North Island vs South Island
 

Hello,

I am planning a trip for April/May of 2006 want to spend some time in Australia and New Zealand. Please advise on the island/location to go in New Zealand. The group traveling is mid 20's single bachelors.

Hi There,

When you get to NZ you will be between seasons. To cool to hit the beaches, not cold enough for snow on the mountains so skiing is out. That just leaves the bars. Which I would suggest given the demographic of the group is not too much of an issue.

Nightlife wise it will be the larger cities that you will be after. Nightlife mainly revolves around bars and pubs. There are clubs in the main centres but they are not as impressive as you would get say in Europe or North America.

In Auckland you can see the sites by day, travel out to Waiheke Island and visit the wineries, or over toward West Auckland for more of the same. Of an evening the three main entertainment areas are Ponsonby: Full of bars and restaurants with food from around the world. Good on a Friday or Saturday night. Some good cafes along the strip to recouperate in after a good night. Most all establishments along Ponsonby Road serve excellent coffee. Or if you are not fussy there is also starbucks ha ha.
Area two in the city is the Viaduct at the foot of the CBD on the waterfront, more bars and restaurants slightly more upmarket, more "scenery" in the bars here if you follow my drift. Can be very good of a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Slower though on the other days.

The third area in Auckland to try out is Parnell. I have had a few good nights there that is for sure. Can be very easy on the eye on a Friday night.

In Wellington (Still on the North Island), head to Courtney Place. Some very good bars along the strip there. Can really go off of an evening. During the day, check out the city. Even try the museum. Which you are probably thinking why? Because unlike some old dusty relic filled dive, Te Papa is a great place that is very alive in its exhibits, gives a great history of New Zealand, old history and new. Best of all. It is free. Wellington also has the best coffee in New Zealand as well. Again, useful in the morning. On a good day the harbour is pretty stunning there as well. If you can get a chance it is good to get out onto it.

Onto the South Island, Top of the South is Blenheim and Nelson. Two good spots to just chill out, especially a little further on from Nelson in Golden Bay. If bush walking is your thing, this is a great place to do it. Stunning scenery ease of access, friendly locals. Nightlife wise, not so hot. Mainly quieter pubs and restaurants here.

Further down the South Island is Christchurch, sits on the edge of the Canterbury Plains. Views through to the Southern Alps. If you are driving you will have passed Kaikoura. Top spot to go Whale Watching.

In Christchurch work your way out from the square. Don't hang around in the square though. Not too great a place after dark. Some good bars dotted around within a few blocks of each other. Take the city cicuit tram during the day to familiarise yourselves with the city centre. During the day you could head over to Akaroa, or head inland toward the mountains. All looks good down there.

Further south and inland is Quuenstown. Closest NZ has to a resort town. Plenty of trendy bars and casinos. Fantastic location. This is the spot where you can go paragliding, buby jumping, jet boating, white water rafting all on the same day. Scenery there stunning both the natrual mountain type and the evening by the fire type.

Hope some of this gives you a couple of ideas. Fire back and let the board members know what you are into. Indicative budegt might help as well.

Cheers

Steve

Steve that was awesome! Thank you for taking the time to give so much info.

So its too cool to hit the beach? How far back would we have to push the trip to be able to check the beaches out?

As far as the group thats going there is a mix. I for one love just seeing the sites. The rest of the group loves the party scene so the insight you gave is PERFECT.

As far as budget goes its going to be a little tight. While we arent going to be "backpacking" we aren't looking to stay in $$$$ places either. As high quality for the least amount of money is what we are looking at.

Also since we are doing Sydney as well. What is your reccomendation on how we should split the trip up.

Thanx again and look forward to further insight!

Hi there again

The best summer months here for the beaches are February and March. The schools are back in so you have them to yourself. Late March can be a bit unpredictable weather wise. Though this year it was great and we were still in the pool well into April. That is not too common though. But it also depends on hot you like the weather.

Sydney keeps the warm weather a lot longer. Some people swim year round there but I would not be so keen as it gets fairly cool June through September. March/April though you would be fine there. So you could start the trip in NZ and then go onto OZ.

Accomodation wise try the following link. It has listings for all types of accomodation and the rack rates for each.

http://www.jasons.co.nz/

For planning what to see and where to go the following site is a major bonus

http://www.newzealand.com/travel/


Cheers


Steve

Most motels in NZ have kitchen facilities, so you can save some money by doing some self-catering.

And don't rule out hostels. There are a lot of smaller hostels throughout New Zealand; you can meet some wonderful people in a friendly, homelike atmosphere. Check out www.backpack.co.nz/index.html for listings.

How long do you plan to be in New Zealand? If it's only going to be a week or two, you might want to concentrate your time on one island. We only had 10 days, and since we were on a tight budget and had to fly into and out of Auckland, we stayed on the North Island. You can see pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/ElendilPickle

Lee Ann

Than you Lee Ann and thanks again Steve. Lovely pics Lee Ann.

We still havent decided between north island or south Island leaning more towards north. I'm thinking this will be a 7-8 day trip spilt half in Sydney and the other half in NZ. I was reading some where that they do mardi gras in the paccific is that true? LOL any stories on what that is like?

Hi, the biggest Mardi Gras event is in Sydney, the famous Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, held next year in March, if I'm not mistaken.

Hi once again

The Mardi Gras in Sydney is on 4 March 2006. FYI it is a Gay Mardi Gras not quite like those in Brazil or Haiti. From what I understand though I have not been, it is good fun all the same. About 500,000 turn out to watch the parade.

Here is the link

http://www.mardigras.org.au/

Definately depends upon what you are into.

Steve

Do you only have 7-8 days total? In that case, I would pick either Australia or New Zealand, but not both. It's still not enough time to do justice to either country, but I think you'd enjoy yourselves more if you didn't have the extra travel day to factor in.

Lee Ann