JEF

are there tour groups that will take you through new zealand? If so recommendations??

tasmangirl

Very easy to organise your own trip but I have seen Black Sheep Touring Company mentioned a bit. Check for some reviews and the exchange rate is in your favour right now.
www.blacksheeptouring.co.nz

Diamantina

This forum is mainly geared toward independent travel, particularly self-drive trips.

This being said, Black Sheep Touring is often recommended on Trip Advisor. Kiwi Experience, Stray, and Bottom Bus are geared to younger backpacker travelers, but I don't think others who would like to use their transport services would be excluded.

If you'd like to avoid self-driving, you have lots of options. You can avail yourself(ves) of NZ's good public transportation (bus, rail, ferry, and domestic flight services). It's cheap and easy. Intercity, Atomic Shuttles (South Island only) and Naked Bus are some of the companies that travel around the country. Then, when you arrive at each destination you can take tours to see each area in greater detail (which are often great and used by independent, self-drive travelers as well), rent a car for the day or a few days, or get around on local bus.

There are also many smaller shuttle bus companies that serve localized routes, such as Cook Connection, Tracknet, Alpine Connections, Akaroa Shuttle, Coastline Tours, Catch a Bus South, Go Kiwi Shuttles, and so on. Please note, some of these don't operate in winter.

Some questions: Do you have an idea of where you would like to go or what you would like to see? What time of year are you planning on coming here? How much time will you have for your trip? What are your interests? Are you interested wildlife (in NZ, this mainly mean birds, reptiles, and marine mammals)? Mountainous or coastal scenery? Hiking (known as tramping here)? Small towns? Cities? History? Maori culture? Food and/or wine? Anything else?

I tried to include some links in this post, but was not allowed.

JEF

Thanks for your replies. Thinkg of going in February or early march. Should we see both islands, we want to fish caving white water rafting and any other suggestions. Are the islands very different? Sorry dont really know much so thanksfor all your help.

ElendilPickle

How long do you have for this trip, and what drew you to New Zealand in the first place? If you can answer those questions, the people here will be able to give you better help and suggestions.

Lee Ann

Diamantina

Again, how long will you have for your trip? Late February-March generally offers some of the warmest, sunniest weather on both island. It's also still high season, meaning it'll be busy and you'd probably pay high season prices for accommodation. Depending on where you're going, you'll need to book some accommodation well in advance.

You asked if the North and South Islands are very different. Visit a local bookshop or library to look through a guidebook with good photographs, and this may begin to help answer this big question. There are also many online resources.

You said you really don't know much about NZ. For starters, look at the official NZ government's tourism website. Its travel itineraries are quite rushed and times needed to get around underestimated--I wouldn't go by these times, however, the photos and maps will give you an idea of NZ's tourist attractions and their geographic distribution.
http://www.newzealand.com/int/trips-.../15-plus-days/

Or Fodor's own online travel guide:
http://www.fodors.com/world/australi...ic/new-zealand
Or Trip Advisor (see the right-hand column "Top Questions About New Zealand":
https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowFo...w_Zealand.html
https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attrac...w_Zealand.html

Folks on this forum should then be able to address your specific interests and help you fill in the details of your trip.

JEF

Twelve touring days not including flights from USA. heard how beautiful it is.

Melnq8

With 12 days I'd stick to one island and my choice would be the South

JEF

What type of fishing is there on the south island? Any deep sea?

JEF

If staying in the south island any must do's?

ElendilPickle

There are a ton of great things to do on the South Island. We're going there in May, and the trick is narrowing down the choices.
Besides fishing, what are your interests?

Lee Ann

Melnq8

JEF -

Yes, NZ offers deep sea fishing. A quick Google search pulled up several options, including this one:

http://newzealandgamefishing.com/

And here's some info on rafting:

http://www.newzealand.com/us/article...n-new-zealand/

I think you'll find us Fodorites a helpful lot, but vague questions will bring vague answers. We really need more details from you, to provide more detailed answers.

What drew you to NZ in the first place? What else are you interested in other than fishing and rafting? Are you willing to rent a car and put together your own itinerary?

NZ is indeed a beautiful place. In twelve days you could hit the highlights of either the NI or SI, but not both.

Generally speaking, first time visitors to the South Island concentrate on places like Arthur's Pass, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, Mt Cook, Queenstown, Wanaka and Doubtful and Milford Sounds. Some visitors enjoy Akaroa, or the cities of Christchurch and Dunedin.

Walkers tend to concentrate on the tracks - Abel Tasman, Marlborough Sounds (Queen Charlotte) and the Milford Track, amongst others (of which there are MANY).

In other words, there is a lot to choose from. Fitting everything into a short trip is a recurring theme on this forum. So much to do, so little time.

JEF

thank you all for your help!

JEF

I was reading about Southern Lights. Can you see them in New Zealand South I? what time of year? Best place to see if possible.

Melnq8

http://www.backpackerguide.nz/best-t...s-new-zealand/