14 days in New Zealand
 

Does anyone know if anything is opened during public holidays in New Zealand? 1st and 2nd January 08 are public holidays there. Thinking of flying into Christchurch on 1st January.

I know I said I couldn't help with this one, but...

I just remembered that businesses which remain open on public holidays charge a 10-15% surcharge - we discovered this on Anzac day one year -the surcharges applied to restaurants and even the grocery store, but not the hotel.

Perhaps you could direct this question to the owner/operator of your hotel and/or to the tourist center of the town you plan to be in on these dates if don't get any responses here.

To get lots of responses relevant to your queries, try using provocative titles to new threads eg.

'Christchurch a ghost town on Jan 1?'

'Is the drive from Dunedin to Christchurch the most boring holiday experience ever?'

Try it....

Melnq8 and eschanton - Thanks for the suggestions.

I guess there are ways of keeping the surcharge to a minimum.....

We flew into Wellington over the Christmas season and found out we could not do the wine tours because the wineries were all closed. Also, many of the non-hotel restaurants were closed and those open all had expensive holiday type meals. Having said that, the museum and the gardens were still open so we still had a great time. There is so much to see and do, I would not worry about it

Thanks Wannabakiwi....I actually wrote to a tour company who said the same thing..most shops are closed but there is still lots to see (sights).

The national parks are open on public holidays! If you're traveling around holidays it is recommended to be sure you have accomodation booked. Good idea to stay at a B&B or hostel that has a kitchen or will prepare your meals for you. Also make sure your rental car will be available. Once I flew into Britain to find out that the Boxing Day transit schedule is perhaps even more limited than Christmas Day. I'm assuming taxis are always on call?

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Author: oinkoink
Date: 06/06/2007, 11:39 pm
Tks Mlgb.....we have decided against flying in on New Year's day...and also the day after, being "the day after New Year" is a public holidays. How come New Zealanders are so lucky to have two days of public holiday? In fact we booked our flight yesterday for the following week so that settles one thing....now to get to the planning of the trip, what to do and see...have gained a lot from reading other postings about NZ...

This reply is probably to late now seeing you've booked your flight for the following weeks. But thought I would let you know anyway that most shops would be open on New Years day and the day after, there are a lot of sales on then and lots of shopping gets done, the same applies to Boxing day.

Businesses will be closed though in fact accounting firms and law firms tend to close until about the 10th January, or 15th in my case.

THere are only three days in the year when shops have to close, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas day.

As mentioned previously some restaurants, cafes etc charge a 15 -20% surcharge to cover the cost of paying wages to staff on a public holiday.

Oh well....it is a late seeing as our flight is booked but thanks anyway Nelsonian. Just reading through all the reports written about S Island so far...and looking at different tours etc...would anyone have suggestions about which tour company to go out with to see Milford Sound? or are they mostly the same? what about the walks to the glaciers? Any suggestions?

We took a helihike with Fox Alpine Guides in Fox Glacier - really enjoyed the experience. They also offer guided hikes on the glacier.

We took a Red Boat Cruise in Milford. Real Journeys is a bigger operation, but I suspect the cruises are very similiar - same sound. You might take a look at both web sites and see if one appeals to you more than the other, but I'm sure you'd be happy with either one.

Thanks Melnq8...will check out the websites. I have been reading that quite a few people stay in HOKITIKA and WANAKA...however, they haven't said anything about what to see/do at these places. Are these just stop over places to rest?

I've only stayed in Hokitika once; mainly because it was a convenient spot for an overnight. However, there are a few things to do there. The major attraction is greenstore. The the town itself isn't all that exciting, although there are some good restaurants, such as Cafe de Paris.

As far as what to do, there's a small aquarium, a kiwi house, a museum, a glow worm dell, loads of jade (greenstone) shops, and a wool store.

Hokitika Gorge is about 33 kms from town - here you'll find a swingbridge and some forest walks. There's a lake and some waterfalls nearby too - just check with the DOC office for details when you get there.

Wanaka is growing in popularity as a alternative to the "crowds" of Queenstown. I've been to Wanaka several times, but have yet to stay overnight (this will change in August as we've booked three nights there).

Loads to do in Wanaka - lots of wineries in the area, lots of walks, nearby ski areas, and of course Lake Wanaka, which is gorgeous.

I've done quite a bit of research on Wanaka and have come up with some nice sounding hikes. Let me know if you're interested and I'll post a few.

Tks Melnq8...how many times have you been to NZ?? How long is your trip for this time? Would u suggest staying at Greymouth instead of Hokitika seeing as it is a small town? Yes, a few suggestions from you re: walking tracks, hikes at Wanaka will be nice..haven't finalised itinery yet...still in the very early stages..looks like we can't cover all.

Hi oink -

Upcoming trip will be our 7th to the South Island. Only visited the North Island once, as the South keeps calling us back. Our trip this time is just over three weeks.

We've stayed in Greymouth too - it's okay and we found plenty to keep us busy for three nights (we're easily entertained!), but I wouldn't necessarily choose it over Hokitika.

As far as walks in the Wanaka area - here are a few I have earmarked for our visit - I found these walks on various sites, including the DOC (Department of Conservation):

Mt Iron Track – 3 km - the track is located about 1 km east of Wanaka.

Bridle Track 1:30 one way, 3.5 km -
Haast Pass/Tioripatea is on State Highway 6, the road linking Wanaka and Haast. Walkers can begin from either Davis Flat or Haast Pass/Tioripatea. This is a well graded track and follows a section of the old Bridle Track, the first link between Otago and Westland.

Rob Roy Track - 3 - 4 hr return – 10 km

The track starts at a swing bridge, 15 minutes from the Raspberry Flat car-park (about an hour west of Wanaka). The valley is a good entry point to an area of spectacular alpine scenery, snowfields, glaciers, sheer rock cliffs and waterfalls. The swingbridge crosses the West Matukituki River, downstream from the Rob Roy Stream junction. After the bridge the track climbs through a small gorge into beech forest, then into alpine vegetation at the head of the valley, with good views of the Rob Roy Glacier.

West Matukituki Track (can walk section below as day walk)

The Matukituki Valley is an hour’s drive west from Wanaka.

The track starts from the Raspberry Flat car-park.

Raspberry Creek car-park to Aspiring Hut - Time: 2 hr - 2 hr 30 min (one way, 9 km

The tramp to Aspiring Hut is mainly over grassed flats with a couple of easily negotiated small bluffs that give great views up and down the valley.

The historic Cascade Hut can be seen from the last bluff – Aspiring Hut is twenty minutes beyond this locked, private hut.

As far as what to do in Greymouth:

Cave rafting, gold and coal mining tours, scenic rafting, walks near Blackball (we hiked to the top of Lookout Hill) Monteith Brewery tours, side trip to Punakaiki, drive up Arthurs Pass.

There's also the Point Elizabeth Track, 6 km north of Greymouth (haven't walked this one).

Oh yeah, and whitebait. I'll let a Kiwi explain that one to you.

Greymouth is not an exciting town, but it's easy enough to fill a few days there. I wouldn't neccesarily recommed it to a first time visitor though, as your time could be better spent elsewhere IMO.

I have written down all the tracks for Wanaka (thanks). Going to drive from Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur's Pass and than head to Punakaika...would you mind having a look at my itinery when I finalise it?? and I'll ask about whitebait when I get there. Thanks again for your help.

No problem - you can either continue this post, or write me directly at indoalias-travel at yahoo dot com.

Happy planning.

Melnq8....will do....Cheers.