Insights from the traveler’s journey
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Asko Meriläinen
Your travel planner, Entrepreneur
Clients Blog – Travel in November-December 2024
Asko Meriläinen from Project Matka in Melbourne was an outstanding practical organizer for our independent trip in Australia and New Zealand. Following the template we supplied, Asko arranged rental cars and accommodations, and also identified several must-see destinations and events. We highly recommend Project Matka.
General
When travelling overseas, it’s wise to carry two credit cards along with cash for at least one day’s expenses. Opt for the least expensive items when paying with cash, as many bars, restaurants, and shops in Australia and New Zealand impose an additional charge of 1–10% on card transactions, typically around 1-2%.
The temperature during the trip was +14 – +37 C.
We explored the observation buildings whenever we could, reaching a maximum altitude of 300 meters. My phone’s compass consistently pointed north, though Google provides some perplexing information about various compasses for those unfamiliar. Additionally, the sun sets in the west here too, at noon, moving around the northern horizon. This baffles many visitors arriving at the equator from different directions…
Australia and New Zealand offer ample space; their wide streets accommodate cars, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Why is space so limited in Finland? Distances are often abbreviated as “k’ for kilometres. Large cities feature parking garages and underground parking, which aren’t necessarily the priciest options. Smooth roundabouts are abundant, and there are few traffic lights, particularly outside the major urban areas.
We travelled approximately 4600 km by rental car, 500 km by bus, 80 km by ferry, 170 km by train, and over 42,000 km by plane (for a total of 5 flights).
Australia
The maps pre-downloaded to our phones served as a solid foundation for navigating while driving. We didn’t require a local prepaid card or anything similar. The speed limits proved practical, with none of the impossible variations we experience. They are strictly enforced as well. However, the signage could be improved to reach the highest international standards. In traffic, what we call “overtaking” is referred to as “passing” in New Zealand. The petrol price is approximately 1.30 euros/L. Long-nosed American locomotives dominate freight transport in Australia and New Zealand’s South Island, while Scania and Volvo are prevalent on New Zealand’s North Island, along with some Mercedes. This presents a notable difference.
The existing wildfire information boards along the roads display: “Normal…extreme/alert.” A vast forest area has been burned, with different parts affected by fire in different years. Numerous animal carcasses, including kangaroos, can be seen along the roads. It appears that in this region, traffic-related carcasses are often left alone, as nature will eventually manage them.
In rural regions, roadside barriers and various posts are maintained free of weeds using glyphosate, enhancing wildlife visibility. Neither country has game fences. Sheep graze on solar panel fields, effectively keeping the surfaces tidy. The average farm size exceeds 4,000 hectares.
Driving experience: Approximately 300 km from Canberra to Sydney Airport via the Blue Mountains, taking around 10 hours. Expect delays due to roadworks, rain, fog, winding roads, and a significant traffic jam at the end.
New Zealand
With approximately 5.2 million residents and covering around 80% of Finland’s land area, 16 million hectares are designated as arable land. The sheep population stands at about 27 million, with no natural predators. Sheep are predominantly found in the South Island, while dairy cattle are more prevalent in the North Island. More than 75% of export income comes from agricultural products, with the largest quantity of milk powder being exported to China. Molesworth Station, encompassing 182,000 hectares, is the largest farm in the region.
Rainfall is significantly greater than in Australia, resulting in abundant green pastures. Each pasture block features its own well to provide drinking water for the cows. The majority consists of permanent pasture, with only minimal traditional grain cultivation, primarily maize farming located in the North Island.
Buses always arrive directly at the platform (stop) – passengers aren’t required to dash between buses. There are no speed cameras as seen in Australia, yet traffic remains quite moderate. Roadside billboards are absent. Petrol prices hover around 1.90 euros/L.
In both countries, John Deere is the leading brand, followed closely by CNH’s CaseIH and New Holland, with Fendt also being quite popular.
Lake Taupo and the town of Taupo, featuring the impressive Huka Falls rapids, are wonderful destinations. Meanwhile, Rotorua is characterised by a sulphur smell from its volcanic soil, and many baths are muddy. On the South Island, recommended spots include Queenstown and Mount Cook, while Auckland is a notable destination in the North.
