Here’s a few tourist tips I found invaluable from my last tour through Australia and the Pacific.
1.Cairns is the best place to learn how to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef if you want value for money and attention to safety
No matter what you have heare, you won’t be able to organise your Scuba Diving or Great Barrier Reef Cruises in Cairns cheaper when you arrive .In fact they will probably all be booked out in the busy season.
2.The down under sun is insanely strong. Always wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen lotion, even on the cloudiest days. If spending the whole day outdoors, reapply sunscreen regularly. Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day when the sun is worst. Make sure you drink heaps of water to avoid dehydration.
3.Kava, the traditional drink in Fiji, can affect you more than you would think (numbing of your mouth is one thing). Only drink it if you feel relaxed and are somewhere safe. One or two sips won’t do much, however, so don’t be afraid to try it if you trust the supplier.Another [point|One other note]: 20 years ago women NEVER were involved in the kava ritual. In modern areas this has changed, but in the more traditional islands of Fiji and many other island countries, it remains taboo.
4.Fiji Warning. I have been in contact with some friends who have just returned from a Pacific holiday.Try to use your eftposcards as little as possible as some of them had $2000 stolen from their accounts during the Fiji portion.Just as well they had insurance so will be getting it back.
5.New Zealand was a disturbing place to drive, and as a 29 year old male, not much disturbs me…but when there are constant switch backs and the locals are trying to pass with 20 meter line of sight… There were car wrecks seen on the sides of the roads, and some cars that had plunged off the sides of the mountains.
6.When planning a bushwalk, whilst in New Zealand check the difficulty of the bushwalk and think about employing a qualified guide for long or extended treks. If walking unaccompanied, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Wear protective shoes, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent and take protective gear, a topographic map and compass. When walking, stay on the marked trail, behind safety barriers and away from precarious drops. Don’t annoy native animals, as you might get attacked. Plan walking in colder months carefully.
I hope these help anyone going on a Pacific Holiday.