Both outstanding holiday destinations in their own right, Australia and New Zealand are often likened to siblings or cousins given some of their cultural similarities and close geographical proximity. When it comes to sports, however, the two are frequent rivals and it’s often a close call as to which country will dominate on the cricket or rugby pitch. Choosing just one to travel to is an even closer call in our opinion, so we’ve done the hard work for you; read on to find out which Southern Hemisphere superstar comes out on top in our Australia vs New Zealand showdown…
Landscape and Climate
While Australia and New Zealand differ in terms of their geographic composition (Australia is 30 times the size of New Zealand), both nations boast some of the most stunning scenery on the planet. Australia is predominantly comprised of outback desertscapes, with the major cities located along the coast and some tropical regions in the Northern Territory and Queensland. In contrast, New Zealand is much greener and more mountainous, with fjords and glaciers gracing the landscape. The more verdant nature of the surroundings is due to the country’s maritime climate, which means that the weather is milder and wetter (with average summer temperatures of 23°C and 12°C in winter). Australia, meanwhile, has a continental climate, with average temperatures of 30°C in summer and 15°C in winter.
The champion of this category really depends on which kind of holiday you’re after. For beach relaxation or a city stay, Australia would be the best pick, while New Zealand is a dream destination for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. We’ll award a point for each, making it one-all.
Wildlife
Both countries play host to an array of fascinating and unusual wildlife, some of which isn’t found anywhere else in the world. Australia’s most notorious animals include koalas, kangaroos and wombats, although the nation is also home to some less friendly species, such as spiders, snakes and crocodiles. In New Zealand, you’ll find fur seals, alpine parrots and flightless kiwis – the national bird – along with the world’s smallest species of dolphin, Hector’s dolphin. The underwater world in both countries is equally mesmerising; Australia’s iconic Great Barrier Reef tops many divers bucket lists, and for good reason. As the world’s largest barrier reef (covering an area of 133,000 square miles), it’s a site of outstanding natural beauty, with an incredible array of fish and marine life. New Zealand also has some superb dive spots, featuring rare black coral, intriguing shipwrecks and crystal-clear waters.
It’s a close call when it comes to wildlife, however given that the Great Barrier Reef is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Australia takes the lead and wins round two.
Food and Drink
Australia’s cities have some world-class restaurants and award-winning chefs, especially Sydney and Melbourne, making it a strong contender in this category. There are considerable similarities between the two countries’ cuisine, with seafood as a staple of both diets and craft beer fast becoming a widespread trend. Wine is another well-renowned export in Australia and New Zealand, and taking a wine tour should definitely feature in your itinerary. Auckland, in New Zealand’s North Island, also has its fair share of excellent restaurants and the popular meringue dessert, pavlova, is said to have originated on the archipelago.
Despite New Zealand putting up a good fight, Australia takes the cake in this category, benefitting from a wider range of culinary offerings and the expansive wine farms in the Western region. 3-1 to Australia.
Landmarks
You’ll find some of the most famous buildings in the world in Australia, such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, as well as some notable ecological wonders, like Bondi Beach and Uluru, the world’s largest single rock. In New Zealand, there are a multitude of incredible natural formations; Rotorua, on the North Island, is full of geysers and thermal pools, while the Bay of Islands is a beautiful collection of 140 subtropical islands. On the South Island, Milford Sound is widely regarded as one of the most breath-taking locations on the planet (and the most photographed in the country).
Australia’s collection of both natural and man-made landmarks affords it the win, however New Zealand’s sweeping coastlines, rolling hills and majestic fjords are sights not to be missed.
Adventure Activities
You’ll find a wide array of adventure activities to add to your itinerary in both countries, including white water rafting, surfing, diving, bungy jumping, ziplining and skydiving. While Australia excels at anything beach based, New Zealand’s Queenstown is widely regarded as the ‘Adrenaline Capital of the World’ and is the ultimate destination for thrill-seekers. Ice hiking, heli-skiing, caving and canyoning are some of the additional activities on offer here. New Zealand is also where The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were filmed, so if you’re a film fanatic then taking a movie tour is a must when it comes to visiting South Island.
New Zealand’s adrenaline-inducing pursuits give it the edge in this round, taking the score to 4-3 in the close contest of Australia vs New Zealand. Overall, while Australia might be the larger of the two and offers more in terms of variety, both destinations promise an action-packed and unforgettable holiday. A popular option is incorporating them into the same trip, and if you’re travelling all that way anyway, why not visit both?
Written by Luisa Watts