Solo (mostly) coach trip - 45 days itinerary planning
Feb 12th, 2016, 10:12 AM
#21
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Auntie Em - stopping in Waitomo is a great idea. Didn't know about the connecting bus. More fun than Hamilton!
Taupo has Huka Falls which you can walk to from the town. Craters of the Moon is a thermal area walk at reasonable cost across the road (more or less) from Huka Falls.
If you wanted to see Cathedral Cove it is not close to the village of Coromandel. It is hard to get to by public transport but don't give up if you really want to go there.
Stay in Whangarei as the waterfall hostel sounds good. I put that in as my opinion only and it will break up your bus trips.
Waiheke Island is only a half hour ferry ride so you could see some of it in a quick trip plus the ferries go every half hour. In the summer another company Explore operates trips to Waiheke as well.
Rangitoto ferries have 5 trips a day designed for people to have a few hours over there for walking around. 1.30 pm is the last trip over there to Rangitoto and returning at 5 pm.
Taupo has Huka Falls which you can walk to from the town. Craters of the Moon is a thermal area walk at reasonable cost across the road (more or less) from Huka Falls.
If you wanted to see Cathedral Cove it is not close to the village of Coromandel. It is hard to get to by public transport but don't give up if you really want to go there.
Stay in Whangarei as the waterfall hostel sounds good. I put that in as my opinion only and it will break up your bus trips.
Waiheke Island is only a half hour ferry ride so you could see some of it in a quick trip plus the ferries go every half hour. In the summer another company Explore operates trips to Waiheke as well.
Rangitoto ferries have 5 trips a day designed for people to have a few hours over there for walking around. 1.30 pm is the last trip over there to Rangitoto and returning at 5 pm.
Feb 12th, 2016, 10:24 AM
#23
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Brilliant!!! I'm going to open an excel spreadsheet on Sunday and nail the details of this trip down! Any and all suggestions are very welcome because they all work towards making my trip a lot more fun! Also, what's the point if ï can't take advantage of all of your collective wisdom?!
I totally understand your point about Whangarei. I truly didn't even know such a place existed before ï started earnestly looking stuff about the trip. I only found out about it after looking at the YHA website and a google search. It was also the first place I researched about ( since when ï started my research, ï did so from the top of the country and worked my way down. Then ï flipped it over! First time planner! Everything was chaotic!
)
I'm okay if ï miss cathédral code actually. I get some time to go to Coromandel in the first place, since I've more or less cancelled Hamilton and thus ï have time, so ï won't complain!
I totally understand your point about Whangarei. I truly didn't even know such a place existed before ï started earnestly looking stuff about the trip. I only found out about it after looking at the YHA website and a google search. It was also the first place I researched about ( since when ï started my research, ï did so from the top of the country and worked my way down. Then ï flipped it over! First time planner! Everything was chaotic!
) I'm okay if ï miss cathédral code actually. I get some time to go to Coromandel in the first place, since I've more or less cancelled Hamilton and thus ï have time, so ï won't complain!
Feb 12th, 2016, 03:41 PM
#24
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Auntie Em, the easiest winery for you to get to would be Amisfield, between Queenstown and Arrowtown. Connectabus is the local busline that services this area:
http://www.connectabus.com/
Have a look at this PDF file, for a route map. It'll come in handy!
http://www.connectabus.com/_media/fi...ble%203-15.pdf
Looks like you'll catch the 11 line from downtown Q'town, then connect to the 10 line to Arrowtown, but tell the driver you want off as Amisfield Winery. You'll want to visit Arrowtown, too, maybe there willl still be some autumn leaves (they peak in mid April). Amisfield is a pretty winery with excellent wine and a fine bistro (pricey).
I'm glad you'll be busy in Wanaka. It sounds like great fun.
If you take the ferry over to Waiheke, then you just catch the local bus to get around. It's cheap and convenient. It'll let you off very close to some wineries (I think Stonyridge, Wild on Waiheke, Te Whau, and Goldie).
If you catch the ferry from downtown Auckland, then you'll be getting off at Waiheke's Matiatia Wharf, where you'll catch the bus. I have the bus schedule somewhere, will have a look for it. Or you can just walk up a path that goes to Cable Bay Winery, would take about 20 minutes. Right up the hill from Cable Bay Winery is Mudbrick Winery. They're both beautiful wineries with great views. The tasting fees at these two particular wineries are a bit high.
When I went to Rangitoto, I took the Volcanic Explorer to get around because it was a hot day, but you shouldn't have this problem. https://www.fullers.co.nz/events-plu...explorer-tour/
Tiritiri Matangi is gorgeous, but more leisurely if you can spend the night (and increases your chance of seeing a kiwi).
Reminder about Dunedin's Hogwartz: you have to climb a hill, but it's right up the street from Speight's and across from pretty St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Thanks for the compliment, tasmangirl. I think I just know my little area of Dunedin, and from Oamaru down to the Catlins.
http://www.connectabus.com/
Have a look at this PDF file, for a route map. It'll come in handy!
http://www.connectabus.com/_media/fi...ble%203-15.pdf
Looks like you'll catch the 11 line from downtown Q'town, then connect to the 10 line to Arrowtown, but tell the driver you want off as Amisfield Winery. You'll want to visit Arrowtown, too, maybe there willl still be some autumn leaves (they peak in mid April). Amisfield is a pretty winery with excellent wine and a fine bistro (pricey).
I'm glad you'll be busy in Wanaka. It sounds like great fun.
If you take the ferry over to Waiheke, then you just catch the local bus to get around. It's cheap and convenient. It'll let you off very close to some wineries (I think Stonyridge, Wild on Waiheke, Te Whau, and Goldie).
If you catch the ferry from downtown Auckland, then you'll be getting off at Waiheke's Matiatia Wharf, where you'll catch the bus. I have the bus schedule somewhere, will have a look for it. Or you can just walk up a path that goes to Cable Bay Winery, would take about 20 minutes. Right up the hill from Cable Bay Winery is Mudbrick Winery. They're both beautiful wineries with great views. The tasting fees at these two particular wineries are a bit high.
When I went to Rangitoto, I took the Volcanic Explorer to get around because it was a hot day, but you shouldn't have this problem. https://www.fullers.co.nz/events-plu...explorer-tour/
Tiritiri Matangi is gorgeous, but more leisurely if you can spend the night (and increases your chance of seeing a kiwi).
Reminder about Dunedin's Hogwartz: you have to climb a hill, but it's right up the street from Speight's and across from pretty St. Joseph's Cathedral.
Thanks for the compliment, tasmangirl. I think I just know my little area of Dunedin, and from Oamaru down to the Catlins.
Feb 14th, 2016, 09:08 PM
#26
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Yes, no serious injuries for people in Christchurch thank goodness but everything had a shake up. Apparently it was an aftershock so who would believe they still happen after nearly 5 years. Really feel for anyone living in Christchurch.
Kind of you to think of us.
Kind of you to think of us.
Feb 26th, 2016, 10:59 PM
#27
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Thanks a lot to everybody who helped me plan my trip! I just booked my flight ticket 2 days ago! 
As for the revised and (hopefully!) final itinerary, I'll put up a separate post today once I'm home from work.
You all are seriously the best! I'm loving the way how seamlessly my trip flows now! Thanks for helping me narrow down my options and giving me practical and fun ideas!
As for the revised and (hopefully!) final itinerary, I'll put up a separate post today once I'm home from work.
You all are seriously the best! I'm loving the way how seamlessly my trip flows now! Thanks for helping me narrow down my options and giving me practical and fun ideas!
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