Dawn

Hi Matt - Alan's point about the weather differences is a good one - I've found that yahoo.com's "My yahoo" option is very helpful for weather - I've pre-set it for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, and it is good (and fun for me!) to watch the weather trends. I'm sure there are a lot of other good sights that will let you check out the weather, too.

John

Dawn:<BR>Just a comment. We flew from Picton to Wellington rather than take the ferry. Took about 20 minutes. I think it was cheaper too. The company was Soundsair. They have a web site by that name.

Dawn

Thanks John - I will look into that...we wanted to take the ferry because we heard it was very scenic, but I imagine a flight would be scenic indeed!

Matthew

OK, all. Here's the latest incarnation...<BR><BR>Christchurch (Charlotte Jane) 2 nights<BR>Hokitika (Villa Polenza) 1 night<BR>Lake Moeraki (Wilderness Lodge) 1 night<BR>Queenstown (Nugget Point) 3 nights<BR>Sydney (Intercontinental) 2 nights<BR>Hunter Valley (Peppers Guest) 2 nights<BR>Mossman (Silky Oaks) 4 nights<BR>Hayman Island (Resort) 4 nights<BR><BR>(By the way, I'll be traveling to and from Boston (USA))<BR><BR>Comments?...<BR>

justmy

You should make more time in Sydney and less or no nights in the Hunter Valley - it is boring, the cost of wine is more than you would pay at the local bottle shop or pub and you are stuck in the middle of nowhere. The last time I was there I had intended to have a nice time trotting around but when I saw the prices I could not justify one night. You can do a day trip there if you wanted but to stay in Sydney for only 2 nights would be a terrible mistake

Patti

Hi Matthew<BR>I just had to join in - you know us eastcoast Yanks and I'm from Annapolis MD. Hubby and I just came back from OZ and NZ last week - spent 30 days over there and LOVED it!!! June on South Island is probably cold (it's there winter) Queenstown is small but a great little town, similar to Vail/Co. If I could do my trip over I would add more days for Sydney - the people were just great - the sights also - I would recommend a honeymoon hotel in Sydney "Quay West" we just stayed there for our 2nd honeymoon and we had 2 balconies overlooking the bridge, opera house and harbor. Dinner cruise on harbor on one of the sailing catarmaran (ours was Matilda) Darling Harbor, Manley beach, Bridge Walk, and dinner at Mazzaros on Elizabeth St (super great Italian food - ask for Roxie) We did Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Ayers Rock (Uluru) Palm Cove/Cairns, and South Island. I loved Australia and liked the scenery in New Zealand. We flew from city to city using the boomerang passes. For us the Franz Josef tour was a waste of two days - I could have taken a small plane there. This is also a fake address for me but I'll happily answer anyone here on the board.<BR>This message board is so very helpful - I planned most of my trip using advice from everyone (especially Liz)

Liz

HI Patti507. I am so glad that you had a great time in OZ and it was so nice to hear that you were able to take advantage of some of our suggestions. We do really like to have that type of feedback so thank you for yours - it was our pleasure <BR>

sonia

Hi All<BR><BR>I wanted to put my 2 censt wortha s I am an Aussie who loves NZ so think I have a valid opionion...<BR><BR>I havent read all the posts, but based on what I HAVe read...her are my thoughts...<BR><BR>I owuldnt think it was necessary to saty in Hunter Valley unless you plan on getting drunk and dont want to drive back to Sydney! It is lovely but in June it wont look its best, the vines will be pruned and bare etc etc. it is only 1.5-2hrs from Sydney and we have done the trip several times in a day with no problems.<BR><BR>Definitely dont bother with Auckland - it si a nice city but no where near as amzigna s the rest of NZ or Sydney for example. <BR><BR>In Christchurch, I can thoroughly recommend the HERITAGE hotel...they have really gorgeous suites for what seems to me to be a bargain price - I have recommended this place to friends and family many times...<BR><BR>Moeraki wilderness Lodge was a bit disappointing. Very expensive for NZ and there are many more beautiful spots. It would be a nice place to spend a few days but in a night or 2 it wasnt really worth it...rooms were ok but not great. We enjoyed the free kayaks ans walks but it just wasnt as good as it could have been...<BR><BR>As it would be cold at the time of year you are going, I would heartily recommend speding some time int the thermal regions, where you can take a hot spring bath in the freezing cxold. In the South Island,about an hour from Christchurch is Hamner Springs or of course you have Rotorua in the N.Island.<BR><BR>Near Rotorua is the Waimangu Thermal Valley - if you want to see amazing thermal landcsapes, thi is the best place. Away from thr crowds and a very interesting place for a walk...<BR><BR>Observatory in Sydney is great - our parents stay there when they visit from UK and LOVE it!<BR><BR>I will post more when I have had another read through your posts!!<BR><BR>Sonia

more from sonia

OK...heres some more thoughts...<BR><BR>I see you have ditched the N Island - good choice at that time of year...<BR><BR>Why Hokitika????? It is a horrible little backwater town!!!! Go down the coast and stay at either Franz or Fox Glacier!!!!<BR><BR>Personallu I think it is a shame that you are coming all this way to go to Hayman Island...you can get beaches anywhere - why not make more of Australia and NZ's other offerings...In NZ there is...Mount Cook, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Stewart island...in Oz there is Ayers Rock, beautiful Western Australia etc etc...<BR><BR>What happened to the Observatory?? If you wanttto stay in a 5 star hotle closer to the harbour,m with views etc - I would suggest THE REgent or The Quay Grand. My Inlawsy stayed at the Quay grand and really thought it was fantastic...great views, beautiful suites and good service...<BR><BR><BR>Sonia

