Help! I am going it alone...

Hi everyone.

I am planning to take a one year career break from my boring office job and I have wanted to go to Australia and New Zealand for a while now.

On further reading, investigating and speaking to friends about their travels, I have also added Tasmania, Fiji, Tonga and The Cook Islands as points of interest also.

My only concern with all this is that I am going to have to go it alone as some friends have been there, done that before or they are settling down (I have/had a boyfriend who I am leaving behind to do this as he doesnt want to go!) so its very important for me (Duh!) to get as much advice as possible.

If anyone reading this can give me some hints/tips/what to do and see/what to avoid etc, I would be grateful. Thank you all in advance!

Natalie
ps - I am off to Thailand in October for 3 weeks - I need to get a rucksack (yep, I dont even have one yet!!) but I am guessing that I will only need a small one for that and a pretty hefty one for Oz/Nz etc...some advice on the sizes of rucksacks that I will need will also help A LOT! Thanks!!

My only concern with all this is that I am going to have to go it alone

If that's your only concern then treat the whole enterprise as a learning experience in developing some independence. Might be a bit difficult at first, but be patient, give yourself half a chance to figure it all out.

hints/tips/what to do and see/what to avoid

In line with the above, to get the best out of your trip then you should tailor it to your own interests .. learn/discover what you like and then do it. I always read a guidebook and get a feeling for "Oh, that sounds interesting". It really makes no difference to me how many people think the same way. It's my trip. Of course, when the time comes and you are able ask a question such as "I'm interested in this sort of activity, where can I find it .." or "is place X better than place Y for activity Z?" then you can always ask for equally specific experiences of others

some advice on the sizes of rucksacks that I will need

Operative word is "need". But the bottom line is that whatever you need for 3 weeks should in principle be enough to last you a year - you just cycle through your clothes, that's more or less it. Say, 3 changes of clothes (think 'layers' for efficiency if you figure on some cold weather somewhere) and a bit extra for underwear and socks. Add a number of personal items such as music player, camera, your own snorkel mask if the activity interests you, etc. And then you buy everything else as needed, a new tube of toothpaste, maybe a weather specific something or other. A 50L pack would probably handle it.

I suggest you get a pack which has a design for trekking, even if you don't plan on doing any hiking. Trekking designs are very compact and efficient. I had 65L pack and could slide it under a Thai or Indian or Fijian bus seat. Smaller packs with half a dozen outside pockets filled with odds and ends can actually be more bulky and inconvenient.

Don't forget that when you buy a pack you don't need to stuff it to the brim. It's useful to bring along some empty space for whatever you might want to buy when underway. So, for example, if you figure you might need a bigger pack for Oz, then same pack will do quite nicely for Thailand, there'll just be less in it. On this point, you may hear that the danger of a bigger pack is that you'll fill it - but this is not the pack's fault, it's the lack of discipline of the person doing the packing.

I moved out to NZ 5 years ago, and have travelled both with friends and alone. Using a bit of common sense, I have found that I have felt safe in most places that I have been. It's really easy to meet people en route. New Zealand has some fantastic backpackers (check out BBH hostels in particular, which have a pretty reliable rating system and offer a discount card, which it well worth getting in you are travelling for any time). Fiji, the Cooks and Tonga also have a variety of great places to stay (backpacker style or guesthouses). You'll find many places reviewed here, also check out hostelworld.com and tripadvisor.com. Communal facilities make it easy to meet up with people, and there are likely to be other solo travellers, even on the Pacific islands.

What to do and see... I'll echo Oldpro. The South Pacific is full of amazing places. Are you interested in walking? Watersports? Nature? Culture? Do you dive? Will you drive? Do you want party spots or peace and tranquility? You'll find it all, and if you specify what you want you will get lots of advice on this board!

I'm a 5'3'' woman, and find that my max size for a pack is 70 litres- 60 or 65 holds everything I need whilst being manageable. Anything much bigger than that is just too big for me. I personally love the travelpack syle of rucksack, which usually can be accessed through the top like a regular rucksack, but also can be unzipped on one side to open up like a regular suitcase. They are not as great for tramping as the classic style of pack, but still do the job, and for a long trip I like to be able to get to stuff easily without constantly taking everything out to get to the thing I need at the bottom. Rather than go with a pack with 800 pockets, I prefer to use packing cubes or plastic bags to organise my stuff inside. External pockets tend to make the pack bulky and awkward. One addition that can be handy is a zip-on daysack- macpac and osprey do some nice designs where the daysack is streamlined into the pack when zipped on, so you don't end up feeling like you need a 'wide load' sign strapped to your back!

So obvious but sounds like you haven't done it yet: get a guidebook!
It will give you far more tips on what to see/do/avoid etc than you'll ever get here.

Fiji, Tonga and the Cooks are all among the more popular countries in the region, so you can meet plenty of other travellers if you feel lonely among locals.
Fiji is probably the best place to meet backpackers, if that's what you want, but in this region locals also tend to be friendly enough, and to speak enough English, to keep you in good company.

Tasmania?

Why would anyone go to Tasmania?

