Travelling in New Zealand

[v15ben]

Bump this thread back up!
I have decided the basic route for South Island but I am not really sure how long to spend in each place. I have the Lonely planet guide book for Aus and NZ but that isn't really helping decide on timings a great deal!

The route around South Island will be roughly this one:
Fly into Christchurch
Couple of days in ChCh
Then a day at Akaroa
The ChCh to Queenstown, Wanaka and Mt Aspiring National Park
Next up Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound (a day each?)
Mount Cook (day or two)
Hokikita
Franz Josef Glacier
On to Greymouth and Transalpine (3-4 days up to Nelson?)
then Nelson.

North Island
The plan is then to fly Nelson to Wellington with Origin Pacific using my ISIC card
Wellington for a day or two
then on to Taupo
Rotoura
Wiatomo
Auckland for a couple of days at least
and if there is time left
Bay of Islands then back to Auckland to fly back to Sydney then home!

I have roughly 5-6 weeks (if exam dates work out) to spend in NZ following a 2-2.5 week trip up the east coast of Australia so how long would you suggest at each place.
Also, where are the places that it is worth spending a day, looking and enjoying then moving on, rather than spending a long time there and getting bored (e.g. Doubtful?)

Fire away folks, thanks!

[T5-R]

v15ben said:

Bump this thread back up! I have decided the basic route for South Island but I am not really sure how long to spend in each place. I have the Lonely planet guide book for Aus and NZ but that isn't really helping decide on timings a great deal! The route around South Island will be roughly this one: Fly into Christchurch Couple of days in ChCh Then a day at Akaroa The ChCh to Queenstown, Wanaka and Mt Aspiring National Park Next up Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound (a day each?) Mount Cook (day or two) Hokikita Franz Josef Glacier On to Greymouth and Transalpine (3-4 days up to Nelson?) then Nelson. North Island The plan is then to fly Nelson to Wellington with Origin Pacific using my ISIC card Wellington for a day or two then on to Taupo Rotoura Wiatomo Auckland for a couple of days at least and if there is time left Bay of Islands then back to Auckland to fly back to Sydney then home! I have roughly 5-6 weeks (if exam dates work out) to spend in NZ following a 2-2.5 week trip up the east coast of Australia so how long would you suggest at each place. Also, where are the places that it is worth spending a day, looking and enjoying then moving on, rather than spending a long time there and getting bored (e.g. Doubtful?) Fire away folks, thanks!

Went to NZ with my other half last year for about a month and saw pretty much all (or most of) what you've outlined above. Spent 2 weeks on each Island and it gave us a good overview of the country.

We hired a campervan for the month so were able to travel as and where we wanted. If you're going by public transport, you may not have that luxury, but I can't really comment on it as we never really used it.

A day or two in each place should be sufficient but bear in mind NZ's weather is more unpredictable than the UK's, especially on the South Island. So, depending on what you want to do, weather can be a factor. As an example we met a couple who had been waiting for 4 days in Franz Josef for the weather to clear so they could do the helicopter trip to the top of the glacier. In the end, they had to give up.

The one thing I will highly recommend is to do the overnight trip at Milford Sound with Real Journeys. During the day, MS is chock full of coaches and tourists. The overnight trip ensures you get to see it with the minimum number of tourists. It was brill!!

Other top places to vist and do:

Lake Tekapo
Kaikoura (whale watching)
Swimming with dolphins in the Bay of Islands
Bungee jumping from underneath Auckland Harbour Bridge
Geo-Thermal parks in Rotorua (smells like rotten eggs)
Balloon safari in Methven (nr. christchurch)

I'll also pass on a word of advice that our glacier guide in Franz Josef gave us - if you end up passing through the tiniest and out of the way places and they offer activities such as jet boating, skydiving, etc..., you want to do them and the weather is perfect - do it there and then! You may want to do such things in Queenstown, for example, but may find the weather will be against you when you get there. They'll also be much cheaper than in Queenstown.

(sigh) the memories are flooding back and I miss the place so much. I envy you... I really do. Enjoy!!

[billb]

greymouth is the pit of the earth but nelson is def worth visiting - didnt think much of the trans alpine but then i was hideousely ill at the time!

ps spend ages in queenstown its the best place on the planet!!

www.magicbus.co.nz
www.kiwiexperience.com/

have good routes on an maybe times

>> Edited by billb on Wednesday 24th August 14:46

[v15ben]

Thanks for the replies:

T5R can you tell me roughly where Lake Tekapo and Kiakoura fit into the itinerary? The whale watching was definitely on the list to start with but I seem to have missed it off!

Bill, I have been told that if I can avoid the need to stay in Greymouth then I will. The only attraction is the start of the Tranz Alpine up to Nelson. I have 5-6 weeks though so should be able to get a few days in Queenstown and hopefully manage to get everything done even if the weather means I have to spend a while waiting around!

I also want to do the helicoptor flight over Franz Josef being a keen geographer and all! Hopefully the weather is kinder to me than the couple mentioned!

[simpo two]

I asked this on the NZ forum about 10 days ago - check it out.

[T5-R]

v15ben said:

Thanks for the replies: T5R can you tell me roughly where Lake Tekapo and Kiakoura fit into the itinerary? The whale watching was definitely on the list to start with but I seem to have missed it off! Bill, I have been told that if I can avoid the need to stay in Greymouth then I will. The only attraction is the start of the Tranz Alpine up to Nelson. I have 5-6 weeks though so should be able to get a few days in Queenstown and hopefully manage to get everything done even if the weather means I have to spend a while waiting around! I also want to do the helicoptor flight over Franz Josef being a keen geographer and all! Hopefully the weather is kinder to me than the couple mentioned!

