NEED HELP GETTING MY ARMS AROUND NEW ZEALAND
Oct 21st, 2004, 09:28 AM
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NEED HELP GETTING MY ARMS AROUND NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand seems like such a staggeringly beautiful country with so many natural sites that I don't know quite how to get my arms around it.
I don't particularly want to drive. I have a limit of 3 weeks. And I'd like as much independence as possible. Can someone please point me in the right direction. Thanks. Bob
I don't particularly want to drive. I have a limit of 3 weeks. And I'd like as much independence as possible. Can someone please point me in the right direction. Thanks. Bob
Oct 21st, 2004, 11:19 AM
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When are you going, and what are your interests?
You'll have the most independence in your travel plans if you drive. Otherwise, you'll have to plan around bus and/or train schedules.
There are options like Magic Bus or Flying Kiwi that allow "hop-on,hop-off" service if you'd like to stay somewhere for a while, but you still have to stick with their routes.
Lee Ann
You'll have the most independence in your travel plans if you drive. Otherwise, you'll have to plan around bus and/or train schedules.
There are options like Magic Bus or Flying Kiwi that allow "hop-on,hop-off" service if you'd like to stay somewhere for a while, but you still have to stick with their routes.
Lee Ann
Oct 21st, 2004, 11:26 AM
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Start by looking at the South Island, particularly Fiordland as that is the most amazing part of NZ in my opinion.
Drving does give far more flexiblility and is probably the cheapest way around. However, you can fly quite cheaply between the main centres. The tourist route is Auckland - fly to Rotorua fly to Chch - then bus to Queenstown. This is what a lot of the tour groups do and it is a good start for a trip. Although with 3 weeks you can easily fit in more of the less tourist places. So what do you like doing? Walking / scenery /tramping or museums activities culture? That is a good place to start. Then we might be able to give you some specific suggestions.
NZ is a trampers paradise. But if you are a city person i.e. night life .... then Milford might not be the place for you!
L
Drving does give far more flexiblility and is probably the cheapest way around. However, you can fly quite cheaply between the main centres. The tourist route is Auckland - fly to Rotorua fly to Chch - then bus to Queenstown. This is what a lot of the tour groups do and it is a good start for a trip. Although with 3 weeks you can easily fit in more of the less tourist places. So what do you like doing? Walking / scenery /tramping or museums activities culture? That is a good place to start. Then we might be able to give you some specific suggestions.
NZ is a trampers paradise. But if you are a city person i.e. night life .... then Milford might not be the place for you!
L
Oct 21st, 2004, 12:20 PM
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It is somewhat incompatible to want to be independent, and not drive yourself. There is public transportation, but it is hard to get to some of the best places. More importantly, it is more time-consuming, and 3 weeks is not a lot of time to see a good representative part of NZ.
I would suggest flying into Auckland, hiring a car or campervan, then spend 7-9 days seeing North Island sites (such as Auckland, Bay of Islands, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro). After returning the vehicle to Auckland, I'd fly to Christchurch and hire another vehicle to use the remainder of the time to drive a big loop around the South Island (such as Arthurs Pass, Punakaiki, the Glaciers, Queenstown, Wanaka, Fiordland, Caitlins, Dunedin, Mt. Cook).
This plan leaves out the north end of the South Island (Abel Tasman, Nelson, Kaikoura); and the south end of the North Island (Wellington, Wanganui). A shame, but you can't see a whole country in 3 weeks.
I would suggest flying into Auckland, hiring a car or campervan, then spend 7-9 days seeing North Island sites (such as Auckland, Bay of Islands, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo, Tongariro). After returning the vehicle to Auckland, I'd fly to Christchurch and hire another vehicle to use the remainder of the time to drive a big loop around the South Island (such as Arthurs Pass, Punakaiki, the Glaciers, Queenstown, Wanaka, Fiordland, Caitlins, Dunedin, Mt. Cook).
This plan leaves out the north end of the South Island (Abel Tasman, Nelson, Kaikoura); and the south end of the North Island (Wellington, Wanganui). A shame, but you can't see a whole country in 3 weeks.
Oct 21st, 2004, 12:33 PM
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Your best bet is to look into travelling with Kiwi Experience or Magic Bus.
