. WIN WIN situation and crisis averted.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
We went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where I had arranged tickets in advance to enter and to bury the koala. Upon entering the sanctuary, thanks to the pre-purchased tickets, we skipped the entire line and were able to store our suitcase in the enclosed staff area as well. Upon entering, we received a bag of kibble to feed the kangaroos. We were honestly very surprised that the shelter allows you to feed, pet and even cuddle the kangaroos. The enclosure is huge, they have several species of kangaroos and even children can run around in different ways. The kangaroos are very friendly and it really was a great experience, I was very excited because we purposely went to the sanctuary just to see the koalas. We had pre-paid for the koala burial from 11am. If you don't buy well in advance, they're usually not available on site. They only have a few koalas working that day and the windows for behavior options are very small. Everything worked out well. The koala left a brown present for me, and after a wash we were able to leave the shelter at 12pm.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
At 13:00 we took a bus from Brisbane station to Gold Coast for 280,- CZK per person by Premier motor service.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
From our accommodation we went on a day trip to Sea World in the Gold Coast. We were buying from the Czech Republic and entry to Sea World including a cup for unlimited drinks was AUD 220 for both of us. The part of the park with the more adult attractions was just being renovated, but we were not deprived of the experience. They have a beautiful giant aquarium, lots of rides and at feeding time after buying a cup of dead fish ( AUD 7) I fed myself more than just stingrays.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
At 6:45 we left the Gold Coast for Cairns. We used Uber to the airport and the journey at 4am.
Free shuttle bus from the car rental company.
Return of the car.
We went on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef including a 10 minute helicopter flight. Adya snorkeled and I paid for a deep sea dive as well. It was my first experience and an incredible experience. We bought it through TripAdvisor.
In the afternoon around 3pm we left Cairns for Darwin. We spent the day lounging at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. We left our suitcases at the hotel. There is no bus to the airport, so we took an Uber.
We got to Darwin at about 18:00 and had to take Uber from the airport again.
We picked up the car from Bargain Car Rentals.
We drove about an hour out of town for the "1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River". Bought on TripAdvisor.
We are returning the car.
We had scheduled the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove for 10am. The only place in the world where you can swim with these prehistoric reptiles. We toured the grounds and saw baby crocodiles, a reptile house that had some of the world's most venomous snakes such as the Australian Taipan. It was also just time for the reptile show, so I got to hold a (non-specific) snake and a lizard.
After arriving in Perth, we took the train to the city centre.
When we woke up, we had a delicious breakfast at Little Willy's, which was right next to our accommodation.
After the valley we took a bus to the Blue Boat House. The wider city centre is marked as "zone free" and so you don't need to buy tickets.
We spent most of the day at Leighton Beach. As it was further away from the city centre, we bought a ticket from the driver, which is valid for the whole day.
Early in the morning after we left the accommodation we move to the car rental "no birds".
I am picking up a Toyota Corolla hybrid for 6300,- CZK including full cover and leaving a deposit of 5.000,- CZK.
We leave our accommodation early and head to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Here we walk among the treetops at heights of up to 40 metres. The footbridge sways a bit and I'm in awe of it. We're really high up. Aďa is laughing at me. Entry for AUD 21 per person also takes you to a section called "the Ancient Empire" where you will find trees that are over 16 metres in circumference.
From the city of Albany, we make the 4 hour drive to Wave rock. We drive through the Stirling Range National Park -> Chinocup Nature Reserve -> Salt Lake, which has been dyed pink -> and finally to Wave rock. The temperature from the south is 14°C higher and the humidity is nonexistent.
So the worst experience we have is from flies. They are cheeky and crawl into our ears and nostrils and swatting them away doesn't help. Unfortunately, we don't have a hat with a net. There weren't many tourists at Wave Rock. We'll walk the area and take some pictures. Next to the rock formation there is a reservoir with a strict no-entry policy. It's the drinking water for the next town, Hyden.
From Wave Rock we leave shortly afterwards to the western part of the town of Toodyay, where we have booked accommodation.
The accommodation is surrounded by animals such as sheep, horses, parrots or alpacas. It's really wonderful to stay here. Accommodation via booking Pecan Hill BNB.
In the afternoon we had planned Sandboarding and Buggy tours in Lancelin.
Train station.
Breakfast at the airport
After arrival, a pre-booked shuttle bus will pick us up at the airport.
We were picked up from the hotel by a chauffeur.
One of the main reasons for our visit to Australia and Adele's dream wish was a trip to see great white sharks from Calypso Star Charters, based in Port Lincoln.
We were taken to the hotel by a shuttle.
Shuttle bus to the airport.
We are picked up at the airport by a shuttle bus from Bargain Car Rentals.
In the morning we checked out of the hotel and went to the rock phenomena.
In Port Campbell we stopped for a meal at Waves Cafe, Bar and Restaurant and left our Czech banknote as a souvenir.
Time was pressing and we headed back to Melbourne to check in and visit the city.
There is a circular tram (like the Prague 23), which is free of charge. We took advantage of it and also with accompanying commentary during the ride.
Our flight left Melbourne at 12:50 local time.
We are returning the car.
From the rental car company, we are driven to the airport.
Cost
Lettuce 135.676,-
return Australia: 55.940,-
Sydney - Auckland: 19.133,-
Auckland - Christchurch: 3.258,-
Christchurch - Brisbane: 9.613,-
Gold Coast - Cairns: 3.777,-
Cairns - Darwin: 5.886,-
Darwin - Perth: 9.981,-
Perth - Port Lincoln: 14.044,-
Port Lincoln - Melbourne: 14.044,-
Accommodation40.647,-
Sydney with breakfast: 3.626,- / 2 nights
(NZ) Auckland Ibis budget: 2.141,- / 1 night
(NZ) Auckland Flat bush with breakfast: 1.703,- / 1 night
(NZ) Punakaiki: 1.418,- / 1 night
(NZ) Haast: 1.737,- / 1 night
(NZ) Tekapo: 1.630,- / 1 night
Brisbane: 1.669,- / 1 night
Gold Coast: 3.500,- / 2 nights
Cairns: 2.259,- / 2 nights
Darwin with breakfast: 3.549,- / 2 nights
Perth: 2.350,- / 3 nights
Pemberton: 1.798,- / 1 night
Albany: 1.034,- / 1 night
Pecan Hill BNB with breakfast: 2.669,- / 1 night
Perth (via Qantas): 1.395,- / 1 night
Port Lincoln: 3.286,- / 2 nights
Port Cambell: 2.549,- / 1 night
Melbourne: 2.334,- / 1 night
Car 20.624,-
(NZ) Auckland 1.744,-
(NZ) Christchurch 4.780,-
Cairns: 2.291,-
Darwin: 1.700,-
Perth: 6.301,-
Melbourne: 3.808,-
Total for petrol: 10.513,-
Food: 25.424,-
In sum and with other items, the trip to Oceania cost us 314.078,- CZK. This was by far our most expensive vacation since we have been traveling together in 2017.
Conclusion
Since I didn't want to go in the first place, I'm so glad I have a wife like this to do the trip with. Despite a miserable first week, with bad luck nipping at our heels, everything worked out perfectly. The most surprising thing was how friendly, kind and smiling people are in both Australia and New Zealand, even though we are complete strangers to them. It was a shock for us to see everyone here in the Czech Republic the day after our return, frowning, cold, snowy and gloomy. Anyway, no day we had such bad weather that we had to cancel our plans. A little rain didn't stop us. The temperature differences between cities and territories in Australia was noticeable, but what do you expect too. It's a huge continent. It was really hot in the Northern Territory and quite cold and windy again in Melbourne. We liked Western Australia the best, it had perfect weather and overall we spent the most time in ZA. Overall our holiday was one big rush and we had to work with what we had. Limited vacation time at work. When we fly this far, we just want to make it. If he visits the other side again, I'll take a breather and only visit maybe 2 states. The itinerary was really hard to plan. Paying for everything in advance so that we would have certain tickets or even flights (and maybe cheaper ones). There were many times that by the time I bought a flight and rocked up, I couldn't find it. I don't know if it was due to a sell out or a flight cancellation. With so much going on and everything building on each other day after day, we were taking a lot of risks and it wasn't easy. I'd like to say I'm glad we got it over with, but I'd be lying. I'd give it another go.
