Melnq -

I saw you posted on a thread earlier today that you had traveled in NZ over Easter & would never do it again. Can you please tell me why it was a bad experience - were there just a lot of people on break? We will be there over Easter (in auckland) so that's why I'm asking.

Oh - I also saw you were quoted in the 2009 Fodors New Zealand book! Congrats!! =)

Angela

Hi Angela -

I've visited the SI of NZ and Tasmania, Australia over the long Easter weekend and it's something I will avoid in the future.

Easter weekend is a big travel holiday in NZ and OZ. Good Friday and Easter Monday are official holidays, so it's a four day weekend and it coincides with school holidays, so many, many locals are on the road during this time.

There are some closures too, including shops, some restaurants and even gas stations. Some of the businesses that do remain open charge a 10-15% surcharge on public holidays as they must pay their staff more for working those days.

That's certainly not to say you won't find places open over the long weekend, but be prepared for some closures. I suspect tourist related businesses remain open, as it's big weekend for them.

On our last visit to the SI of NZ in March 2008, we left Wanaka and headed to Christchurch on Good Friday. The traffic was incredible, as it seemed most of the residents of the SI were on the road. It was the busiest we'd ever seen the SI. I don't care for traffic or crowds, so it was unpleasant.

The following morning we drove to Rakaia Gorge to hike. There was considerably less traffic, but we had a hard time finding a gas station that was open. We did find an open restaurant for dinner (subject to the surcharge), but there were many closures, including grocery stores.

If you haven't done so already, I strongly suggest that you book all your accommodation over the long weekend. If you're self catering, be sure to pick up your supplies before the weekend.

We also spent Easter in Tasmania one year and it was even worse. We couldn't find a single store or restaurant open and had to drive miles to find an open gas station to fill the car before heading to the airport for our departure on the Saturday before Easter.

I was quoted? Where did you see that?

I agree with Mel. Good Friday and Easter Monday (particularly later in the day) are not good times to be driving on NZ roads.

Thanks - I appreciate the tips; I think our accomodation is already taken care of - have to check with DH.

Melnq - you were quoted in the Fodors 2009 New Zealand travel guide on pg. 554 (orange cover with a pic of mountains & hiking trail) - here's your quote:

Word of Mouth:
"The weather in NZ in unpredictable year round. Personally, I prefer the off season and have visited the SI in April, May, August and September - and I'd definitely visit during those months again...plan to dress in layers, pack a fleece and waterproof jacket and go have yourself a grand old time." - Melnq8

Pretty cool that you were quoted - & good advice!! =) I think there's a somehwere on the fodors site you can find out if you were quoted.. I'm glad I let you know since you didn't know already!!!

Thanks Angela, I found the quote on Amazon after I posted yesterday. I got an e-mail from Katie that I was quoted in the Australia 2009 book awhile back, but I had no idea I was also in the NZ book. Appreciate you mentioning it.

Enjoy NZ!

Mel, be sure to email Katie for your free guidebook!

Lee Ann

Will do Lee Ann, thanks.