They have great coverage of both islands and offer a hop on/ hop off type of deal.
www.kiwiexperience.com/kiwi/nzindex.htm
www.magicbus.co.nz/
Alternately, you may be able to hook up with other travellers when you get here. Many people staying at Backpackers lodges and YHA's often pool resources and travel together.
They have great coverage of both islands and offer a hop on/ hop off type of deal.
www.kiwiexperience.com/kiwi/nzindex.htm
www.magicbus.co.nz/
Alternately, you may be able to hook up with other travellers when you get here. Many people staying at Backpackers lodges and YHA's often pool resources and travel together.
Oct 21st, 2004, 03:17 PM
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Hi Bob.
You don't mention when you intend to go but that's really important. If you're going during high season, I'd suggest you book places to stay and certain tours/activities ahead. My husband and I are going for our first time for 3 weeks in December and a lot of places were fully booked already when we made our plans during the summer - the glaciers are particularly quick to fill up! We're driving (Budget rental car - good discount for auto club members) and doing about 1 week on the north island and the other 2 on the south. (Because there are so many great things to see and do, we decided to fly from napier down to dunedin to save time - cheap fares even available to non-natives on qantas website - New Zealand Air requires new zealand address or they make you book at much higher fares thru your home country's site)
If you'd like, I can post our itinerary or e-mail it you. We're primarily interested in nature - scenery and animals, a bit of cultural stuff, history - not real fancy touristy hotels.
Let me know if I can help further.
Sharon
You don't mention when you intend to go but that's really important. If you're going during high season, I'd suggest you book places to stay and certain tours/activities ahead. My husband and I are going for our first time for 3 weeks in December and a lot of places were fully booked already when we made our plans during the summer - the glaciers are particularly quick to fill up! We're driving (Budget rental car - good discount for auto club members) and doing about 1 week on the north island and the other 2 on the south. (Because there are so many great things to see and do, we decided to fly from napier down to dunedin to save time - cheap fares even available to non-natives on qantas website - New Zealand Air requires new zealand address or they make you book at much higher fares thru your home country's site)
If you'd like, I can post our itinerary or e-mail it you. We're primarily interested in nature - scenery and animals, a bit of cultural stuff, history - not real fancy touristy hotels.
Let me know if I can help further.
Sharon
Oct 21st, 2004, 03:38 PM
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Sharon:
Thanks for the tips. I'd love to see your itinerary. You can e-mail it to me
at [email protected].
Thanks again, bob
Thanks for the tips. I'd love to see your itinerary. You can e-mail it to me
at [email protected].
Thanks again, bob
Oct 21st, 2004, 03:44 PM
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Hello Wilees:
Appreciate your help. As far as the less touristy places, I'd love if you could fill me in on a few. I'm a city person, but the three others traveling with me are definitely walkers and lovers of scenery. All your thoughts would be appreciated. You can e-mail me directly at [email protected] or simply post it at Fodors. Thanks again, bob
Appreciate your help. As far as the less touristy places, I'd love if you could fill me in on a few. I'm a city person, but the three others traveling with me are definitely walkers and lovers of scenery. All your thoughts would be appreciated. You can e-mail me directly at [email protected] or simply post it at Fodors. Thanks again, bob
Oct 21st, 2004, 03:54 PM
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Sharon815: Would also love to see your itinerary if you could post it here. Why did you decide to fly from Napier?
We are going for three weeks in late November and early December. Are you having trouble booking rooms for early Dec? We were thinking of winging it on the South Island. Half camping and half motels.
We are going for three weeks in late November and early December. Are you having trouble booking rooms for early Dec? We were thinking of winging it on the South Island. Half camping and half motels.
Oct 21st, 2004, 04:29 PM
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Hi Otis.
It was really tough deciding what to not see in NZ but 3 weeks was clearly not enough for such an awesome place. While we've camped all thru the US and Canada, we decided not to camp this trip. It was tempting to rent a camper, but they're really expensive and cumbersome to drive (especially on the other side of the road!). The upside is you don't have to plan quite as much as if you stay in hotels and b&bs. But we also didn't feel like dragging camping gear, etc. with us from NY.
