We imagine you there, deciding between the "amazing" Australia and the "I will never leave here" New Zealand . And we understand it, two fascinating English-speaking countries, both in the southern hemisphere, both perfect for backpackers, holiday work and study abroad. So, Australia or New Zealand, which one to choose? To help you, we have made a comparison between some of the most important aspects.
Language
Although the Australian and the New Zealander are often considered equal, you will soon learn to distinguish one from the other. The New Zealanders pronounce the vowels slightly differently, "bed" may sound like "bid" and "six" like "sux", while Australians have a pronounced nasal accent.
Of course, the local jargon is very varied and original. Some of the Australian / New Zealand classics include bushwalking / tramping(hiking), thongs / jandals (flip flops), and Esky / chilly bin (fridge). Do you want more? In New Zealand they say bro / cuz (friend), chur (thanks, as in "chur bro!"), Hard bro! (to express that they agree with a friend), and sweet as! (great, awesome) If your destination is Australia, we have to tell you that Australians love to abbreviate words. Start practicing with cuppa(cup of tea), choccy (chocolate), biccy(biscuit), brekkie (breakfast), avo(avocado), prezzie (gift), Chrissy (Christmas), Chrissy prezzie (yes, Christmas present), and there are many more.
Displacements
The biggest difference between Australia and New Zealand when traveling is its size. Australia is famous for its extension and the enormous distances (and sometimes deserts!) Between the capitals. Perth is more than 3660 kilometers from Brisbane , a distance greater than that between Madrid and Moscow. On the other hand, in New Zealand it is completely possible to travel by car to a city or a completely different climate in a few hours. In both countries, the large cities (which in reality in New Zealand is only Auckland ) have excellent public transport. As an added bonus, visitors from Australia and New Zealand can use their own driving licenses for the same type of vehicle. Even if you do not forget to drive on the left!
As for food ... Australia or New Zealand
Visitors from Australia and New Zealand will soon know their respective yeast extracts (yes, there are important). It is difficult to explain to the newcomers what Vegemite and Marmite are, but in the Australian and New Zealand psyches they occupy a very important place. If you like these spreads, the locals will adore you. (Tip: Marmite and Vegemite are not sweet or taste like chocolate, despite its texture and its brown color, spread a bit on toast, and you'll be eating like those there).
Apart from the salty spreads for breakfast, other Australian and New Zealand foods worthy of worship are ...
- Allen's lollies (Sherbies, Fantales and Minties) and Pineapple Lumps (pineapple pieces covered in New Zealand chocolate).
- Caramello Koalas (delicious chocolate koalas stuffed with pasty caramel) and Perky Nanas (New Zealand chocolate bars filled with banana).
- Kangaroo and Emu (Australia is the only country that eats its domestic animals) and Maori Hāngi (a method of cooking meat that consists of burying it in a well).
Sports and nightlife
When it comes to sports, the main rivalry between the two countries is in rugby, with the New Zealanders cheering the All Blacks and the Australians the Wallabies. It combines well the colors for each country: black in New Zealand and green and gold for Australia. In the stadium, you can make the sounds of the New Zealand Haka or shout "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi" for Australia.
Visitors say that New Zealand's nightlife is less varied, although this may be because cities are smaller and less populated. What is clear is that Melbourne and Sydney vibrate at night with its countless clubs, pubs, bars and shows. In Auckland, you can spend the night doing canyoning, observe the lights of the city from the Sky Tower or take a walk through the local markets.
Fauna
Australia has some of the most poisonous animals in the world, something that can make visitors feel threatened by its wildlife. But do not worry, encounters with sharks, snakes, jellyfish and large spiders like cats are not common. Apart from these fearsome animals, the emblematic and lesser-known animals of Australia are a parade of extravagance, such as, for example, kangaroos, wombats , bilbies , quokkas , platypuses and echidnas. Across the Tasman Sea, the wildlife of New Zealand is less strange. The only native mammals in the country are bats and marine mammals, although it has a remarkable variety of native birds, such as the tui , the kea, the yellow-eyed penguin and the kiwi, a bird of the forest floor.
Climate and environment
New Zealand's climate is milder, colder and more humid, something that can be positive or negative, according to your preferences. If you are looking for a temperate to warm climate, you will prefer Australia. But you have to bear in mind that in the summer months there are intense waves of heat and humidity.
The landscapes are extraordinary in both countries. New Zealand has huge mountains, glaciers, lakes and forests, while Australia has beaches of impossible beauty, long stretches of sand, coral reefs, rainforests, blood red deserts and landscapes of low vegetation. New Zealand earns points for its proximity to the Pacific Islands, a plus to continue the trip.
It is no wonder that travelers and students score so high in Australia and New Zealand. Enjoy the process of choosing and have fun!
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