Here's to new discoveries!
Dan
itinerary by Daniel K.
How it all started...
Even as a young boy, I admired and loved kangaroos and thought I would one day visit Australia. Over the years, as I got older, I drifted away from this and my fear of spiders, snakes and other deadly or just hideous vermin became greater. Anyway, it was thanks to my wife Ada that I started to travel and see the world. Before Oceania, we visited many other countries, as many times there were great opportunities to buy airline tickets at special prices. Of course, after the wedding, the honeymoon didn't wait long and my wife came up with the idea of Australia. I'm not going to lie, I tried to twitch, saying that I didn't want to go anywhere, that everything would kill me there and it was too expensive (and we hadn't calculated anything yet), as you know it's not a stone's throw from the Czech Republic. Anyway, it ended up that if we are going to fly to the other side, I want to visit New Zealand as well. The word was given to the word and my wife and I took a fair 20 days of vacation in November 2022. We were away for a total of 28 days from November 2 - November 30, 2022.
How did we plan it?
I think sometime in February 2022, Australia's borders started to open to tourists and New Zealand opened its borders in April. We had a wedding in May. In June we had arranged our visa and by July the plane tickets were being bought. Let me tell you, the airfare was really a struggle. We knew we wanted to fly in November and either from the Czech Republic or surrounding countries. And so the search for all sorts of combinations began. I used all possible search engines, e.g. Pelikan, Skyscanner, Letuska, Kiwi, Google Flights (of course I would buy the tickets directly from the airline). Tried different countries and departure cities (Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary) and different arrival cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Auckland-NZ) but all those offered flights from Emirates, Qatar, Korean Airlines and many others were well above 33.000,- CZK. I wanted to fit in a maximum of 30.000,- CZK per person and a maximum of 2 connections and ideally within 30 hours flight time. After a few nights of research, I remembered that we were flying to Hawaii on FinnAir, which for some reason wasn't even listed in the search engines. I looked directly at their website. I started by picking a date that worked for us, with a flight departing from Prague and arriving in Australia to Sydney and departing Australia from Melbourne. Flights from Prague-Helsinki-Singapore-Sydney for 27.970,- CZK were a wonderful price. I tried a combination of other cities from neighbouring countries of the Czech Republic, but got nowhere near this low price and with a flight time THERE of 30 hours and 25 minutes and a journey TIME BACK of 25 hours and 45 minutes, these tickets were a clear winner. I didn't hesitate to buy. The flight from Prague to Helsinki to Singapore was operated by FinnAir and the flight from Singapore to Sydney was operated by Australian Qantas. The return flight was basically the same, but with the difference in departure from Melbourne. Our map for November got a clear beginning and end of the trip. All that was left was to fine-tune the rest. Domestic flights, accommodation, cars, entry to various places, sim cards... Although we were each entitled to 23kg of luggage from FinnAir, we only took one suitcase in the hold (because the extra baggage allowance on domestic flights was x2) and regular backpacks. I also used The North Face Jester 28L backpack as my daily pack and Ada had a Decathlon NH500 30L backpack. For the next few months I shopped for everything we needed and planned our trip. We must have spent over 50 hours of pure time on the itinerary and the time passed like water. Before we knew it, we were on the plane leaving Prague for Helsinki at 19:35 on November 2, 2022. Our adventure of a lifetime was about to begin.
We took off at 19:35 local time from Prague to Helsinki with FinnAir. The flight took ~2 hours, we landed at 22:50, as Helsinki is an hour longer.
We departed from Helsinki about 20 minutes after midnight with the same air carrier, FinnAir, without any problems. The flight took 12 hours and 12 minutes. Scheduled arrival in Singapore was at 19:00 local time. The layover was scheduled for just 1 hour and 5 minutes. I'm not saying that I wasn't worried about missing the plane, which is why we had planned 2 nights in Sydney. We ended up arriving about 40 minutes early, so totally awesome. Of course, the joy of catching the connecting flight soon passed us by and here's where the fun begins. The flight to Sydney from Singapore will be delayed and the scheduled departure is at 01:00 the next morning. What the heck, I used my Revolut card with the Metal plan and thanks to the delay we took advantage of the free airport solon. We ate, relaxed and took a shower. The whole time I was checking our flight on Google and the FinnAir app to see if anything had changed unexpectedly. Nothing. We did have an unnecessary wait of over 6 hours in the lounge, but again, it wasn't too bad. Although lounge access is only for 3 hours, we were not kicked out and stayed until our departure, which was around midnight.
00:01- We moved from the lounge to the departure boards and here we searched in vain for our flight and Google no longer showed the departure gate. So we went to ask for information. The ladies I spoke to were slightly confused, but managed to find out after calling another colleague that our flight was no longer listed under FinnAir number AY0131, but under Qantas number QF82. Okay, good. All went well and I'm leaving together with Ada to gate C20.
00:20- Already from a distance we can see that we are arriving correctly. The airport at this time was pretty much empty with only ~300 passengers waiting like us for the flight to Sydney. We find a seat and settle in. So what I immediately noticed was that although we were leaving in less than 3/4 hours, I couldn't see a plane standing outside and the staff looked like ferrets that kept calling out somewhere and it seemed like something was going on. It didn't leave me completely cold, but there was nothing I could do anyway. We still have time before departure and the other passengers are waiting. About 10 minutes later there started to be a sort of commotion between a few passengers and the Qantas staff at the counter. I didn't give up and went to see what was going on. Passengers who had the Qantas app were getting flight updates. The plane is not flying, the flight is getting further delayed. A technical glitch that could not be fixed and the scheduled flight is rescheduled for 7pm. So we will spend ~25 hours in Singapore.
00:40 - A multilingual discussion has begun between passengers and Qantas staff alike. A Qantas manager who was on duty that day/night tried to calm the situation. Suddenly Qantas staff started looking for a solution. Another plane. Another flight to Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok for example and then a change to a flight to Sydney. That was a long time coming.
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At approximately 2:40am all options fail and we are sent to the Qantas Airways Bussines Lounge where we are given food, drink and our hotel is arranged. I immediately text the Sydney accommodation (where we have paid for 2 nights) that we will arrive a day late. No one is supposed to leave the airport in case the situation changes and we get an earlier departure than 7pm. The Qantas lounge was already officially closed, but due to our delayed flight and approximately 300 waiting passengers, they opened it. Coffee, tea, and water were available upon arrival in the lounge. No alcohol and a few sweetened drinks on request.
At 4am some food was available - breakfast (eggs, sausages, bacon). Blankets and pillows were handed out on request (not automatically). The passengers included young, old, children, in short all ages. Everyone found a corner, a seat, a chair where they waited. A few of the passengers were trying to find out what to do next at the reception to the Qantas lounge with the manager. It was really challenging after so many hours on the plane and almost no sleep.
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At about 6:00 in the morning we were told they didn't have rooms for that many people and were only able to provide 12 rooms for a total of 300 passengers. People were exhausted, angry and it was quite debilitating. I myself slept very little on the plane. Ada was exhausted, but she couldn't sleep. We agreed with the rooms to give them to the children and the elderly. The rest of the passengers can find a hotel up to $300 per person and can walk out of the airport. There will be no earlier flight than the scheduled 7:00pm departure. We were told that the lounge closes at 8:00 until the afternoon for cleaning and maintenance, so we will all have to leave. Where to? Some left the airport to check out the city, others left to wander around the airport and find a convenient bench to rest on, some, went to a Qantas designated spot in the lounge where (I learned in retrospect) water, coffee and some muffins were available. Before we were kicked out of the lounge, I found a hotel there on Booking, which is right at the airport, you just need to go through security. The night (read day) did cost close to $8,000, but Ada was done and I needed to sleep too and we were promised that we would be reimbursed by Qantas based on receipts up to $300. A bit of a problem was that I had to buy it as on the day of arrival and couldn't buy it back, but I took a chance. After various machinations and filling out the arrival form while being escorted by security, we were escorted out of the airport. We were directed straight to our hotel and here we got a "slap".