So we're traveling a bit fancier than we have in the past. I sent out a bunch of inquiries to travel companies in NZ as well as checking with Air NZ and Qantas. The best suggestions I got were from a company in Aukland. They booked the accommodations for me and some of the activities. I booked others when I was able to get certain discounts that they didn't have. For example, I booked the rental cars with an Auto Club discount, tranzalpine railroad from Greymouth to Christchurch with an early booking discounts; taieri gorge railway, albatross centre and penguin place just because it was easy and they give student discounts (my son traveling with us is in law school). Some places that give discounts during off season, tho, don't give them during high - like the Dart River Safari. So I let the travel agent book those. (I can give you her name if you like.)
The reason we decided to fly from Napier - which cut out Wellington and Kaikoura and Abel Tasman unfortunately - was just based on where we wanted to go most. The couple of hours flying saved us several days of driving, nites in accommodations and the ferry crossing - so it was also financially a good deal for us.
Here's the itinerary. You'll see it's pretty packed, but as I mentioned, we didn't want to get shut out of stuff since we have limited time in each place and it's prime season. In terms of the hotels and b&bs, we went for moderate priced places (since we don't plan on spending much time in them and we'd rather put the money into what we do). Let me know if you want names of hotels, etc. I know that when the agent tried to book some of the places to stay, several were already filled up.
December 13, 2004 (Monday)
Arrive Auckland: 12:30
8 DAY BUDGET CAR RENTAL
December 14, 2004 (Tuesday)
Drive Auckland to Paihia (Bay of Islands)
Approximate distance: 241kms (3h 20m)
December 15, 2004 (Wednesday)
CAPE REINGA VIA 90 MILE BEACH ? FULL DAY TOUR
DUNE RIDER 4X4 TOURS http://www.nzinfo.com/dunerider/, http://www.nzinfo.com/dunerider/capetour.htm
December 16, 2004 (Thursday)
FLEXICHOICE TICKET ? ONE TRIP (OPTION A)
FULLERS BAY OF ISLANDS http://www.fullers-bay-of-islands.co.nz/ -supercruise
The Flexichoice Ticket allows you to change (due to inclement weather) the date of travel, or the cruise/tour you have selected by just phoning or visiting the Fullers Bay of Islands office.
Duration: Approximately 6 hours 15 minutes
Drive from Paihia to Auckland
Approximate distance: 241kms (3h 20m)
December 17, 2004 (Friday)
Drive from Auckland to Waitomo Caves (arrive by 10:30am)
Approximate distance: 202 kms (2h 50m)
WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES ENTRANCE http://www.waitomocaves.co.nz/home/page.aspx
Here, one of us is doing the glowworm cave tour, the other two are doing the blackwater rafting trip
TUMU TUMU TOOBING http://www.waitomo.co.nz/tumutumu.html
WAITOMO ADVENTURES
Drive Waitomo to Rotorua
Approximate distance: 150kms (2h 20m)
December 18, 2004 (Saturday)
Rotorua
5 STAR ATTRACTION PASS http://www.paradisev.co.nz/5star.htm
The 5 Star Attraction pass includes visits to:
Agrodome Sheep Show (shows' commence: 9:30am , 11:00am , and 2:30pm )
* The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley (open 8:00 am to 6:00pm).
* Paradise Valley Springs (Open: 8:00am to 6:00pm ),
* Skyline Skyrides Gondola (open 9:00am til the end of dining at night)
* Polynesian Spa (open 6:30am to 11:00pm - last entry at 10:15pm )
HANGI AND CONCERT http://www.maoriculture.co.nz/rotorua.htm
TAMAKI TOURS - ancient Maori culture/dinner
Depart: 6:30pm
Return: 10:30pm
December 19, 2004 (Sunday)
Drive Rotorua to Taupo: 80kms (1h 10m)-fishing
Taupo to Napier: 143kms (2h 5m)
December 20, 2004 (Monday)
Napier
1 HOUR ART DECO TOUR - 10:00-11:00am
HAWKES BAY WINE COUNTRY CAT http://www.hbwinecountrycat.com/
SMORGASBOARD DINNER
Depart: West Quay at 6.30pm
Return: 12.30am
December 21, 2004 (Tuesday)
Drop off rental car at Napier airport at 9:00am
Fly Napier to Dunedin
9 DAY BUDGET CAR RENTAL ? P/U DUNEDIN AIRPORT AT 2:30PM
Otago Peninsula
http://www.albatross.org.nz/
http://www.penguin-place.co.nz/
December 22, 2004 (Wednesday)
Dunedin
TAIERI GORGE RAILWAY( 2:30 ? 6:30pm), report at 2:15pm http://www.taieri.co.nz/home.html
December 23, 2004 (Thursday)
Dunedin to Te Anau
Approximate distance: 290kms (4h 10m)
December 24, 2004 (Friday)
MILFORD SOUND COACH AND SCENIC CRUISE
EX TE ANAU ? REAL JOURNEYS
http://www.fiordlandtravel.co.nz/
Duration: 6 hours, 45 minutes
December 25, 2004 (Saturday)
Drive Te Anau to Queenstown
Approximate distance: 170kms (2h 25m)
SKYLINE GONDOLA RIDE http://www.skyline.co.nz/
Christmas Day Dining Package
Gondola Ride
Traditional Christmas Buffet
FREE Luge Ride each
Live entertainment
December 26, 2004 (Sunday)
Queenstown
Dart River Safari http://www.dartriver.co.nz/Index.htm
December 27, 2004 (Monday)
Queenstown
TSS Earnslaw Steamboat w/ Farm Visit and BBQ http://www.fiordlandtravel.co.nz/Main/earnslawcruises/
December 28, 2004 (Tuesday)
Drive Queenstown to Franz Josef
Approximate distance: 404kms (5h 45m)
December 29, 2004 (Wednesday)
GLACIER EXPERIENCE
http://www.franzjosefglacier.com/
Duration: 4 hours
Walk up Franz Josef glacier with experienced guides. Spend approximately 2 hours on the ice.
December 30, 2004 (Thursday)
Drive Franz Josef to Greymouth
Approximate distance: 188kms (2h 30m)
Drop off rental car at Greymouth Train Station.
GREYMOUTH TO CHRISTCHURCH - train trip across the island
TRANZ ALPINE www.tranzscenic.co.nz
Departs at 1:45pm
Arrives Christchurch at 6:05pm
December 31, 2004 (Friday)
Free Day
January 1, 2005 (Saturday)
Free Morning - fly out in afternoon
It was really tough deciding what to not see in NZ but 3 weeks was clearly not enough for such an awesome place. While we've camped all thru the US and Canada, we decided not to camp this trip. It was tempting to rent a camper, but they're really expensive and cumbersome to drive (especially on the other side of the road!). The upside is you don't have to plan quite as much as if you stay in hotels and b&bs. But we also didn't feel like dragging camping gear, etc. with us from NY.
So we're traveling a bit fancier than we have in the past. I sent out a bunch of inquiries to travel companies in NZ as well as checking with Air NZ and Qantas. The best suggestions I got were from a company in Aukland. They booked the accommodations for me and some of the activities. I booked others when I was able to get certain discounts that they didn't have. For example, I booked the rental cars with an Auto Club discount, tranzalpine railroad from Greymouth to Christchurch with an early booking discounts; taieri gorge railway, albatross centre and penguin place just because it was easy and they give student discounts (my son traveling with us is in law school). Some places that give discounts during off season, tho, don't give them during high - like the Dart River Safari. So I let the travel agent book those. (I can give you her name if you like.)
The reason we decided to fly from Napier - which cut out Wellington and Kaikoura and Abel Tasman unfortunately - was just based on where we wanted to go most. The couple of hours flying saved us several days of driving, nites in accommodations and the ferry crossing - so it was also financially a good deal for us.
Here's the itinerary. You'll see it's pretty packed, but as I mentioned, we didn't want to get shut out of stuff since we have limited time in each place and it's prime season. In terms of the hotels and b&bs, we went for moderate priced places (since we don't plan on spending much time in them and we'd rather put the money into what we do). Let me know if you want names of hotels, etc. I know that when the agent tried to book some of the places to stay, several were already filled up.
