Xmas/New Year's Eve Celebrations NZ
 

We may be changing our travel dates from August 04 to Dec 04/Jan 05. This will allow us the opportunity to visit the South Island as well as the North Island before we head to Melbourne for a week.

Is there a particular place in NZ (either Island) that is good for New Year's Eve festivities??

Any particular town that really gets into the Christmas Spirit. Not quite sure what it will be like to be WARM at Xmas!

Will restaurants be open Xmas day for dinner? Does NZ celebrate with the traditional holiday feast?

It will just be me and my hubby...we will be 31/32. Nothing too formal (not much room in the suitcase for fancy), enjoy drinking, dancing and FIREWORKS!!!

ttt

We just re-routed everything and figured out we will end up in Dunedin for Xmas day...

WILL everything be closed? Can any recommend a nice dinner?? It even appears the the casino is closed....I didn't know they did that!

What about movie theaters?

I hate to lose an entire day of our vacation with nothing to do. I know we can walk/drive around and enjoy the scenery but that seems to be about it.

Will there at least be service stations open to grab a snack or gas for the car?

thanks!

Oh and we will be in Melbourne for New Year's Eve!

hi alise-
we were in new zealand for christmas and boxing day (as big a holiday in terms of stores closing).
if you are able to reroute, you will find (as we did) that most of rotorua is open for tourism that day. you can dine on a hangi feast and visit thermal pools on both days (but call just to be sure).

i'm not sure where you are from, but christmas day and boxing day are major holidays in many countries.

you will have fun if you plan a hike or something outdoors.