Songdoc

Here we go again ...

I'm trying to book hotels & transportation for EIGHTEEN cities (NZ & Australia)--AGGHHH --so I've got lots of questions--and I sure do appreciate the help!

After working in Nelson (Monday, October 27th) we'll have free time until we have to be in Wellington, Friday, October 31st.

We're thinking about spending those 3 days in the Marlborough Sounds area--and taking the ferry from Picton to Wellington. Does this sound like a good plan? If so ... any suggestions of a place to use as a base? Any "must-sees"?

FYI, we're not wine drinkers. Love scenery and walks. LOVE Abel Tasman -- but have been there three times, so considering someplace new.

Any suggestions??? Thanks SO much!

dottyp

Hi again, Songdoc.

How long are you in Wellington for? Have you organised your accommodation there?

dottyp

I need to remember not to be so "trigger" happy!

I was going to suggest Queen Charlotte Walking Track, or perhaps the Mail run trip, although you have probably done both. My sister and her Aussie friends really enjoyed the Mail Run experience.

In response to another post I suggested the Motueka area. We love it for its scenery and plenty of things to do.

Songdoc

Hi dotty-

I'll be working in Wellington for 2-1/2 days. Afterwards, we'll have two full days off (leaving to fly to Auckland on the morning of the 3rd day.) We haven't decided what to do during those two days.

I don't know yet if I'll be working right in the city (on Cuba Street) or if the "Wellington" venue will actually be in Porirua. If it's in Porirua, we're thinking about staying closer to there--maybe on the Kapiti Coast. This will be our 4th or 5th trip to Wellington, so we've already seen the city. (It's a favorite city--but we're "scenery" focused.)

So ... no lodgings booked yet--until I find out where I'm working.

We haven't done either the Queen Charlotte Walking Track or the Mail run trip, I'll look into both of them (right now!).

Again, thanks SO much!
PS. As I mentioned in the other thread, I've been to Motueka--and loved it.

Melnq8

Oh, oh, oh!

I just returned from two weeks on the north of the SI and we had three spectacular days based in Picton - although I'd been there before and walked sections of the Queen Charlotte Track previously, this time was just perfect.

We took the Beachcomber cruise from Picton to Ship Cove and walked the 14 km section of the Queen Charlotte Track to Furneaux, where we were then collected by the mail boat for our return to Picton, so it was like two cruises rolled into one. We lucked into the most fabulous weather and it was a fantastic day all around.

Some photos here to whet your appetite:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/melnq8...7647687894652/

On our second day in Picton we visited the Edwin Fox ship and museum, a Maori Marae and walked to the Snout for more fabulous sounds views. If you have time and cooperative weather, I also highly recommend you drive Queen Charlotte Drive between Picton and Havelock.

We stayed in Waikawa, a five minute drive from Picton, it was a perfect for us.

http://www.hostaccommodation.co.nz/a...terfront-motel

If you prefer a more out-of-the-way place, I can dig up the info on a great little homestay we stayed at a few years back.

Songdoc

Melnq8: I'd missed your response. Good thing I found it because it seems perfect!

I'll take your advice and base in Picton for my three days off. Your pix are beautiful--and your suggestions sound great (including the motel).

Well ... that's settled. And ... we'll already be in Picton to get the ferry!

Songdoc

dottyp:
Just learned that I'll be working in Porirua -- but we're going to stay in Wellington, anyway. We typically prefer someplace with a little kitchenette. Do you have a suggestion? We'll be working there three days. Then we'll have two full days off before flying to Auckland--so a total of five nights. Not sure if we'll just stay in Wellington for those days off. I'll probably be exhausted from all the work! But ... any other suggestions? (We love Wellington, but we've spent a lot of time there.)

dottyp

Hi, Songdoc.
I was pleased to see Melnq8 added her very reliable suggestions. I agree with her suggestion of Picton. The Edwin Fox Ship and Museum are really interesting, and there are some lovely little galleries around the main street.

As to Wellington accommodation - the following suggestions are places my DH has regularly dropped guests at or collected from and seem to be pretty good. DH was a Corporate Cab driver for years, and although now retired is relief driving, so I could get an up-to-date list of recommendation!

- CQ Quality Hotel, 213 - 223 Cuba Street. (My sister, her partner and friends stayed at CQ in March and really loved their stay.)

- Quest Wellington Serviced Apartments, cnr Hunter Street and Lambton Quay

- Distinction Wellington, Century City Hotel, 70 Tory Street

- CityLife Wellington, 300 Lambton Quay. (I used to work in this building when it was the main office of the Totalisator Board. That was before I went back teaching!) The CityLife is also very popular with visitors to Wellington.

Hope this is of some help.