December 13, 2004 (Monday)
Arrive Auckland: 12:30
8 DAY BUDGET CAR RENTAL
December 14, 2004 (Tuesday)
Drive Auckland to Paihia (Bay of Islands)
Approximate distance: 241kms (3h 20m)
December 15, 2004 (Wednesday)
CAPE REINGA VIA 90 MILE BEACH ? FULL DAY TOUR
DUNE RIDER 4X4 TOURS http://www.nzinfo.com/dunerider/, http://www.nzinfo.com/dunerider/capetour.htm
December 16, 2004 (Thursday)
FLEXICHOICE TICKET ? ONE TRIP (OPTION A)
FULLERS BAY OF ISLANDS http://www.fullers-bay-of-islands.co.nz/ -supercruise
The Flexichoice Ticket allows you to change (due to inclement weather) the date of travel, or the cruise/tour you have selected by just phoning or visiting the Fullers Bay of Islands office.
Duration: Approximately 6 hours 15 minutes
Drive from Paihia to Auckland
Approximate distance: 241kms (3h 20m)
December 17, 2004 (Friday)
Drive from Auckland to Waitomo Caves (arrive by 10:30am)
Approximate distance: 202 kms (2h 50m)
WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES ENTRANCE http://www.waitomocaves.co.nz/home/page.aspx
Here, one of us is doing the glowworm cave tour, the other two are doing the blackwater rafting trip
TUMU TUMU TOOBING http://www.waitomo.co.nz/tumutumu.html
WAITOMO ADVENTURES
Drive Waitomo to Rotorua
Approximate distance: 150kms (2h 20m)
December 18, 2004 (Saturday)
Rotorua
5 STAR ATTRACTION PASS http://www.paradisev.co.nz/5star.htm
The 5 Star Attraction pass includes visits to:
Agrodome Sheep Show (shows' commence: 9:30am , 11:00am , and 2:30pm )
* The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley (open 8:00 am to 6:00pm).
* Paradise Valley Springs (Open: 8:00am to 6:00pm ),
* Skyline Skyrides Gondola (open 9:00am til the end of dining at night)
* Polynesian Spa (open 6:30am to 11:00pm - last entry at 10:15pm )
HANGI AND CONCERT http://www.maoriculture.co.nz/rotorua.htm
TAMAKI TOURS - ancient Maori culture/dinner
Depart: 6:30pm
Return: 10:30pm
December 19, 2004 (Sunday)
Drive Rotorua to Taupo: 80kms (1h 10m)-fishing
Taupo to Napier: 143kms (2h 5m)
December 20, 2004 (Monday)
Napier
1 HOUR ART DECO TOUR - 10:00-11:00am
HAWKES BAY WINE COUNTRY CAT http://www.hbwinecountrycat.com/
SMORGASBOARD DINNER
Depart: West Quay at 6.30pm
Return: 12.30am
December 21, 2004 (Tuesday)
Drop off rental car at Napier airport at 9:00am
Fly Napier to Dunedin
9 DAY BUDGET CAR RENTAL ? P/U DUNEDIN AIRPORT AT 2:30PM
Otago Peninsula
http://www.albatross.org.nz/
http://www.penguin-place.co.nz/
December 22, 2004 (Wednesday)
Dunedin
TAIERI GORGE RAILWAY( 2:30 ? 6:30pm), report at 2:15pm http://www.taieri.co.nz/home.html
December 23, 2004 (Thursday)
Dunedin to Te Anau
Approximate distance: 290kms (4h 10m)
December 24, 2004 (Friday)
MILFORD SOUND COACH AND SCENIC CRUISE
EX TE ANAU ? REAL JOURNEYS
http://www.fiordlandtravel.co.nz/
Duration: 6 hours, 45 minutes
December 25, 2004 (Saturday)
Drive Te Anau to Queenstown
Approximate distance: 170kms (2h 25m)
SKYLINE GONDOLA RIDE http://www.skyline.co.nz/
Christmas Day Dining Package
Gondola Ride
Traditional Christmas Buffet
FREE Luge Ride each
Live entertainment
December 26, 2004 (Sunday)
Queenstown
Dart River Safari http://www.dartriver.co.nz/Index.htm
December 27, 2004 (Monday)
Queenstown
TSS Earnslaw Steamboat w/ Farm Visit and BBQ http://www.fiordlandtravel.co.nz/Main/earnslawcruises/
December 28, 2004 (Tuesday)
Drive Queenstown to Franz Josef
Approximate distance: 404kms (5h 45m)
December 29, 2004 (Wednesday)
GLACIER EXPERIENCE
http://www.franzjosefglacier.com/
Duration: 4 hours
Walk up Franz Josef glacier with experienced guides. Spend approximately 2 hours on the ice.
