Any Tips For Travelling Nz?

[apocadelic]

I 'd like to spend one month vacation in NZ.

Anyone ever went there? Tips? North or south island is better?

Thank you Kra...

[Harry Palmer]

the NZ government, after having legalised prostitution, has issued a guide for sex workers....

they have been asked to ensure condoms in a variety of shapes and sizes are always available, and to provide beds with leather restraints that support the back for a variety of services to be performed without strain or discomfort...

they have also been cautioned to watch out for occupational overuse syndrome, often caused by rapid repetitive tasks or forceful movements, and to carry a small torch in case they need to check clients for sexually transmitted diseases...

i believe that the services of prostitutes may be obtained in both the north & south islands... haven't been myself (it's a dirty business) but bkk_barny raves about them

so if you do happen across a lady in NZ carrying a torch... chances are she'll be a prostitute or a cinema usher...

[Harry Palmer]

NZ's 45 million sheep outnumber the country's human population by more than 11 to one... and they produce huge volumes of poisonous gaseous wind.. (the sheep not the humans )

i suggest that you pack a strong gas mask... i hear that robinsons stock a wide range .. apparantly the eden club are a large consumer of such items!

[350torana]

Never been to the Kiwiland, but from what i have seen alot like my part of Aussie( way south of Melbourne)

Pack alot of warm clothes and a good fly rod as kiwi trout(and saltwater fishing ) is magic

Have heard stories that feral brush tail possums are carneverous across the Tasman, any Kiwis confirm ?

[jackr]

Beautiful place, both north and south, although the South Island does boast a more rugged landscape and even less people.

South Island

Picton is a laid-back place at the northern tip of the South Island; Nelson is west of here and famous for the Abel Tasman coastal walk - kayaking it is much more fun; south of Picton is Kaikoura - famed for the Dusky (acrobatic) Dolphins that hang around in pods of between 100-400 and you can swim with them, whales here too as well as flying lessons in a sessna - first lesson really cheap and great fun.

Christchurch is mid-way down the east coast and is a gem as far as cities go (Auckland, in the North Island is a real bore) - visit the Banks Peninsular to the east of the city for gorgeous ocean vistas from high-up. Casino in Christchurch also and Oxford Terrace is the place to go for beer on...terraces. Mount Cook is accessible from Christchurch and is NZs highest pek with good skiing and snowboarding. Lake Tekapo is a beautiful blue lake surrounded by hills, in-between Christchurch and Dunedin.

South of here, city-wise, is Dunedin (very Scottish) which is loaded with Victorian architecture and also has the steepest residential street in the world, Baldwin Street, which has a one in three ratio. Invercargill is south again and a bit dead. You can take cheap flights to Stewart Island from Inver' to see Kiwi birds and there is also some great walking.

For some really awesome walking though, you need to do the Milford Track which is touted as the world's finest walk. Best thing about the Milford is no-one walks against you, as in there is only a certain number that can do the walk each day, and in only one direction. The walk is 4 days and ends up in the spectacular Milford Sound. Unreal. Only open in the summer months though due to the mountain passes becoming impassable. Routeburn also good apparently as well as countless others. Thouroughly recommend flying out back to Queenstown from the end of the track, the views are unforgettable.

Queenstown is possibly the biggest draw of New Zealand. It is loaded with adventure activities, from bungy-jumping to jet-boating and rafting etc, etc. Some great nightlife too as well as totty, if you're a bloke that is.

Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are also superb, northwest of Queenstown; come right down to sea level. Other sights include Hokitika, driving across Arthur's Pass and Hamner Springs (hot springs).

Noth Island

In the North Island, don't spend too long, no more than two nights, in Dorkland (real dead city - no heart). Paihaia, north of here is a gorgeous bay. Lighthouse bar for drinking, if still there. 90 mile beach, north of Paihaia, is renowned for its huge sand dunes which you can boogie-board down. Kiwi Experience buses do one day tours up here and drive to other sights on the way, including the 90 mile beach (60 miles in-fact). If Kiwi are still doing the tours, see if the bus driver named Wally is still doing them. He's a Maori chap and a great bloke.

All sorts of volcanoes and islands in the Auckland area. Harbour area in Auckland quite nice, believe it has been renovated.

Mount Maunganui, southeast of Auckland, is another volcanic cone that you can walk up and overlooks the quiet town and more ocean views.

Rotorua, in the centre of the island, is possibly the north's biggest draw, along with Lake Taupo, and is also loaded with adventure activities. There is big geothermal activity in the region, hence the constant sulphur smell in the town which you never get used to. Not bad nightlife. The Polynesian spa baths here are excellent and one thing you must try is the Luge - downhill toboggan run - awesome.

Just south of Rotorua is Lake Taupo and the Tongariro Crossing which is just so beautiful. There are various volcano walks, from one dayers to about four or five. The one-dayer (Tongariro Crossing) takes in the cone of Mt Narahoe (that's spelt wrong), a conical peak, and continues through remarkable scenery past various lakes. One of the best walks I've ever done. Tonnes more geothermal stuff here as well.

