What are the best tourist cities in New Zealand?

Question

We are probably doing NZ for our honeymoon.... we only have two weeks, which cities should we be sure to hit?

Answer 1

I think Queenstown and Wanaka, by Lake Wanaka are great tourist cities. Al though, I definately enjoy Christchurch, and looking around the outskirts of the town as well like Diamond Harbor and Akaroa. Apparently Nelson is amazing, but I myself have not yet been there.

Answer 2

Why the cities?

Why not google these places, where there's heaps more to see and do without all those city-hugging tourists around you?

Paihia,

Matakohe,

Coromandel,

Thames,

Waihi,

White Island,

Waiotapu,

Orakei Korako,

Ruapehu,

Napier,

Carterton,

Kaiteriteri,

Takaka,

Karamea,

Kaikoura,

Mount Hutt,

Akaroa,

Tekapo,

Omarama,

Moeraki,

Punakaike,

Catlins,

Manapouri,

Doubtful Sound,

Arrowtown,

Nevis,

Dansey's Pass,

and heaps of other places.

Ask again on here for anything specific.

Driver T

----2 days later.

May I add Lake Moeraki to this list., Moeraki (on the list above) is on the East Coast, but Lake Moeraki is on the West Coast about midway between Hokitika and Haast. The only settlement is a luxury resort, but the prices are fairly affordable. It's in the middle of nowhere. I've stayed there. It would be NZ's premier honeymoon destination, but no-one knows about it.

Answer 3

Driver T said Manapouri. I strongly recommend you go there. My Grandad was the Guardian of the lake. You should also go to Milford Sound.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manapouri

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milford_sou...

Answer 4

Nelson

Queenstown

Christchurch

Auckland

Rotorua

The last 4 are very touristy, BUT they have a lot to offer for the average person.

THere are places in between that are great too....but it really depends on what you like. If you like amazing scenery then I love the West Coast ( of the South Island)...it has stunning forests, the glaciers ( Franz Josef and Fox), lakes ( eg Lake Metheson)...if you do a loop from Christchurch either north via Arthurs or Lewis pass, down to Haast and thru to Queenstown and then up to Christchurch...or the other direction..you will see some variety of scenery eg dry on the east coast, wet and lush on the West coast.

Try aatravel.co.nz

newzealand.com

for ideas.

Answer 5

Nelson! or queenstown or wanaka

Answer 6

I love Nelson !!

Top of the South Island.  Nearby Abel Tasman and Kaiteriteri.

type in in Google Earth and take a look.  (http://earth.google.com if you don't have the program)

http://nelsonnz.com/

Answer 7

Nelson, Queenstown, Wanaka if you want scenery and/or skiing (the scenery on the way down to these places is amazing).

If you want culture, Rotorua.  If you want mayhem, bright lights and big city, Auckland.

I personally think that the little towns around the country are more attractive than the big touristy towns.  Touristy towns like, Rotorua, Taupo, Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown are so d**n expensive and in some cases you pay way too much money for what you get.

Hope you have a great honey moon.

Answer 8

come here when its summer !! (november - early march)

Wanaka is really nice, so is nelson, christchurch and other cities... id suggest wanaka tho its not a huge city its really warm, pl r nice and theres alot of fun things to do :)

Answer 9

You would have to decide if you want to do the south or the north island, to give you the most of your 2 weeks.

If you do the north island I would recommend:

Auckland

Pahia (Bay of Islands)

Hahei (for Cathedral Cove)

Rotorua

Napier

Wellington

If you do the North Island I would recommend

Christchurch

Kaikoura

Greymouth (possibly Nelson before that if you can manage to fit it in, it is a lovely place but not so easy to fit into trip if you only have 2 weeks as there are more spectacular things further south)

Franz Joseph

Queenstown (via Haast, stop as Blue Pools)

Mt Cook

Back to Christchurch

There are advantages to both island, you have the spectacular activities like volcanic bubbling mud pools etc in the north island, but the south island is so beautiful it can make you cry, so not an easy choice.

Have a look at http://www.aatravel.co.nz/101-must-dos-f... it list the must see sites in New Zealand voted by New Zealanders, depending on your interests it might be of help to make you decide.

Good luck on with your planning and i hope you have a lovely honeymoon.

Answer 10

I see we have a smart couple here. New Zealand is the most beautiful country in the world........period.

Here are some must sees when you go. North Island will be Cape Reinga you can take the bus that drives on the beach. Lake Taupo, Rotorua and take a dip in the hot pools. Visit the museum in the capital (Wellington).

South Island will be the wine region of Marlborough ,Christchurch (town Square) , Queenstown (please do the shotover!!!) and Dunedin. Hopefully you'll be driving!    Have a great time......ohhh and bring a camera