December 30, 2004 (Thursday)
Drive Franz Josef to Greymouth
Approximate distance: 188kms (2h 30m)
Drop off rental car at Greymouth Train Station.
GREYMOUTH TO CHRISTCHURCH - train trip across the island
TRANZ ALPINE www.tranzscenic.co.nz
Departs at 1:45pm
Arrives Christchurch at 6:05pm
December 31, 2004 (Friday)
Free Day
January 1, 2005 (Saturday)
Free Morning - fly out in afternoon
Oct 21st, 2004, 05:23 PM
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Hi rjneuman. Please don't be put off driving in NZ. It really is very easy driving - good roads and the traffic is quite light. If there are 3 of you then I think that hiring a 4WD would be excellent and you can get off the beaten track if you want to.
I have driven the South Island over 2 weeks, taking in Christchurch, Hamner Springs, Mt. Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound to Dunedin. We really appreciated having the car, being able to make little trips to places like Arrowtown and Paradise outside of Queenstown and Lake Pukaki out of Mt. Cook.
There was 2 of us and we just shared the driving swapping at 2 hour intervals. There were plenty of stops along the way for coffee and food and sightseeing so it wasn't at all tedious and we weren't on someone else's timetable.
I have driven the South Island over 2 weeks, taking in Christchurch, Hamner Springs, Mt. Cook, Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound to Dunedin. We really appreciated having the car, being able to make little trips to places like Arrowtown and Paradise outside of Queenstown and Lake Pukaki out of Mt. Cook.
There was 2 of us and we just shared the driving swapping at 2 hour intervals. There were plenty of stops along the way for coffee and food and sightseeing so it wasn't at all tedious and we weren't on someone else's timetable.
Oct 21st, 2004, 07:16 PM
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Hi There Sharon
As a NZ'er I have to say that is a very good itinery you have mapped out there. You certainly have filled your days but at the same time you should not be running round too much like a mad thing. There is many a Kiwi who would be envious of how much you are seeing of the place s there are many here who will have certainly seen less, haha.
Enjoy your stay over here and I hope the weather warms up for you. The temp only just made it to 19 celsius today. Roll on summer.
Have fun
Steve
As a NZ'er I have to say that is a very good itinery you have mapped out there. You certainly have filled your days but at the same time you should not be running round too much like a mad thing. There is many a Kiwi who would be envious of how much you are seeing of the place s there are many here who will have certainly seen less, haha.
Enjoy your stay over here and I hope the weather warms up for you. The temp only just made it to 19 celsius today. Roll on summer.
Have fun
Steve
Oct 22nd, 2004, 05:39 AM
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Hi Steve.
Thanks for the input. I think I made the agent I worked with totally mad with all the changes we kept making, but we tried to get as much in there as we could. I started off thinking 3 weeks was a lot for a small country - boy, was I wrong
!
Are there some weather gods you can talk to to get us some really good weather there? Warm it up for us; it's starting to get chilly here in NY!
Any suggestions as to what kinda clothes to pack?
Thanks.
Sharon
Thanks for the input. I think I made the agent I worked with totally mad with all the changes we kept making, but we tried to get as much in there as we could. I started off thinking 3 weeks was a lot for a small country - boy, was I wrong
!Are there some weather gods you can talk to to get us some really good weather there? Warm it up for us; it's starting to get chilly here in NY!
Any suggestions as to what kinda clothes to pack?
Thanks.
Sharon
Oct 22nd, 2004, 11:27 AM
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rjneuman - our first trip to NZ consisted of a 16 week campervan holiday. We took trout fishing gear over from Oz, and picked up our campervan in Christchurch, then just headed into the blue yonder, as they say, stopped where it looked interesting. Most motorcamps where we stayed, we in scenic locations, either overlooking a lake, or mountains. We stayed longer if a liked a place, and one day we drove from one location to another, to stay the night, distance being 16 kms. I enjoyed lying in bed reading a brochure or newspaper, and after a leisurely breakfast beside the lake, we would push on.