Napier, on the east coast, is a curious Art Deco town but you can't swim in the sea due to steep drop-offs and strong currents. Only Wellington is worth seeing south of Napier, more Victorian buildings and the city is set around a natural harbour on a hill. Superb museums and good funicular railway. Bars ok also.

Oh yeah, Waitomo caves in the North Island are also worth seeing for the glow worms and tubing through the cave systems, very touristy here.

Loads and loads of other cool places but can't think right now, you'll suss them out though.

There are various modes of travel with one of the most popular being the Kiwi Experience buses. Buy a ticket that covers one or both islands and lasts so-long, pick-up and drop off when you want etc. Get loads of lager-louts on these. Don't know how old you are but could be for you. There's another company, of which the name escapes me now, which is geared to the more discerned traveller and offers the same sort of deal as Kiwi. Don't know if they are still running. haven't been to NZ for 6 years.

Oh well, hope this helps and sorry about the length, someone will want to winge about it, no doubt .

[350torana]

Jackr

No whinging here . I thought your summary of things to do was great, thinking of making the crosing across the Tasman one day

I won't make any Wal Footrot jokes as it is late and i am too drunk

[Jockstar]

I think jackr sums most of it up. NZ is a beautiful country. The people are reall y friendly. I lived ther for a year and have been there a few times. He mentions the kiwi experience. This is an option. I never done it but have heard good reports. The first time i was there i bought a car for 800 NZ$ and toured round for 2 months. I was lucky i had a lot of friends who lived in various parts of NZ. Having a car gives you more freedom. There is a car market at the racecourse on the weekend where you can pick up a good deal. Mount Maunganui in Taraunga area is beautiful. You can do a tandem parachute jump here for around $210. One of the best things i done when i was there. The luge at Rotarua was awsome. Many hotsprings around here. I cant agree more about Auckland. Its a beautiful city but no character. A couple of nice bars though. Lake Tekapo in the south island is absolutely beautiful. You can get to Mount Dobson from here and do some ski-ing or boarding. Queenstown is awsome. Well worth a visit. in the north of the north island. You got the bay of islands. Places like Russell and the likes are well worth the visit. Then go to Cape Rianga the most northern point in Nz. Its amazing. This is where 2 seas meet) the tasman and cant remember the other) and you can actually see this. Jackr has covered most of the other things. Hope you enjoy.

[jackr]

Agree with Jockstar, buying a car is the best way. I did this with a friend and we bought a 1978 Celica for NZ$750, drove around both islands and sold it back in Dorkland 3 months later for $700. The registration was $9.80 at the post office(1999) which automatically covers you for third party insurance. Join the AA, which is cheap and also covers other countries, fuel cheap. Kiwi Experience or the other bus company probably better for one month though.

Bay of Islands -all coming back now - thats the area where Paihaia/Russel is, idyllic, famous battle ground across the bay between the marauding Brits and the Maoris.

The other sea (ocean) that meets the Tasman is the Pacific, Jockstar, and its a maelstrom-ie no swimming. Good surf not far from there.

Sky-diving can also be done in Nelson and Taupo, among others.

All in all the Kiwis are great (some bad elements, as anywhere else), girls lovely, and 45 million sheep, for those who are that way inclined.

[phennecke]

The friendliest Farang people in the world.

[meemiathai]

The friendliest Farang people in the world.

I disagree. Canadians are much more friendly. Well, just a different opinion.

[apocadelic]

Thank you, guys!

It's very nice of U!

Last night i dined out at Em, there weren't so crowded.

I was quite surprised. How was your weekend?

[Tornado]

phennecke is right on the money. They are our Bros

Beautiful place, been there a few times. Have a go in the Zorb.

[Pink Mist]

Ah the friendly kiwis, most even tempered people in the world , have chips on both shoulders

[Sporting Dog]

Just don't mention the World Cup (or the two before)

[yok yawng]

apocadelic: #1 Tip - NZ is a long long way away so best ride a pointy nose bus! ...

Jackr has done a great summation of the sights of NZ - need to add Taranaki - on the West coast of Nth Island - beautiful sights and walks too. And in Waitomo there is the Lost World - a 100m absail into caves!

To see NZ it is best to know:

- your time / season of travel

- your days in-country

- your budget

- your interests / activities

Once these are clear then you will know what can be included - Nth, Sth Is or Both, otherwise you will be always travelling and not really seeing or doing anything much, which would be more like watching a video - NZ is a small country but roads are generally narrow, winding and so it takes time to get between places and driving from the Nth to Sth Is involves a ferry ride which can be an interesting experience.

I am going there next week ...

p.s. if you want to fish for trout then you will need to purchse a licence

[Pink Mist]

And to top it of no visit to NZ would be complete without a visit to the Waikato.

Tokoroa is a must see, a living example of the "Once were Warriors" lifestyle.