New Zealand in October?

Old Feb 1st, 2006, 12:15 AM
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New Zealand in October?

I am considering a trip from the UK to New Zealand to celebrate a special birthday in October. If we decide to do this, we will travel around 6th October for 3 weeks. Is this a good time of year to visit?

I want to avoid the temptation of trying to do too much and ending up spending all our time driving round, so would like to spend a minimum of 2 to 3 nights in each place, with maybe a slightly longer stop at the end of the visit to relax, do some walking etc. Would it be better to stick to one of the islands, rather than try to see both?

We love scenery and nature and are not particularly interested in cities. I'm at an early stage of planning this, so any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks, Maria
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Old Feb 1st, 2006, 02:03 AM
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Hi Maria,

Yes - I think it is. I've visited the N Island in Sept (specifically Gisborne which is known I think for sunnier than average weather) and Oct (Auckland, Bay of Islands, Northland, Rotorua).

Like the UK every year may be different but I remember you could feel comfy outside in Gisborne with just a long sleeved top until quite late after sunset. But (a different year) it was cold in Pahia.

Christchurch and the NE of the SI is lovely in Sept - daffodils and such - so Oct must be good too.

Can you visit both islands in 3 weeks?
Probably, yes - you know, you plan/use your days differently if you know you have 2 months. If you know you have 3 weeks then you operate differently.

You don't say where you will be for the birthday celebration.

If it's in the Auckland area then off the top of my head I would think about going up to the Bay of Islands and down to Rotorua. Then fly to Wellington and take the ferry over to Picton. Let's say you have 2 weeks left. Walk some on the Charlotte Track. Bus it to Kaikoura - do some whale watching (don't know if a good time of year) then Christchurch briefly. Then you need to decide if you want to include Dundedin and the penguins/albatrosses there. Nice city too.

Most folk would want to visit Queenstown. Don't like it much myself but it is a gateway to some special places. Te Anau and a trip to either Milford or Doubtful Sound is a must.

The glaciers on the west coast are popular too. You could go there from Queenstown and return to Christchurch on the train from Greymouth.

Just some thoughts - are you planning on self drive or public transport?
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Old Feb 1st, 2006, 02:56 AM
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Thanks for that. We will be hiring a car and as far as I can see so far, it's easiest (cheapest/least changes) for us to fly into Auckland. We're likely to arrive only a day or so before my birthday (the big 50 - but don't tell anyone ) so will spend my birthday somwhere near there.
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Old Feb 1st, 2006, 07:21 AM
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Maria:
How much is the car hire that you are looking at? I tried to google it but couldn't find anything. If you have the name/web link that would be great!
By 'car hire' you mean a driver right? Or is that another way of saying car rental?
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Old Feb 1st, 2006, 07:38 AM
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Hi sammyc - you've confused me here! We will be hiring/renting a car to drive ourselves - my husband will be driving. I haven't checked out prices yet. I'm still working out whether to plan it all ourselves or get a "self drive" tour package, as available from companies like www.discover-new-zealand.co.uk which I've been looking at for ideas.
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Old Feb 1st, 2006, 01:45 PM
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Hi Maria / Sammy
Google "NZ rent a car" -->
rates start at 19$-25$ (probably too cheap)
e.g. Auckland airport
Weekly from 236 NZD /$165 / £ 95

some travel in a motor-home

my advice take TranzAlpine CHC to Greymouth. (don't miss PUNAKAIKI 40km north) rent a car there & go down
Glaciers, Queenstown, Te Anau, one of the Sounds, through CATLINS (don't miss) Dunedin, CHC.

