lori

we are planning a trip to new zealand in march for our honeymoon. do you have any recommendations on lodging? i like the farmstay / b&b idea, but think we'd prefer more privacy. also, what is the best way to get around...renting a car? flying? we are staying at the huka lodge for four nights, so far. i've heard the bay of islands area is great.

John

Hi lori:<BR>First of all it will be Fall weather. New Zealand has a prevailing wind so think warm, especially in the evening.<BR><BR>I can only speak for the following places; Christchurch, Kaikoura, Queenstown, Dunedin, and Invercargill.<BR>Queenstown is the most touristy. Dunedin and Invercargill will give you a more realistic view of the real New Zealand way of life. You can easily headquarter in Queenstown, rent a car and take day trips to Dunedin and Invercargill. A car will cost about US$22 per day plus you return it with a full tank. You'll drive it off the lot with a full tank.<BR><BR>Christchurch is the largest city in the south island and well worth a visit. Much to do there. Very well tourist oriented. Once again you can headquarter there and take day trips to Kaikoura to see the whales, weather permitting and to Arthur's Pass, an Alpine setting. Christchurch has great reastaurants. Two we liked were Oxford on Avon and The Chancery on Lane. Both within walking distance of Cathedral Square, which is located in the heart of the CBD, Central Business District.<BR>Lyttleton Harbour on the outskirts of CHC is also a site worth visiting. It's located at the foot of the Gondola which is a must as well.<BR><BR>You can book tours after arrival in any of the above citys. Not a problem.<BR>We stayed at one B&amp;B in CHC called The Grange House on Armagh Street. Walking distance to the CBD. Our hostess, Marie Simpson, even let us use her car to go to church. Lovely person.<BR><BR>Back to Queenstown: be sure to cruise Lake Wakipitu on the TSS Earnslaw. The dinner cruise is very romantic. Milford Sound is worth the visit too. You might consider taking the motor coach up and fly back. It's a long day's tour and takes about 5 hours up there by coach and 45 minutes to fly back. You can make these arrangements once you arrive in Queenstown. There are several tourist agencies in the middle of town. You won't have any problem booking, like I said, Queenstown is as tourist oriented as is CHC. Maybe more so.<BR>Restaurants we liked there were Roaring Meg's and The Cow. Meg's is more formal while The Cow is a pizza joint that makes everything from scratch. Wonderful pizza. You have to look for it though, it's right behind McDonald's on a very little street. Yes Big Mac is there as is Pizza Hut, KFC, and more. Lots of cybercafes to get on line and keep in touch with home. Costs about 2-3 American dollars per hour.<BR><BR>We stayed at the Rydges Hotel in Queenstown overlooking Lake Wakipitu. Our room had a beautiful view but you have to request it. They have other rooms that do not overlook the lake. We paid NZ$100 per night which translate to about US$40. The exchange rate is fantastic.<BR><BR>We love NZ. Hope this helps. I've only scratched the surface of what to see and do so I can be of further assistance feel free to email me for details.<BR><BR>John<BR>Jackson, Tennessee<BR><BR>

Kerry

Hi Lori<BR>irstly John has given you a lot of very good advise however you say that you at staying at Huka Lodge which is at Taupo in the central North Island and talking of going to the Bay of Islands which is the far North but your information request is for the South Island - are you in fact planning to see most of both islands.<BR>We have helped a number of young Americans plan holidays in our country and would be delighted to help you. We do own a mountain home and have a vineyard homestay that you may like to include in your travels.<BR>After 20 years in the travel industry we would be happy to give you a suggested itinerary. E-mail me if I can be of assistance or I can post details on this site for you. By the way you will be visiting NZ in the best month of the year for settled weather.<BR>Kerry<BR>Tuapiro Pt<BR>New Zealand