Hi guys,
Thank you all so much for your help so far on this..
I have purchased guidebooks covering all areas that I want to see (Lonely PLanet ones of course!!) and have been completely reading them so much I have a headache. I have printed maps and researched the areas trying to plan an itinery..I have also spoken in depth to friends who have done it alone and also to those who have gone in a group..
I plan to go rucksack shopping with my friend who I am going to Thailand with (YEY) and hope that after I come back I will have more knowledge on the subject..
Tasmania is supposed to be (so I have heard from friends who have been) amazing! It has such diverse landscapes and it has a few beached that would rival any in Oz..its got to be worth a look, I reckon?!
A big thank you to all who have posted, I am very grateful for the advice, hints a tips you have provided..keep them coming!! Ha ha.
Cheers
Natalie

I plan to go rucksack shopping with my friend who I am going to Thailand with

I'd be cautious about getting a decent rucksack in Thailand (eg Bangkok). You get what you pay for, to put it simply. Even inexpensive name brands (ie not fakes) are likely to be factory rejects, so will have some sort of manufacture flaw somewhere. It can also be the case that it is a genuine brand name but made will lower quality thread/stitching only for local market. The pack may well start falling apart after a few months - it's a common story. A genuine, brand name top quality pack in Bangkok will probably cost about as much as what you'd pay back home, wherever home is.

I paid full price for a top model (Lowe Alpine 65L Cerro Torre) and after 6 years including one year long RTW trip and several mountain trekking holidays, there is still nothing wrong with it. Seriously, the pack is important for a long trip. Invest in the quality. It will be worth it in the long run.

Thanks Oldpro for your response..I have found a few rucksacks on good Ol' eBay which have returned some great results on backpacks made by North Face, Karrimor, Berghaus and Jeep at a starting price of 60quid and up..I would rather spend the extra on something that will last for years rather than something which is cheap but falls apart at the drop of a hat. Like you said, you get what you pay for and if this is what I am going to be living out of for a while, I want it to last.
Ill check out some Lowe Alpine rucksacks too. Thank you.

Whatever you choose, if you get the chance, try it on in the shop with something in it! A bit of weight (a couple of boxes of hiking boots?) will give you a much more accurate idea of comfort that carrying an empty pack. A lot of manufacturers now have choices of harness size, so you should be able to get something that fits well around your shoulders and is comfy round your waist. Even if you intend buying from ebay, I'd suggest trying some in shops to find what sizes and manufacturers fit you best.

Cheers Fyrelizard, that is a great help! Its so important to get a pack that is comfortable to carry - living like a snail cant be easy but with good fitting 'shells' it can make life easier! Thanks for your advice :0)

Once you just get on the plane the adventure begins, then on the ground it wont take long to meet other folks in the same boat and as you are on your own your radar is up to engage with others who are generally happy to say hi, have a drink, pass on some advice, share a cab...whatever. I've travelled solo for a million years now and though occasionally i wish i could share the moment with another from home im generally happy to have the freedom to do my own thing and not compromise fulfilling someone elses dream trip when our desires clash. Essentially you are by yourself but not alone and most of the places you go are stacked with other folks just like you, esp in those Pacific Islands. So all up you'll have a ball and the things you are a bit nervy about now will turn out absolutely awesome, as many before you have also discovered. Enjoy!

oh, and the advice on a backpack above is all good, you'll see cheap packs in Asia but the zips break or the stiching rips way too soon so they are false economy. Mind you, these days you don't really need a backpack if you don't want one. Most travel cases (they all come with wheels and are easier to get around at the airport) will do and you do see many more now than years gone by. Packs are good if you are going places where things get thrown around and you need to hump your stuff over akward terrain but most places they arent really needed.

I am sorry but it is not allowed to travel in the islands without a guide. Me for instance. So, just get the tickets and I'll be there.

I wish.

Tasmania?

Why would anyone go to Tasmania?

harrychorpita you are useless. Tasmania is stunningly beautiful. that's why.

OP, 5Waldos at #12 got it slightly wrong. It's ME you need as a bag carrier, not him.

;-)

.

(OK,OK, both of us, then).

Edited by: Leo_Walsh

It's HER, not him...

Yep- have been for a lot of years. But it is not an uncommon mistake although I am not sure why. Thanks Laszlo-

5Waldos is a girl? oops. My apologies to all and sundry.

Both of you can come and be my 'Bag Carriers' if you like?! Ha ha.

You're on. Just let me know when and I'll send the address for the ticket. Even a girl can carry bags.

Right another bit of advice needed if possible, guys...

Does anyone know if you can apply for a working holiday visa for New Zealand while you are in Australia?

Also, will I get strange looks at passport control turning up with a one way ticket and a working holiday visa? I dont want to book a return flight when I plan to go to New Zealand from Oz..

Thanks for any help offered!! Oh, and the offer is still open for a 'Bag Carrier..' must supply their own airfare though..!

#20 cross post on branch for Australia and New Zealand. There's also a 'sticky' thread on the topic of visas. You might find an answer there.

Oh- great! You are still going. Good for you. You do have my ticket-yes? And Harry Mudd- you don't want to take him. I'm sure I'd be better at it.

How are the plans coming?

I'm good value. ;-)

Perhaps they need both of us. I'm happy to share.

can't just started a new joib yesterday. 5 hours per week for $368, so sorry, got to hang around and look useful.

Oh- I win then! I just retired and nothing planned that year! One definite advantage to being old.

I'm nearly old. I'll get old one of these days, I promise.

well, OK, my body is old, but my brain is still 21.

I'm old I'm old- when it gives me advantages like finally being retired. the rest of the time I'm maybe a bit older than 21- but still trying to figure out what I am going to do when I grow up.

Guys! I need you both to come with me to New Zealand in December 2012!
I know I was planning on going this year but things went slightly wrong for me in more ways than one :-(
Its all good now though, the saving is coming along nicely, just the down side is I am now nearly 30 (in June next year)!!
Like I said before, if you pay for your own air fares, you are more than welcome to come and carry my bag...although I do love my North Face Extreme backpack, I might just have to carry it myself....come along anyway! :-)