Approximately how much do these flights cost? Nothing fancy, just a flight to get me from point A to point B from main airports in both countries, whatever they may be. Thanks?

If you fly LAN or Quantas it runs $250-400 round trip with 2 weeks advanced booking, etc.

I checked some Auckland-Darwin returns recently.... they were NZD 1700!!!!
It made me think hunting in RSA might be a better option for me!!

Visit [URL=www.houseoftravel.co.nz] which is an NZ wide travel agent that takes bookings on line.

You can search from any international airport in NZ to anywhere in the world and the site searches all airlines that come and go from NZ and allows you to get the best available price.

Book online, if you phone the call centre they add a NZ$20 booking fee.

Be aware that all prices are in NZ Dollars and your credit card will be charged in NZD.

Also, NZ is almost unique in the world in that you need to pay a departurre tax separately at the airport before you go, NZ$25 at Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch. Pretty much everywhere else in the world it is included in ticket price. It will show on screen when you do your booking.

If doing a return trip you dont need to come and go on same airline but some fares are tied in with a return on same ariline, the site will warn you of those. Cheapest fares are usually first thing in morning each way.

Flying time from Australia on all coast and east locations between Melbourne and Brisbane to NZ ranges from 3 to 4 hours and similar return although a little longer due to headwinds.

Some budget airlines dont serve any meals or refreshments and you can buy on plane or bring your own.

If carrying a firearm/s it may be better to stick to Qantas or Air NZ unless you check first with airline.

If you get stuck on that site or need an NZ address to book ask through here or PM me

Most airlines dont use tickets anymore, they just give you and "E Ticket" which is a reference number but you dont even need that. Just front up to desk and show your passport and they issue a boarding pass but print off and have your paperwork just in case.

Hope this helps