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AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND |
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| Practical Information: |
| Air New Zealand , Freedom Air, Jetstar Australia , Virgin Blue and Quantas all offer good prices for flying around and between these two countries |
| If you have the time for a long train ride check out this site |
| Tiger Car Rental is a good value for Australian rentals but they do service New Zealand |
| For car rentals in New Zealand try Argus car hire, New Zealand Car Rentals or CarJet.com |
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| AUTRALIA |
| Australian Historical Timeline |
| SYDNEY |
| Apartments and Hotels: |
| Four Seasons Sydney (always the 1st choice if we can afford it). It's in the historical Rocks district. |
| Park Hyatt Sydney has one of the best locations in the city, right across from the Opera House |
| Shangri-La Hotel is at the Rocks and the harbor. Great location, great views $$$ |
| Establishment Hotel is a new boutique style with lots of amenities $$$ |
| The Observatory Hotel is classic elegancce with great restaurant and great spa $$$$ |
| Sebel Pier One Hotel has beautiful views and a little less expensive than the others in the list $$ |
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| Museums and Destinations: |
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| Restaurant, Food : |
| Rockpool Neil Perry's restaurant is still top choice. |
Sydney Fish Market - (in Pyrmont) Bank St, Sydney, 2009 · 2-9004-1100. closes at 4:30pm. It doesn't get any fresher.
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| Eat Moreton Bay bugs - they're kind of a cousin to Lobster only smaller, but just as sweet |
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| Shopping : |
| The Queen Victoria Building is a classic old colonial mall. |
| Bunda Jewelers - We bought a piece from them back in 1999. Matt Bunda is a very creative artist |
| The area is known for Opals. There are lots of places selling all kinds (for all prices). Go to a reputable shop. |
| You can also buy a didgeridoo or boomerang and at reputable shop. There are lots of them at Darling Harbor. |
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| NEW ZEALAND |
| New Zealand Historical Timeline |
| NORTH ISLAND |
| Apartments and Hotels: |
| Mollies on Tweed - small luxury boutique; pricey but if you can afford it, check it out. In Aukland. |
| Hilton Auckland - we stayed here. There are great views and comfortable rooms but it looks like a Hilton. In Aukland. |
| Eagles Nest - this is a totally unaffordable resort in Bay of Islands. I just put it here top show what's available/There are only 5 villas at the resort |
| Puka Park on the Coromandel Peninsula. Great restaurant (order the NZ mussels) |
| Brooklands Country Estate is way out in the woods. It's not easy to find but it's really relaxing |
| Huka Lodge has a great location near Rotoruta. It's less than a 2 hour drive o Aukland or Wellington |
| Mangapapa Lodge is in the vineyards and orchards of Hawkes Bay. An excellent restaurant and of first plate of NZ lamb. Near Napier. |
| Wharekauhau Country Estate - Beautiful country estate close to Wellington |
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| Destinations: |
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| Food: |
| New Zealand lamb, New Zealand green mussels, Bluff oysters, Paua (similar to abalone), mussels, pipis and tuatua (more types of small shellfish), and pavlova, a fruit and cream filled merrangue that's kind of the national dessert. |
| Wine (red): |
| Te Mata Coloraine - A cabernet/merlot blend from Hawkes Bay |
| Stoney Ridge Larose- Bourdeaux style wine from Waiheke Island, about a 35 minute boatride from Aukland |
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