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ZemmamasBarnet

ZemmamasBarnet

Private Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2005
Anyone been? Anyone going? Any hibbys currently living there?

I'll be visiting the country for a month in just a few weeks time and apart from book my flights and a tour of the South Island, I've no really got anything planned.

One of the things I've found quite interesting about the place is how many places that share the same name with Scottish places....Ben Lomond, Dedridge, Hamilton, Oban.

Which makes me wonder...is there an Easter Road over there? I'm away to look...in the meantime, if anyone's got any suggestions for stuff to do / places to visit on the North Island, I'd really appreciate it:bbb:
 
Part of my cruise next year

Auckland, New Zealand*
13th and 14th Feb 2017

Napier, New Zealand*
15th Feb 2017

Wellington, New Zealand*
16th Feb 2017

Excursions haven't been released yet so no idea what I'll be doing while I'm there.
 
I was fortunate enough to visit and travel in New Zealand back in 2001...you are going to see one of the most beautiful countries on the planet I can assure you. Thousands of sheep there I have to say..19 different varieties apparently, which is great news for Aberdonians I suppose.

Anyway, I see you have a tour booked of the south island..good move. It's incredible. Breathtaking scenery but some of it is not very accessible if you are doing your own thing. An organised tour will get you to the likes of Milford Sound which is not to be missed and various other beautiful parts. Make sure you get to Queenstown and do the Jetboat ride and the white water rafting on the Shotover River. Bungee jumping was invented by a Kiwi so there are various famous jumps there if you are brave enough...I wasn't ! Kiwis love dangerous sports so if you are into all that you will love what is on offer. The Helicopter ride up to the top of Fox Glacier I would highly recommend. Christchurch is a nice city, very like an English type city.

North Island...Wellington is a great city with super nightlife. Auckland is by far the biggest city and is not called the City of Sails for nothing. Great city to explore and make sure you go to the Skydome for some great views. Rotorua is worth a visit. Easily the weirdest place I have ever been to with so many volcanic rock pools everywhere and steam coming out of the ground. A constant smell of sulphur in the air ! Loads of touristy type things in the North Island like Maori villages and stuff. I didn't have time to see everything.

I had a week in the south island on an organised tour (a company called Contiki) and a week in the North island just traveling solo. South Island has better scenery but the North island I found more interesting. It's a fabulous country you will really enjoy it.

If you want any further info just let me know.
 
Spent about 5 months there some years ago. I'd try to visit northland and bay of islands and the coromandel in the north island. They were amazing. If you like Art Deco go to Napier and Hastings, both destroyed in an earthquake and rebuilt Art Deco. South Island I'd have a gander around Marlborough for wine. Apart from that it's all beautiful countryside. The glaciers are amazing and lots of the sounds incredible. I had a drunk argument with a New Zealander in Dunedin when he wouldn't accept that the streets of the city are not laid out in the exact same way as Edinburgh.
Wellington is indeed a cracking city and Auckland has its high points. Christchurch I thought boring as a really boring thing on a boring day.
 
Working with a guy from NZ, but at college for a week...
I will speak to him when im back on job
 
Fantastic place with so much to see and do.

It really depends what you're interests are I suppose.

I've been a number of times since the mid 90s when I initially spent over a year there playing rugby. I'm married to a Kiwi so have continued to visit over the years.

I've climbed mountains, swam, camped, rafted, cycled, surfed, walked my way round a lot of the country. I love Auckland, especially the north shore but that's where I have spent most time so I'm pretty biased.

Loads of good recommendations on the thread so far but there really is something for everyone. Let me know if there's anything specific you want to ask about.
 
Thanks everyone for their comments and sorry for the delay in replying.

I fly into Auckland on 13/10 and need to be in Wellington for 20/10 for my tour starting.

I've got a rough plan so far which is to rent a car and drive to Wellington and visit Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo and Hawkes Bay on the way there and anything else that takes my fancy as I make my way South.

I've got a Lonely Planet ordered and I've looked up some things online but you often find that the people who've actually been (or better yet, live there) have the inside scoop on what to see and do - and to be fair you haven't disappointed:bbb:
 
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