Most people think of beaches when they picture Oceania, but New Zealand and southeastern Australia get real snow every winter, and the ski season arrives just as the Northern Hemisphere heads into summer.
Queenstown is the best-known base in New Zealand, with Coronet Peak and The Remarkables close to town and plenty of bars and restaurants for the evenings. Nearby Wanaka is more relaxed, and on the North Island you can ski on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano. In Australia, Thredbo and Perisher in the Snowy Mountains are the main resorts, and they are a few hours' drive from Canberra or a longer road trip from Sydney. The snow here is usually less reliable than in Japan or the Alps, but the views and the relaxed atmosphere make up for a lot.
School holidays in July are the busiest time, so August is often a better choice.
