Tell me what I should do in New Zealand :)?

Question

I'm probably going to New Zealand this time next year. But maybe not during summer. I'm not sure. When is the best time to go and what do you recommend? I wouldn't mind visiting cities or historical places, but I'm really, really interested in wilderness/outdoors, etc. Forests, volcanoes, whatever... I'm into it. Anything awesome.

I like remote places as well. I'm generally open to anything you think should not be missed. I have no idea what part of New Zealand I'll be at. Most likely in summer, but not sure exactly. Any suggestions are fair game. I'll be there between 2-3 weeks.

Answer 1

If you're interested in that sort of thing, go to Rotorua (in the North Island) it has hot mud pools and geysers.

Answer 2

Fiordland, mainly Milford Sound are a must.  If you have the money you can also do a cruise on Doubtful Sound which is a fantastic day or over night trip.  Check out these websites,

redboats.co.nz and also realjourneys.co.nz.  I lived and worked in Milford Sound for 14mths and the winter was the best time because the weather was more settled and the mountains had snow on them, but in the winter there is a chance that the fantastic Milford Rd could be closed due to snow.  The summer is also great, but there are more tourists and there is a day breeze on the fiord.  I prefer the South Island to the north Island. just because the scenary is so much more spectacular and interesting.  But the north Island does have White Island which is an active volcano. Central Otago down south also has great gold mining history.  There is also Stewart Island which as the bottom of the South island and is great.  I would suggest starting at one end of NZ and working your way to the other.  Check out also aatravel.co.nz.  They have 101 must do's in NZ.

Answer 3

I second and third the people that are advocating the South Island (and Im from AKL), If you only have 2-3 weeks then spend  the majority of your time there.

One option that nobody has mentioned specifically are the so called hop-on hop-off bus trips. The SI is typically visited in a sort of a circle, down one side and back up the other. There are a number of operators running these hop-on hop-off routes. You can bassically stay a few days wherever it interests you and just bypass those that dont.

Answer 4

The south island is definately the place you're looking for. Take advice from K Bear.

Answer 5

well for adventure- Queenstown,Rotorua

Auckland- heaps to do quite busy avoid roads around 5pm-6:30pm

Wellington- have to go to te papa

Christchurch- relax and go to the botanic gardens and go to new brighton beach and have a walk on the pier

Dunedin- Check out the cadbury factory and the castle its a very scotish city

Answer 6

Check www.takeabreak.co.nz - we have all the best things to do and places to stay.

I would recommend the West Coast of the South Island - get down to the glaciers see Fiordland.

If you like the more summery locations - check out the Abel Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island.

To see some live images of these and many other locations visit:

www.webcam.co.nz

Answer 7

Late summer is the best time to go, that is  the period  when you can enjoy all the beautiful fruits cheaply. If you love the outdoors then hire a car or a campervan. It is very safe to drive around in NZ. Bring along  a fishing rod but  you must practise your casting for fly fishing at home if you  don`t know how. Been there many times and still love the country. Might want to go there again next month.

Answer 8

do what ever u want go where ever u want , u will get the guidance as soon as u get in here, just don't violate the rules and regulations and respect the nz law.

Answer 9

definately go to Queenstown, and just travel all around the South Island you'll love it, there are heaps of bush walks and stuff, really nice scenery. Also the North Island you can go to Mt Ruapehu there are 3 volcanoes there

Answer 10

I'm only 12 so here's what I think

If you like to see the geysers and mud pools go to Rotorua. Definitely go to the Agrodome, it's sooo much fun!

Queenstown is known as the Adventure city so try going there!

Answer 11

Best time in my opinon is anywhere between October and March, otherwise it does get very cold.  

The South Island is WAY better than the North!

My picks are Top of the south island - Nelson is a must with the great beaches, vineyards, outdoor adventure and art centres. http://www.nelsonnz.com.  

For history and lots of it - visit Shanty Town http://www.shantytown.co.nz on the west coast, South Island.

See Abel Tasman National park http://www.abeltasman.co.nz - Golden sand beaches, Walk down the trek and stay at Awaroa Lodge, (Amazing !!) http://www.awaroalodge.co.nz  half way down you can swim with the seals, http://www.sealswim.com and you can always take an aqua taxi back ! http://www.aquataxi.co.nz

http://www.abeltasmaninformation.co.nz

Marlborough / Picton – The Sounds - http://www.destinationmarlborough.com  To see the amazing scenary take a ferry from Wellington to Picton.

