Hi fodorites,

I'm in the early planning stage for 2 weeks vacation with 2 ladies friends next year. I've traveled abroad twice in spring time, going to Australia & Canada. So I want to experience something different so I choose autumn. Is it a good idea to be in NZ? Which month do you suggest the best time... Mar, Apr or May? I read many postings that said later months are colder & the weather seems unpredictable!Others even said some of the attractions & accomodation closed in May... is that true? I wish to see the true colors of autumn, trees & leaves turning yellowish or brownish but not so until all the leaves have fallen!!

Since we have only limited days (2 weeks) but we wish to visit both North & South Islands. Can anyone give us suggestions of attractions to visit?? We are not keen in shopping, architechture or museum but prefer very much sightseeing, seeing the exotic nature of NZ & aborigine culture... like hot spring, geyser/glacier, volcano, lakes/beach, wildlife, farmstay, orchard/winery & may include something adventurous too.

Should we fly in Auckland or Christchurch first? Anyway we will drop by to stay with some friends in Auckland for a few days. So for sure my friends will take care of our needs in Auckland only. But we will be on our own to explore other places. Another thing is that we won't be driving even though I know it's the best way to get around and see things. So can someone also recommend tours or bus? Would like to get some feedback from those who have travel experience with MAGIC BUS please? We prefer more flexibility, like hop on hop off. Or any others?

Thanks... appreciate all suggestions!

I've been to NZ that time of year and would highly recommend it.

The weather can be unpredictible year round in NZ, but I've been told by a few Kiwis that April is the most settled month on the SI.

The leaves will be changing in late April and May and it should be absolutely gorgeous.

I've also been to NZ during the winter, and the only closures I can recall are a few restaurants. Some resorts might close for a period during the off season, but I doubt this would be a problem in March, April or May.

Water taxis run on limited schedules during the winter time, but again, I doubt you'd have a problem in the fall.

Sorry, can't help with buses or tours.

Forgot to mention that there are a few holidays you might want to be aware of -

March 21 - Good Friday
March 23 - Easter
March 24 - Easter Monday
March 25 - Day after Easter Monday

April 25 - Anzac Day

NZ school holidays - April 18-May 2

This site lists all school holidays for NZ -

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?...ocumentid=3767

I mention this because NZ residents take to the roads during holidays so it's a busier time. If visiting during these times, you'll want to book as accommodation can fill up in some spots.

Also, there's a surcharge at some businesses on holidays to cover the cost of paying staff to work the holiday. It's not that big a deal, but it's good to know.

I think if you aren't expecting to swim or walk around without a jacket the Autumn is a lovely time.

I have been there in April (SI only that time) and the weather was wonderful until I hit the west coast and then it was pretty wild!!

I think I would choose early March to avoid the Easter time, or April - which might be too early to see the leaves change colour but is a (slightly) better bet for warmer weather.

Two weeks really isn't very long to see both islands - especially as I guess you will be spending at least 2-3 days with your friends in Auckland.

I would concentrate on one island or the other - but if you must do both, then Rotorua is probably the top pick on the NI, given your interests.

Then maybe fly to Queenstown. I don't much like it but it is the gateway for places like Milford Sound and there are some nice walks around Te Anau.

Then you could take a shuttle up the west coast and stop to see a glacier, and do the train from Greymouth to Christchurch and fly out.

I would recommend getting an open jaw ticket.

Independent travel in NZ is very easy, but you could go with Magic Bus. Never travelled with them but they have a good reputation.

But do they do a two week trip that takes in both islands?

I agree that on the NI you should take a trip to Rotorua, which should not take more than two days to see the sights (geysers, cultural sights). If you want to see volcanoes, they are all on the North Island. You could extend your bus tour from Rotorua to Tongariro National Park (one of the 3 volcanoes there just had a small eruption).

In NZ, the fall colors aren't part of most of the natural vegetation, so you need to be in a town or botanic garden which has planted European or North American trees!

Check the NZ tourism website for bus transportation offers. EG, Intercity has a flexipass. With three people, you might want to look into some custom minivan tours also.

http://www.newzealand.com/travel/get...nd-nz_home.cfm

We spent 10 days on the North Island in April 2004. The weather was lovely almost every day; we had an occasional drizzle, but it didn't actually rain until the day we left.

If you like, you can see pictures of our trip (including fall color in Rotorua) at http://community.webshots.com/user/ElendilPickle

Lee Ann

Oh thanks so much for all your replies.

How's the weather condition from mid to end May? Will there be heavy rain?

How many glacier are there in NZ?

At this point I give up and tune out.

Excite2 - how does anyone know what the weather will be like in the year that you choose to visit end May?

You could check a scientific site like www.weatherbase.com.

As for how many glaciers?

I could tell you about the ones I know about, but I could be wrong. If you are going all that way to a country you know nothing about, maybe it's time you started to learn by doing some legwork of your own.

Isn't that part of the fun of going to a new place? Do you really want to arrive knowing nothing except what you have been told by strangers on this board?

I find it a very odd way to go about things. There are guide books, and there is the internet (which you clearly have access to).

Get informed on the basics and then come back and ask as many questions as you like.

NZ is beautiful but it's YOUR TRIP and surely you want to take some responsibility for it.

Hi Excite, any time you visit New Zealand, it is likely to rain. You will also get snow, wind and sun. The weather is very unpredictable in NZ, the common phrase is "four seasons in a day". April will most likely be warmer than May, which is getting closer to winter. Usually people wear polyfleece jackets and a waterproof windbreaker (in all seasons!).

The main glaciers that people visit are on the west coast of the south island, Fox and Franz. As far as I know, these are the only ones really accessible to casual tourists in terms of being able to walk to the face, the glaciers in NZ don't reach the ocean as they do in Alaska, etc. If you want a fantastic but expensive experience to see glaciers, take one of the small plane flights where they land on the glacier.

Excite, I forgot that there is also the Tasman Glacier near Mt. Cook. There is a dirt road and short uphill trail to an overlook. Last year you could book a tour where they took you in a zodiac type boat into the terminal lake on Tasman Glacier, which has a few floating icebers. They can book the tour if it is running from the youth hostel inside Mt. Cook.

Thanks again mlgb & chimani for your explanation. The reason I asked is because I didn't see anyone talking about things happening in May. We are considering May because we have more public holidays back in our hometown and therefore may extend our travel time. But then we also have to consider whether we can adapt to the cold climate in NZ since we are from a hot & humid country.