We’re planning a trip to New Zealand for March for about 3 weeks. Looking for the usual info: best places to see, accomodations you liked, how long to spend on either island.
Also some specifics:
- is 3 weeks long enough for both islands or should we stick with one?
- drive/ferry between islands or fly and then rent?
- are there good home bases to set up for a few days to do day trips from? Say, Taupo/Turangi, Lake Tekapo?
For activities, we are not into a lot of adrenaline stuff. No bungee jumping for us. Best we’d possibly do is the jet boat thing, maybe a Zorb. Also not into Lord of the Rings. A mix of nature and urban/culture would works and some off the beaten path stuff. We are also not RVers so we’re unlikely to rent a caravan to go around in, we’re be looking at apartments and small hotels.
For activities, we are not into a lot of adrenaline stuff. No bungee jumping for us. Best we’d possibly do is the jet boat thing, maybe a Zorb. Also not into Lord of the Rings.
Sorry, we aren’t 30, that was a long time ago. One doesn’t need to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy the country, nomoreso than one needs to be a cowboy or mountain climber to enjoy Alberta. I’m sure there are perfectly good places with great hikes, views, Māori culture, and such without needing to invoke my fear of heights. It would be funny for us to not like boats given the amount of scuba diving we’ve done. Also Hobbiton in my view is as ridiculous a tourist trap as The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is.
A rugby match was definitely on the list, thanks UCB for confirming any league works.
Sorry, we aren’t 30, that was a long time ago. One doesn’t need to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy the country, nomoreso than one needs to be a cowboy or mountain climber to enjoy Alberta. I’m sure there are perfectly good places with great hikes, views, Māori culture, and such without needing to invoke my fear of heights. It would be funny for us to not like boats given the amount of scuba diving we’ve done. Also Hobbiton in my view is as ridiculous a tourist trap as The Blue Lagoon in Iceland is.
A rugby match was definitely on the list, thanks UCB for confirming any league works.
I was totally giving you a hard time firmly 'tongue-in-cheek.'
Come on man, you know me!
Go to 'Old Zealand!!'
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IMO 3 weeks is more than enough to do both islands. I suggest renting a car 1-way in Auckland and return it in Christchurch then fly back. That way you will see more of the country.
Some recommendations when I visited. I didn't go north of Auckland or south of Christchurch:
Waitomo caves - not far from Auckland can be a stop on the way elsewhere.
Napier - really interesting city with a cool atmosphere
Abel Tasman Park and surrounding area - great place to do sea activities and hikes
Punakaiki and driving from there to Chrischurch - that is where they have the Kea birds halfway.
Akaroa outside of Christchurch - really cool spot for swimming with dolphins.
If you are thinking of visiting Rotorua, it was my least favourite city. I suggest instead staying in Lake Taupo and driving there for the day as they have cool mud baths and hot water springs.
Also the ferry between the north and south island is very rough - lots of people puking with how big the waves are. If that's not your thing you might prefer flying.
Last edited by tipenmat; 12-27-2022 at 08:14 PM.
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I did both islands in about three weeks. Rented a van from Kiwi Kombis, https://m.facebook.com/100063606802623/ which was pretty fun. Not sure how it would be for a couple, it was snug for sure. But maximum style points.
I'll second Abel Tasman, I did a trip where they ferried me up the coast and I sea kayaked back down over three days stopping at huts along the way. They moved my pack each day so it was pretty easy.
Milford Sound - I did the charter flight out and back as a splurge. Amazing scenery.
Nelson was cool. I spent a few days in Auckland at the beginning to get over the jet lag and time change. I regret not making it to Christchurch and the top of the north island. Wanaka was great. All in all, having a camper van meant I could have a pretty loose itinerary. If I heard about an interesting hike or something fun I could just call an audible. Jet boating was fun, maybe not the best value for money.
The ferry was easy the days I did it.
In general, I did a bunch of hiking and sightseeing and just general relaxing.
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Funny I was just pricing out one way car rentals. I was thinking of the opposite though, head to Christchurch for the beginning, and then drive north. My thinking is it’ll just get cooler as March goes on and starting in the south means the warmer weather on the South Island to start.
The description of the ferry between islands reminds me of doing The Drake Passage to/from Antarctica, if it’s calm you’re lucky, and except the other way not to be.
As with most people of European descent there is a loose association genealogically there, there is even a player on the Dutch National soccer team with my last name.
They're a fine people. They tend to be happy to just let people do their own thing as long as they dont bother anyone and that seems to be working out well.
And they innovated windpower before the rest of these sorry clowns realized it was even a thing.
But this joke has run its course. I'm getting out before someone drags the Portuguese into it.
Really though, I'm just envious that FF is going to NZ. Its high on my list.
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This Post Has Been Distilled for the Eradication of Seemingly Incurable Sadness.
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If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
As with most people of European descent there is a loose association genealogically there, there is even a player on the Dutch National soccer team with my last name.
They're a fine people. They tend to be happy to just let people do their own thing as long as they dont bother anyone and that seems to be working out well.
And they innovated windpower before the rest of these sorry clowns realized it was even a thing.
But this joke has run its course. I'm getting out before someone drags the Portuguese into it.
Really though, I'm just envious that FF is going to NZ. Its high on my list.
I mean, I was just kidding around, as "New Zealand" is named after the original "Zeeland" which a province of the Netherlands.
Plus Nigel Powers was played by Michael Caine, so really you could do worse.
If you ride a motorcycle at all, it's an amazing place to tour around that way. Totally worth renting a motorbike for a day or two if you have your class 6.
It's also great wine country. If you're looking to have a more leisurely experience there are world class wine regions to check out. You could plan a whole trip around that including both north and south islands.
I haven't been to Waiheke Island myself, but all my Kiwi friends love the place and it looks awesome. It's just a ferry ride from Auckland. Definitely a place I want to stay for a night or two in their summer season.
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Anglers from all over the world look to New Zealand as the mecca of angling - the world's best wild trout fishery. Fly fishing in New Zealand is fantastic every month of the year, not to mention its spectacular scenery too.
I’d definitely second Waitomo caves, and I didn’t mind Rotorua, but certainly touristy. We rented and drove around the north island, then flew to CHCH and rented again from there for the South Island. Christchurch was really interesting, as we were there not long after the major earthquake - I imagine they have lots of ruins still to see. We took a one-way rental and flew back from Queenstown.
The main winner was Milford Sound - we drove down and took a boat tour. Totally worth it - the dolphins swimming next to the boat and the waterfalls off the sides were breathtaking. It might be a weird recommendation, but if you’re an adult couple, check out Puzzling World near Lake Wanaka. We also did Franz Josef glacier, which was a nice easy hike in good weather.
Mainly, we stayed in private hostel rooms and cokes for ourselves, but did do some hotels as well.
It’s a great country, enjoy your trip!
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