Day Trips While Studying in the South Pacific

Those planning to study abroad in New Zealand, Australia or other places in the Southwest Pacific will have no shortage of opportunities to take short breaks during their stay. During most programs while you study abroad in Australia or New Zealand, you will be in a major metropolitan area such as Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, or Auckland. All of these cities are located within a few hours of other interesting places that you will want to visit while you Study abroad.

In Australia: Sydney

While in Sydney, you will definitely want to visit the Blue Mountains. Although Australia is generally though of as being primarily a hot desert scrubland, there is a great deal of scenic diversity not far from Sydney. The Blue Mountains consist of a sandstone plateau rising to over 3300 feet above sea level. Designated as a World Heritage Site, the Blue Mountains are home to spectacular rock formations and a wide variety of flora and fauna that are contained within seven national parks.

Adelaide

The region around Australia's first city to be founded by free settlers is remarkably similar to California's Napa Valley and the Bay Area. Nearby day trip destinations include winery tours, Mount Lofty with its commanding view of the Adelaide area, and the Cleland Wildlife Park, where you can actually pet a kangaroo or a koala bear.

Perth

If Adelaide is northern Califorina, this west coast Australian city is south Florida and the Caribbean. You will not want to miss out on Rottnest Island, which features secluded white beaches and unique wildlife that exists nowhere else on the planet. Another spectacular feature is Wave Rock, a forty-five foot high granite cliff that is shaped remarkably like an ocean wave.

Melbourne

This scenic city in the Australian state of Victoria has more attractions than we can list here, but among those you won't want to miss are:

- Arthur's Seat: A 915-foot high hill overlooking the harbor. Three mazes are to be found here in addition to excellent panoramas and examples of indigenous fauna.
- Boneo Maze and Wetlands Centre: If eco-tourism interests you, this 15-acre site may be for you. In addition to over a mile of boardwalk paths through woodland and wetland areas, you will find a number of very nice picnic spots.

New Zealand

If you are going to study in New Zealand, you'll find a number of exciting and novel day trip opportunities as well. If you saw the recent film trilogy Lord of the Rings, you are area of some of the spectacular Alpine scenery to be found in this country. In addition, Auckland and Christchurch are home to many scenic parks where one can see the native plant life as well as museums dedicated to various aspects of this country's history and indigenous Maori culture.