Wellington – Te-Papa NZ Museum http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/Tepapa

Whale watching is in Kaikoura. http://www.kaikoura.co.nz

http://www.whalewatch.co.nz

http://www.whales.co.nz

http://www.worldofwhales.co.nz

Franz Joseph Glacier - http://www.franzjosefglacier.com

The Milford Sounds, http://www.fiordland.org.nz

You can create your own customized itinerary for travelling in New Zealand according to your own preferences and budget here http://www.nzyourway.com

http://visitnz.co.nz/regions.htm - Lists things to do my regions for sightseeing and what the region is all about.

For Instance:::

Marlborough - "the wine and food capital of the country"

Nelson/Golden Bay - "hops and crops and crafts"

Canterbury - "Christchurch . . . a garden city more English than England

The West Coast - "a heritage of mining shapes the land and the people"

Mount Cook to Wanaka - "magnificent mountains and picture-perfect lake, winter sports and the worlds most beautiful fighting machines"

Queenstown and Central Otago - "the adventure centre of the Pacific"

Dunedin - "The Antipodean Edinburgh "

Fiordland "a raw, elemental, awe-inspiring landscape"

Southland - "of oysters, tuataras, bootleg hooch . . . and solitude"

Have a great trip !

Answer 12

so heading to the mother land i recommend a summer trip temps are around 20-25 degrees C north island good for a visit Rotorua excellent,go and see the glow worms at the wytomo caves

Answer 13

First, let me say, I am really excited to answer this question! I lived in New Zealand for 7months in 2005...I am a huge outdoorsy wilderness person as well and I absolutely loved it there. So, where to begin:

It is very important that you get straight to the South Island if you only have two to three weeks. The North Island has some wonderful spots(Lake Taupo, Rotorura, Bay of Islands, etc.) but, if you are going for wilderness...trust me, you want the South Island.

If you want to do a lot of hiking, I recommend going during NZ summer or early fall...that would be December through March. I found that you saw the least amount of rain towards the end of January and into February and March.

You will probably fly into Auckland(because it is cheapest) but don't stay long..this was the least impressive and least "kiwi" feeling place that we stayed in NZ. Not bad by any means, but, not the NZ experience. If you can fly into Wellington(great city) or even Christchurch, that would be ideal. There is a pretty cheap bus system: you pay for a certain amt. of miles and then go wherever you please. If you can swing it, I would really recommend renting a car. It is the best way to see the out of the way spots.

Here is my top list of places that you should go:

Wanaka and Queenstown: both in Central Otago(my favorite region) They are ski/summer resort towns..Queenstown being a bit more like Aspen...Wanaka is smaller and less visited but GEORGOUS and fun. There is a great hike to the Rob Roy Glacier near Wanaka..ask around. If you do these, on the road from Wanaka to Queenstown there is a really small town that is really cute and fun(really dramatic in the fall) called Arrowtown.

Millford Sound...or really any of the Sounds on the southwest coast. They are all dramatic and beautiful places where glaciers have carved the land. Millford is the big popular one. There are a lot of treks(several day hikes) in this area. I did the Kepler Track which was 4 days and spectacular..the hut system in New Zealand is really great and you meet interesting people.

Fox Glacier on the west coast. Really amazing! Large glaciers that go almost directly to the sea. You can hike on the glaciers and to glow worm caves, etc. The whole drive up the west coast is NZ at it's most isolated. Check out Hokitika if you are there in March. They have a HUGE weekend festival called the Wild Foods Festival where you eat all sorts of exoctic and disgusting foods(seagull embryo, pig's p***s, etc.-if you dare) Your courage is fueled by lots of Monteith's beer.

Nelson, at the top of the South Island is very nice as well. There are a lot of wineries through there and Abel Tasman Park is very nice.

In general, the farther south you get in NZ, the wilder it gets. Make sure you do at least one of their famous treks...they are great. And just enjoy meeting the friendly awesome people and operating on the kiwi philosophy "no worries".

Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip!

-Kango Traveler

Answer 14

depends if you're going to the north or south island.

if you're going to the north island, you DEFINATLEY have to go to auckland. i live there and i looooove it.

it has EVERYTHING. visit the sky tower.

you can also do lots of sailing in auckland, mountain biking, going to farms etc.

you also might be interested in wellington, the capitol.

if you do there you should visit the bee hive, and you can have a tour around there, you might even be lucky enough you meet helen clarke, the prime minister :) hahah. and also you should probably go to rotorua! gondellas, lugeing! its great! people say it smells like rotten eggs, but i LOVE the smell! there you can see geusers and mud hot pools and lots of other stuff! if your going to rotorua, stay in the millenium hotel. i stay there lots and its GREAT!

if youre going to the south island, i recommend chirstchurch for you.

go to akaroa, its an old french city about 40 minutes away from the city.

go to queenstown! lots of fun there. shopping, skiing.

new zealand is a great place to be outdoors, sail, shop, and have fun :-)

have fun in the best country ever!!