Help with NZ Travel

Old Dec 7th, 2016, 06:57 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Help with NZ Travel

Hello all,

I'm a young female looking to travel around NZ next year for 13-14 days maximum in early to mid-June and was wondering whether you could recommend any itineraries or any places I should visit. I'll probably be going solo or with a friend (is this a concern if I decide to do activities like hiking and trekking solo?).

1. I'm a student, so budget is an issue. Any free things to do would be appreciated! Also, any recs for accommodation?

2. I won't be driving around, so if you've any recs on how to move around, I'd be happy to know. I was thinking bus or train, but I've yet to check the prices.

3. I was thinking about visiting both islands, is that doable? Some of the places I'd definitely like to visit/see include Hobbiton, national parks (which one?), whale-watching, hike the Franz Josef glacier and maybe stargaze at Mt John at Tekapo? (Please do let me know if Tekapo is doable!)

4. I enjoy cities, but I'd definitely like to see the beauty of NZ for this visit. A mix of both would be welcome too. I'm also unlikely to want to ski/snowboard or go for activities like bungy-jumping.

So as you can see, I haven't got much clue as to what to do or where in NZ to go yet, so all and any recommendations or advice would be very much appreciated!
krystal39 is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2016, 11:23 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
"So as you can see, I haven't got much clue as to what to do or where in NZ to go yet, so all and any recommendations or advice would be very much appreciated!"
Something about New Zealand must appeal to you? However for hiking and visiting national parks the summer is a much better time to come.
June is the beginning of winter and the shortest days so you will be limited by weather and daylight. Don't go off on a hike without telling someone where you are going. Too many holiday tragedies occur from tourists not being sensible.
1. Stay in backpackers and hostels
2. Bus - trains in NZ are very few and don't run every day. Check out the Stray bus package and the Kiwi experience.
3. With clever planning and maybe an internal flight you could see SOME of both islands. It takes longer than you think to get places. I'd forget the whale watching in Kaikoura as getting there will be too difficult. There was a major earthquake in Kaikoura last month. Also forget the glaciers. On the bus it will take too long to get there and the weather may be bad so it could be a huge waste of time.
4. Rotorua and Queenstown are not too big and plenty of tourist activities.
What about:
Auckland - Hobbiton - Rotorua in the bus
Fly Rotorua to Christchurch
Bus Christchurch to Mt Cook (that gives you a national park) and to Queenstown
Explore Queenstown area, visit Milford Sound if you have the $$
Fly back to Auckland and then home.
tasmangirl is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2016, 11:59 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I would not rule out driving, even though the hours of daylight are short. You can relocate at the time of the day when there is not much else you can do, at least not much of a productive nature.

There is one location that you should consider including in your itinerary, that is the site of the Waitangi Treaty. http://www.waitangi.org.nz/plan-your...treaty-grounds

It's a bit out of the way maybe, but an awesome experience. Together with Te Papa in Wellington, those two might just become the most lasting memories of your trip.
michelhuebeli is offline  
Old Dec 7th, 2016, 08:00 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You might want to read through Auntie_Em's trip report as she took buses from town to town, supplemented by day tours out of various towns and saw and did a lot. While she had 45 days, visited in May, and wasn't limited by a student budget, I think her trip report might give you some good ideas.
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...rip-report.cfm

Please note that in June, as tasmangirl noted, your options will be more limited, not just because of shorter days and winter weather. A few activities and transport options cease in winter, such as the Glacier Explorers trip in Mt. Cook Village, or the Cook Connection Shuttle between Twizel-Mt. Cook Village-Lake Tekapo.

Have a look at this Lonely Planet page on "getting around by bus" in NZ:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zeal...ing-around/bus
They've compiled a great list. I would add Glenorchy Journeys to the list for transport from Queenstown to Glenorchy, and Alpine Connexions for getting to/from Wanaka.
http://www.glenorchyjourneys.co.nz/track-transport/
http://alpineconnexions.co.nz/schedu...mping-shuttle/

You might want to check Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree forum:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...ca/new-zealand

I recommend Intercity national bus line. Naked Bus can be cheaper, but sometimes unreliable.
http://www.intercity.co.nz

On the South Island, Atomic Shuttle also travels to many of the same destinations as Intercity.
http://www.atomictravel.co.nz
Be aware their schedules can change in winter.

The most popular backpacker buses (which attract younger adults) are Stray and Kiwi Experience.
http://www.straytravel.com
http://www.kiwiexperience.com

I think 13 to 14 days is not enough time for both islands, especially if you're reliant on public transportation.
Diamantina is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2016, 12:45 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@tasmangirl: Hmmm, I probably should've worded that better. I guess I don't quite know what to expect in NZ or exactly where to go, only that I want to see what NZ has to offer, especially the scenery and culture. Thanks for the advice though. If I had to see one island instead of both, which would you recommend? And thanks for the heads up about Kaikoura, and for the suggested itinerary, I'll keep that in mind

@michelhuebeli I'd like to drive, but am unfamiliar with how the terrain is especially since I come from a tropical country without four seasons (I'm a little concerned about driving when it's snowing). The site of the Waitangi Treaty looks interesting!

@Diamantina
Thanks, will read through Auntie_Em's trip report. Thanks for all the useful links as well, it's very helpful when considering transport options. I asked this above also, but if I had to choose between North and South Island, which would be better?

Also, a friend I was speaking to mentioned white-water rafting in winter?
krystal39 is offline  
Old Dec 8th, 2016, 06:35 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
There's a thread here somewhere all about free things to do in Rotorua - I'll try to find it.

yes - here it is:

http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...r-thoughts.cfm
annhig is offline  
Old Dec 9th, 2016, 03:31 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Drive on the north island, you can see a lot more that way in the short time you have: Wellington - Napier - Taupo - Rotorua. You can't take a rental car from island to island.

The treaty grounds are probably out of reach for your limited time.
michelhuebeli is offline  
Old Dec 10th, 2016, 01:23 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
You can't take a rental car from island to island.>>

michel, that is incorrect. We hired a car from Apex at Auckland airport and returned it to C/Church 17 days later.

The hire charge included the cost of the ferry. [and as our trip was in 2013 I just checked their website and the same arrangements still apply]

http://www.apexrentals.co.nz
annhig is offline  
Old Dec 10th, 2016, 07:39 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Go Rentals will also allow their cars on the ferry.
deSchenke is offline  
Old Dec 10th, 2016, 09:27 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Recommending one island over the other -well it's a bit like choosing your favourite child if you have kids...anyway most visitors head for the South Island. Scenery is more dramatic with mountains, lakes and rivers. The North Island is great for the beach but as you are coming in June it's not beach weather.
Auntie Em wrote a great report and she went everywhere on the bus. If you plan in advance you can get some very low super saver fares on Intercity buslines.
tasmangirl is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mdk11
Australia & the Pacific
14
Apr 26th, 2017 01:49 PM
Filler03
Australia & the Pacific
31
May 16th, 2016 05:42 AM
Auntie_Em
Australia & the Pacific
28
Feb 29th, 2016 08:29 PM
melodyc
Australia & the Pacific
7
Mar 30th, 2005 12:24 PM
rjneuman
Australia & the Pacific
16
Oct 24th, 2004 11:45 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -