View Full Version : NZ itinerary suggestions?
Tide and I are going to NZ in March 2005 with my family, right now we've tentatively planned to spend a few days in and around the Lake Taupo area (incl. Waitomo, Rotorua), a couple days in Auckland then head to the South Island and go to Queenstown, Milford Sound, up the west coast to Fox Glacier, then meander our way to Christchurch and head back to Auckland to :cry: fly home.
Anyone have any suggestions on things we're missing that we definitely have to experience? Unfortunately, we're pretty limited time-wise, so can't do everything.
Also, we wanted to depart from (ie, escape from) my family for a few days and have a romantic getaway somewhere, were thinking of Great Barrier Island maybe? Any other suggestions (itinerary-wise, would prolly have to be on the North Island)?
Any input greatly appreciated!!
Huffer
09-01-2004, 02:15 PM
Sounds like a good trip.
Being a native NZer, I'd suggest the following route:
Auckland-Taupo/Rotorua-Wellington
then catch the Interislander Ferry across Cook Strait to Picton
Then drive down the West Coast (Hokitika, Fox Glacier) and over Arthurs Pass to Queenstown, then over to Milford Sound before backtracking through Te Anau and Timaru before coming into Christchurch.
The way I've described basically takes you from "least interesting" to "most scenic + historic".
The North Is. is really below-par on scenery as far as the Sth Is. is concerned.
How much time do you have? I'm assuming you're driving in a minivan or something?
March will be fairly mild - or quite hot. It can vary.
Expect sudden downpours too, esp. in the Sth Island (but it adds to the flavour).
:D
We have about 2 weeks total. It was looking like 5 days north, 8 days south, 1 day traveling, or something along those lines.
EJ20H-TT
09-01-2004, 06:57 PM
Perhaps a more civilised getaway might be Waiheke Is instead of Great Barrier
Also just nth of Auckland can be quite scenic - but the sth island has grandeur to it's landscapes.
We looked at Waiheke and it seemed more 'touristy' than Great Barrier. We really would like somewhere off the beaten path yet romantic and scenic.
EJ20H-TT
09-01-2004, 07:20 PM
Great Barrier is more isolated for sure -
The only thing is the ferrys are not as frequent.
With a bit of luck i could see if a few of the local Subaru Club turbo legacys could meet up.
agctr
09-01-2004, 08:02 PM
Im sure that would be romantic :D
Adam.
Huffer
09-01-2004, 11:02 PM
With a bit of luck i could see if a few of the local Subaru Club turbo legacys could meet up.
You mean like "www.clubsub.org.nz" Colin? :D
Central Otago is fantastic for scenic romanticism.
(yes, I just made that phrase up)
We're going for 2 weeks, we'd planned to fly down to the South Island (into Queenstown, out of Christchurch), unless we're convinced the drive is good enough to take the time to do it. How long does it take to drive from Auckland to Queenstown, total?
Scenic romanticism....nice :) (trying to keep the mental image of snuggling up to a mountain out of my head)
I'll have to look up Central Otaga, thanks!
EJ20H-TT
09-01-2004, 11:30 PM
Just a tht - i scenic flight of the central North Island volcanos is pretty cool.
www.mountainair.co.nz
http://www.mountainair.co.nz/images/Large%20Images/Ngarahoe.jpg
Just a tht - i scenic flight of the central North Island volcanos is pretty cool.
www.mountainair.co.nz
http://www.mountainair.co.nz/images/Large%20Images/Ngarahoe.jpg
Wow, those are some stunning photos. And packages to Great Barrier Island! :) Thanks!!
Stef and I will have some time in the beginning of our trip and would love to meet anyone who wants to come up to Aukland area. Perhaps we can plan a group meet and you all will let us drive your Legacys. :) :)