NZ only or NZ + Tasmania? We need your help pls...!
Feb 21st, 2007, 06:29 AM
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NZ only or NZ + Tasmania? We need your help pls...!
Hi,
We are planning our first trip to New Zealand in Nov/Dec (flying via Sydney) and are not sure wether it's worth taking few days (max 1 week) out of NZ to visit Tasmania. We've been to Australia before, but never had the time to go to Tasmania, so we thought we could add it this time. We have a total of 5 weeks and we're interested in nature, wildlife and seeing some amazing scenery. So, should we focus on NZ or try to do both? Your suggestions are most welcomed, pls help us solve this dilemma!
Many Thanks!
We are planning our first trip to New Zealand in Nov/Dec (flying via Sydney) and are not sure wether it's worth taking few days (max 1 week) out of NZ to visit Tasmania. We've been to Australia before, but never had the time to go to Tasmania, so we thought we could add it this time. We have a total of 5 weeks and we're interested in nature, wildlife and seeing some amazing scenery. So, should we focus on NZ or try to do both? Your suggestions are most welcomed, pls help us solve this dilemma!
Many Thanks!
Feb 21st, 2007, 04:45 PM
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Wow! If you have a week to devote to Tasmania (and can still spend 4 weeks in NZ), I would definitely recommend going. Tasmania is a fabulous place and you really need at least a week to appreciate it. Go for it and enjoy!
Feb 21st, 2007, 04:49 PM
#4
A dilemma indeed.
Do you plan to visit both islands of NZ?
Tasmania is definitely worth the detour, but only if you have enough time to give it justice. You can see quite a bit of TAS in a week, but personally, I wouldn't go for less than that.
Tasmania has what you're looking for - plenty of wildlife, scenery and natural surroundings. It also has wonderful produce, dairy products, wine, hikes, and incredibly friendly residents.
If you do decide to visit TAS, suggest you include Freycinet National Park and Cradle Mountain in your itinerary.
According to flight schedules, Hobart is about two hours from Sydney and about an hour from Melbourne.
Do you plan to visit both islands of NZ?
Tasmania is definitely worth the detour, but only if you have enough time to give it justice. You can see quite a bit of TAS in a week, but personally, I wouldn't go for less than that.
Tasmania has what you're looking for - plenty of wildlife, scenery and natural surroundings. It also has wonderful produce, dairy products, wine, hikes, and incredibly friendly residents.
If you do decide to visit TAS, suggest you include Freycinet National Park and Cradle Mountain in your itinerary.
According to flight schedules, Hobart is about two hours from Sydney and about an hour from Melbourne.
Feb 21st, 2007, 06:58 PM
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You can see a lot of Tassie in a week. Why not fly into Launceston and fly out of Hobart...that way you are not having to backtrack on where you have already been, and get to see a lot of this fabulous State as you move from north to the south.If you have time, plese spend some time in The Huon Valley/Bruny/Channel region of Southern Tasmania. Enjoy yourselves...
Feb 21st, 2007, 07:11 PM
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Hi Babam:
IMO, a week's a good time to spend in Tasmania, and if you have 5, would be very worthwhile. It's small, absolutely gorgeous and very, very easy to get around.
I agree with Calkin; flying into Launceston (or Hobart), hire a car & exit Hobart (or Launceston)is a good option. Alternatively, you could circumnavigate it, with a side trip down the middle to Ross. As a guide, it's only 2 1/2 - 3 hrs driving L'tn to Hbt down the centre. The East Coast is dramatically different to the West. Lots of very good Heritage listed B & B's. Wonderful food & wine - King Island everything is just one example.
This link might be useful: www.discovertasmania.com.au
Do it
IMO, a week's a good time to spend in Tasmania, and if you have 5, would be very worthwhile. It's small, absolutely gorgeous and very, very easy to get around.
I agree with Calkin; flying into Launceston (or Hobart), hire a car & exit Hobart (or Launceston)is a good option. Alternatively, you could circumnavigate it, with a side trip down the middle to Ross. As a guide, it's only 2 1/2 - 3 hrs driving L'tn to Hbt down the centre. The East Coast is dramatically different to the West. Lots of very good Heritage listed B & B's. Wonderful food & wine - King Island everything is just one example.
This link might be useful: www.discovertasmania.com.au
Do it
Feb 22nd, 2007, 06:03 AM
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Thank you so much for all your suggestions! It looks like Tasmania is very worthwhile - we'll definitely go to Cradle Mountain and Freycinet.
I'm also curious about the Huon Valley that Calkin recommended - I'll have to read more about it!
To Melnq8 - yes we're planning to visit both islands, spending more time on SI. But I don't have an itinerary yet, still researching...
Since you've been so useful... I may have further questions later on...
Thanks!!!
I'm also curious about the Huon Valley that Calkin recommended - I'll have to read more about it!
To Melnq8 - yes we're planning to visit both islands, spending more time on SI. But I don't have an itinerary yet, still researching...
Since you've been so useful... I may have further questions later on...
Thanks!!!
Feb 22nd, 2007, 09:30 AM
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We've been to NZ twice but never to Tasmania. You're so lucky to have 5 weeks!
Since you are going in November and December, I can tell you that November is the perfect time to see the Fiordland crested penguin on the west coast. I have this information from Malcolm, the manager of the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki. We enjoyed the Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moeraki in February. But the penguins aren't there at that time. They are there in November. From Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki you can walk to Monro Beach, and that is one of the places you would see the Fiordland crested penguins.
A suggestion about the south island. On our first trip to NZ, we were young and just wipped through the North and South Islands at top speed. Now, 22 years later, most of those memories have faded as we went too fast. I can't even remember where we went. I mostly remember vividly Mt. Cook and Milford Sound from the first trip.
But I think I will remember our second trip for the next 25 years! We went a lot slower, and yet, the South Island is so magnificent, it still wasn't slow enough. I started getting the feeling that our hearts are just too small to hold all that magnificence...they needed a break!
so with that much time, as you have, I would make some basic plans for sure, and book accomodations as December is definitely part of the high season...but leave every 4th day entirely unplanned...you'll be glad you did! (I mean book the accomodations but leave your itinerary loose for every 3rd or 4th day.)
February is the end of summer and the end of high season, and we just came back from NZ. We met some frantic folks who had gone to NZ planning to book accomodations as they went along...and found them totally booked in some areas, such as the west coast...it was NOT relaxing for them, it was panicking!
Melnq8 is a wonderful resource. If you like Indian food be sure to follow her recommendation to eat at Little India in Queenstown. Best Indian food I ever had, very authentic, the manager (owner?) and waiters all had accents from India...
Also many people, I noticed, had gone to NZ and not realized that wildlife has definite life cycles and seasons and habits according to the time of day as well. If you don't research, you can end up disappointed.
Enjoy!
Since you are going in November and December, I can tell you that November is the perfect time to see the Fiordland crested penguin on the west coast. I have this information from Malcolm, the manager of the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki. We enjoyed the Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moeraki in February. But the penguins aren't there at that time. They are there in November. From Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki you can walk to Monro Beach, and that is one of the places you would see the Fiordland crested penguins.
A suggestion about the south island. On our first trip to NZ, we were young and just wipped through the North and South Islands at top speed. Now, 22 years later, most of those memories have faded as we went too fast. I can't even remember where we went. I mostly remember vividly Mt. Cook and Milford Sound from the first trip.
But I think I will remember our second trip for the next 25 years! We went a lot slower, and yet, the South Island is so magnificent, it still wasn't slow enough. I started getting the feeling that our hearts are just too small to hold all that magnificence...they needed a break!
so with that much time, as you have, I would make some basic plans for sure, and book accomodations as December is definitely part of the high season...but leave every 4th day entirely unplanned...you'll be glad you did! (I mean book the accomodations but leave your itinerary loose for every 3rd or 4th day.)
February is the end of summer and the end of high season, and we just came back from NZ. We met some frantic folks who had gone to NZ planning to book accomodations as they went along...and found them totally booked in some areas, such as the west coast...it was NOT relaxing for them, it was panicking!
