New Zealand

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

We have skating rinks for the ice skaters.

And most other people go and train overseas anyway.

I see no reason why we shouldn't be competitive.

[Scarlet Lioness]

True, but still, It'd be better for them to train in their own country don't ya think...wait, I'm being a hypocrite there, I'm oing overseas to train for dancing...oops...but still...It is a problem for some people to train for like snowboarding, because we have only a few mountains they can snowboard on...and skiing!!!

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

I don't think it'd really matter where you were training, as long as it wasn't in the Sahara Desert...

[Scarlet Lioness]

That's true...haha!!!

Well, it seems everyone at school is sick. We had two A4 bits of paper filled with 'sign outs' with the reason being 'sick' by 11:30 when I left for the orthadontist...

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Yeah, it's a little odd though.

It's... been generally hot, sunny weather lately, apart from the last two days.

[Scarlet Lioness]

Yeah, it's been so cold walking tp the bus stop lately...and from Queensgate...

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Wowee!

Windy, yesterday!

[Scarlet Lioness]

Try having a Duke of Ed training day at Camp Wainui today, it was soooo cold and wet, my pants were soaking after 30mins outside doind navigation stuff and then tent pitching was wet too...I've got a cold!!!

[Snow_Crystal]

WOW, I am so impressed with myself! I have just read all of the pages in this thread and it only took 2 hours! Lots of questions! I think I've counted about 8/9 kiwi's popping up to say they from NZ but they don't seem to stay for long. Also I now know what Pania of the Reef is and that's something new that I learned today (think they always say you should try to learn at least one thing every day!). I thought what on earth was it and so looked up on Google.

I thought I'd read the thread all the way through as Scellanis said we should talk NZ stuff here and I didn't want to go repeating stuff that might have been said before.

[Snow_Crystal]

Ok, Have now thought out my questions!

Me and my other half like shopping, sight-seeing and need to do a bit relaxing and unwinding on our hols. Although we do like a bit of sport, it won't be on this trip. We're trying to work out where to start on our holiday to NZ. Any advice you can give would be great. I'm trying to work out a non-stressful journey in one week from Auckland to Wellington with a 3 day stop in Hamilton somewhere. Plus we have about 5 days from Wellington to South Island and back to Wellington before our flight takes us to Tahiti for a weekl!!! I can't wait! It's a bit of a holiday of a lifetime for us.

We fly to Auckland (15th Apr) early in the morning and will only have a day here. We quite fancy the zoo - Is it any good? We are very limited in Auckland on time and can't do too much as we're flying in from England to Los Angeles to Auckland - I think we could be a bit tired after our 20 hour flight!

The next day (16th Apr), we are driving to Hamilton to see some friends and are staying with them a few days. Probably will go to Raglan, Waitomo Caves and Tauranga with them. Then we'll leave them (19th Apr) and head to Taupo via Rotorua and Huka Falls and will stay overnight in Taupo. The following day (20th) I was thinking we would spend a bit of time around Taupo and head to Hawkes Bay/Napier and stay overnight (20th) but then that leaves a long trip down to Wellington (need to arrive 21st). Is it better to stay longer in Taupo and do Hawkes Bay/Napier as a day trip from Taupo and then drive down the middle to Wellington. I think I understood from Phoenix that it was. Driving down the middle does have some appeal as I hear some of LOTR was filmed around the National Park. We'd only want to do a drive through the Park (no hiking/walking - not our thing) and I wouldn't mind stopping off for an overnight stay somewhere between Taupo and Wellington - any recommendations on where?

When we arrive in Wellington (21st Apr) we'll stay with some more friends who are going to take us out to Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast and then we'll take the InterIslander to Picton (23rd/24th Apr). Thanks for the heads up on this Scarlet Lioness - I didn't realise that it was 3 hours for the journey.

On South Island it gets a bit tricky. I was thinking of car hire from Picton to Kaikoura (stay overnight) then to Christchurch (stay overnight) then to Greymouth on TransAlpine and then hiring the car to go to Nelson, back to Picton and then back to Wellington. All this in 5 days! We don't want to be worn out and I'm also a bit put off because I heard the roads are a little lonely - I think I'd die if we got lost or something!

Do you think it might be better to use the train on South Island? If we train it, I think we'll be able to enjoy the journey a little more but it means we might have to miss Nelson/Golden Bay area but from a cost effective it works out better to just buy a 7 day scenic rail pass each. The thing I don't know is how many trains there are etc.

