New Zealand, Indonesia, Islands ??

Hi,

Am new to travel outside Oz but certainly want to try next year. Have travelled extensively in and around Australia mainly remote areas so can field any questions in that department you have.

We are middle aged, have a few health dramas but a will to get out and try overseas travel. Since I'm not sure how I'll go in a plane for many hours due to a back injury have decided to keep it close for the first one. But I'm finding it really hard, should I try New Zealand, Tassie, Bali, some Island further afield, other Asian locations?

Thought of hiring a van in N.Z. appeals and travel and walk for a month or so. But you might say I'm mad and give us some great ideas on new experiences in different cultures/locations.

We like experiencing new things but have a passion for the natural enviroment ie sightseeing, water falls, beach the bush and everything inbetween. Also would love to see other cultures but at this time in our life not really into really roughing it. Camping is ok but don't want to go or stay in very dirty locations, maybe slack but I guess we've aged a little and not as resilient anymore.

So please give me your suggestions, would love to hear of new and exciting things and places to go that I'm not even aware of.

Regards

Ray

If you have never travelled overseas before, New Zealand would be a good place to start. It is enough like Australia to be familiar, but different enough to be interesting. I have always felt very much at home there.
This would also test out your ability to travel by air, campervan etc, without going somewhere more exotic which may be testing for health issues - if you arrive in a non-English-speaking country in pain, it would be more difficult to find help, too.
If you are successful in New Zealand, try one of the more visited Pacific Islands such as Fiji or Vanuata.
All of these destinations have good deals form Australia, and people who speak English, as well as culture.
(I have travelled in Australia, NZ. Asia, the Pacific and Europe)
I would leave Asian destinations until I knew I could cope physically with the challenges.
For NZ, check out Freedom airlines.

I agree 100%. try NZ, it's a great place to visit. If you like that, then try Fiji, the Cooks, etc. next.

Thanks for replies it's helped to make a decission.