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It was about 8:30 in the morning and all the rooms were full and check-in was not possible until 2pm. Ada went to sit in the kitchenette and I went to find out what to do next. There was really no room available. I had already paid 8.000,- CZK and tried to think, but about 30 hours without sleep in a stressful situation I still couldn't think of anything much. Ada got a breakdown. I wasn't surprised at all. I resolved the situation with the nice receptionist by making a cancellation and she cancelled our reservation with no cancellation fee (where it was 100%). So Ada and I agreed to go back to the airport and go to the lounge to try and sleep in the chair. However, we got another slap on the wrist at check-in because our tickets were invalid as they were valid as of yesterday. We managed to get hold of someone from Qantas after various enquiries, but were told there was nothing they could do and we needed new tickets. That check-in for our Qantas flight would not be open until 2:30pm (it was about 9:20am) and that we had to wait as the system was locked. Cool. What now? Luckily I found a lounge that was one floor down. I didn't officially have Revolut access anymore because 1 person = 1 entry, but we passed 2 people in the first lounge for 1 entry, so Ada went to the second lounge for free on Revolut entry and I paid for my entry (approximately $50 Singapore dollars). We couldn't lie on the seats it was forbidden and if anyone tried to do so, they were immediately reprimanded with a 3 times and enough style. Luckily, I noticed that there was an area in the lounge with sleeping pods for $10 per hour. They only had 3 and it was about 12:25 when I even noticed them. After about 10 minutes, 2 people left that room. I didn't hesitate and bought us 3 hours. As soon as the Sleeping Pods were ready for us, we laid down and promptly fell asleep. Yeah, so this was a great sleep. 3 hours went by in a flash and we were woken up by the alarm clock. We're fresh. I check our flight on Google and see we don't leave until 10:00. Whatever, but we're still leaving, right? So we thank the lady at the front desk and leave the lounge to check in.
At approximately 15:40 we are at the check-in, which was quite fast. And the new tickets? None. We just got ours stamped. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or cry, but we just got it and went in and went through the classic security check. Arriving in the concourse at 4:20pm, I check the departure board, and our flight is marked QF82D and opens the gates at 5:50pm. Departure is scheduled for 19:00. We didn't believe it, but we did indeed depart from gate C22 at 19:05. On boarding we were still given a paper from Qantas about technical problems on the aircraft and therefore flight delay to claim compensation. Flight QF82 was for passengers who arrived (as we originally did) at ~18:30 and was delayed to a later departure time. At least that's what we were told.
After an 8 hour flight, we are in Sydney at 7:10am! Specifically, we landed at Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney. We clear customs and are in the country. We were really excited about this, so much so that we immediately headed to McDonald's for a "cheeze". After topping up our batteries, we made it to WHSmith (newsagent) at the airport to buy an Opal card (a ticket/tram pass for Sydney). I buy two and charge each one for 60 AUD. We arrive at the train and head straight from the airport to King Cross Centre station, where it's less than 5 minutes to the "Original Backpackers Sydney" accommodation for 214 AUD including breakfast (for 2 nights, but actually only 1). We arrived at our accommodation 30 minutes earlier than reception opening hours. So we had to wait. We exchanged a few words with the residents and the half hour was over. At check-in I had to pay a 20 AUD deposit for the key. For accommodation I still ordered a simcard from Amaysim from the Czech Republic, which was just on sale for 196,- CZK 50GB for 28 days (perfect for our trip). However, even though the accommodation confirmed that the simcard had arrived, the envelope with my name on it was nowhere to be found. Well, there was nothing to do now and we went to the room. The room was exactly like the picture. A small cubicle with a rickety bed, private shower and toilet, fridge, fan. In the course of unpacking, showering and changing I dealt with the sim card using the Amaysim app and live chat. Fortunately, all I was told was that I just needed to buy a new sim card for 2 AUD and pair the sim card number with the phone number I already had assigned in the app. I was relieved. I bought a new sim card at King's Cross and we were off to the whirlwind of the big city.
Purchase an Opal card (Sydney Flyer/Tram Pass). I buy two and charge each for AUD 60.
Sunday, a beautiful sunny day and we are heading by bus to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. We are scheduled to leave for Auckland, New Zealand at 8:00pm. We find a companion in our room, a cockroach. I named him Standa. We had breakfast at the accommodation before the trip. There was coffee, toasted bread, nutella, a few jams and milk. Low budget breakfast, but for us a feast of kings.
The Opal Card works for the trip. On Saturdays and Sundays, spend no more than AUD 8.40 per person. The bus ride took about 2.5 hours to the Palm Beach Golf Club station. Upon arrival, we bought an AUD 8 coffee at the kiosk and walked to the lighthouse.
You go through a park full of parrots, along the beach next to the bay and uphill via an easier but longer path or a shorter but more challenging path. We chose the latter and it was great with beautiful views. There is an option to look up at the top of the lighthouse every +/- 30 minutes for AUD 10 per person, but we didn't take advantage of it. Even so, you will find spectacular views all the way to the horizon. We took the easier route back down.
The trip took us a couple of hours and knowing that it would take us another 2.5 hours to get back, we wait for the bus a little after noon and go back to our accommodation to get our stuff and get our 20 AUD deposit back.
Main Station.
Let's pick up our suitcases and head to the airport.
On arrival at the airport everything is in order, we only need to show our New Zealand visa and return ticket. Everything happened so quickly that we are already on the plane and leaving for Auckland.
A few minutes after midnight local time we landed. We had 20 minutes from the airport booked accommodation from Ibis Budget for the night for 144 NZ. We wandered around for a while. It's night, we're without internet, but we managed. At check-in, the lady hands me an envelope with the sim card I ordered for the hotel from the Czech Republic. Operator Skinny 10GB/7days for 317,- CZK.
When I wake up in the morning, I go to the supermarket next door to buy breakfast and some supplies for the trip. At 9:30, the rental company will bring the sting to our hotel. Via Booking.com including full insurance for 1743,- CZK for 24 hours. The car was a Toyota Yaris. It was my first time driving in my life on the left side. It was a shock, it was strange, but I quickly got the hang of it and we were whizzing from Auckland to Hobbitin near Matamata, where we had reservations from 12:10pm.
My childhood dream came true while visiting the Hobbitín. It was truly wonderful, so much so that it made me shed a tear of joy that we were able to visit this place despite previous complications.
After visiting the Hobbitín, we moved on to Waitomo Caves where we toured the caves and took a boat ride on the water to see glow worms on the cave ceilings. You could see the blackness and look at the stars. Fascinating sight. Cost for both of us for an hour in the caves 122 NZD.
From Waitamo Caves, we made our way back to Auckland to stay in a private beautiful house in a quiet neighborhood with breakfast. Look for "Flat Bush Holiday Accommodation" on Booking. The night cost us 1606,-Kč.
We returned the car this afternoon. At 12:00 we had a flight from Auckland to the South Island to Christchurch.
We picked up our luggage from the conveyor belt upon arrival and it was not fresh at all. A dented and immobile wheel. I knew the claim wouldn't solve anything, but I needed a write up and report for the insurance company. We didn't have time to look for a new one somewhere, unless something came up along the way.
At 14:15 we were picked up by shuttle bus from car rental via Holiday autos - Snap rentals, 3 days for 3700,- CZK with full insurance. We got a Toyota Camry Hybrid. We need to buy some more supplies and we are moving to Punakaiki. It takes 4 hours to drive from Christchurch. After a minor delay in the form of a crash due to my fault and a replacement car for a Toyota Aqua hybrid, we set off for Punakaiki.