KAIKURA (possible by bus) - October is generally Ok ! about October watch: http://www.whalewatch.co.nz/sighting...9-October-2005

Abel Tazma



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Old Feb 1st, 2006, 05:14 PM
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We did close to three weeks in Sept./Oct. a few years back along the following lines (self-drive with various kinds of lodging):

Queenstown (2 nights)(we did the wine country and shotover jet, no bungee jumping but we did stop at the bridge to watch)

Wilderness Lodge at Lake Moeraki (2 nights) (wonderful, especially the penguins)

Franz Josef (1 night)(glacier hike)
tranzalpine express to Christchurch

Christchurch (2 nights)(one full day to explore this lovely city and simply relax)

Kaikoura (1 night) (swimming with dolphins was a trip highlight, amazing not to be missed experience, the whale watching was fun too)

Timara Lodge in Blenheim (1 night, wish it had been several, terrific food, wonderful hosts and enjoyable wine tasting)

Queen Charlotte Sound (2 nights) (did some hiking, beautiful area but would not recommend, consider Abel Tasman instead)

ferry to Wellington, fly to Aukland, drive to Bay of Islands (too much luggage for our planned flight)

Russell in Bay of Island (3 nights) (very relaxing and enjoyable)

Coramandel Peninsula (3 Nights) (enjoyable but perhaps would have enjoyed Taupo, Rotorua more as it would have been a shorter drive and different geography)

Auckland (1 night),stayed in Devonport

As I said its been a few years but if you are interested in where we stayed or any specific area, ask away and I will dig up my itinerary.

As for the time of year, the weather was not too cold but it did rain quite a bit on the West Coast but we didn't let is slow us down. I remember generally good weather (though not warm) the remainder of the trip. If you go to Kaikoura check the schedules at Dolphin Encounter as I believe they begin their trips in early October. Oh, and I remember gorgeous flowers in Christchurch.

It is a wonderful country and we can't wait to get back. I'd really like to see Dunedin, Caitlins and make it to Fiordlands and Abel Tasman and see much more of the North Island....

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Old Feb 1st, 2006, 06:29 PM
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Best bet to "de jet lag" is the Great Ponsonby B&B in Auckland. Walk everywhere, great eats near by!
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Old Feb 1st, 2006, 08:32 PM
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in addition to POlson:
in North Island- a must is the volcanic hydrothermal phenomena around Rotorua: WAIMANGU VALLEY is a must! second is Wai-O-Tapu + also one of the more touristic sites like Whakarewarewa (now got a new shorter name).

aby
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Old Feb 2nd, 2006, 04:05 AM
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I noticed in the tour operators site that I was looking at, they gave you two different rental cars, one on each island with the ferry crossing between the two as foot passengers. Is this normal in New Zealand? Is it expensive or inadvisable to take a hire car from one island to the other? Are internal flights expensive?
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Old Feb 3rd, 2006, 05:25 PM
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Maria

about the weather: October is kind of pre-season so (statistically) u have more chance for rain. I had luck in October when on western South Island it was raining on the eastern side ans vice versa... but ...
in Tongariro NP the ski-lift did not operate because of weather & we missed it

@ i know the ferry fee for buses is high, guess it is also for cars - check site...
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Old Feb 3rd, 2006, 07:08 PM
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Yes, Maria, it's normal for rental cars to be dropped off in Wellington and another picked up in Picton or vice versa. Maui is the only company I know of that offers to pay a one-way car ferry fee, but that's only if you're renting for 10 days or more.

Lee Ann
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Old Feb 5th, 2006, 12:37 PM
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I was interested in this thread as we are in the early stages of planning a trip in 2007 and were thinking about October, mainly all parts of South Island for a few weeks.

What time does spring really arrive? I'm thinking of being able to see a reasonable growth of vegetation, leaves budding on trees, etc. My wife is a botanist so will be particularly interested in wild flowers. When do they get going?

The other question perhaps applies to main roads in the mountains. Do these get snow problems in winter, and if so when has that gone by?

Thanks.

Michael
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Old Feb 7th, 2006, 06:43 PM
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best value for money is an Active New Zealand trip, if you want to check out the website, it's www.activenewzealand.com. They mainly do South Island.
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