Melnq8 is a wonderful resource. If you like Indian food be sure to follow her recommendation to eat at Little India in Queenstown. Best Indian food I ever had, very authentic, the manager (owner?) and waiters all had accents from India...
Also many people, I noticed, had gone to NZ and not realized that wildlife has definite life cycles and seasons and habits according to the time of day as well. If you don't research, you can end up disappointed.
Enjoy!
Feb 22nd, 2007, 10:16 AM
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One of our most memorable experiences on the North Island was black water caving at Waitomo. You descend 250 feet into the earth with wet suits and an inner tube, then crawl through tunnels and float on underground rivers.
And we are senior citizens.
And we are senior citizens.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 02:48 PM
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If you do end up anywhere near the Freycinet Peninsula of Tasmania, here's a terrific place to stay. We loved it when we were there in October 2006. Rustic and peaceful. Kate's Berry Farm, just up the road, is also a must. Wish I were there right now.
http://www.piermont.com.au/display.asp?entityid=1452
http://www.piermont.com.au/display.asp?entityid=1452
Feb 22nd, 2007, 03:53 PM
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Betsy, the Piermont Retreat looks beautiful. Do you know how long the drive is from there to Bicheno? What about to the Freycinet National Park? Are all the cottages similar--or do you know if any are particularly nice? We were thinking of staying in Cole's Bay, but this is making me rethink our plans!
Feb 22nd, 2007, 04:48 PM
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Thanks, melnq8! I'm just never sure how distances translate into drive time (depends so much on the road conditions).
The main things we'll want to do is a night trip to visit the penguins in Bicheno and hiking around Freycinet NP (especially Wineglass Bay)--I wonder about relative drivetimes from Cole's Bay vs. Swansea area?
The main things we'll want to do is a night trip to visit the penguins in Bicheno and hiking around Freycinet NP (especially Wineglass Bay)--I wonder about relative drivetimes from Cole's Bay vs. Swansea area?
Feb 22nd, 2007, 04:54 PM
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I am Betsy! I think Melnq8 gave you good info re the location. Our cottage was a studio spa cottage (although I recall the bed was king size) which had a partial view of the bay; I think the honeymoon cottages have a full view of the bay. Our cottage was so cozy on a cold spring night. On the website, if you click "Gallery," I believe our cottage was the one pictured the middle of the third row (with the blue chair). The bathroom is to the left of the bed, and the fireplace is across from the little flight of stairs, so you can lie in bed and enjoy the fire. We booked through wotif.com.
Feb 22nd, 2007, 07:10 PM
#15
Caligirl -
Distances are not substantial in Tas, but the roads can be very narrow and winding.
We stayed in Cole's Bay and visited Bicheno from there - not a long drive at all. We missed the penguins because the weather was bad, but had a nice penguin tour later in Stanley. We drove from Cole's Bay towards Swansea one day to visit some wineries. If you stay in Swansea, you can easily go to Cole's bay as a day trip, but if you're continuing north on A3 after Swansea, you'll be backtracking a little bit.
Suggest you check with the operators of your accommodation to get more specific drive times.
Distances are not substantial in Tas, but the roads can be very narrow and winding.
We stayed in Cole's Bay and visited Bicheno from there - not a long drive at all. We missed the penguins because the weather was bad, but had a nice penguin tour later in Stanley. We drove from Cole's Bay towards Swansea one day to visit some wineries. If you stay in Swansea, you can easily go to Cole's bay as a day trip, but if you're continuing north on A3 after Swansea, you'll be backtracking a little bit.
Suggest you check with the operators of your accommodation to get more specific drive times.
Feb 23rd, 2007, 04:42 AM
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Thanks again to all!
Melissa - we know how lucky we are to be able to take so much time off!!! I'll do my best to avoid rushing from one place to the next - we normally prefer to visit fewer places at a more 'human' pace... but it's so difficult to choose what to leave out!!! I'm glad you're recommending the Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moeraki - we'll definitely include it in our itinerary!
Betsy - thanks for suggesting the Piermont Retreat. It looks great!!!
twoaussies - I'll look into the Waitomo caves!