Author & Photos: Juhani Rahkonen
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Asko Meriläinen
Your travel planner, entrepreneur
A tour operator you can trust. 5 week tour of New Zealand and Australia, everything went as agreed and as stated in the itinerary. Great job Asko and Project tours. Really professional operation and service
A very well-organized trip to Australia and New Zealand. Thank you!
The concept worked perfectly for us:Peaceful vacation: We appreciated that it wasn’t a group trip. We were able to explore the destinations at our own pace, but the schedule and advance reservations gave the trip a clear framework.Reservations in order: All hotel and tour reservations worked flawlessly in principle.Safety net: When there were twists and turns along the way – such as flight cancellations – the office handled the situations for us nicely. It was relaxing to know that someone else would take care of the logistics if the original plan changed.
A 2-week tour of Australia tailored for us. Interesting destinations and good hotels. Exceptions to the planned program were handled very well. I highly recommend!
The trip went well. The destinations were interesting and the transportation was handled as planned. I definitely recommend this trip organizer.
Asko listened to our wishes and tailored the package to our needs. Highly recommended!
We had a wonderful 4,5 week tour across Australia and Project Matka made excellent job planning the trip and made all needed reservations including all travel, accommodation and activities. The schedule and all activities were really well planned and we saw a lot of Australia, its nature and animals and the culture during our trip. We absolutely loved our trip!
Big thanks to Asko and Project travel! I was on a 3-week vacation in Australia. All the details were carefully and carefully planned and thought out. The trip went without a hitch. I got to see amazing places and have new experiences. Super thanks. I can warmly recommend Asko and Project travel!
Many thanks to Asko and Project Matka. A wonderfully planned and executed three-week trip to Australia, during which we got to explore great city destinations and above all, wonderful nature, from rainforests to fabulously beautiful sandy beaches and, as the cherry on the cake, snorkeling on the reef. The arrangements were really well made. With the written and verbal instructions from Asko, it was easy and safe for even the most relaxed traveler to travel. I recommend Project Matka, with their help you can tailor a trip to your own preferences.
I can really recommend Projekt Matka. They planned a memorable New Zealand and Australia tour for me, everything went smoothly. Asko was always available quickly when I needed advice or directions. A well thought out trip!
The travel program was as tight as we had hoped, but it ran smoothly and every detail was carefully thought out. The arrangements exceeded our expectations in every way.
My experience with Project Matka was absolutely outstanding! From start to finish, they provided exceptional services that went above and beyond my expectations.First and foremost, the planning process was a breeze, thanks to their invaluable tips and recommendations. Asko, from Project Matka, not only designed our dream holiday but also added incredible value by suggesting fantastic restaurant options and local gems that truly made our trip unforgettable. It's the little details like these that make all the difference.Moreover, the communication with Project Matka was superb. Asko and his team made sure we felt like we were in exceptionally good hands throughout our entire journey. They were responsive, attentive, and always ready to address any questions or concerns we had, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience.Thanks to Project Matka, we had a dream holiday that exceeded our expectations. I can't recommend them enough for their top-notch services, thoughtful planning, and outstanding communication. Asko, you delivered our dream holiday, and we're incredibly grateful. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you are considering a trip to Australia and/or New Zealand don’t hesitate to use Project Matka. We are experienced travelers and never used an agent prior to this trip. Project Matka not only listened to our wants, preferences, style, likes and dislikes, but provided guidance and suggestions we hadn’t consider. Our final itinerary not only met but exceeded our expectations. The cities, hotels, tours which was a combination of self guided, private and semi-private tours was seamless and absolutely perfect. We spent 30 days between the two countries and it was a trip of a lifetime primarily due to the support we got for Project Matka.
Asko Project Matka helped me plan and implement a wonderful holiday in Melbourne. However, in a relatively short time I managed to see a lot. Thanks to the useful tips I received from Asko. His local knowledge of Melbourne is in a class of its own. I can warmly recommend Project Matka if you are looking for a holiday in Australia!
A thousand thanks to Asko and Project Matka for the absolutely fantastic arrangements for our trip to central Australia. Everything went perfectly, and the experiences were one after the other. We asked for an active itinerary with hiking in stunning landscapes as the main focus, and that's what we definitely got. Other highlights included dinner under the stars, a camel ride at sunrise, and the light art installation Field of Lights. Warm recommendation to Asko and the Project Matka team.
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