We had arranged a hellicopter flight over the glacier. The flight was scheduled for 14:00. We arrived about an hour early and had lunch in town. About 10 minutes before departure, we got a call from the departure center. We were a short walk from it, so I went straight there. They told us that they weren't going to fly today because the weather had deteriorated. They could have offered us a flight the next day, but we couldn't do that because we had arranged accommodation in Haast which was a 3 hour drive away and again would have been a huge hit to the itinerary. A solution was found as the next day we would be from the other side of the glacier where there are other departure points. Somehow we made a deal and that we should arrive the next day.
We arrived in Haast in the late afternoon and it was only by coincidence that I noticed at the reception that the bridge in the middle of our journey was closed from 8:00 the next day. Not noticing the little sign, we would stay in Haast until at least lunchtime and our plans for the next day would fall through.
We are leaving Haast very early in the morning to avoid road closure.
Too many pesky mosquitoes.
Here we found out that you don't fly on a glacier, but on Aoraki/Mount Cook, which is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It was 13:30 and the flight was at 14:00 and we were the only ones yet to fly. The problem arose that you fly with a minimum of 4 people, but it is possible to fly with 2 people as a VIP tour, but the price will be the same as 3 people. It was some 13.000,- CZK, but we should not despair, it is possible that someone will show up. So we waited. Half an hour gone. No one showed up and we had to make a decision. Well, I won't lie to you. I didn't want to pay. It was another hit to the budget, and although Ada argued that she would pay for it from the original flight, which she would be refunded because it was cancelled, it was up to me to pay the rest. A precarious situation, but I stood my ground and wasn't going to pay it. It was quiet. Accompanied by the clink of a fallen needle on the ground, we walked to the car. A heated discussion ensued. Ada started crying and I kept arguing that at least we had a helicopter trip over the Great Barrier Reef and a whole vacation ahead of us. It took us a while before I started the car and was about to leave. Let's just say it was a golden 10 minutes in the car before we had to leave and again, thank goodness for that. I'm already buckled in and shifting into reverse and I see Hazel in the rear view mirror. Hazel was the young lady from reception who ran up to us saying that if we still wanted to fly, 3 other people had just arrived and we could join them. There was room in the helicopter for exactly 5 people + the pilot. I peek into the car and tell Ada "let's go". Adele looked at me and just sobbed "what? when?", and I said "right now. And on the way to the building I quickly explain the situation. Crisis averted, but not by me. By the luck of the draw. I have to say, it was probably even nicer than I imagined. Our first helicopter flight. The snow on the peaks is clean and white. The pilot has landed at a predetermined spot. After getting out of the helicopter, we were immediately knee-deep in snow. We took beautiful photos, had a great view and the experience is priceless. The price was about 8500,- CZK for two.
After landing, we returned to the car and headed to Lake Pukaki, where we stopped for some time to absorb the beautiful nature of New Zealand.
After the descent we made our way to our accommodation at Lake Tekapo, which is hidden amidst the tops of the surrounding mountains. For an evening or morning, you will be in awe of how beautiful the scenery is and how the clouds surround the peaks.
We drive from Tekapo back to Christchurch, where we return the car and fly back to Australia, to Brisbane. We make a few stops along the way and again try to enjoy the scenery. Finally, on New Zealand, I would like to add that I have never seen greener grass and bluer skies or lakes. The sight of so many sheep, cows or horses grazing along the roadside in corrals but at the same time not used to people is indescribable. You have to see it with your own eyes.
After arriving in Brisbane with Qantas, my luggage is even more ruined. Again, I file a second claim (although to no avail) and find out where I can get a baggage claim this afternoon/evening. I have not gotten any advice that I can use. The suitcase barely rides and is held by force of will.
On the train I look at what options I have to buy a new suitcase and therefore not much. Luckily I thought to try using the local Facebook marketplace and managed to get a suitcase from a girl who lived 20 minutes walk from our accommodation for 50 AUD. WIN WIN situation and crisis averted.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
We went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where I had arranged tickets in advance to enter and to bury the koala. Upon entering the sanctuary, thanks to the pre-purchased tickets, we skipped the entire line and were able to store our suitcase in the enclosed staff area as well. Upon entering, we received a bag of kibble to feed the kangaroos. We were honestly very surprised that the shelter allows you to feed, pet and even cuddle the kangaroos. The enclosure is huge, they have several species of kangaroos and even children can run around in different ways. The kangaroos are very friendly and it really was a great experience, I was very excited because we purposely went to the sanctuary just to see the koalas. We had pre-paid for the koala burial from 11am. If you don't buy well in advance, they're usually not available on site. They only have a few koalas working that day and the windows for behavior options are very small. Everything worked out well. The koala left a brown present for me, and after a wash we were able to leave the shelter at 12pm.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
At 13:00 we took a bus from Brisbane station to Gold Coast for 280,- CZK per person by Premier motor service.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
From our accommodation we went on a day trip to Sea World in the Gold Coast. We were buying from the Czech Republic and entry to Sea World including a cup for unlimited drinks was AUD 220 for both of us. The part of the park with the more adult attractions was just being renovated, but we were not deprived of the experience. They have a beautiful giant aquarium, lots of rides and at feeding time after buying a cup of dead fish ( AUD 7) I fed myself more than just stingrays.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
At 6:45 we left the Gold Coast for Cairns. We used Uber to the airport and the journey at 4am.
Free shuttle bus from the car rental company.
Return of the car.
We went on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef including a 10 minute helicopter flight. Adya snorkeled and I paid for a deep sea dive as well. It was my first experience and an incredible experience. We bought it through TripAdvisor.
In the afternoon around 3pm we left Cairns for Darwin. We spent the day lounging at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. We left our suitcases at the hotel. There is no bus to the airport, so we took an Uber.
We got to Darwin at about 18:00 and had to take Uber from the airport again.
We picked up the car from Bargain Car Rentals.
We drove about an hour out of town for the "1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River". Bought on TripAdvisor.
We are returning the car.
We had scheduled the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove for 10am. The only place in the world where you can swim with these prehistoric reptiles. We toured the grounds and saw baby crocodiles, a reptile house that had some of the world's most venomous snakes such as the Australian Taipan. It was also just time for the reptile show, so I got to hold a (non-specific) snake and a lizard.
After arriving in Perth, we took the train to the city centre.
When we woke up, we had a delicious breakfast at Little Willy's, which was right next to our accommodation.
After the valley we took a bus to the Blue Boat House. The wider city centre is marked as "zone free" and so you don't need to buy tickets.
We spent most of the day at Leighton Beach. As it was further away from the city centre, we bought a ticket from the driver, which is valid for the whole day.
Early in the morning after we left the accommodation we move to the car rental "no birds".
I am picking up a Toyota Corolla hybrid for 6300,- CZK including full cover and leaving a deposit of 5.000,- CZK.
We leave our accommodation early and head to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Here we walk among the treetops at heights of up to 40 metres. The footbridge sways a bit and I'm in awe of it. We're really high up. Aďa is laughing at me. Entry for AUD 21 per person also takes you to a section called "the Ancient Empire" where you will find trees that are over 16 metres in circumference.
From the city of Albany, we make the 4 hour drive to Wave rock. We drive through the Stirling Range National Park -> Chinocup Nature Reserve -> Salt Lake, which has been dyed pink -> and finally to Wave rock. The temperature from the south is 14°C higher and the humidity is nonexistent.
So the worst experience we have is from flies. They are cheeky and crawl into our ears and nostrils and swatting them away doesn't help. Unfortunately, we don't have a hat with a net. There weren't many tourists at Wave Rock. We'll walk the area and take some pictures. Next to the rock formation there is a reservoir with a strict no-entry policy. It's the drinking water for the next town, Hyden.
From Wave Rock we leave shortly afterwards to the western part of the town of Toodyay, where we have booked accommodation.
The accommodation is surrounded by animals such as sheep, horses, parrots or alpacas. It's really wonderful to stay here. Accommodation via booking Pecan Hill BNB.
In the afternoon we had planned Sandboarding and Buggy tours in Lancelin.
Train station.
Breakfast at the airport
After arrival, a pre-booked shuttle bus will pick us up at the airport.