If memory serves me right, You should pass through Lake Tekapo going from Christchurch to Mt.Cook. It's a big stop on the tourist routes, so getting there shouldn't be a problem. The scenery there is fantastic (IMO) and it's so tranquil. Also, if it's still being run see if you can get on the evening astronomy lecture when you're there. Cambridge University in Christchurch have an observatory in a field at Lake Tekapo and some of the more enterprising astronomy students will bus paying punters from the Tekapo hotels to the observatory and talk about all the different constellations in the southern hemisphere. Dress warmly!!

Kaikoura is on the North Eastern coast of the South Island. If you're going up to Nelson, then it may be a bit out of your way, as once you've done the whale watching, there's not much more to see there.

Hope that helps!

[steve 944t]

Whatever you do, leave some free days as you will be affected by the weather. I once spent 3 days sat at Franz Josef waiting for the weather to clear. It never did. Also spent 4 days in Kaikoura with the same result (but would strongly recommend you include Kaikoura in your itinerary). The first time I went I was more lucky. Swimming with fur seals is good fun.
I would say one day is enough for Christchurch. It is a nice place, but not a huge amount to see. One day is enough for Milford Sound. I would spend at least 2 at Doubtful though. The owner of the petrol station runs tours (or used to) out onto the Sound via boat, then 4WD, then a short walk and then boat onto the Sound proper and you can then explore by kayak. It is magical. Definitely the highlight of my first trip to NZ. Mount Cook is impressive, and as it takes a long time to get to, it may be worth spending a couple of days. Helicopter trip up onto the mountain is good.
Travel straight through Greymouth without stopping. It is prefab central.
At least 3 days in Queenstown. Apart from all the activities, it is a lovely town with a real buzz about it.
Taupo is beautiful. Very nice place to chill out for a few days. Personally I am not too fussed about Rotorua. IMO one day is enough, but depends how interested you are in the thermal stuff. And it stinks! Auckland is great, worth 2 or 3 days. I havent yet ventured to the Bay of Islands so cant help there.
Basically I would spend twice as long on the South Isalnd. You have highlighted most of the must-sees, but bear in mind that all the scenery is stunning and you may just feel the urge to stop somewhere unplanned. Also look up Mirror Lake. I cant remember where it is (South Island somewhere) and it only warrants a stop of an hour or so, but it is nice.
I hope this helps.

Steve

ps you probably dont have time, but if you can spare 4 days, do the Milford Trek, finishing at Milford Sound. I walked it last year and loved every minute of it.

[T5-R]

steve 944t said:

Also look up Mirror Lake. I cant remember where it is (South Island somewhere) and it only warrants a stop of an hour or so, but it is nice. I hope this helps.

It's on the road from Te Anau to Milford Sound. If you're going by coach it'll probably do the obligatory photo stop there anyway.

Bring plenty of bug repellent. The sand flies are everywhere in the sticks and vicious! Better yet, buy it when you're down there. At least you'll know it's guaranteed to work

>> Edited by T5-R on Wednesday 24th August 15:31

[muley]

If you get a chance, I would recommend the Abel Tasman National Park. We walked it last year, camping every night. SWMBO loved it because we got the water taxi to lug the tent, food and cooking gear each day for 5 dollars.

see www.abeltasmangreenrush.co.nz/abel_tasman

You only need to walk one way, then get a water taxi (a.k.a. speedboat!) back. You can hire gear at the Marahau store or buy cheap stuff and chuck it away. There's a brilliant sea food restaurant at Marahau, too.

Enjoy your trip (we might venture down to the South Island this winter ourselves)

>> Edited by muley on Thursday 25th August 09:06

>> Edited by muley on Thursday 25th August 09:07

>> Edited by muley on Thursday 25th August 09:08

[gtr-gaz]

steve 944t said:

ps you probably dont have time, but if you can spare 4 days, do the Milford Trek, finishing at Milford Sound. I walked it last year and loved every minute of it.

I fancied the Milford Trek when I was there, but apparantly the huts you stay in are booked up months in advance?



BTW, I recommend the heli-hiking around Mt Cooke. Great fun.
Your right about the weather though. We only just got off the mountain with seconds to spare, before the cloud came over. A bit scary to say the least!

[v15ben]

I am definitely going to try and get in a helicoptor over either Mount Cook or Franz Josef (or both by an utter financial miracle!)

I would like to do Able Tasman as it has been suggested to me before but that will depend on luck with the weather I think. If it takes 3-4 days at Franz Josef (one of the highlights of the trip for me) before the weather gets kind then I will stay there!

Thanks for the ideas everyone, keep em coming

[T5-R]

gtr-gaz said:

I fancied the Milford Trek when I was there, but apparantly the huts you stay in are booked up months in advance? BTW, I recommend the heli-hiking around Mt Cooke. Great fun.

Yup - the National Parks people will only allow a fixed number of walkers in at any one time. This is partly to ensure it's not overcrowded and also to help preserve the environment.

Did a 1 hr helicopter ride round Mt.Cook and it was worth every penny! The base you take off from is not at Mt.Cook village itself, but a good 15-20 miles before you get there. I remember the copter carried 5 passengers and if it wasn't full up, then they didn't fly.