I'm planning on doing an Australian/New Zealand trip in early December. I will be in each place for a little over a week. If anyone has been to either place, I'd love suggestions on things to do. Will be flying into/out of Sydney and Auckland most likely, but have no problem hopping around.
cc:
@CavsSimmy @KyrieIrving @MatthewDellavedova @AndrewBogut @HughJackman @RussellCrowe
Firstly, this might be the one and only time I'm ever mentioned in the same sentence as Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Kyrie Irving etc. so for that, I thank you, kind sir
As far as your trip goes, great to hear you're coming down. First point of note: the Internet will tell you it's Summer in December. Don't let it fool you - especially in early December, you'll find yourself needing a jumper at night at the very least. Our warmest months are now in February/March. Not to say that it's
not hot, it's just not
as hot as it can commonly get.
As far as Sydney goes (I'm in Melbourne myself), you're talking about the central tourist hub of all things Australia. Hit the regulars (Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Darling Harbour etc) and stay in the CBD/downtown and close to Circular Quay. The Sydney Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus is exceptional for any out-of-towner and helps to solve the plethora of one-way streets debacle. Also worth dropping into Manly to the Sea Life Sanctuary and Bondi Beach for a bit of R&R.
I'd definitely suggest taking a flight up to Queensland for a couple of days. Queensland - and in particular, Surfers Paradise/Gold Coast - is kind of like our LA/Californian equivalent. Few theme parks if you're into that (Warner Brothers Movie World, Sea World, Dreamworld, Wet N Wild), beaches, shopping, resort-living etc. Check out and stay on Cavill Avenue - restaurants are aplenty and every hotel overlooks the Pacific Ocean from its balconies - really beautiful.
Queensland is also home to Australia Zoo - the Home of "The Crocodile Hunter - a worthy visit if you want to check out some of the local wildlife, and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef. The Reef isn't what it once was but it's still a natural wonder.
If you have time, head down to Melbourne (2 hour flight from Queensland and 1 hour from Sydney). Melbourne is both the "most livable city in the world" (so they say) and the "sports capital of the world." It's also the home of a ton of migration, multiculturalism, history and idiosyncrasy. Stay at 'Crown Metropol' if you make the trip and you'll be an elevator ride away from the heralded Crown Casino complex that can act as your base of operations. The Melbourne Star along Southbank is pretty awesome at night (largest Ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere) but the big seller of Melbourne is its culinary culture. If you're a food-lover, it's not a city you'll want to miss. Being that you'll be here in December, you'll miss out on a game of Australian Rules Football but you can still do a stadium tour of the 100,000 seat venue.
Federation Square and the Shrine of Remembrance are also great stops. Melbourne is known for its art and food so you'll find a ton of places combining the two.
Of course, if you're going to do an Australian adventure, they'll probably tell you you have to go to Uluru/Ayers Rock. Funnily enough, I've never been myself. It's pretty pricey and is basically in the middle of nowhere (all Australian cities are basically on the coast - there's not a lot happening in the middle of the map). In saying that, it is considered our most phenomenal natural landmarks and a visit to Uluru will certainly give you background in Aboriginal culture - most native villages still reside across that land and often warmly welcome tourists to their way of life.
Given your limited time frame, I'd stick with the east coast for now (that is, Queensland, Sydney, Melbourne). Do a bit of research into the above and let me know what interests you most and I'll get you back some more info! Good luck!