We were picked up from the hotel by a chauffeur.
One of the main reasons for our visit to Australia and Adele's dream wish was a trip to see great white sharks from Calypso Star Charters, based in Port Lincoln.
We were taken to the hotel by a shuttle.
Shuttle bus to the airport.
We are picked up at the airport by a shuttle bus from Bargain Car Rentals.
In the morning we checked out of the hotel and went to the rock phenomena.
In Port Campbell we stopped for a meal at Waves Cafe, Bar and Restaurant and left our Czech banknote as a souvenir.
Time was pressing and we headed back to Melbourne to check in and visit the city.
There is a circular tram (like the Prague 23), which is free of charge. We took advantage of it and also with accompanying commentary during the ride.
Our flight left Melbourne at 12:50 local time.
We are returning the car.
From the rental car company, we are driven to the airport.
Cost
Lettuce 135.676,-
return Australia: 55.940,-
Sydney - Auckland: 19.133,-
Auckland - Christchurch: 3.258,-
Christchurch - Brisbane: 9.613,-
Gold Coast - Cairns: 3.777,-
Cairns - Darwin: 5.886,-
Darwin - Perth: 9.981,-
Perth - Port Lincoln: 14.044,-
Port Lincoln - Melbourne: 14.044,-
Accommodation40.647,-
Sydney with breakfast: 3.626,- / 2 nights
(NZ) Auckland Ibis budget: 2.141,- / 1 night
(NZ) Auckland Flat bush with breakfast: 1.703,- / 1 night
(NZ) Punakaiki: 1.418,- / 1 night
(NZ) Haast: 1.737,- / 1 night
(NZ) Tekapo: 1.630,- / 1 night
Brisbane: 1.669,- / 1 night
Gold Coast: 3.500,- / 2 nights
Cairns: 2.259,- / 2 nights
Darwin with breakfast: 3.549,- / 2 nights
Perth: 2.350,- / 3 nights
Pemberton: 1.798,- / 1 night
Albany: 1.034,- / 1 night
Pecan Hill BNB with breakfast: 2.669,- / 1 night
Perth (via Qantas): 1.395,- / 1 night
Port Lincoln: 3.286,- / 2 nights
Port Cambell: 2.549,- / 1 night
Melbourne: 2.334,- / 1 night
Car 20.624,-
(NZ) Auckland 1.744,-
(NZ) Christchurch 4.780,-
Cairns: 2.291,-
Darwin: 1.700,-
Perth: 6.301,-
Melbourne: 3.808,-
Total for petrol: 10.513,-
Food: 25.424,-
In sum and with other items, the trip to Oceania cost us 314.078,- CZK. This was by far our most expensive vacation since we have been traveling together in 2017.
Conclusion
Since I didn't want to go in the first place, I'm so glad I have a wife like this to do the trip with. Despite a miserable first week, with bad luck nipping at our heels, everything worked out perfectly. The most surprising thing was how friendly, kind and smiling people are in both Australia and New Zealand, even though we are complete strangers to them. It was a shock for us to see everyone here in the Czech Republic the day after our return, frowning, cold, snowy and gloomy. Anyway, no day we had such bad weather that we had to cancel our plans. A little rain didn't stop us. The temperature differences between cities and territories in Australia was noticeable, but what do you expect too. It's a huge continent. It was really hot in the Northern Territory and quite cold and windy again in Melbourne. We liked Western Australia the best, it had perfect weather and overall we spent the most time in ZA. Overall our holiday was one big rush and we had to work with what we had. Limited vacation time at work. When we fly this far, we just want to make it. If he visits the other side again, I'll take a breather and only visit maybe 2 states. The itinerary was really hard to plan. Paying for everything in advance so that we would have certain tickets or even flights (and maybe cheaper ones). There were many times that by the time I bought a flight and rocked up, I couldn't find it. I don't know if it was due to a sell out or a flight cancellation. With so much going on and everything building on each other day after day, we were taking a lot of risks and it wasn't easy. I'd like to say I'm glad we got it over with, but I'd be lying. I'd give it another go.
Here's to new discoveries!
Dan
How it all started...
Even as a young boy, I admired and loved kangaroos and thought I would one day visit Australia. Over the years, as I got older, I drifted away from this and my fear of spiders, snakes and other deadly or just hideous vermin became greater. Anyway, it was thanks to my wife Ada that I started to travel and see the world. Before Oceania, we visited many other countries, as many times there were great opportunities to buy airline tickets at special prices. Of course, after the wedding, the honeymoon didn't wait long and my wife came up with the idea of Australia. I'm not going to lie, I tried to twitch, saying that I didn't want to go anywhere, that everything would kill me there and it was too expensive (and we hadn't calculated anything yet), as you know it's not a stone's throw from the Czech Republic. Anyway, it ended up that if we are going to fly to the other side, I want to visit New Zealand as well. The word was given to the word and my wife and I took a fair 20 days of vacation in November 2022. We were away for a total of 28 days from November 2 - November 30, 2022.
How did we plan it?
I think sometime in February 2022, Australia's borders started to open to tourists and New Zealand opened its borders in April. We had a wedding in May. In June we had arranged our visa and by July the plane tickets were being bought. Let me tell you, the airfare was really a struggle. We knew we wanted to fly in November and either from the Czech Republic or surrounding countries. And so the search for all sorts of combinations began. I used all possible search engines, e.g. Pelikan, Skyscanner, Letuska, Kiwi, Google Flights (of course I would buy the tickets directly from the airline). Tried different countries and departure cities (Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary) and different arrival cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Auckland-NZ) but all those offered flights from Emirates, Qatar, Korean Airlines and many others were well above 33.000,- CZK. I wanted to fit in a maximum of 30.000,- CZK per person and a maximum of 2 connections and ideally within 30 hours flight time. After a few nights of research, I remembered that we were flying to Hawaii on FinnAir, which for some reason wasn't even listed in the search engines. I looked directly at their website. I started by picking a date that worked for us, with a flight departing from Prague and arriving in Australia to Sydney and departing Australia from Melbourne. Flights from Prague-Helsinki-Singapore-Sydney for 27.970,- CZK were a wonderful price. I tried a combination of other cities from neighbouring countries of the Czech Republic, but got nowhere near this low price and with a flight time THERE of 30 hours and 25 minutes and a journey TIME BACK of 25 hours and 45 minutes, these tickets were a clear winner. I didn't hesitate to buy. The flight from Prague to Helsinki to Singapore was operated by FinnAir and the flight from Singapore to Sydney was operated by Australian Qantas. The return flight was basically the same, but with the difference in departure from Melbourne. Our map for November got a clear beginning and end of the trip. All that was left was to fine-tune the rest. Domestic flights, accommodation, cars, entry to various places, sim cards... Although we were each entitled to 23kg of luggage from FinnAir, we only took one suitcase in the hold (because the extra baggage allowance on domestic flights was x2) and regular backpacks. I also used The North Face Jester 28L backpack as my daily pack and Ada had a Decathlon NH500 30L backpack. For the next few months I shopped for everything we needed and planned our trip. We must have spent over 50 hours of pure time on the itinerary and the time passed like water. Before we knew it, we were on the plane leaving Prague for Helsinki at 19:35 on November 2, 2022. Our adventure of a lifetime was about to begin.
We took off at 19:35 local time from Prague to Helsinki with FinnAir. The flight took ~2 hours, we landed at 22:50, as Helsinki is an hour longer.
We departed from Helsinki about 20 minutes after midnight with the same air carrier, FinnAir, without any problems. The flight took 12 hours and 12 minutes. Scheduled arrival in Singapore was at 19:00 local time. The layover was scheduled for just 1 hour and 5 minutes. I'm not saying that I wasn't worried about missing the plane, which is why we had planned 2 nights in Sydney. We ended up arriving about 40 minutes early, so totally awesome. Of course, the joy of catching the connecting flight soon passed us by and here's where the fun begins. The flight to Sydney from Singapore will be delayed and the scheduled departure is at 01:00 the next morning. What the heck, I used my Revolut card with the Metal plan and thanks to the delay we took advantage of the free airport solon. We ate, relaxed and took a shower. The whole time I was checking our flight on Google and the FinnAir app to see if anything had changed unexpectedly. Nothing. We did have an unnecessary wait of over 6 hours in the lounge, but again, it wasn't too bad. Although lounge access is only for 3 hours, we were not kicked out and stayed until our departure, which was around midnight.
