Honeymooning in Australia and New Zealand

Whether You're Exploring The Outback Or Strolling Through Friendly Coastal Cities, These Two Lands "Down Under" Will Certainly Win You Over

by Florence Conner, For The Bride Travel Writer

They're exotic, but cozy. The mixtures of British and indigenous peoples make for unique cultures, but ones that are comfortably familiar to our own melting-pot way of life. We share the same language with Aussies and Kiwis, but their accents are delightfully different. Our currencies have the same name and are tied together economically, but Down-Under dollars are some of the few currencies that our dollars buy more of.

That homey-yet-exotic feel is a refreshing comfort for most honeymooners on the tail-end of months of planning, preening and performing.

 A trip Down Under does require special planning --- they're both large countries with plenty to see and do. Even couples on a two-week honeymoon would be hard pressed to see everything both countries have to offer; here's a short sampler of the most popular places Down Under.

Australia With 21,000 miles of coast, a history spanning millions of years and land so wild that it's defied most human endeavors to tame it, Australia needs an entire continent to contain all the wonders it has to offer honeymooners. From the glittering lights of Melbourne to the eerie closeness of stars in the Outback; from an aria sung in the famous Opera House to the echo of exotic birds in rainforests; and from the bustle of modern life to the spiritual mystery of Aboriginal Dreamtime; Australia seems like such a dichotomy, but it's the pleasing mixture of old and new and urban and rural that makes the faraway place so compelling.

Sydney Sydney's sometimes turbulent past is well concealed in its spit-and-polish gleam of modern skyscrapers. But look closely and you'll see traces of the people who founded this great city on the Sydney Harbour: The marks convicts made on the blocks they carved to form the city's foundation, the soul-thumping sound of a didgeridoo wafting from one of the many galleries that feature Aboriginal art and the sheer ingenuity and creativity that made Sydney's famous Opera House one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. There are many ways to see the city --- on foot prowling around downtown and the trendy Rocks area, by water on one of the many ferries that ply the harbor, and especially by seaplane, which provides you with unparalleled views of the coastline and city.

The Outback It seems desolate, deserted and dust: Australia's immense center is at first a barren wilderness, fit for neither human or animal. But as the setting sun paints a crimson face on the Uluru --- better known as Ayers Rock --- the sound of Aboriginal music played on the didgeridoo drifts across the desert, galahs take a stand on the twisted limbs of a desert oak and the soft glow of campfire signals it's time for a casual barbie or barbecue, you'll discover a vibrant environment. Welcome to The Outback, whose vast expanse of desert can never be captured on film or by words: it has to be seen to be experienced. Although most Americans are familiar with the monolithic Ayers Rock, most visitors to the Red Center come away more impressed by the neighboring giant domes of Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), the vast slat plain of Lake Amadeus, the extraordinary flat topped Mount Conner and the great gorge at Kings Canyon.

The Great Barrier Reef If the center of Australia is characterized by the color of red, then its coast must be described in shades of blue and green. And nowhere is the color more vibrant than in Queensland, home to the world's largest reef system: The Great Barrier Reef. There's nothing small about the Great Barrier Reef. In addition to being Australia's most popular attraction, it is also the world's largest living sight --- some 1,430 miles of interconnected coral reef to explore! Its myriad of fish, combined with the many colors of coral and the mind boggling shades of blue of the waters all combine to make the Great Barrier Reef a must-see on your honeymoon. You can snorkel right below the surface, skim the water on a cruise, or catamaran or dive the depths on many day tours. For more information, contact the Australian Tourist Office at 800-433-2877.

Where To Stay Stunning views of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge are just one of the many features that make the Sydney Regent Hotel stand out from other hotels. Soaring 36 floors into the skyline, the hotel occupies a prime location next to the Rocks and within walking distance of most attractions. George Street; 2-923-8000. For royalty and celebrities, there's no other choice than the Observatory Hotel, but there's plenty of room for those of us who have yet to be discovered. Turn-of-the-century charm meets modern amenities in this hotel; and it's conveniently located near the Rocks. Kent Street; 800-237-1236. Popular with tourists and Aussies alike is the Ayres Rock Resort, a low-rise, environmentally mined resort that offers stunning views of The Outback and Ayres Rock. It's a town within itself, offering parched visitors accommodations, shopping and numerous restaurants. Yulara Road, Yulara; 08-895-62170. Queensland is the most popular destination next to Sydney. Here, you'll find privacy at the internationally recognized Hayman Island , a luxury low-rise resort that blends in discreetly with the delicate and beautiful environment. Hayman Island, North Queensland; 800-223-6800.

New Zealand The small, two-island country offers amazing diversity: Within the space of an hour's drive, you can soak up the sun at the seashore, climb a mountain or hike the desert; within a few hours, you can brave the brisk sea spray on a cruise through a fjord, spot whales from a seaplane or race the rapids in a hydro-jetski.

