Travelers’ Night In — Best of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific!

On this week’s round of Travelers’ Night In , the interactive Twitter discussion for avid travelers and travel lovers, the theme was The Best of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific! As always, ten questions were asked, people responded while tagging their tweets #TNI , and learned quite a bit about some new destinations!

Quick note: I apologize for the delay! Last night, my site was hit with major tech issues for the first time ever and went down for 12 hours, of which I spent approximately 11 screaming. I’m so thankful the site is okay. Thank you for your kind words, and thank you for your support of this blog!  I love our #TNI community.

I haven’t been to Australia, New Zealand or anywhere in the South Pacific yet, so this week I’ll gracefully sit out and display the best responses:

Q1. Which spot is the best – OZ/NZ/S. Pacific Islands? Why?

AmateursAfrica Easy. Aus – it’s got everything the others have in 1 – Islands in the north, snow in the south & adventure all over

mobilelawyer New Zealand is all it is cracked up to be. Food. Wine. Outdoor activities.Water.Mountains. Friendliest people.

SheilaBeal I would have to say Bora Bora in French Polynesia is probably my pick.

travelerkate Haven’t been, but I’ll pick NZ because of Flight of the Concords…

Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand, image by IanL

Q2. Best attraction in Australia?

cfinjer King’s Canyon in the Northern Territory or just chilling w/wallabies & kangaroos while driving the Great Ocean Road

MarinKidsTravel Great Barrier Reef. The Sydney Aquarium is fantastic. See it before the reef so you know your fish!

SadieGeoghegan Fraser Island has got to be done. And Nimbin! And the White Haven Beach and Sydney Opera.

globetrooper Watching people trying to drown on Bondi beach just to get on the tv series, Bondi Rescue

Fraser Island image by Michael Dawes

Q3. Most adventurous activity in the S. Pacific?

travelswithtwo The muddy, steep, gorgeous Cross Island Trek on Rarotonga in the Cooks!

adventurati I felt that the Mad River Boarding I did in Queenstown was one of the dumbest activities, if not adventurous

TravelMaestro most adventuros for me was sailing ALONE in Fiji – my 1st time alone & was a little scared, but i handled it!

AOBdolce Firewalking. If Pam from the Office can do it, so should I!

Firewalking image by davida3

Q4. Favorite Island in the S. Pacific? Why there?

EliteTravelGal Fiji, 4 sure. Nothing compares 2 Laucala Island

pureORAwalks North Island of Nz.. Lots of friendly people.. Best walk in thw world Tongariro Crossing. Lake Taupo is gorgeous

cfinjer Exploring the Whitsundays by sailboat. Hands down.

travel_version Tasmania. So beautiful it should come with a warning

Tasmania image by **sasho

Q5. Most unique souvenir you’ve snagged in the S. Pacific?

WldTrvlBill Wanted a new boomerang, but couldn’t get rid of the old one ! It kept coming back !

simcmanus Greenstone or bone pendants are a right of passage for travellers who’ve been to NZ, but you should be given them ideally

poohstraveler Unique souvenir-hand picking pearls for custom made necklace-I know area is known for pearls, but cool I designed my own.

melissawrites2 Why, a bottle of vegemite of course!

Q6. Biggest surprise/ disappointment in OZ/NZ?

MktgTourGuide Coming across 30 seals at the foot of a waterfall on a walking trail NZ

llgable Was surprised by the sparkling red wine in Wellington at Domaine Chandon in OZ. Popular w/locals during holiday w/yorkshire pudding

gtrot Disappointment? not drinking any Fosters Beer in the outback!

theexplorateur That I didn’t meet Brett or Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords…

Flight of the Conchords image by lesliemiperry

Q7. What is your fav. off the beaten track gem in the S. Pacific?

eat_your_world So many! Oz’s Flinders Range, small beach towns north of Auckland, all of Tasmania

LAKarenLoftus Grab ATV & head to Narnia Forest outside of Auckland. Its v remote & the ride on the beach nearby is empty w/ black sand. Mystical

awayblog Papua New Guinea, so much more than the headhunter cliches, incl. diving, jungle trekking, kayaking

DangerousBiz Either the Coromandel Peninsula or driving the Southern Scenic Route in New Zealand.

Coromandel Peninsula image by vtveen

Q8. Must try / avoid foods of OZ/NZ/ S. Pacific?

purplekat99 try: Meat pies, chip buddies, tim tams. avoid: vegemite!

MyTWavelAgent try Moreton Bay Bugs – small crayfish

camdenluxford Just has to be cooked right! Try an awesome croc curry

ljrexpeditions Try/Avoid Snickers Bars smothered in Vegemite.

Q9. Best place to stay in the S. Pacific?

lax2nrt The Park Hyatt Sydney has the best location on Sydney Harbour. view of the Opera House AND the Harbour Bridge.

WanderLoz I recommend staying in Palm Cove in Queensland. Between Cairns and Port Douglas. A little slice of paradise.

TryItFoodTravel I would love even one night at the St. Regis Bora Bora, the hotel from Couple’s Retreat movie.

GetPackedTravel Any overwater bungalow in French Polynesia, truly heaven on earth !!

French Polynesia image by vgm8383

Q10. Tips for handling long flights?

maggiesoladay I listen to The American Life podcasts- time flies!

GoApril Us wkly-People-Ipod-Movie-Drinks-snacks – ambien

LandLopers I’m 6’2″, couldn’t even imagine. *shudder*

museyon I’ve got two words for you: beverage cart. And I’m not talking sodas.

Sydney image by Lin_rOm

And that’s the week!

Travelers’ Night In, founded and organized by the lovely ladies at ZipSetGo , takes place on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00 ET. All are welcome! Follow the #TNI tag to see the questions and conversation!