I know there are a lot of questions here, it's really difficult!! We don't want to do a coach tour thing as it's nice to have control over what we do etc. Hope you guys can help!!

[Scarlet Lioness]

Ok, wow! You read the whole thing...go you!

Ok, off track there...

Auckland: Zoo, I've never been but I know people who have gone, it's got a good rep, should be good!!!!!!

Huka Falls: AWESOME! Love it in Taupo, good choice, if you have time, go on the Huka Jet, then you get to be at the bottom of the falls...

and yeah, a day trip would be better...it's an easy drive I go up there all the time...between Wellington and Taupo there isn't really any good places..

ooo, I have ta go I'll finish the rest later, or maybe Phoenix could finish it off...

C ya...

[Snow_Crystal]

Hi Scarlet!!

Thank you!!! that makes life a lot easier!! That's sealed it, it will be Napier/Hawkes Bay on a day trip from Taupo! How long does it take from Taupo to Wellington and how many miles is it roughly? Sounds like you could do the drive from Taupo to Wellington in one day which would be really good!!

Do you guys work in Miles or Kilometres - I have to say I'm rubbish with Kms! Also what is the speed limit on the motorways and normal roads. I know you guys drive on the left (same here) but you do still have the steering wheel on the right hand side of the car, don't you??!! That might sound really silly I know but it's just a scary thought!!

If we drive from Hamilton to Rotorua, should we stay overnight in Rotorua? What is there to do at night time in Rotorua? I guess that way we could be fresh in the morning to head to Huka Falls and then on to Taupo from there after we've been to Huka! What's the Jet by the way??

[Scarlet Lioness]

It takes about 5hrs...easily done in a day lol...and the Huka Jet is a speed jetboat....takes you around Huka Falls and onto the lake too...

And we work in Km's...and the stearing wheel's on the right, and we drive on the left...

and in Rotorua...wait, Phoenix, used to live there...you answer that...

Ok, continuing from this morning...

The train sounds good...it's alot less stressful and if you like scenicy stuff like you, you would definately enjoy it...then you wont have to drive, its a pretty boring drive, absolutely nothing but farmland to look at...there's a train that goes to Christchurch from Picton or Blenheim I think...not really sure where it goes from I can't remember...

[Phoenix in the Ashes]

Rotorua!

Now that I can do... (Lived there for 11 years!)

Aheeeerm, well yes you could very well stay the night there. It's a very touristy place so they have quite a few nice places to stay.
Once there you should prooobably take a look around all, you know, the thermal areas.
Also Skyline Skyrides - Luge, gondola, activity centre, and also restaurant is a must-visit really...
The Polynesian Spa is quite nice and relaxing too.

Now, you say you're staying 3 nights in Hamilton?

That's fine, I suppose. Hamilton is a good base. From there you can check out Cambridge, Matamata (Hobbiton) and relatively small towns such as Tirau. You could also check out the place that the Maori Queen lives in, which is near there too.

Now, I'd suggest going through the desert road through the middle of the country if possible so you can see Mt. Ruapehu and.. the neighbours.

I don't know much of Taranaki or East Coast, so I can't help you there too much.

But: Is the Sky Tower in Auckland on your itinerary. If not, well, it should be. One of NZs greatest landmarks. Certainly the tallest .

And you should also check out Rotorua Museum, whilst your there.

If you have a week, considering you can get anywhere you want to in the North Island within 24 hours straight driving, I'd just try to experience as many cities and towns as possible.

And we drive on the left side of the road. And the steering wheel is on the right, yes.

[Snow_Crystal]

Hi Guys

You're both fab! Thanks for all the advice.

I'm not too good with heights so don't think we'll do the tower but will certainly see it when we are there. If we're not too tired after the 20 hour flight, I think we'll definitely head for the zoo! That way we might get to see the famous kiwi!!

We might not stay in Hamilton the whole time, we've got friends there and depending on how things go we might head to Tauranga etc. All depends on what we can fit in.

For me 5 hours is quite some drive. I'm happy with 3-4 hour trips but I guess if we stop off for breaks it won't be so bad. I don't really want to be exhausted by the time we get to Wellington if we can help it.

I think we sort of have a plan now for North - I really appreciate all your help.

I think I'm also sold on the idea of the train journey's in the South. Have either of you been to Golden Bay/Nelson? What's it like? Will we miss out?