Auckland Auckland is a city full of water and sun worshippers for good reason --- New Zealand's largest city is almost completely surrounded by water. A half-day sightseeing tour will give you plenty of time to see the city highlights, and you'll be rarely out o f view of some form of water. For a romantic perspective, take an evening cruise on the harbor --- in addition to enjoying a gourmet meal and Auckland at sunset, you'll sail on the same kind of yacht that will compete in the America's Cup in New Zealand in 2000.

North Island The short drive from Auckland will transport you to volcano country and the lakeside town of Rotorua. Although a bit touristy, Rotorua,, with its bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers and thriving Maori culture, is a fun place to spend a few days. Immerse yourself in natural beauty with a visit to nearby Paradise Valley. It's aptly named; the small reserve offers visitors the chance to see huge mountain trout and get up close and personal with a variety of animals, including wallabies, sheep, boars and a host of birds that think you're their meal ticket for the day. Sheep are also the star attractions at the huge Agradome, a center dedicated to New Zealand's vast agricultural industry. You may not think Sheep 101 could be any fun (especially during your honeymoon), but the short educational show is a rowdy, rollicking good time, and the well-trained sheep steal the show from their human hosts every time. Attending a Maori hangi is the perfect way to nourish your body and soul. Presented in a ceremonial marae (or meeting house), traditional entertainment --- fierce Haka war dances, singing and the twirling of poi balls --- is followed by a feast prepared Maori-style: Food steamed in a pit, giving the meat and homegrown vegetables a sweetly smoky taste. From Roturua, it's a short drive to Waitomo Caves for blackwater rafting. At first, blackwater rafting ---navigating pitch-black rivers 100 yard underground --- may seem a bit scary, but don't worry. There are no boat-flipping rapids or dangerous hydraulics. Blackwater "rafters," dressed in wetsuits and lighted helmets, paddle inner-tubes through a series of caves. It's an experience like no other: the mystery, the darkness, and the serenity of an environment completely unlike the surface world. The highlight? A slow, gentle drift through an underground cavern lit by millions of glow worms, New Zealand's answer to lightning bugs.

South Island Punting in a gondola on a gentle stream lined with weeping willows. Shopping in a cobblestone square as church bells peal the hour. High tea with scones served on china. Could this be England? Not quite, but it is Christchurch's intention to be more England than England itself. Homesick Brits created a very proper home away from home when they founded the South Island's largest city. And it's a very civilized jumping-off spot for honeymooners wanting to explore New Zealand's more wild South Island. A short train ride through the rolling farmlands of North Canterbury to the coast brings you to Kaikoura, which migrating hales call home several times a year. You can view the whales by cruise boat or by air --- both offer their own advantage --- from the deck of the cruise ship, you are closer to the whales; soaring overhead in a plane gives you a wonderful view of the dramatic coastline along with the quiet majesty of these great creatures. For more information, contact the New Zealand Tourist Office at 800-388-5494.

Where To Stay Hotel Du Vin is a luxurious country inn that's a popular weekend and honeymoon destination for Aucklanders and tourists alike. Situated in a gently rolling valley surrounded by vineyards, the hotel's rustic, but modern, atmosphere is reminiscent of an English country retreat. Lyona Road, Mangatawhiri Valley; 09-233-6314 A highlight of the North Island is a stay at Huka Lodge, located on the banks of the Waikato River near the dramatic Huka Falls. The lodge is a luxurious retreat from the real world --- so beautifully landscaped you fee you're alone in the middle of a tropical paradise, so civilized that you're summoned to a five-course gourmet dinner by a kilted Scotsman playing the bagpipes, and so pampering that you may forget you have another life. Taupo; 212-856-0115. Romantic, private, yet convenient to Christchurch attractions are all good descriptions of Chateau on the Park. The hotel is especially proud of its popularity among honeymooners; its colorful rose garden and Tudor-style restaurant have been the perfect complements for many a wedding. Deans Avenue; 03-348-8999.

• FAST FACTS
• Getting There: Flights into New Zealand land at Auckland International Airport, while most international flights into Australia land first at Sydney's main airport. Air New Zealand, Quantas, and United Airlines offer convenience daily flight s directly form Los Angeles, with an average of 14 hours flying time Entry Requirements: A valid passport is needed for entry into both countries. However, while Australia requires that you have a visa, New Zealand does not. Your travel agent or tour operator can obtain a visa before departure. Dress: Dress is smart, but casual, in most places in both countries. You'll want to take a light jacket for the evenings and possible rainy days in New Zealand. If you plan on hiking or bushwalking be sure to take proper equipment. Don't forget your sunblock, either, the sun is fierce --- especially in Australia. Climate: The seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere. New Zealand is subtropical, meaning the temperatures never dip below freezing, although their winter temperatures can dip into the 40's. Summertime temperatures are warmer, sometimes approaching 100 degrees, but evenings are usually cooler and may require a light jacket. Australia is much more desertlike --- you'll run into very little rain during their summer (rain forests are the exception) and temperatures rarely fall below 50 anywhere on the continent. But it can get very, very hot --- temperatures in the Outback can reach into the 100's., so always be sure to carry sunblock and plenty of water.