jeff

general comment - spend most of your time in the South Island - it is stunning. The 'highkights' of the North Island are considered the Bay of Islands (but only if you stay in nice accomodation because the hotels and motels are very stylish) and Rotorua for the geothermal activity and Maori culture. You can fly from Rotorua to Queenstown to start the South Island part, work your way back to Christchurch then fly back to Auckland to leave. The Rotorua-Queenstown flight is very popular so I would try to roughly work out your itinerary and book that before you leave. There's only one flight a day and if a tour group is flying out that day you'll be out of luck. <BR>A suggestion <BR>day 1 arrive in Auckland early. spend it recovering/sightseeing <BR>day 2 - drive to Bay of Islands and do some exploring <BR>day 3 - do a trip to Cape Reinga or spend the day doing a boat trip in the Bay of Islands <BR>day 4 - drive south all the way to Waitomo. a long day but best way. <BR>day 5 - do the glow worm caves this morning then drive across to Rotorua <BR>day 6 - a day in rotorua - geothermal visit plus Maori concert that night with Tamaki Tours (the best one) <BR>day 7 - fly to Queenstown and spend the rest of the time in the south island. Lots of people do the Milford Sound trip from Queens town but it's a long way and a long day - better to do it fron Te Anau if you can (even though all the hotels in Te Anau are a bit ordinary. I seriously suggest you stay in B&B accomodation as much as possible - places like Queenstown and Christchurch have nice hotels but lots of places don't. There are lots of B&B's and some are very luxurious and upmarket. <BR>Make sure you drive up the west coast and spend a couple of days in the top of the south island discovering wine and craft (or go sea kayaking). <BR>Whale watching in kaikoura is essential but arrive the night before and take the first trip so the sea is calmer. <BR> <BR>enjoy!

Mary Ann

Hi Lori <BR>Depending on your interests here are some ideas. We flew from Auckland over Marlbourogh sound to Blenheim. Wine country. There is a small hotel there listed as one of the small luxury hotels of the world, each room is named after a winery. There of course tour wineries. Next was Kaikoura, stopping at "The Store" by car for a wonderful lunch of crayfish. After kaikoura, we went to Akaroa, a small french fishing village near Christchurch. Stayed at Loch Hill Cottages which are stone and timber individual units on the hill overlooking the harbour. A great little place. next was Christchurch, did the casino, gardens, etc. Turned in the car and took the Tranz Alpine across the Alps to the west coast. There picked up another car for the drive to Franz Josef to take a helicopter to see the glaciers and do a landing. Next was the beautiful drive through Haast pass to lake Wanaka. Then on to Queenstown. We stayed at the Waterfront which are condominiums on the lake. Nice to get some food for the kitchen and have breakfast overlooking the lack in the unit. Laundry facilities available on the first floor, also Loch Hill allowed you to do laundry. There we did jetboating, the gondola up to Bob's Peak, shopping, casino. Milford sound got cancelled due to flight conditions. In retrospect, if we had more time, would have driven to Te Anua to do Milford from there. Last was on to Dunedin, the Scottish town. We stayed out on the pinnusula at the Larnach Castle Lodge (behind the castle with view). We had a gorgeous view, balcony over looking the length of the sea. It is more quaint there than staying in town. Saw the Penquins there. <BR>Hope this helps, have a great trip!

erik

Check out the New Zealand Adventure Comany Web site. <BR> <BR>www.nzadventureco.com <BR> <BR>They are a company that knows New Zealand. They are based on the west coast in San Francisco but they are from New Zealand! I looked all around and they had the best deals and really knew what they were talking about.

leanne

The Abel Tasman National Park is amazing if you like the outdoors. See seals, sea kyak, walk and see some amazing beaches. This is right at the top of teh SOuth Island. <BR> <BR>Hamner springs are between Christshurch and the Tasman Park 0 hot springfs beautifully presented. Lovely for summer evenings. <BR> <BR>Akaroa, on the peninsula about an hour or so from Christshurch is very nice too. Quiet and access to seal / dolphin spotting. <BR> <BR>Have fun!