"Wizards of OZ in Kiwiland" Australia and Oceania by richiecdisc

Australia and Oceania Travel Guide: 74,280 reviews and 154,769 photos

I know there’s lot more to Australia-Oceania than Australia and New Zealand, but that’s what I have seen so far and sure they are an entity all to themselves, much apart and different than the rest of the islands that comprise this “continent.” I was lucky enough to have ample time to explore this great part of the world and make a lot of friends there too. I also was fortunate to have a great travel partner up to the task of traveling nearly non-stop for over six months around New Zealand and Australia, and this coming off a start in London and a week in Hawaii. We would later go on to see Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vienna, and a stint around the UK, all on this same trip that spanned 11 months, but the meat of the trip was OZ and it’s Kiwi neighbor. In some ways, if you put the two together, you have a very similar physical area to the USA, but without the masses of people. I think that is what makes it so special. I hadn’t been to the western US at that point, so it was all so new to me, but later after I’d made that trek, I felt that it was so similar that maybe I didn’t really need to go half way around the world to see it. But that was really not the case at all. What this amazing area offers is a glimpse into an era long gone in the US, a time when there was plenty of space, and seemingly no one there to spoil it’s splendor. A lot of Aussies seemed fond of saying that Australia was like America 100 years ago, and I can’t help but think they hit that nail on the head pretty well. If you put New Zealand’s mountains, fjords, and glaciers in with Australia’s rainforest, beaches, and red rock outback, you have some of the most varied scenery in the world. Add to this the friendly inhabitants and you have a formula for one of the most memorable trips in your life. This is oddly a photo of us arriving at Miami International Airport after the 11 month trip, but pretty much captures how we felt about our time away, and about being home again too.

Last visit to Australia and Oceania: Jan 1993
Intro Written Sep 11, 2002
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Reviews (41)

Mitchell Falls. Things to Do (25)

Four-tiered waterfall remote enough to not be a tourist trap. more travel advice

Kangaroo Island. - Australia and Oceania

Kangaroo Island. Things to Do (25)

A virtual wildlife refuge with wild scenery and wilder waves. more travel advice

Milford Sound. Things to Do (25)

Fijordland at it's Kiwi best. more travel advice

Cradle Mountain. - Australia and Oceania

Cradle Mountain. Things to Do (25)

Fantastic peak with horrific weather, but if you catch it right . . . ah . . . paradise. more travel advice

Comments (93)

P&J Mar 24, 2006 at 1:59 AM Report Abuse

really beautiful picture, thanks for the virtual tour!
matcrazy1 Feb 25, 2005 at 10:11 AM Report Abuse

Great pictures of my dream destination. You make me crazy to save, save, wait, be patient and finally go to visit Australia (well, NZ is on my list as well :-).
Quinevere Aug 7, 2003 at 7:10 PM Report Abuse

Beautiful places!
Sweetberry1 Jul 16, 2003 at 2:22 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful page again Richie.. you sure covered it well.. Thanks.. ;-)
tpangelinan Apr 11, 2003 at 11:27 AM Report Abuse

Great page, tips and photos! love to go there some day! ( On the List )
unravelau Mar 3, 2003 at 9:16 PM Report Abuse

Just a wonderful presentation of some of the best places to see and things to do with great pics and plenty of tips. It seems that I have seen you before if only in profile -- or am I mistaken? Thank you.
CdnJane Nov 19, 2002 at 7:42 PM Report Abuse

WOW! Great pics and terrific commentary
Fonseca2002 Aug 20, 2002 at 3:58 PM Report Abuse

One of my dream travels...
ikohavi Jul 10, 2002 at 1:28 AM Report Abuse

You are the best!!! Thanks!
Etmeu May 31, 2002 at 6:35 AM Report Abuse

Excellent page for a general introduction of OZ