Nora Healy

Hi,<BR><BR>i have just returned from NZ and the south island is great, especially in the south of the island - see Milford Sound - Mount Cook and the Glaciers

aussie

Well I don't for one minute agree with Sonja about Hayman Island. She either has not been to Hayman or the Whitsundays or she is being particularly provocative in what she is saying. Hayman is not just a beach for crying out loud - it is part of the GBR which is one of the wonders of the World. It also rates in the top 10 resorts in the World and has not just beaches but the reef the other islands, the magnificent rain forest on some of the islands, scuba diving and snorkling at its very very best. Apart from that it offers the guest a holiday that would befit a King and is I am sure going to be the highlight of Matt's trip. Western Australia has absolutely nothing in comparison and that Rock is just that - a rock.<BR>Anyone who suggests missing the GBR has to be about as silly as you can get

sonia

no i havent been to those islands...but thats coz i dont think it is worth it!!! Have been to South Pacific many times so havent the urge to go to GBR just yet.<BR><BR>As for W.Australia - what about Margeret River? Ningaloo Reef where you can swim with Whale Sharks? The Pinnacles? Amazing powder white beaches?????

sonia

no i havent been to those islands...but thats coz i dont think it is worth it!!! Have been to South Pacific many times so havent the urge to go to GBR just yet.<BR><BR>As for W.Australia - what about Margeret River? Ningaloo Reef where you can swim with Whale Sharks? The Pinnacles? Amazing powder white beaches????? Monket Mia and its dolphins??

Aussie

Well Sonja if you havn't been to the Barrier Reef islands then you are missing something fantastic. Yes I have been to the South Pacific Islands and the North pacific Islands and none can hold a candle to the GBR. <BR>From White Haven beachwith its white white sand in the Whitsundays you can swim with many other sharks, giant Manta rays, Groupers, giant cod, etc etc, dolphins abound around the barrier reef as do giant turtles. <BR>If you want a rating then Western Australia is a 2 and GBR a 10. I am not knocking the WA coast just saying that the GBR is way better. I should have thought that tourist numbers speak for themselves too.<BR>There is absolutely NO COMPARISON between the Queensland coastal areas and Western Australia - where for instance is the World Heritage listed area in WA? Where are the Rainforests? Where are the animals? The islands, the reefs ( please don't talk to me about little reefs in WA when we are comparing the GBR which is something like 2,000 klms long etc etc. further more you don't have to take a long, long long journey from any place else to get to these places in Qld as you do in WA. Monkey Mia is 600 klms away from any other attraction in WA not just around the corner. <BR>

Matthew

Hello again!<BR><BR>Wow - thanks to everyone for all the continued great advice. For now the latest itinerary is unchanged, though I did want to touch on 2 points I've heard repeatedly:<BR><BR>First, it's clear that 2 nights in Sydney doesn't sit well with a lot of you, and I can understand. We are excited to see Sydney and know that there is a lot to do - much more than we could possibly do over 2 nights.<BR><BR>On the other hand, since we *are* subject to an unavoidable time crunch, we are resigned to the idea that we *will* miss some essential things in Sydney. It's OK with us because we suspect we'll love Australia and will be back. Furthermore, given that Hunter Valley *is* only 2 hours or so away, it just gives us an opportunity to see some more scenic areas that we're interested in further inland while still allowing us to remain in Sydney during the day if we want to. There isn't anything we can do about the seasonal difficulties - we're getting married in June and there's no moving it to December!<BR><BR>Second, our decision to stay in Hokitika and Lake Moeraki are only due to the fact that we'll be driving from Christchurch to Queenstown via Arthur's Pass. We need to break up the trip so that we can drive only 200 miles or so each day and (therefore) be able to stop and sightsee as we see fit. Those are the most logical destinations (and, frankly, just about the only ones I could find) to do such a journey.<BR><BR>Thoughts?

Pen

Let me know if you stumble on any scenic areas inland in the Hunter Valley when you are there because I have never found them. <BR>AS for Hokitika if you are going that way around to Queenstown why not allow the posters on this forum suggest some spots to stop. There may be some that you are not aware of and which would be a lot better. I know that some of the areas are nice and others are very so so - Greymouth for instance is downright boring and about as scenic as looking in a pot hole. As far as scenic goes the Hunter Valley would rate a 1 compared to some Sydney spots on a 10 but it is your choice, tho' don't say you were not warned. Bye the way 200 miles in a day on roads where you seldom see another car is not far.

Matthew

Pen:<BR><BR>What a charming message! Maybe I should spend my entire honeymoon at your place!<BR><BR>You know, you didn't even take the time to proof your post for spelling and grammatical errors - of which there were many. And last I checked I wasn't planning to spend any time in Greymouth... <BR><BR>Thanks for your help! <BR><BR>Anyone else?<BR><BR>-M

Pen

No Mathew I didn't proof read my message because I am rushing off to work. Just thought that you might like an opinion - whatever message it took - but if you know everything then I shall desist in writing anything and let you find out for yourselves. Why should I care what sort of honeymoon you have and why should I bother with you any more. FOR YOUR INFORMATION SOME OF US HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO OTHER THAN WRITE, WHAT WE THINK, IS HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR ASSHOLES LIKE YOU

Cindy

I am not surprised that you are frustrated with your travel agent, no doubt any advise given by him/her has been received in the same tone as you used with Pen. Perhaps you should write a post with what you want to hear and then send it to yourself and do what you suggest. I for one won't bother with you either.

John

Matthew, if you want to see some of the interior on a day trip then drive up the Hunter Valley to Scone, turn left past the last Pub and drive about 30 miles, you should have a lovely day out in the outback but be sure to take enough wine and water with you because people have been known to die of thirst in the desert. I always carry a Satelite Navigation System when I go out there, just to be safe.