The Best Downunder Snowbird Vacation
The Best Downunder Snowbird Vacation
Fly far, far south for the winter on a month-long escape to New Zealand or Australia.
This air-inclusive snowbird escape takes you to the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand or to Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State. Staying on either the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast, enjoy a full month of relaxation, play and discovery. Or perhaps consider our most recent addition to the program - Ettalong Beach in New South Wales, just over an hour north of Sydney.
The Gold Coast is famous for its long, white sand beaches, world class shopping and nightlife, and family-friendly vibe, plus Australia’s most exciting theme parks. Accommodation here is at the Outrigger Twin Towns, located in Coolangatta. You’ll enjoy seclusion and privacy while enjoying the relaxed pace of this tranquil seaside town. But if you’re feeling the need for some excitement, the popular shopping and entertainment precincts of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are just minutes away by car. You can even cross the border into New South Wales to discover the stunning Tweed River region or Byron Bay.
The Sunshine Coast is a seaside home away from home. Attractions here come on a smaller scale than those on the Gold Coast, which is how locals and visitors alike prefer it. The beaches here are also more varied, ranging from surf beaches like Kings Beach, to charming picnic spots like Bulcock Beach. Take at least a few days to explore the Sunshine Coast hinterland, including Glasshouse Mountains National Park, and the picturesque villages of Maleny and Montville. A short drive north, Maroochydore is the area’s shopping hub. Be sure to allow a day or two for local icons such as the Buderim Ginger Factory or Australia Zoo, made famous by the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin.
Just over an hour from Sydney, Ettalong Beach's appeal lies in its beaches, lagoons, waterways and safe swimming. Don't miss the Ettalong Seaside Village Market every weekend. Stroll and explore the food, clothes and vintage goods on offer. Close by is the Bouddi National Park, offering pristine beaches and stunning coastal cliff views. Take a picnic, enjoy a barbecue, or walk to a sandy beach for a lazy afternoon. It’s also renowned fishing beach, with excellent boating facilities or if it's bush scenery you're after, there is bushwalking, birdwatching, or Aboriginal art nearby.
The Bay of Plenty region is blessed with a mild climate year-round. The vast harbour, islands and proximity to the open sea ensure that seafood is a local specialty. The region’s legendary beaches swimmers, surfers and kayakers year round and accommodations make the most of the great coastal views.
There are plenty of things to do in the Bay of Plenty. Choose from water adventures like white-water rafting, kayaking, dolphin encounters, parasailing and jetboating. There’s also skydiving, scenic flights, horse treks, cultural experiences, golf courses and a variety of gardens and museums to peruse.
Whether you’re after relaxation, beach life or a bit of indulgence, the Bay of Plenty has all the bases covered
You will visit the following 2 places:
Australia
Australia is an Oceanian country, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. For most visitors its name is a shorthand for an endless summer where the living is easy. It is great a place where the adventures are as vast as the horizons and the jokes flow as freely as the beer; a country of can-do spirit and easy friendliness!
New Zealand
New Zealand is a country of marvellous and diverse natural beauty: jagged mountains, rolling pasture land, steep fiords, pristine trout-filled lakes, raging rivers, scenic beaches, and active volcanic zones. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses – that of the North Island, or Te Ika-a-Māui, and the South Island, or Te Waipounamu – and numerous smaller islands. The country also often adds an adventure twist to nature: it's the original home of jet-boating through shallow gorges, and bungy jumping off anything high enough to give a thrill.