00:01- We moved from the lounge to the departure boards and here we searched in vain for our flight and Google no longer showed the departure gate. So we went to ask for information. The ladies I spoke to were slightly confused, but managed to find out after calling another colleague that our flight was no longer listed under FinnAir number AY0131, but under Qantas number QF82. Okay, good. All went well and I'm leaving together with Ada to gate C20.
00:20- Already from a distance we can see that we are arriving correctly. The airport at this time was pretty much empty with only ~300 passengers waiting like us for the flight to Sydney. We find a seat and settle in. So what I immediately noticed was that although we were leaving in less than 3/4 hours, I couldn't see a plane standing outside and the staff looked like ferrets that kept calling out somewhere and it seemed like something was going on. It didn't leave me completely cold, but there was nothing I could do anyway. We still have time before departure and the other passengers are waiting. About 10 minutes later there started to be a sort of commotion between a few passengers and the Qantas staff at the counter. I didn't give up and went to see what was going on. Passengers who had the Qantas app were getting flight updates. The plane is not flying, the flight is getting further delayed. A technical glitch that could not be fixed and the scheduled flight is rescheduled for 7pm. So we will spend ~25 hours in Singapore.
00:40 - A multilingual discussion has begun between passengers and Qantas staff alike. A Qantas manager who was on duty that day/night tried to calm the situation. Suddenly Qantas staff started looking for a solution. Another plane. Another flight to Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok for example and then a change to a flight to Sydney. That was a long time coming.
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At approximately 2:40am all options fail and we are sent to the Qantas Airways Bussines Lounge where we are given food, drink and our hotel is arranged. I immediately text the Sydney accommodation (where we have paid for 2 nights) that we will arrive a day late. No one is supposed to leave the airport in case the situation changes and we get an earlier departure than 7pm. The Qantas lounge was already officially closed, but due to our delayed flight and approximately 300 waiting passengers, they opened it. Coffee, tea, and water were available upon arrival in the lounge. No alcohol and a few sweetened drinks on request.
At 4am some food was available - breakfast (eggs, sausages, bacon). Blankets and pillows were handed out on request (not automatically). The passengers included young, old, children, in short all ages. Everyone found a corner, a seat, a chair where they waited. A few of the passengers were trying to find out what to do next at the reception to the Qantas lounge with the manager. It was really challenging after so many hours on the plane and almost no sleep.
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At about 6:00 in the morning we were told they didn't have rooms for that many people and were only able to provide 12 rooms for a total of 300 passengers. People were exhausted, angry and it was quite debilitating. I myself slept very little on the plane. Ada was exhausted, but she couldn't sleep. We agreed with the rooms to give them to the children and the elderly. The rest of the passengers can find a hotel up to $300 per person and can walk out of the airport. There will be no earlier flight than the scheduled 7:00pm departure. We were told that the lounge closes at 8:00 until the afternoon for cleaning and maintenance, so we will all have to leave. Where to? Some left the airport to check out the city, others left to wander around the airport and find a convenient bench to rest on, some, went to a Qantas designated spot in the lounge where (I learned in retrospect) water, coffee and some muffins were available. Before we were kicked out of the lounge, I found a hotel there on Booking, which is right at the airport, you just need to go through security. The night (read day) did cost close to $8,000, but Ada was done and I needed to sleep too and we were promised that we would be reimbursed by Qantas based on receipts up to $300. A bit of a problem was that I had to buy it as on the day of arrival and couldn't buy it back, but I took a chance. After various machinations and filling out the arrival form while being escorted by security, we were escorted out of the airport. We were directed straight to our hotel and here we got a "slap".
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It was about 8:30 in the morning and all the rooms were full and check-in was not possible until 2pm. Ada went to sit in the kitchenette and I went to find out what to do next. There was really no room available. I had already paid 8.000,- CZK and tried to think, but about 30 hours without sleep in a stressful situation I still couldn't think of anything much. Ada got a breakdown. I wasn't surprised at all. I resolved the situation with the nice receptionist by making a cancellation and she cancelled our reservation with no cancellation fee (where it was 100%). So Ada and I agreed to go back to the airport and go to the lounge to try and sleep in the chair. However, we got another slap on the wrist at check-in because our tickets were invalid as they were valid as of yesterday. We managed to get hold of someone from Qantas after various enquiries, but were told there was nothing they could do and we needed new tickets. That check-in for our Qantas flight would not be open until 2:30pm (it was about 9:20am) and that we had to wait as the system was locked. Cool. What now? Luckily I found a lounge that was one floor down. I didn't officially have Revolut access anymore because 1 person = 1 entry, but we passed 2 people in the first lounge for 1 entry, so Ada went to the second lounge for free on Revolut entry and I paid for my entry (approximately $50 Singapore dollars). We couldn't lie on the seats it was forbidden and if anyone tried to do so, they were immediately reprimanded with a 3 times and enough style. Luckily, I noticed that there was an area in the lounge with sleeping pods for $10 per hour. They only had 3 and it was about 12:25 when I even noticed them. After about 10 minutes, 2 people left that room. I didn't hesitate and bought us 3 hours. As soon as the Sleeping Pods were ready for us, we laid down and promptly fell asleep. Yeah, so this was a great sleep. 3 hours went by in a flash and we were woken up by the alarm clock. We're fresh. I check our flight on Google and see we don't leave until 10:00. Whatever, but we're still leaving, right? So we thank the lady at the front desk and leave the lounge to check in.
At approximately 15:40 we are at the check-in, which was quite fast. And the new tickets? None. We just got ours stamped. I don't know if I wanted to laugh or cry, but we just got it and went in and went through the classic security check. Arriving in the concourse at 4:20pm, I check the departure board, and our flight is marked QF82D and opens the gates at 5:50pm. Departure is scheduled for 19:00. We didn't believe it, but we did indeed depart from gate C22 at 19:05. On boarding we were still given a paper from Qantas about technical problems on the aircraft and therefore flight delay to claim compensation. Flight QF82 was for passengers who arrived (as we originally did) at ~18:30 and was delayed to a later departure time. At least that's what we were told.
After an 8 hour flight, we are in Sydney at 7:10am! Specifically, we landed at Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney. We clear customs and are in the country. We were really excited about this, so much so that we immediately headed to McDonald's for a "cheeze". After topping up our batteries, we made it to WHSmith (newsagent) at the airport to buy an Opal card (a ticket/tram pass for Sydney). I buy two and charge each one for 60 AUD. We arrive at the train and head straight from the airport to King Cross Centre station, where it's less than 5 minutes to the "Original Backpackers Sydney" accommodation for 214 AUD including breakfast (for 2 nights, but actually only 1). We arrived at our accommodation 30 minutes earlier than reception opening hours. So we had to wait. We exchanged a few words with the residents and the half hour was over. At check-in I had to pay a 20 AUD deposit for the key. For accommodation I still ordered a simcard from Amaysim from the Czech Republic, which was just on sale for 196,- CZK 50GB for 28 days (perfect for our trip). However, even though the accommodation confirmed that the simcard had arrived, the envelope with my name on it was nowhere to be found. Well, there was nothing to do now and we went to the room. The room was exactly like the picture. A small cubicle with a rickety bed, private shower and toilet, fridge, fan. In the course of unpacking, showering and changing I dealt with the sim card using the Amaysim app and live chat. Fortunately, all I was told was that I just needed to buy a new sim card for 2 AUD and pair the sim card number with the phone number I already had assigned in the app. I was relieved. I bought a new sim card at King's Cross and we were off to the whirlwind of the big city.
