I wanted to start a discussion thread for USWNT fans traveling to New Zealand and Australia for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. I thought it would be useful and fun to share itineraries, travel tips, ideas for other things to do while there, etc.
My wife and I are traveling with two other couples. We will be attending the two USWNT matches in Auckland and seeing the sites in between. Our trip includes a scenic train down to Wellington followed by a flight over to Sydney for a four-day stay there. We are planning to catch at least a few matches at the FIFA Fan Fests in all 3 cities.
I spent about 25 days in New Zealand and 3 days in Sydney, Australia back in 2009. I'm happy to assist with anything. I drove from the northern tip or North Island, New Zealand to Christchurch, New Zealand on South Island. I've also been to the men's World Cups in 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 (and 1994 Men's for 2 matches and 1999 for 1 women's match). I'd say there is so much to do in Sydney that you can't go wrong. New Zealand is amazing. While in Auckland, if you like wine, take the ferry to Waiheke Island. Beautiful wineries (and some breweries) with turquoise waters running up against vineyards. Wellington is similar to San Francisco. A tiny stretch of land crammed into a space against a wonderful coast.
I've been in New Zealand twice. The first time for about three weeks. Went to Auckland, Rotorua (important center of Maori culture), Napier (the Art Deco Capital of the World!) and Wellington on the North Island. Then to various places along the west coast of the South Island (including two glaciers), on the glorious Tranzalpine train across the South Island west to east, and to Christchurch and finally Auckland. On my second visit I went to Auckland, Napier, and Wellington. If anyone wants information and recommendations, please feel free to send me a private message. New Zealand is beautiful and wonderful all over its two islands. I loved my visits there.
Bring lots of money Bukester. it's incredibly expensive down under. Especially Austrailia at world class event times. Hope it's rewarding for you and yours.
Our family of 4 is going (me, wife, two teenage daughters). We REALLY wanted to see Australia and it's quite possible we'll never get back to the other side of the world, and of course there are more flights from the US that fly into Australia, so...we made the choice to spend the middle of our trip in NZ to see games 2/3 (Netherlands/Portugal) and then bookend that with time in two different locations in Australia (Sydney beforehand, Gold Coast/Great Barrier Reef after). It's going to be a LOT of travel...we'll see how it goes.
I'm not going to make it to this WWC, but my advice: if you can spare any time to see more of New Zealand than just games, it is seriously one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, especially the South Island, but I know that isn't where the US games are.
GOAL: Absorb the maximum amount of Complete and Total Awesomeness into my System as the United States Women’s National Soccer Team will have once again assembled on Foreign Soil. GENERAL: Beachhead arranged in Auckland for the 1st Month-ish. Taking side trips to other match locations – arrive the day before match...return to base the day after. Last 10 days in Sydney (Harbor Area). SPECIFICS: Make every attempt to distance myself from any activity or circumstance that could lead to an international incident. Keep mobile and travel incognito within the borders of New Zealand and Australia in an effort to elude the local authorities. Enthusiastically participate in any Night Before and Pre-match events organized by the A/O’s. Enthusiastically organize any Night Before and Pre-match events NOT organized by the A/O’s. Coordinate Candlelight Vigils outside the Team Hotel on nights before matches. USWNT > The Great Barrier Reef USWNT > Kakadu National Park USWNT > Ayers Rock USWNT > Coromandel Peninsula USWNT > Bay of Islands
Will catch our first match as a family (of 4) - sounds like we need to: Follow American Outlaws for the night-before event Follow American Outlaws for any day-of events? Follow Insiders to see if US Soccer organizes any pre-game events? Arrive early on gameday to pick up WC jerseys Memorize the chants Anything else I'm missing?
Follow JackDoggy’s lead. He’ll have you dining and drinking sitting next to team members without you even knowing it.
We now have tickets to four matches: the first and third USWNT matches and NZ v Philippines in Wellington and England v Denmark in Sydney. Getting excited!
Sounds like an absolutely incredible trip in terms of the locations you are traveling to and getting to see. The only downside is that you have tickets to USA vs Netherlands, because beating the Netherlands without Miedema means absolutely nothing. Of course, when the draw was made there was no way we could have known that matchup would not end up being the spectacle we all were hoping for. And now it is not just Miedema, the crucial players out injured are on the USWNT side as well. I have traveled to a Women's World Cup in Europe before (2011), but there is no way I could afford to travel all the way to Australia. And since this tournament has been ruined by injuries across the board, I wouldn't want to attend it at this point anyway.