We didn't have to be in any particular location, and we always made time to visit attractions, but at the end of the day, we stayed somewhere scenic, and somewhere we could do a bit of trout fishing.
Of all my holidays, that campervan trip, was the most "relaxing" I've ever had. Our Newman's campervan was extremely easy to drive & park, and had plenty of space for 2 adults & 2 children.
We are planning to revisit NZ early next year, and I think I would get a campervan again, it was so much fun.
We didn't have to be in any particular location, and we always made time to visit attractions, but at the end of the day, we stayed somewhere scenic, and somewhere we could do a bit of trout fishing.
Of all my holidays, that campervan trip, was the most "relaxing" I've ever had. Our Newman's campervan was extremely easy to drive & park, and had plenty of space for 2 adults & 2 children.
We are planning to revisit NZ early next year, and I think I would get a campervan again, it was so much fun.
Oct 22nd, 2004, 12:00 PM
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Hi Sharon
Hopefully the weather Gods will hear us and things will warm up a bit.
As far as clothing in New Zealand. It is often mentioned that layers are a good idea. I agree. When it is cool in the morning if you have a jersey or sweatshirt over a lighter shirt with maybe a light (Shower proof) jacket handy. As the day warms you can remove a layer which is much easer than a full wardrobe change.
The North Island will be warmer for you, though the East coast of the South Island can get very warm if the nor'wester wind is blowing over the plains. Temps in the high 20's low 30's celsius when the wind is in full flow. Elsewhere it should be around the low 20's which is very comfortable. The West Coast and far South will be cooler though. Temps in the high teens.
Having the shower proof jacket handy will be a good idea as the weather here can be very changable, fine one minute raining the next. In fact here in Auckland it is not uncommon to have rain falling on you and see the sun out at the same time. Generally though in weather like this showers are very short and it is not cold rain.
In the top of the North Island you will find it a little more humid than the South. Not suprising when surrounded by ocean I suppose.
Have fun with your travels, I am sure you will enjoy your stay.
Steve
Hopefully the weather Gods will hear us and things will warm up a bit.
As far as clothing in New Zealand. It is often mentioned that layers are a good idea. I agree. When it is cool in the morning if you have a jersey or sweatshirt over a lighter shirt with maybe a light (Shower proof) jacket handy. As the day warms you can remove a layer which is much easer than a full wardrobe change.
The North Island will be warmer for you, though the East coast of the South Island can get very warm if the nor'wester wind is blowing over the plains. Temps in the high 20's low 30's celsius when the wind is in full flow. Elsewhere it should be around the low 20's which is very comfortable. The West Coast and far South will be cooler though. Temps in the high teens.
Having the shower proof jacket handy will be a good idea as the weather here can be very changable, fine one minute raining the next. In fact here in Auckland it is not uncommon to have rain falling on you and see the sun out at the same time. Generally though in weather like this showers are very short and it is not cold rain.
In the top of the North Island you will find it a little more humid than the South. Not suprising when surrounded by ocean I suppose.
Have fun with your travels, I am sure you will enjoy your stay.
Steve
Oct 23rd, 2004, 05:22 PM
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Well. I have just been in Christchurch and it must have been 25o cel and beautifully sunny. Flew into Wellington (gotta love those bumpy landings) and its like 15o and overcast. You just never can tell in Godzone.
Well for my recommendations of places - please note that I haven't spent much time north of Auckers.
MUST DO:
Milford Sound
Drive SH8 if you can - I loved this on my honeymoon
Queenstown
Rotorua - mainly because it is such a random place and the volcanoes are so good looking on the plateau. I always stay at Rotorua Thermal Motor Camp cos it is cheap, they have hot pools and a mud pool included in the charge. Not flash but some of my best trips have included sitting in those pools at 10.30 at night in the middle of winter with a glass of wine (prob not allowed and after closing but if you ask nicely....).
My Favourites otherwise:
Hawkes Bay (Napier is my home). Usually sunny and really warm, wineries, fab little town to wander around with an ice cream. It is not an action packed place but I love it every time I am home. Lots of overseas tourists don't get this far as it is a few hours drive off to the side and the tour buses rarely get their. But most NZders (specially wellingtons) go back to the bay for holidays and concerts.