Purchase an Opal card (Sydney Flyer/Tram Pass). I buy two and charge each for AUD 60.
Sunday, a beautiful sunny day and we are heading by bus to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. We are scheduled to leave for Auckland, New Zealand at 8:00pm. We find a companion in our room, a cockroach. I named him Standa. We had breakfast at the accommodation before the trip. There was coffee, toasted bread, nutella, a few jams and milk. Low budget breakfast, but for us a feast of kings.
The Opal Card works for the trip. On Saturdays and Sundays, spend no more than AUD 8.40 per person. The bus ride took about 2.5 hours to the Palm Beach Golf Club station. Upon arrival, we bought an AUD 8 coffee at the kiosk and walked to the lighthouse.
You go through a park full of parrots, along the beach next to the bay and uphill via an easier but longer path or a shorter but more challenging path. We chose the latter and it was great with beautiful views. There is an option to look up at the top of the lighthouse every +/- 30 minutes for AUD 10 per person, but we didn't take advantage of it. Even so, you will find spectacular views all the way to the horizon. We took the easier route back down.
The trip took us a couple of hours and knowing that it would take us another 2.5 hours to get back, we wait for the bus a little after noon and go back to our accommodation to get our stuff and get our 20 AUD deposit back.
Main Station.
Let's pick up our suitcases and head to the airport.
On arrival at the airport everything is in order, we only need to show our New Zealand visa and return ticket. Everything happened so quickly that we are already on the plane and leaving for Auckland.
A few minutes after midnight local time we landed. We had 20 minutes from the airport booked accommodation from Ibis Budget for the night for 144 NZ. We wandered around for a while. It's night, we're without internet, but we managed. At check-in, the lady hands me an envelope with the sim card I ordered for the hotel from the Czech Republic. Operator Skinny 10GB/7days for 317,- CZK.
When I wake up in the morning, I go to the supermarket next door to buy breakfast and some supplies for the trip. At 9:30, the rental company will bring the sting to our hotel. Via Booking.com including full insurance for 1743,- CZK for 24 hours. The car was a Toyota Yaris. It was my first time driving in my life on the left side. It was a shock, it was strange, but I quickly got the hang of it and we were whizzing from Auckland to Hobbitin near Matamata, where we had reservations from 12:10pm.
My childhood dream came true while visiting the Hobbitín. It was truly wonderful, so much so that it made me shed a tear of joy that we were able to visit this place despite previous complications.
After visiting the Hobbitín, we moved on to Waitomo Caves where we toured the caves and took a boat ride on the water to see glow worms on the cave ceilings. You could see the blackness and look at the stars. Fascinating sight. Cost for both of us for an hour in the caves 122 NZD.
From Waitamo Caves, we made our way back to Auckland to stay in a private beautiful house in a quiet neighborhood with breakfast. Look for "Flat Bush Holiday Accommodation" on Booking. The night cost us 1606,-Kč.
We returned the car this afternoon. At 12:00 we had a flight from Auckland to the South Island to Christchurch.
We picked up our luggage from the conveyor belt upon arrival and it was not fresh at all. A dented and immobile wheel. I knew the claim wouldn't solve anything, but I needed a write up and report for the insurance company. We didn't have time to look for a new one somewhere, unless something came up along the way.
At 14:15 we were picked up by shuttle bus from car rental via Holiday autos - Snap rentals, 3 days for 3700,- CZK with full insurance. We got a Toyota Camry Hybrid. We need to buy some more supplies and we are moving to Punakaiki. It takes 4 hours to drive from Christchurch. After a minor delay in the form of a crash due to my fault and a replacement car for a Toyota Aqua hybrid, we set off for Punakaiki.
We had arranged a hellicopter flight over the glacier. The flight was scheduled for 14:00. We arrived about an hour early and had lunch in town. About 10 minutes before departure, we got a call from the departure center. We were a short walk from it, so I went straight there. They told us that they weren't going to fly today because the weather had deteriorated. They could have offered us a flight the next day, but we couldn't do that because we had arranged accommodation in Haast which was a 3 hour drive away and again would have been a huge hit to the itinerary. A solution was found as the next day we would be from the other side of the glacier where there are other departure points. Somehow we made a deal and that we should arrive the next day.
We arrived in Haast in the late afternoon and it was only by coincidence that I noticed at the reception that the bridge in the middle of our journey was closed from 8:00 the next day. Not noticing the little sign, we would stay in Haast until at least lunchtime and our plans for the next day would fall through.
We are leaving Haast very early in the morning to avoid road closure.
Too many pesky mosquitoes.
Here we found out that you don't fly on a glacier, but on Aoraki/Mount Cook, which is the highest mountain in New Zealand. It was 13:30 and the flight was at 14:00 and we were the only ones yet to fly. The problem arose that you fly with a minimum of 4 people, but it is possible to fly with 2 people as a VIP tour, but the price will be the same as 3 people. It was some 13.000,- CZK, but we should not despair, it is possible that someone will show up. So we waited. Half an hour gone. No one showed up and we had to make a decision. Well, I won't lie to you. I didn't want to pay. It was another hit to the budget, and although Ada argued that she would pay for it from the original flight, which she would be refunded because it was cancelled, it was up to me to pay the rest. A precarious situation, but I stood my ground and wasn't going to pay it. It was quiet. Accompanied by the clink of a fallen needle on the ground, we walked to the car. A heated discussion ensued. Ada started crying and I kept arguing that at least we had a helicopter trip over the Great Barrier Reef and a whole vacation ahead of us. It took us a while before I started the car and was about to leave. Let's just say it was a golden 10 minutes in the car before we had to leave and again, thank goodness for that. I'm already buckled in and shifting into reverse and I see Hazel in the rear view mirror. Hazel was the young lady from reception who ran up to us saying that if we still wanted to fly, 3 other people had just arrived and we could join them. There was room in the helicopter for exactly 5 people + the pilot. I peek into the car and tell Ada "let's go". Adele looked at me and just sobbed "what? when?", and I said "right now. And on the way to the building I quickly explain the situation. Crisis averted, but not by me. By the luck of the draw. I have to say, it was probably even nicer than I imagined. Our first helicopter flight. The snow on the peaks is clean and white. The pilot has landed at a predetermined spot. After getting out of the helicopter, we were immediately knee-deep in snow. We took beautiful photos, had a great view and the experience is priceless. The price was about 8500,- CZK for two.
After landing, we returned to the car and headed to Lake Pukaki, where we stopped for some time to absorb the beautiful nature of New Zealand.
After the descent we made our way to our accommodation at Lake Tekapo, which is hidden amidst the tops of the surrounding mountains. For an evening or morning, you will be in awe of how beautiful the scenery is and how the clouds surround the peaks.
We drive from Tekapo back to Christchurch, where we return the car and fly back to Australia, to Brisbane. We make a few stops along the way and again try to enjoy the scenery. Finally, on New Zealand, I would like to add that I have never seen greener grass and bluer skies or lakes. The sight of so many sheep, cows or horses grazing along the roadside in corrals but at the same time not used to people is indescribable. You have to see it with your own eyes.
After arriving in Brisbane with Qantas, my luggage is even more ruined. Again, I file a second claim (although to no avail) and find out where I can get a baggage claim this afternoon/evening. I have not gotten any advice that I can use. The suitcase barely rides and is held by force of will.
