Travel: New Zealand

[verykiasu2010]

Dnls_mum:

chenchen:

1. Rotorua's Sulphur Smell - we didn't smell anything.

2. Rainbow Springs is undergoing Project Big Splash http://projectbigsplash.com/page/2/ which won't be ready until early 2012. When that opens, things should be different.

My trip reports are on Fodor's. Its Australia and Pacific Forum is great for information on NZ. Do take a look at it, I hope you find it useful.

South Island http://www.fodors.com/community/australia-the-pacific/south-island-18-days-report.cfm
North Island http://www.fodors.com/community/australia-the-pacific/auckland-and-central-north-island.cfm?4

Chenchen,
Thanks for the link. We are going SI for 15 days, and is quite similar to yours except the we are leaving out North of SI and have a more leisurely pace.

I have everything planned but have a few questions which I don't really have answers to. Can u advice on a few things?
1. Any specific place to stop along Arthur pass? Do you think kids including my 5 yo can do the punchbowl track?
2. Any specific place to stop at Haast pass?
3. In the crown range a difficult drive? Would u recommend it on a MPV?
4. What are the must see at Duntroon, besides the elephant rocks? We will be driving Dunedin to Mt Cook that day and may not have the time for all since we plan to stop at Moeraki as well.

Thanks a lot.

Crown Range is beautiful, cooling, easy to drive, many bends, up and down hill, some stretches are single-lane each way, so beware of oncoming traffic

there are photo stops and fruit store stops

should spend at least a day in Wanaka, very beautiful

last time we stationed in Queenstown, drove up in the morning via Crown Range to Wanaka and back in the evening

[chenchen]

For NZ walking tracks, http://www.doc.govt.nz provides reliable information on length, time and difficulty.


Arthurs' Pass: You can stop wherever you please. There are picnic areas, the Arthur's Village and its surrounding walks.

You shall probably need about 3-4hr to traverse the Haast Pass with stopping at the following: Thunder Creek Falls (10min track), Gates of Hasst, Fantail Falls (roadside), Blue Pools Walk (30min return).

Duntroon is just a small farming town which houses the Vanished World Museum. Frankly, the stretch from Oamaru to Mt Cook is quite dull, except for some lakes.

[Dnls_mum]

Thanks Chenchen and Verykiasu2010.

We'll be staying one nite in CHC, one nite, Punakaiki, 2 nite FJ, one nite Wanaka, 4 nites QT (doing coach cruise fly day trip to Milford), 2 nites each at Dunedin and Mt cook and final nite CHC. So definitely going to Wanaka. We are still considering crown range or Cromwell. Thinking of stopping at Cromwell to pick fruits, but the lure of crown range is quite strong after reading your comments.

[verykiasu2010]

Dnls_mum:

Thanks Chenchen and Verykiasu2010.

We'll be staying one nite in CHC, one nite, Punakaiki, 2 nite FJ, one nite Wanaka, 4 nites QT (doing coach cruise fly day trip to Milford), 2 nites each at Dunedin and Mt cook and final nite CHC. So definitely going to Wanaka. We are still considering crown range or Cromwell. Thinking of stopping at Cromwell to pick fruits, but the lure of crown range is quite strong after reading your comments.

Cromwell can be just end of the day / end of Crown Range drive, depending on your travel direction

[princesskaris]

Hi there

I am thinking of Planning a trip to NZ with my 2+ year old daughter next year… Is NI safer than SI in terms of possibility of experiencing earthquake? when is the best time to visit NZ? Is May- June a good time? Or year-end? Tia!

[Dnls_mum]

princesskaris:

Hi there

I am thinking of Planning a trip to NZ with my 2+ year old daughter next year.. Is NI safer than SI in terms of possibility of experiencing earthquake? when is the best time to visit NZ? Is May- June a good time? Or year-end? Tia!

Princesskaris,
No one can predict earthquake, so can't help you here.
Regarding weather, NZ is in the Southern Hemisphere, so winter in the middle of the year and summer end of the year. Different season allows you to do different activities.

[crystalbelle]

princesskaris:

Hi there

I am thinking of Planning a trip to NZ with my 2+ year old daughter next year.. Is NI safer than SI in terms of possibility of experiencing earthquake? when is the best time to visit NZ? Is May- June a good time? Or year-end? Tia!

Hi princesskaris,
Just been to newzealand ( christchurch & auckland ) last september. It was freezing cold for me but not to my \"ang moh \" colleague. Love New Zealand, low traffic ... friendly people and lots of sheeps... Kids will defintely love it and the air ... well its so fresh...
Agree with Dnls_mum that mid year and end year ( summer time, they are are reverse ) is good to travel... Unless you wish to let you kids experience the cold weather....

Have fun...

[princesskaris]

Dnls_mum:

princesskaris:

Hi there

I am thinking of Planning a trip to NZ with my 2+ year old daughter next year.. Is NI safer than SI in terms of possibility of experiencing earthquake? when is the best time to visit NZ? Is May- June a good time? Or year-end? Tia!

Princesskaris,
No one can predict earthquake, so can't help you here.
Regarding weather, NZ is in the Southern Hemisphere, so winter in the middle of the year and summer end of the year. Different season allows you to do different activities.

Dnls_mum,
thanks for the weather tips..think i would prefer summer time.. how is the temperature like during summer? What are the kid-friendly activities that we can do during summer? Is the travelling between each places of interest far? Or are they just near city area? Comparing with SI and NI, which part has more things to see? I've never been to NZ, so pardon me for the many questions.

[kohbee2.06303gmail.06303com]

princesskaris:

Dnls_mum,
thanks for the weather tips..think i would prefer summer time.. how is the temperature like during summer? What are the kid-friendly activities that we can do during summer? Is the travelling between each places of interest far? Or are they just near city area? Comparing with SI and NI, which part has more things to see? I've never been to NZ, so pardon me for the many questions.

We will be going to NZ this weekend, so I am checking the weather... you can refer to the following website for details http://www.metservice.com/national/index

While doing my research for my North Island trip, these are some websites you may refer to

http://www.newzealand.com/sg/
http://www.tripadvisor.com.sg/ShowForum-g255104-i125-New_Zealand.html
http://www.rankers.co.nz/
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/New_Zealand/TravelGuide-New_Zealand.html

If there are any specific place/attraction, just google it and everything is there. You can use google maps if you intend to self drive.

For my family, we will be going to North Island. Dnls_mum is doing South Island. So wait for our posts when we get back

[Dnls_mum]

princesskaris:

Dnls_mum:

[quote=\"princesskaris\"]Hi there

I am thinking of Planning a trip to NZ with my 2+ year old daughter next year.. Is NI safer than SI in terms of possibility of experiencing earthquake? when is the best time to visit NZ? Is May- June a good time? Or year-end? Tia!

Princesskaris,
No one can predict earthquake, so can't help you here.
Regarding weather, NZ is in the Southern Hemisphere, so winter in the middle of the year and summer end of the year. Different season allows you to do different activities.

Dnls_mum,
thanks for the weather tips..think i would prefer summer time.. how is the temperature like during summer? What are the kid-friendly activities that we can do during summer? Is the travelling between each places of interest far? Or are they just near city area? Comparing with SI and NI, which part has more things to see? I've never been to NZ, so pardon me for the many questions. :)[/quote]I have also not been to NZ. Going for the first time this Dec. I got all my info through research on the internet. Just google \"weather nz\" and you have a good idea of the temperature.

Driving time is apparrently long. Check out the link below to get an idea of travel time and distance.
http://www.aatravel.co.nz/main/td-calculator.php

For things to do, check this out:
http://www.ki-wi.co.nz/new_zealand_things_to_do.htm

Do some research and you should get what you want. Alternatively, discuss with a travel agent.