Travel: New Zealand

[Dnls_mum]

chixchix:

is it a good time to go to NZ in dec ?


Should i just go to Queensland ? anything for kids to do there ?

chixchix,
It is summer in NZ in December. We will be in South island which is never hot. Summer temperature is between 10-20 degrees depending on various places which will be very comfortable. Most importantly the day will be long (unlike Europe and US which will have short days during this time of the year)

Comparing Queensland Australia and South island NZ is like comparing apples and oranges. It depends on what you like, and most importantly, in my opinion, how old your kids are. I have brought my boys to Queensland about 5 years back when they were around 7 and 9. We mainly visited the 3 themeparks and spend 2 nights at Tangalooma and fed dolphins there. They enjoyed themselves then, but I doubt it will be much fun for them now that they are 14 and 12. Furthermore, we have since been to Disneyworld in orlando and so Queensland will not be much fun any more. Personally, I think our Universal Studios Singapore is better than Movie World in Queensland.

Our trip to NZ will mainly be for sightseeing and enjoying the outdoors. The scenery in Australia is nothing compared to NZ. My boys had a taste of a self drive sight seeing holiday in Hokkaido 3 years back and they enjoyed themselves. We figured NZ will be fun to for us to spend time quality together and enjoy the great outdoors which is what we don't have in Singapore. I have planned a leisurely trip. We are spending a total of 14 nights in south island alone, and most Singapore tour groups will be able to cover the places we are going in 10 days! Exciting activities planned for the kids include
1. Jetboating in Queenstown
2. a glacier helihike at Franz Josef for dad and the boys while mum and little girl will go for a flightseeing and glacier landing trip
3. a Wildlife cruise in Dunedin
4. a Milford Sound cruise and flight
5. a Glacier Lake cruise in Mount Cook
6. horse riding for the boys and farm visit for our little girl.

Other activities include visiting cadbury chocolate world in Dunedin, Queenstown skyline & luge, picking fruits in Cromwell, enjoying an old fashion cinema in Wanaka and walks in the nature to see waterfalls and enjoy the outdoors with picnics etc are examples of what I have planned.

Most importantly, think of what your kids and family will like to do and see and that should help you decide where to go. Have fun planning your vacation! :rahrah:

[verykiasu2010]

some NZ photos : guess the place http://i53.tinypic.com/2eutv9k.jpg\"> http://i55.tinypic.com/2vccaja.jpg\">

http://i53.tinypic.com/2mdgbdk.jpg\">

[verykiasu2010]

http://i56.tinypic.com/os4y93.jpg\">

http://i51.tinypic.com/2mpbmec.jpg\">
http://i51.tinypic.com/14lr85w.jpg\">

[verykiasu2010]

http://i53.tinypic.com/2qxykcn.jpg\">

[LOLMum]

oh, a very beautiful country…nothing manmade, nothing polluted, nothing artifical.



i had never seen so many rainbows appearing in the sky at the same time. what a beautiful sight.

[chixchix]

sorry what I meant was Queenstown hahaha… not Queensland .do we need to bring sweaters ?

[verykiasu2010]

chixchix:

sorry what I meant was Queenstown hahaha.. not Queensland .do we need to bring sweaters ?

Mei Ling Street ? Stirling Road ? ok ok jokes aside, light jacket will be useful, depends how cold-resistant you are.

can be chilly in the evening and early morning. Mt John in Lake Tekapo is COLD and WINDY but they provide special jacket to keep warm if you visit their observatory

it will also be quite cold, single digit degree C, if you drive as south as Invercargill, the southern most town in south island....but the scenery is worth it

[Dnls_mum]

chixchix:

sorry what I meant was Queenstown hahaha.. not Queensland .do we need to bring sweaters ?

Haha. Since you mean Queenstown, I'd say, Queenstown should have many interesting activities for older kids. I have planned many activities which my 12 and 14 year olds who are looking foward to.

We will definitely be bringing sweaters and windbreakers. I believe Franz Josef, Milford Sound and Mt Cook can be chilly.

[chixchix]

gosh I am at a loss, dunno where to go .. :?: ... well, I have thought of Europe, London and NZ... but the first 2 seem too cold. My kids have not been exposed to winter weather yet.


Do you think South Island will be a good place then ? So do i look out for flights that go direct to Queenstown , like SQ ?

Oh yes ,how many days is enough for a trip to NZ ?

[parent_in_west]

If your kids do not like chilly weather, NZ in Dec will be great! The days are long too. The kids will love the farm stay and activities like glacier walk, helicopter ride, jetboating and many others. There are many activities at the adventure town, Queenstown. Refer to this weblink to get more holiday ideas. My family loved our holiday in NZ. It was fabulous!


http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/