Australia and New Zealand get clumped together a lot.
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Much of that is thanks to their cultural and historical ties. Both countries were originally claimed as part of the British Empire by Captain John Cook. They served as outposts for the British Empire (and some of its most dangerous criminals) and remain part of the British Commonwealth today.
That being said, Australia and New Zealand are very distinct. And if you’re heading from the continental United States to visit either, you need a solid understanding of what you’re in for.
After all, getting to either country won’t be easy or cheap, nor will crafting a solid itinerary.
Want to know more about the differences between Australia and New Zealand? Let me simplify things for you.
Both are home to interesting creatures
Let’s get this out of the way first.
Yes, Australia is home to dozens of creatures that can kill you. You’re probably thinking of crocodiles and deadly snakes, but you should be thinking about Huntsman spiders and leeches.
(Honestly, between the two, I’d say look out for the leeches. I camped a few times along Australia’s eastern coast and had way too many run-ins with these blood-suckers. They’re ugly, they’re amoeba-shaped, and they live to bleed you dry. Just saying.)
Nightmare-fuel aside, you’re going to be more delighted by the lovely creatures in both island nations.
New Zealand is home to kiwis, the brown flightless bird for which locals are nicknamed. There are also little blue penguins, green pigeons, alpine parrots, and some seriously stylish lizards.
Australia is home to beautiful beastlings like the sugar glider, platypus, kangaroos, koalas, echidnas, and quokkas. You’ve probably heard and seen more of Australia’s creatures, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised in either country.
Australia’s natural wonders are more iconic
That being said, Australia has more iconic landscapes than New Zealand.
(Quick caveat: much of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy was filmed in New Zealand, so if you have a thing for Middle Earth, then head straight to New Zealand.)
There’s Uluru right in the center of the country, which is surrounded by thousands of square miles of red-sand desert. Then there’s the Great Barrier Reef, which hugs the country’s eastern coast. Further down the eastern coast, you can find landmarks like the Twelve Apostles.
But it’s also home to much stranger places.
I traveled to Daintree National Park in Queensland, home to one of the oldest rainforests in the world. In fact, it’s one of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems on the planet. (Australia is old.)
Australia has big-city vibes
Natural wonders aside, you might also be on the hunt for a great urban experience.
Once again, Australia has more to offer. Melbourne and Sydney are sprawling metropolises with dozens of unique neighborhoods. Any American will feel at home.
New Zealand’s capital Auckland has a similar atmosphere, but smaller cities like Christchurch and Wellington aren’t nearly as large.
And on top of its larger cities, Australia is also home to unique villages that are off the beaten path.
I spent my time in Australia studying in Byron Bay, a sleepy beach town with slightly bougie vibes. You’ve also got funky hippy towns like Nimbin, up-and-coming neighborhoods like Perth’s Fremantle, and trending new capitals like Adelaide.
New Zealand has a strong Māori presence
If you’re familiar with New Zealand, you might know the country as Aotearoa.
This is the Māori language word for New Zealand, which is used interchangeably in official and unofficial publications. That’s because Aotearoa is one of the most integrated countries in the world in terms of its settler-native population.
You may also be familiar with haka. Haka is a Māori dance used to celebrate different accomplishments and to welcome guests. The national All Blacks rugby team starts major matches with a haka dance, which is performed by Māori and non-Māori players.
When you visit New Zealand, you’ll be able to learn more about the history and legacy of local Māori people—without heading off the beaten path.
New Zealand is much easier to explore
And speaking of getting off the beaten path in New Zealand, you should have a much easier time.
Given Australia’s massive size, there’s plenty of space to escape the standard tourist route—but there’s not much to do considering its stretches of desert or bushland in the Outback.
New Zealand is composed of two islands. You can easily explore both, enjoying the rugged coastlines. Given its location further south (closer to the South Pole), there are even glaciers and fjords. That makes it great for those who want to really explore the islands during their trip.
