Over-rated Sights in NZ?
 

Could someone help me with some of New Zealand's over-rated sights? I have two weeks in November and am trying to find out what is a must see and what I can keep on driving past. Thanks for your help.

The Polynesian Spa in Rotorua - crowded, smelly, overpriced.<BR><BR>Agrodome, near Rotorua - unless sheep farming is REALLY interesting to you.<BR><BR>Puzzling World, Wanaka - unless you REALLY like mazes.<BR><BR>Te Papa Museum, Wellington - a big disappointment for a national museum. Lots of glitz, not much substance.

Must Sees in S.Island:<BR>Glaciers, Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo and Mount Cook, Milford Sound, Abel Tasman Nat Pk, Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, Kaikoura whale/dolphin watching.<BR><BR>Dont bother with Christchucrh for long (could be a city anywhere) or any other NZ cities as a matter of fact. There is nothing much worth missing out on if it is a natural phenomenenon in NZ, as everythingis just so amazingly beautiful. It is the artificial attractions that you should drive past.<BR><BR>In N.Island try Taupo, Mt Ruaphehu, Bay of Islands, Rotorua and thermal region (waimangu Volcanic Valley is my fave- just south of Rotorua).<BR><BR>It would be easier if you menationed places or sights specifically so people can tell you whether they are worth bothering with.

Hi Brad<BR>You pose a very interesting question - over-rated sights in NZ. <BR><BR>I would agree with one of the other responders that we hope that you will come to our country to enjoy it and to become inmersed in what we would call the "Kiwi way of life". It is a unique combination of people, culture and above all the scenic beauty of the country. Like any country you are going to find that it has vast differences between the cities and the countryside. In Auckland you are going to get the city things like the cafe culture and you are going to find some wonderful places to eat and drink and to hang out. The hype of the America's Cup is veryevident in the Viaduct basine and the waterfront. Get into the country and you will find country pubs where the locals drinks and tell farming stories. In our tourist towns and cities like Rotorua, Taupo & Queenstown there are both tourist attractions and scenic attractions - we hope in balance. So what is the problem? I guess it is a case of horses for courses. <BR><BR>After agriculture and forestry much of our economy is founded on tourism. Australians are our most frequent visitors and after that the Asian traveller. The Asian visitors usually come in organised tour groups and "do NZ" in anywhere between 4 and 21 days. They love tourist shops and NZ products plus organised tourist activities. Tour organisers respond to their needs and breed potted tourism such as the Agridome in Rotorua that Alf mentioned. Great if you are a Japannese or Korean visitor who wants to see a sheep being shorn and take in NZ agriculture in a couple of hours. <BR><BR>However if you are a "hands on" tourist who wants to experience the "real NZ" then I would direct you to a farmstay with plenty of sheep where you can get in and have a go at shearing your own sheep as well as having a night staying in the shearers quarters and enjoying a farm cooked meal with a can of Lion Red. Or spend some time in one of our vineyard regions. Sit down with me or another friendly winemaker and sample our products; get in a bit of sailing or kayaking and see some of our coastal scenery. It really is a country to enjoy as well as see! <BR><BR>Having travelled the world, I feel that very few of the scenic spots are over-rated however I would spend less time in tourist places like Rotorua and more getting out in places like Mt Ruapehu on the central volcanic plateau in the North Island with a pair of tramping boats on; paddling on a white water raft.<BR><BR>Basically to enjoy NZ you can only do so much by driving and looking - it is much more a place where you have to stop get out and experience. <BR><BR>So come on out and discover another way of life, and yes most of us are friendly!<BR>Kerry

Can I do some sheep shagging while staying on a farm?

If you would like one of New Zealands UNDER-RATED sights, you must have a look at Akaroa. We were there last Feb for 7 days and it's just magic. We went on a harbour cruise and saw the smallest dolphins in the world. We went with a guy called Stu who owns/operates the boat,it was nice to have that personal type of trip.the name was bluefin charters.I know they are on the net. We also did the 4 day walking track.Great scenery, huts, probably the best track we've been on. The town has great cafes on the water front.<BR>We felt that each day we spent there added a day onto our lives.

Brad<BR>Looks like Kerry has given you some right good advice. Actually, when reading your question a second time - I wonder, is the sight over-rated or is it the tour or the hotel/motel.<BR>I was in NZ south Isl in March and it was great. Mt Cook is well worth it and the lakes and Queenstown and Lake Waikitipu and the glaciers too. If I were to do anything a little different I would take a flight over Mt Cook and then onto the glaciers. You have beautiful scenery in the states but it's uniquely beautiful in NZ.<BR>One thing to stay away from - if you take lodging near Franz Josef stay clear of Glacier Gateway. They're out of the woodies with no way to get to the village and nothing/food availabvle there. good luck and good travels