Planning a trip to New Zealand....

[Peter^]

....for a couple of weeks over Christmas and New Years. Only the North Island.
Does anybody have any special must see / must do / must photograph recommendations?

 

[jane7l]

did the same thing 3 years ago, 1 month around both islands. south island is much much nicer. for nature, wildlife and much less people.
avoid museums and aquariums in capital. anywhere else around the country have the same thing, much cheaper (or even free), much nicer and less visitors. what i saw and would not want to miss: skytower, cape reinga, piha beach, tongariro (with tama lakes), whanganui river road (gravel experience), wellington is nice (i had bad weather), and some islands around (i did not have time for that). renting a car is experience (driving left side!).
enjoy.

 

[pkreyenhop]

Do the Tongariro Crossing (http://www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz) - it's stunning!

 

[pkreyenhop]

.. and avoid Auckland!

 

[pakeha]

If you want vision outside of the usual then look to these areas of the Nth Island.
Coromandel and all of the East Coast from Whakatane to Napier.I would strongly suggest you use this longer route if travelling south .Te Uruwera national park and lake Waikaremoana on the way is worth a stop.Napier incidently is an art deco city[if you are into that] and a wine region .Wellington is the pick of the large cities, it is an easy city to walk around and the coastal environs can be spectacular in any weather.The Wairarapa wine region is about one hour drive from Wellington and if you decide to go there, have a look at a place called Ngawhi, small fishing area and lighthouse. Kaipara [ an hour nth of Auckland has some interesting areas, as does the far North [ Hokianga harbour is great]. Get away from Auckand as fast as possible and give the sky tower a miss - you can see one of these in Cleveland if you really need to see some ugly architecture. Miss out Hamilton and drive to the coromandel then all the way down the east coast - far more interesting. Be very carefull on our roads, they are not as well maintained as you are used to and in some areas you will come onto gravel roads.
regards
CW

 

[Peter^]

Guys, many thanks!

 

[nongfuspring]

I'm originally from New Zealand, its a great place for a holiday!

My recommendations for the North island:
Mt Ruapehu and the desert road surrounding it.
Kapiti island, near Wellington, its a bird sanctuary you can make a day trip out of.
Wellington (I'll have to disagree with Jane - nearly all the museums are free though some have paid exhibits, be sure to visit Te Papa) Also you can check out the south coast of Wellington, its rugged but can be very beautiful.
Instead of spending any time in Auckland, visit Corromandel if you have time instead, its stunning in summer.

The South island (take the ferry, do not fly, you'll see some great scenery from the boat):
Arthur's pass, never been but I always hear about how stunning it is.
Fox glacier.
Drive down the West coast.
Check out the lakes, visit Queenstown.
Go to Fiordland.

 

[Alpacaman]

Gah! I got all excited, was going to wax poetic about the wonders of the South Island, re-read you post, all hopes dashed mercilessly! I struggle on.

I haven't been to the North Island much, but Wellington is great. Bad weather is almost a certainty. Lots of people (at least in NZ terms? I can't judge by German standards). Lots of interesting things around. If you are into architecture Wellington has a lot of early-ish postmodern work. If you want any gifts for anyone, and happen to be walking down Cuba Street (one of the main retail areas/pedestrian mall), give this shop here a visit. http://www.metshop.co.nz/ Lots of fun nonsense.

How are you travelling? How much freedom do you have? For NZ you will need to hire a car to get the most out of things.

Auckland is just sprawl, and Palmerston North is pretty boring too.

If you want to buy film while you are here, it isn't hard to find. All camera shops will have some selection (maybe missing out on some favourites, eg. FP4 is rarer, more expensive), some shops are better than others. As with everywhere.

Edit: Oh, and if you were to go to the South Island, give the Abel Tasman National Park area (top of South Island) a good look, wondeeerrrrffful landscapes around there. Also Queenstown (expensive!), and yes, Arthur's Pass is great. Around the bottom of the South Island, the Catlins are just stunning.

Christmas in NZ is great, summer Christmas is the only way to have it. Lots of barbecuing.

 

[Peter^]

I'm originally from New Zealand, its a great place for a holiday!

My recommendations for the North island:
Mt Ruapehu and the desert road surrounding it.
Kapiti island, near Wellington, its a bird sanctuary you can make a day trip out of.
Wellington (I'll have to disagree with Jane - nearly all the museums are free though some have paid exhibits, be sure to visit Te Papa) Also you can check out the south coast of Wellington, its rugged but can be very beautiful.
Instead of spending any time in Auckland, visit Corromandel if you have time instead, its stunning in summer.

The South island (take the ferry, do not fly, you'll see some great scenery from the boat):
Arthur's pass, never been but I always hear about how stunning it is.
Fox glacier.
Drive down the West coast.
Check out the lakes, visit Queenstown.
Go to Fiordland.

Nongfuspring,

Thanks a lot,

What about the Bay of Islands area? We have a house rented there for a week over New Year. Any recommendations?

 

[Peter^]

Gah! I got all excited, was going to wax poetic about the wonders of the South Island, re-read you post, all hopes dashed mercilessly! I struggle on.

After reading this and the other posts, maybe we will have to reconsider and try for the South Island as well. We we're thinking the chances of good weather will be better in the North.

 

[Alpacaman]

I admit bias, home is where the heart is...

The South Island is a bit colder (not by much), but around Christmas/New Years when you are going the weather is on top form generally. I don't (personally) think weather should be a problem. Abel Tasman National Park / Nelson-ish area is the sunniest place in NZ. That is where I have been spending a few of my New Years.

http://www.newzealand.com/int/article/wharariki-beach-walk-to-cape-farewell/

 

[nongfuspring]

Nongfuspring,

Thanks a lot,

What about the Bay of Islands area? We have a house rented there for a week over New Year. Any recommendations?

I've never been to the Bay of Islands myself, but I've heard its nice. I'm not exactly sure what there is to do there beyond there being a fairly large sculpture park walk. To the north will be 90 mile beach and Cape Reinga, the northermost point of the island. I don't really know what there is to do up there, though I know that area of the country is pleasant, especially in summer. I really do very much recommend the South island, the north island is great but the South island is a whole other level.

While you're in Wellington there is a fairly central store called Wellington Photographic Supplies where you can restock on whattever film if you need to (http://www.wps.net.nz/)

 

[FrozenInTime]

Do the Tongariro Crossing (http://www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz) - it's stunning!

+1 that is a superb walk ( there was an eruption, but I think the day walk is now open )

I also liked White island and Mnt Taranaki

 

[jane7l]

to nongfuspring: thanks, my apologize, i ment avoid museums in auckland. nothing bad about capital at all, my mistake...
bay of islands is turistic centre, quite crowded usually during high season, did't stop at all.

 

[jean-bob]

Hi !

I'm bumping this not-so-recent thread. Two friends and I are going to rent a minivan and plan touring the South Island during July, any more recommandations ?

Thanks a lot !