Guide to Australia and New Zealand

Quick hits, things that I could think of that were memorable enough to remember off of the top of my head.

Bondi

  • Bondi Surf Seafoods
  • Bondi Icebergs Pool
  • Bondi to Bronte coastal walk
  • Bondi beach backpackaers (hostel with free surfboard rentals)
  • Speedos Cafe (insane brunch spot)

Sydney

  • The Royal Botanic Garden (good views of opera house)
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (free admission, rooftop cafe with nice view of opera house)
  • Barangaroo Reserve (pretty park)
  • Centennial Park
  • Blossom Bar (sushi restaurant)
  • Spice Alley (bunch of asian food)
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales
  • White Rabbit (asian focused art museum)

Perth

  • Tosaka Ramen Bar
  • Ramen Keisuke Tonkotsu King
  • Walking around Elizabeth Quay (pronounced “Key”)
  • Taking the ferry to Rottnest island and biking around the whole thing + meeting Quokkas

Greater West Australia

  • Monkey Mia (resort with dolphins, super up close)
  • Snorkeling in Coray bay (rated top 10 snorkeling spots of all time by Nat Geo)


New Zealand

Queenstown (if you’re going to NZ, your time is better spend in the South Island)

  • Fergburger (burger shop with cult like following)
  • Queenstown Hill Walking Track (insane views of the city and surrounding mountains)

Greater South Island Nature (Note: these are NOT close to each other)

  • Milford sound (it’s worth the drive and hassle to get out there)
  • Roys Peak (insane hike near Wanaka)
  • Hooker Valley Track

Auckland

  • Rangitoto Island (hike on an active volcano!)
  • Waiheke Island (wine country, super fun to ebike around everywhere)
  • Auckland Domain/Museum (imagine a big museum in the middle of a park the size of the entire downtown)
  • A night out in Ponsonby
  • Hello Beasty (really expensive but worth Asian fusion)
  • Mt. Eden + the other volcanoes you can climb in the city limits

Greater North Island Nature (Note: these are NOT close to each other)

  • Mt. Ruapehu ($90 USD for ski day pass and rentals for all gear)
  • Lake Taupo (the largest lake in New Zealand, can be a stop on the way to Ruapehu)
  • Anchor Bay (nice surfing lessons, pretty beach, close to a farmers market)
Date
March 14, 2024
Up next
Cherry Blossom Half Marathon Recap Last week, I ran my first (and therefore best) half-marathon race. I also threw up twice in the last mile. I emphasize race because I’d run the
Previously
Auckland Marathon Recap Today, I tried running my first marathon. It wasn’t hard for the reason that I thought it would be. I don’t even think I got to the hard part. I