Tekapo: I didn't stay here but it is so peaceful and quiet and the glacier lakes are beautiful in this region.
Christchurch - totally different to the other main cities. Fab weather in summer.
Wellington - where I live - highly recommended for the younger crowd. Do Te Papa museum, go up the cable car, parliment tour and you've pretty much done the sights but if you want to go out at night this is the town! Funky shops and people.
As for travelling around. You can get to any place by public transport easy (sometimes it is a bit $$). But once you are in a place it might not be so easy without a car. However, plan well and you should be fine. For instance, if you went to Napier, stayed centrally , the information centre will book any tours to the wineries, or just use taxis - the locals don't use them that much due to the cost but anyone who has lived in a big city will know that they are pretty cheap in a small town. Just don't expect decent local buses in smaller towns.
Boy I've rambled. Hope some of the above is some use.
L
Well for my recommendations of places - please note that I haven't spent much time north of Auckers.
MUST DO:
Milford Sound
Drive SH8 if you can - I loved this on my honeymoon
Queenstown
Rotorua - mainly because it is such a random place and the volcanoes are so good looking on the plateau. I always stay at Rotorua Thermal Motor Camp cos it is cheap, they have hot pools and a mud pool included in the charge. Not flash but some of my best trips have included sitting in those pools at 10.30 at night in the middle of winter with a glass of wine (prob not allowed and after closing but if you ask nicely....).
My Favourites otherwise:
Hawkes Bay (Napier is my home). Usually sunny and really warm, wineries, fab little town to wander around with an ice cream. It is not an action packed place but I love it every time I am home. Lots of overseas tourists don't get this far as it is a few hours drive off to the side and the tour buses rarely get their. But most NZders (specially wellingtons) go back to the bay for holidays and concerts.
Tekapo: I didn't stay here but it is so peaceful and quiet and the glacier lakes are beautiful in this region.
Christchurch - totally different to the other main cities. Fab weather in summer.
Wellington - where I live - highly recommended for the younger crowd. Do Te Papa museum, go up the cable car, parliment tour and you've pretty much done the sights but if you want to go out at night this is the town! Funky shops and people.
As for travelling around. You can get to any place by public transport easy (sometimes it is a bit $$). But once you are in a place it might not be so easy without a car. However, plan well and you should be fine. For instance, if you went to Napier, stayed centrally , the information centre will book any tours to the wineries, or just use taxis - the locals don't use them that much due to the cost but anyone who has lived in a big city will know that they are pretty cheap in a small town. Just don't expect decent local buses in smaller towns.
Boy I've rambled. Hope some of the above is some use.
L
Oct 24th, 2004, 11:45 AM
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This thread has been very helpful to me. I have posted elsewhere on this forum with a similar question but would like to continue my question here instead.
We are seniors 72 and 78, considering three-four weeks in NZ, preferably in February or possibly March. We will not be driving, are moderate walkers (not hikers), enjoy some sun/beach, Maori culture /history, meeting people and would consider a farm stay for a few days. Our accommodation price range is average; luxury is out.
At this point I am not looking for too many details but some direction as to an itinerary that does not necessarily have to include the most heavily tourised aread.
Taking bus, train and/or planes into consideration, can some of you in NZ come up with what you consider areas you would visit in 3-4 weeks. What city to arrive in and leave from.
I see that Sharon815 got the thumbs up for her driving itinerary.
Good luck to all of you travelling.
Thanks.
We are seniors 72 and 78, considering three-four weeks in NZ, preferably in February or possibly March. We will not be driving, are moderate walkers (not hikers), enjoy some sun/beach, Maori culture /history, meeting people and would consider a farm stay for a few days. Our accommodation price range is average; luxury is out.
At this point I am not looking for too many details but some direction as to an itinerary that does not necessarily have to include the most heavily tourised aread.
Taking bus, train and/or planes into consideration, can some of you in NZ come up with what you consider areas you would visit in 3-4 weeks. What city to arrive in and leave from.
I see that Sharon815 got the thumbs up for her driving itinerary.
Good luck to all of you travelling.
Thanks.
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