Holidays - New Zealand!!!?

Question

Thinking of getting off this little island for 2-3 weeks and going to New Zealand next year.

I love the beach - for surfing etc and absolutely love lakes and mountains and countryside!!!

Any ideas of where to go within New Zealand that can offer all the above?? or some of the above???

Any help greatly appreciated!!!

Cheers

John.

Answer 1

u've made the right choice of visiting to NZ...i went there there end nov last yr till mid dec..it WAS a fabulous time there ! i've nvr been to the Nth Island except the Sth Island..the Queenstown area was very special, if u love the lakes & mountains, u SHOULD drive to Fox Glacier and SHOULD also visit Milford Sound..it really R the best !!!

Answer 2

Having been all over NZ, I second everything above.

I'll add Raglan and Akaroa are my faves, off the beaten path and just ... at peace.

Also, a good hike:  The Queen Charlotte walkway thru the Marlborough Sounds.

Oh and DO THE TONGARIRO CROSSING.  Most challenging and rewarding day of my life.

Answer 3

oh I think youve come to the right place if your looking for all the above I am a born bred New Zealander besides what all of the above have mentioned, all of the west coast beaches from the far north Ahipara notorious for surfers, piha beach in Auckland very good waves although I believe fairly dangerous if you are not experienced, raglan in Hamilton I believe that is a world class spot too the east coast beaches are more for sunbathers than surfers however I believe the mount or Mount Maunganui in Tauranga is a good spot for surfing.

Trekking, the entire country is dotted with tracks and great scenery especially in the south Island, the mountains can be found in both the north and south Islands and lake taupo is one of the most recognised tourist destinations although their are quite a few around both Islands, you will also never be short of countryside - again from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South Island beautiful scenery.

Gosh your gonna have a ball over here with all the treks lakes and countryside I actually think that If you really want to capture the beauty of NZ 3wks would not be long enough..... well my friend I hope you enjoy... it truely is a beautiful country....

oh I must put a plug in for Cape Reinga in the far north absolutely exquisite quite a drive however trust me it will be worth it!

Answer 4

tauranga on the bay of plenty good for surfing, beach break, best waves found on the western side tho, Queenstown good base for lakes and mountains, but a bit touristy, best thing to do is fly into Auckland/Wellington Spend a couple of days getting to know places and then go to the south island spend a couple of weeks travelling about then finish off in a city , kaikoura great place on the south island,( which is better for scenery etc)but to be honest just go and look for yourself i spent two months down there did everything i had planned and there was still so much more to do, you must bungee jump and eat blue cod on the south island,

Answer 5

We did the North Island.. fantastic scenery and beaches. Bay of Islands has a fantastic Copthorne hotel.. rooms opened up right on the beach and is where the Waitangi treaty was signed. There is also great accomodation for large families in Pahia. Can go dolphin watching, fishing, sailing etc..

Wahiki Island is great - take a boat from Auckland - hire bikes - it is hardwork and would tire the kids out.

Answer 6

North Island:

The Coromandel has amazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing beaches. Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach are in that same area and are great (Cathedral Cove has some big waves).

Lake Taupo is a great tourist town (and nice lake too).

Mt. Tongariro is a great hike (17km) and the scenery is surreal...

South Island:

Queenstown has a nice lake, is a cute tourist town...and a great gondola ride to the top of a mountain (try the luge ride if they still have it at the top of the mountain!!-sooo much fun)

Milford Sound is AMAZZZZZZZZZZZING...I did an overnight cruise thru there and I highly recommend doing that!! The scenery is amazing!

The glaciers on the south island are awesome too

So I'd say Queenstown has everything you want, as does the Coromandel area (I went camping there and had a great time!)

Have fun!!!

Answer 7

In our summer, Southland offers all these things at a reasonable price.Within three hours drive of where I live there's Colac Bay (surfing), lake Te Anau, Lake Manapouri, lake Wakatipu, Lake Hauroko, Lake Monowai, Curio Bay (surfing and a petrified forest, The Takatimu and Remarkable mountains, Queenstown and Milford Sound.