New Zealand - advice needed please

[Nitty]

Gala and I are going to visit some friends in Aus later this year (Voyager miles FTW :woot:). We are thinking of going to New Zealand as well for about a week. Does anybody have some advice of what to see while we're there? Can we cover both the North and South Islands in a weeks time? If we can't, which one is best to see?

I'm sure Risen and family will be able to shed some light on the topic. Any information will be very helpful :bow:

[Badapple]

:woot: HOLIDAY!!!!

[TotalWar]

First you need to stop following me around the world.

Second what month are you going?

[Nitty]

Firstly, I don't know what you're talking about.

Secondly what month are YOU going? :p

[Sheepy]

Rizzy!!!!

:p

[Rizzy]

K, firstly, you won't cover both islands unless you are prepared to fly. The reason is not the size of the islands, but the windy roads. Wellington is roughly the same distance as Joburg to Durban, but it takes 10 hours instead of 6.

N. Island is cool :)

Auckalnd itself has Sky tower, with a revolving restaurant - Tip: book for a night viewing. You can go to Rangitoto, which is a nature reserve and dormant volcano. Waihiki is a popular holiday island, both accessible via ferry.

A little north is the Coromandel: On the east is hot water beach, so named because there's hot water springs that come out right on the beach, too hot by itself, but mixed with sea water and you get a nice jacuzzi :P

West is Piha, which is the onyl surfable beach on N Island. It also has black sea sand, which is caused by volcanic ash.

South of Auck is Lake Taupo, one of the alrgest lakes in NZ. Also good for extreme motor boating and sight seeing.

Rotorua is further south, I think. It has these awesome geysers all over the place. The problem is that it smells like rotten eggs everywhere you go :hurk:

Far east is Napier, nice and warm, but a bit out of the way.

Then you can go and visit the abandoned sets from LOTR. Costs a bomb, but it might be worth it.

Most south is Wellington. Its nice and hilly, but we never really found anything of interest there :)

You can also visit these all year skiing resorts in the mountains.

So tons to do in a week.

Ask me if you need anymore info :woohoo:

[Nitty]

Rizzy, you're the man! Thanks for all this information. North Island it is then for us :woot: I suppose it would be easier to join a tour group in stead of doing this by ourselves? We've driven through Europe on the right-hand side of the road and it was a bit :bitenails: What side of the road do they drive on in NZ?

I am really excited to see all of this. The only two things that I don't look forward to are the long flights and the jet lag :meh: But it's a lot better to deal with when you're on holiday and you can sleep late :woohoo:

[TotalWar]

Firstly, I don't know what you're talking about.

Secondly what month are YOU going? :p

I am too smart for you, if I tell you which month you will just say, Me Too. :p

Anyway it will hopefully be September.

---------- Post added at 07:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:07 PM ----------

One more thing, Aus has so much too see and each city needs a week if you do it right. How long is your total trip?

[Nitty]

You are such a clown TW. I'm sure we told you we're going in September. That's obviously why you booked yours the same time. Admit it, you have a crush on Gala :p

[TotalWar]

If you and Gala were sitting in a Bar (not together) yes I would hit on one of you. Just to give you a clue it would NOT BE GALA! Oh, and if you were sitting to together I would still do the same if I did not know either of you. :D

Anyway, you think you told me alot now lately, you never said a word about a trip to Aus in sep and a stop over to NZ. Remember I never forget anything. :p

I knew you would say the same month if I told you first, maybe you have a crush? :wink:

[Rizzy]

They drive on the same side of the road as us :)

Plus, being a Saffer you can drive for six months on your SA licence. No need for international drivers licence.

Enjoy, September is KAK!!! cold there, hehe! Only kidding, but do pack warm clothes, seriously

[Nitty]

Interesting info, thanks Rizzy :thumbsup: We'll make sure to pack warmly. I suppose Aus will be slightly better weather-wise :)

As for TW, I think we probably spoke about it the night that you and Flatty were having a couple of [-]cases of[/-] beer :wink:

[Colour]

Hi Nitz

You're so lucky, I fell in love with NZ's beauty when we visited Rizzy there. Like Rizzy said, the weather's very unpredictable though - Sheep and I discovered the benefit of wearing a dry-mac at all times!:cloudnine:

[Nitty]

Can't wait to see it all! :D

[Noodle]

Remember the sheep that kick are clearly marked :D

[Arbythep00nage]

If you and Gala were sitting in a Bar (not together) yes I would hit on one of you. Just to give you a clue it would NOT BE GALA! Oh, and if you were sitting to together I would still do the same if I did not know either of you. :D

Anyway, you think you told me alot now lately, you never said a word about a trip to Aus in sep and a stop over to NZ. Remember I never forget anything. :p

I knew you would say the same month if I told you first, maybe you have a crush? :wink:

Why not Gala? Gala is awesome.

[TotalWar]

Why not Gala? Gala is awesome.

Because it seems that you and I swing in different ways.

---------- Post added at 08:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 AM ----------

And if I had to go by pictures alone then it is true. I will have to get you to go to a club with me some time. You can distract the guys while I take the girls away.

[Nitty]

We are finally in NZ :woot:

Went to Rangitoto Island today - what a stunning place! We climbed all the way to the top of the crater (I still have jelly legs :meh:). I have never seen a view like that! :wow: We had quite good weather the last couple of days - I suppose we were lucky. It was getting a bit chilly this afternoon though and it seems they're expecting rain tomorrow, so I better go get out my warm clothes.

The opening ceremony and the rugby match yesterday was also excellent! So glad we managed to attend :D

This is such a beautiful country. Rizzy, are you guys coming back here again? Have you decided?

[Rizzy]

Yep

We've already made our EOI and have been invited to apply, we're just waiting for our police clearance certificate and our medical to apply again.

[Nitty]

Awesome Rizzy :thumbsup: It's really a beautiful place! I can see why you want to live here :) Good luck with all your applications.

[Badapple]

cool to both of you :D

---------- Post added at 10:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------

oh nitty, your fb pics are awesome, thanks for posting!!! :woot:
Looks like you having an awesome time :party:

[Jono]

cool to both of you :D

---------- Post added at 10:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------

oh nitty, your fb pics are awesome, thanks for posting!!! :woot:
Looks like you having an awesome time :party:

I still say it's a big bus not a ferry. :p

[Nitty]

I still say it's a big bus not a ferry. :p

Yes Jono, it's a big bus and the wheels fell off. Fortunately it can float now :D

[Badapple]

:rofl: It does look like a big bus! kekekeke

[Jono]

Yes Jono, it's a big bus and the wheels fell off. Fortunately it can float now :D


:rofl: It does look like a big bus! kekekeke

jaaaaa seeee I was right all along!!! :rolleyes: