Traveling Down Under is a bucket list destination for many travelers-and it's a destination that will not disappoint. From luxury hotel stays to in-depth cultural experiences and friendly locals, these two countries are some of the most interesting and easy to explore and 2019 is the year to do it.

Travelers won't want to miss the Great Barrier Reef if they are visiting Australia this year. The famous reef system is in a perilous place as climate change continues to have an adverse effect on the world's marine life. However, the reef is no less extraordinary and is one of those places travelers should visit sooner rather than later.

Take New Zealand's newly reopened Coastal Pacific train journey, which closed after a devastating earthquake led to landslides on the route. The stunning trip explores the rugged coastline and is considered one of the world's great train journeys.

Australia is a vast and diverse country and even the most jam-packed itinerary might not include every major attraction, but you are going to want to include a few of the following: driving the Great Ocean Road, exploring the Great Barrier Reef and a stop in Sydney Harbour.

In New Zealand, the stunning Milford Sound illustrates the natural beauty of the country on the South Island and the Bay of Islands showcases the north. The discover glowworms and blackwater rafting in the Waitomo Caves and Coromandel Town is a haven for artists and craftspeople and nearby Cathedral Cove is a must.

Foodies will want to head to Australia for Taste Australia, taking place in South Australia April 5-14, 2019. Other notable festivals in the country include Parrtjima, a festival of light in the outback city of Alice Springs and Perth Festival in Western Australia.

New Zealanders like to get outside and celebrate festivals and holidays. National holidays such as Waitangi Day and Anzac Day result in a number of outdoor events, markets, festivals and celebrations.

New Zealand and Australia are both very family-friendly countries so most destinations are very welcoming for families. Multigenerational groups will likely want to look for locales that offer a lot of activities suitable for all ages.

In New Zealand, families will find Rotorua and Queenstown to be ideal. In Queenstown, the walkable city is filled with tour operators, offering rafting, lake cruises, gondola rides, zip lining and more. There's even an ice bar and a haunted house.

Rotorua gives families similar options. The destination is part of the Taupo Volcanic Zone and the bubbling pools and geysers are a must-stop. There are also a number of adventurous pursuits in the area and Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves are easily reachable.

In Australia, families will find Sydney an obvious tourism draw and there is much to do such as exploring the harbor, the opera house, nearby beaches and more. The Gold Coast is another popular beach and resort destination and Kangaroo Island offers access to abundant wildlife, serene beaches, Flinders Chase National Park and more.

An obvious place for couples to head for a romantic Australia getaway is the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. But, there are also less obvious attractions such as tent stays in Uluru or romantic camping in Jervis Bay in New South Wales.

New Zealand is also known for stunning luxury lodges located throughout the country and ideal for couples. Arrive by helicopter, enjoy romantic picnic lunches, stroll vineyards and beaches and experience exclusive dining opportunities. The Marlborough Lodge is one of the countries newest lodges, located in the heart of a vineyard.

Just about every major city in Australia offers excellent event and meeting spaces as well as a wealth of activities for visitors. Major hubs connecting travelers between Australia and the U.S. are easy options for groups, including Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Large cities such as Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are ideal hubs for large groups. Queenstown, the country's adventure travel hub, is also an excellent place for meeting and incentive travelers to congregate.

Wine regions usually double as culinary hubs and that's no different in both Australia and New Zealand. In New Zealand, Marlborough and Nelson on the South Island and Auckland and the Central Otago region are the most popular wine-growing areas.

In Australia, the Barossa Valley and the Margaret River region are known for their food scenes. Travelers should also plan to visit Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula, including the Adelaide Central Market. Hobart in Tasmania also has a growing food scene.

In New Zealand, Auckland has a wealth of places to explore for the solo traveler but nearly everywhere in the country offers convenient lodging and hostel stays for those venturing out on their own. Queenstown, Rotorua and the Coromandel Peninsula are all top destinations for solo travelers.

Australia offers a similar situation, with major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane being hubs for solo travelers. One of the easiest places to explore on one's own is the tropical east coast in Queensland, between Cairns and Brisbane. The region is home to some of the best beaches, Australian wildlife and a relaxing atmosphere.

In New Zealand, Queenstown is the country's adventure travel hub. Head here for rafting, zip lining, trekking, canyoneering and more. While Queenstown is the hub, the opportunity for adventure is everywhere throughout the country. Sail through the Bay of Islands, jet boat in Auckland's harbor or try zorbing in Rotorua.

Australia is another country well-known for its adventurous spirit. The Great Barrier Reef is an obvious jumping-off point for underwater pursuits, but adrenaline junkies will be equally satisfied climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, four-wheeling on Fraser Island, sailing the Whitsundays or jet boating Horizontal Falls.

Both Australia and New Zealand are country's that love their rugby and major cities all have their favorite teams. The Australian national team, the Wallabies, call Perth home.

In New Zealand, Eden Park is the country's largest stadium, located in Auckland. It regularly hosts sporting matches, including the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team. New Zealanders consider the country to be the spiritual home to Rugby and visitors can also watch the women's national team, the Black Ferns, and the men's and women's Seven's teams.

Cricket is another sport that is widely followed in both countries. Swing by the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, which is the country's largest stadium.

The New Zealand Open golf tournament will celebrate its 100th anniversary early this year and will take place on two courses in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Sailing is hugely popular in both countries and a number of regattas take place throughout the year. The Australia Day Regatta takes place on January 26, 2019, and New Zealand is readying for the 2021 America's Cup Race.

Certainly, wildlife comes to mine when travelers think of the unique opportunities in Australia and New Zealand. Cuddling a koala, seeing wallabies and kangaroos in the wild and visiting a kiwi bird sanctuary are all things that can only be done Down Under.

There are many opportunities to engage with New Zealand's Maori culture, which can be seen in almost every aspect of daily life in the country. New Zealand has also launched a new tourism campaign, the Tiaki Promise, that invites visitors to stand alongside New Zealanders in preserving both the culture and the natural regions for future generations.

Australia's Aboriginal people are one of the world's longest surviving cultures who have a deeply spiritual and thousands of years of tradition that visitors have the chance to experience when visiting Australia.

In both Australia and New Zealand, there are very few areas, if any, that should be avoided. However, using common sense is the best way to navigate through these destinations. Don't leave car doors unlocked, avoid strolling dark streets alone late at night, etc.

A word of caution in Australia, many of the country's local creatures are on the poisonous, dangerous side so they are best admired from afar.