We see you there, deciding between   the “Awesome” Australia and the “unforgettable” New Zealand . And we get it: two great English-speaking countries, both located in the Southern Hemisphere, both perfect for backpacking, work holidays and studying abroad. So, which one will you choose? To help you choose, we've compared some of the main points of interest.



Language

While Australian and New Zealand English are often considered “the same”, you will soon be able to tell the difference between the two. New Zealanders pronounce their vowels slightly differently, “ bed ” can sound like “ bid ” and “ six ” like “ sux ,” while Australians have a characteristic nasal sound.

Of course there is a variety of slang. Some classic Aussie / Kiwi words include bushwalking / tramping (climbing); thongs / widows (sandals); and Esky / chilly bin (coolant). Want more? In New Zealand, you hear bro/cuz (friend), chur (thank you, in “chur bro!”), hard bro ! (to express agreement with someone), and sweet as ! (cool). If Australia is your destination, we have something to tell you: the Aussies love to abbreviate words. Start training with cuppa(cup of tea), choccy (chocolate), biccy (cake), brekkie (breakfast), avo (avocado), prezzie (gift), Chrissy (Christmas), Chrissy prezzie (yep, Christmas present), and many more.

Know More

The biggest difference when traveling in Australia and New Zealand is the breadth. Australia is known for the long (and sometimes gritty!) distance between its capitals. Perth  is more than 3,660 kilometers from  Brisbane , which is further than the distance between Madrid and Moscow. On the other hand, in New Zealand, it's possible to drive to a completely different city or climate in just a few hours. In both countries, major cities (only  Auckland  in New Zealand) offer a wide range of public transport options. As a bonus, Australian and New Zealand visitors can use a valid driver's license for the same class of car, but don't forget that you're driving on the left!

Culinary

Australian and New Zealand visitors will soon be introduced to their respective national yeast extracts (yes, it does exist). Vegemite and Marmite are almost impossible to explain to newcomers, but the love for them runs deep into the souls of Aussie and Kiwi residents. Love them both and the locals will love you! (Tip: Vegemite and Marmite are neither sweet nor taste like chocolate although they are brown in color and texture. Add a little bit of butter to bread, and you'll eat like a local.)

Moving away from the salty breakfast treats, other Australian and Kiwi delicacies worth admiring are… Allen
Candy ( Sherbies , Fantales and Minties ) and Pineapple Lumps (chewy pineapple chunks covered in New Zealand chocolate) Caramello Koalas (delicious chocolate koala with a full belly caramel) and Perky Pineapple (kiwi chocolate bar with banana filling) Kangaroo and emu (Australia is the only country that eats both of its national animals) and Maori hāngi (how to cook meat in underground pits)

Sports and nightlife

When it comes to sports, the main rivalry between the two countries is the Rugby Union, where the Kiwis support the All Blacks and Australia supports the Wallabies. Match the colors to your country: black for New Zealand and green and gold for Australia. At the stadium, support Kiwi Haka or give “ Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi !” for Australia.

Travelers often report that New Zealand has less variety of nightlife – due to its smaller and less populated cities. What's clear is that Melbourne and  Sydney really come alive all night long with countless clubs, pubs, bars and venues. In  Auckland, you can hike the canyon at night, see the city lights from the Sky Tower, or stroll through the night markets.

 

Fauna

With an impressive list of the world's most poisonous animals, Australian visitors often misunderstand and think wildlife will attack them. But don't worry, encounters with sharks, snakes, jellyfish and spiders the size of a plate are not common in everyday life. In addition to these gruesome animals, Australia's other iconic and little-known animals are a parade of their own – kangaroos, wombats, bilbies, quokkas, platypuses and echidnas. Across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand's wild animals aren't quite as wild as Australia's. The only mammals native to the country are bats and marine mammals, although there are also a number of native birds, such as tui, kea, yellow-eyed penguin and forest kiwi.

Climate and nature

New Zealand's climate is colder and wetter – which can be positive or negative, depending on your preferences. Of course, if you like warm to hot climates, Australia is definitely your choice; although you should be prepared, the summer months bring heat waves and high humidity.

 

Both countries have beautiful landscapes: New Zealand with its mountains, glaciers, lakes, and forests, while Australia has beaches, sand dunes, coral reefs, rainforests, blood red deserts, and scrub. New Zealand wins bonus points for its proximity to the Pacific Islands – a plus for onward trips.

It is not surprising that these two countries rank very highly among tourists and students wishing to study in New Zealand or Australia. Enjoy the voting process – and have fun!