Melissa - we know how lucky we are to be able to take so much time off!!! I'll do my best to avoid rushing from one place to the next - we normally prefer to visit fewer places at a more 'human' pace... but it's so difficult to choose what to leave out!!! I'm glad you're recommending the Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moeraki - we'll definitely include it in our itinerary!
Betsy - thanks for suggesting the Piermont Retreat. It looks great!!!
twoaussies - I'll look into the Waitomo caves!
Feb 23rd, 2007, 03:48 PM
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babam: If you do stay at the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, and you want a short drive to a very non-touristed area...drive as far south as the road goes, to Jackson Bay. There is a little trailor there called the Cray Pot that sells the best fish and chips! It's inexpensive and you get whatever is fresh that day. It was recommended to us by Malcolm at the Wilderness Lodge and we love this sort of out-of-the way place.
From the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki there are lots of beautiful walks you can take...to Lake Monro...and several rainforest trails... Gourmet food also is included in the cost. Plus use of the kayaks.
Have fun! The Fox Glacier is about an hour's drive from the Wilderness Lodge. Franz Josef is an hour and a half...longer if you stop for photos, etc.
From the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki there are lots of beautiful walks you can take...to Lake Monro...and several rainforest trails... Gourmet food also is included in the cost. Plus use of the kayaks.
Have fun! The Fox Glacier is about an hour's drive from the Wilderness Lodge. Franz Josef is an hour and a half...longer if you stop for photos, etc.
Feb 23rd, 2007, 03:50 PM
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babam: I should add to my comments above...since the Cray Pot is a little trailor...who knows if it will remain under the same great ownership? We visited recently in February 2007 and it was great at this time! The food business can change rapidly so I hope they do well. We had elephant fish which was very fresh and tasty.
Feb 23rd, 2007, 03:57 PM
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babam: I am having fun pretending it is me who has 5 weeks for a vacation! So here is what I would do:
1 week: Tasmania
1 week: North Island, New Zealand
3 weeks: South Island, New Zealand
OR:
1 week: Tasmania
4 weeks: South Island, New Zealand
Wow! I don't know if we will ever get a 5-week vacation as my husband is self-employed and never wants to retire... It's hard to leave your business when you are self-employed... I have to tear him away though he really enjoys himself once we are away!
1 week: Tasmania
1 week: North Island, New Zealand
3 weeks: South Island, New Zealand
OR:
1 week: Tasmania
4 weeks: South Island, New Zealand
Wow! I don't know if we will ever get a 5-week vacation as my husband is self-employed and never wants to retire... It's hard to leave your business when you are self-employed... I have to tear him away though he really enjoys himself once we are away!
Feb 23rd, 2007, 04:05 PM
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babam: It's me again. 
Can't get rid of me!
For nature, wildlife, and scenery on the south island, I would concentrate on these areas:
--Fiordland (including walks from Milford Rd. and day-hikes on Routeburn track, from both ends...)
--Southwest coast of South Island...beautiful rainforests...
--Southern Scenic route...try to get a cottage or a little b&b on the coast or Catlins area...there are a couple of nice ones...less touristed here...good for wildlife also...
--Queenstown:
only 40 minutes from Queenstown is scenic Glenorchy. In that direction, just 1 hour from Queenstown, is the trail head for the other end of the Routeburn trail...walk through rainforest and above a beautiful river...bring binoculars to see native birds...Enjoy!
Ask Melnq8 about the northern end of the South Island as she knows it well!
Can't get rid of me!For nature, wildlife, and scenery on the south island, I would concentrate on these areas:
--Fiordland (including walks from Milford Rd. and day-hikes on Routeburn track, from both ends...)
--Southwest coast of South Island...beautiful rainforests...
--Southern Scenic route...try to get a cottage or a little b&b on the coast or Catlins area...there are a couple of nice ones...less touristed here...good for wildlife also...
--Queenstown:
only 40 minutes from Queenstown is scenic Glenorchy. In that direction, just 1 hour from Queenstown, is the trail head for the other end of the Routeburn trail...walk through rainforest and above a beautiful river...bring binoculars to see native birds...Enjoy!
Ask Melnq8 about the northern end of the South Island as she knows it well!