On the train I look at what options I have to buy a new suitcase and therefore not much. Luckily I thought to try using the local Facebook marketplace and managed to get a suitcase from a girl who lived 20 minutes walk from our accommodation for 50 AUD. WIN WIN situation and crisis averted.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
We went to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, where I had arranged tickets in advance to enter and to bury the koala. Upon entering the sanctuary, thanks to the pre-purchased tickets, we skipped the entire line and were able to store our suitcase in the enclosed staff area as well. Upon entering, we received a bag of kibble to feed the kangaroos. We were honestly very surprised that the shelter allows you to feed, pet and even cuddle the kangaroos. The enclosure is huge, they have several species of kangaroos and even children can run around in different ways. The kangaroos are very friendly and it really was a great experience, I was very excited because we purposely went to the sanctuary just to see the koalas. We had pre-paid for the koala burial from 11am. If you don't buy well in advance, they're usually not available on site. They only have a few koalas working that day and the windows for behavior options are very small. Everything worked out well. The koala left a brown present for me, and after a wash we were able to leave the shelter at 12pm.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
At 13:00 we took a bus from Brisbane station to Gold Coast for 280,- CZK per person by Premier motor service.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
From our accommodation we went on a day trip to Sea World in the Gold Coast. We were buying from the Czech Republic and entry to Sea World including a cup for unlimited drinks was AUD 220 for both of us. The part of the park with the more adult attractions was just being renovated, but we were not deprived of the experience. They have a beautiful giant aquarium, lots of rides and at feeding time after buying a cup of dead fish ( AUD 7) I fed myself more than just stingrays.
We didn't have a ticket. We couldn't buy it from the driver. We went for free.
At 6:45 we left the Gold Coast for Cairns. We used Uber to the airport and the journey at 4am.
Free shuttle bus from the car rental company.
Return of the car.
We went on a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef including a 10 minute helicopter flight. Adya snorkeled and I paid for a deep sea dive as well. It was my first experience and an incredible experience. We bought it through TripAdvisor.
In the afternoon around 3pm we left Cairns for Darwin. We spent the day lounging at the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon. We left our suitcases at the hotel. There is no bus to the airport, so we took an Uber.
We got to Darwin at about 18:00 and had to take Uber from the airport again.
We picked up the car from Bargain Car Rentals.
We drove about an hour out of town for the "1 Hour Jumping Crocodile Cruise on the Adelaide River". Bought on TripAdvisor.
We are returning the car.
We had scheduled the Cage of Death at Crocosaurus Cove for 10am. The only place in the world where you can swim with these prehistoric reptiles. We toured the grounds and saw baby crocodiles, a reptile house that had some of the world's most venomous snakes such as the Australian Taipan. It was also just time for the reptile show, so I got to hold a (non-specific) snake and a lizard.
After arriving in Perth, we took the train to the city centre.
When we woke up, we had a delicious breakfast at Little Willy's, which was right next to our accommodation.
After the valley we took a bus to the Blue Boat House. The wider city centre is marked as "zone free" and so you don't need to buy tickets.
We spent most of the day at Leighton Beach. As it was further away from the city centre, we bought a ticket from the driver, which is valid for the whole day.
Early in the morning after we left the accommodation we move to the car rental "no birds".
I am picking up a Toyota Corolla hybrid for 6300,- CZK including full cover and leaving a deposit of 5.000,- CZK.
We leave our accommodation early and head to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. Here we walk among the treetops at heights of up to 40 metres. The footbridge sways a bit and I'm in awe of it. We're really high up. Aďa is laughing at me. Entry for AUD 21 per person also takes you to a section called "the Ancient Empire" where you will find trees that are over 16 metres in circumference.
From the city of Albany, we make the 4 hour drive to Wave rock. We drive through the Stirling Range National Park -> Chinocup Nature Reserve -> Salt Lake, which has been dyed pink -> and finally to Wave rock. The temperature from the south is 14°C higher and the humidity is nonexistent.
So the worst experience we have is from flies. They are cheeky and crawl into our ears and nostrils and swatting them away doesn't help. Unfortunately, we don't have a hat with a net. There weren't many tourists at Wave Rock. We'll walk the area and take some pictures. Next to the rock formation there is a reservoir with a strict no-entry policy. It's the drinking water for the next town, Hyden.
From Wave Rock we leave shortly afterwards to the western part of the town of Toodyay, where we have booked accommodation.
The accommodation is surrounded by animals such as sheep, horses, parrots or alpacas. It's really wonderful to stay here. Accommodation via booking Pecan Hill BNB.
In the afternoon we had planned Sandboarding and Buggy tours in Lancelin.
Train station.
Breakfast at the airport
After arrival, a pre-booked shuttle bus will pick us up at the airport.
We were picked up from the hotel by a chauffeur.
One of the main reasons for our visit to Australia and Adele's dream wish was a trip to see great white sharks from Calypso Star Charters, based in Port Lincoln.
We were taken to the hotel by a shuttle.
Shuttle bus to the airport.
We are picked up at the airport by a shuttle bus from Bargain Car Rentals.
In the morning we checked out of the hotel and went to the rock phenomena.
In Port Campbell we stopped for a meal at Waves Cafe, Bar and Restaurant and left our Czech banknote as a souvenir.
Time was pressing and we headed back to Melbourne to check in and visit the city.
There is a circular tram (like the Prague 23), which is free of charge. We took advantage of it and also with accompanying commentary during the ride.
Our flight left Melbourne at 12:50 local time.
We are returning the car.
From the rental car company, we are driven to the airport.
Cost
Lettuce 135.676,-
return Australia: 55.940,-
Sydney - Auckland: 19.133,-
Auckland - Christchurch: 3.258,-
Christchurch - Brisbane: 9.613,-
Gold Coast - Cairns: 3.777,-
Cairns - Darwin: 5.886,-
Darwin - Perth: 9.981,-
Perth - Port Lincoln: 14.044,-
Port Lincoln - Melbourne: 14.044,-
Accommodation40.647,-
Sydney with breakfast: 3.626,- / 2 nights
(NZ) Auckland Ibis budget: 2.141,- / 1 night
(NZ) Auckland Flat bush with breakfast: 1.703,- / 1 night
(NZ) Punakaiki: 1.418,- / 1 night
(NZ) Haast: 1.737,- / 1 night
(NZ) Tekapo: 1.630,- / 1 night
Brisbane: 1.669,- / 1 night
Gold Coast: 3.500,- / 2 nights
Cairns: 2.259,- / 2 nights
Darwin with breakfast: 3.549,- / 2 nights
Perth: 2.350,- / 3 nights
Pemberton: 1.798,- / 1 night
Albany: 1.034,- / 1 night
Pecan Hill BNB with breakfast: 2.669,- / 1 night
Perth (via Qantas): 1.395,- / 1 night
Port Lincoln: 3.286,- / 2 nights
Port Cambell: 2.549,- / 1 night
Melbourne: 2.334,- / 1 night
Car 20.624,-
(NZ) Auckland 1.744,-
(NZ) Christchurch 4.780,-
Cairns: 2.291,-
Darwin: 1.700,-
Perth: 6.301,-
Melbourne: 3.808,-
Total for petrol: 10.513,-
Food: 25.424,-
In sum and with other items, the trip to Oceania cost us 314.078,- CZK. This was by far our most expensive vacation since we have been traveling together in 2017.
Conclusion
Since I didn't want to go in the first place, I'm so glad I have a wife like this to do the trip with. Despite a miserable first week, with bad luck nipping at our heels, everything worked out perfectly. The most surprising thing was how friendly, kind and smiling people are in both Australia and New Zealand, even though we are complete strangers to them. It was a shock for us to see everyone here in the Czech Republic the day after our return, frowning, cold, snowy and gloomy. Anyway, no day we had such bad weather that we had to cancel our plans. A little rain didn't stop us. The temperature differences between cities and territories in Australia was noticeable, but what do you expect too. It's a huge continent. It was really hot in the Northern Territory and quite cold and windy again in Melbourne. We liked Western Australia the best, it had perfect weather and overall we spent the most time in ZA. Overall our holiday was one big rush and we had to work with what we had. Limited vacation time at work. When we fly this far, we just want to make it. If he visits the other side again, I'll take a breather and only visit maybe 2 states. The itinerary was really hard to plan. Paying for everything in advance so that we would have certain tickets or even flights (and maybe cheaper ones). There were many times that by the time I bought a flight and rocked up, I couldn't find it. I don't know if it was due to a sell out or a flight cancellation. With so much going on and everything building on each other day after day, we were taking a lot of risks and it wasn't easy. I'd like to say I'm glad we got it over with, but I'd be lying. I'd give it another go.
Here's to new discoveries!
Dan
