New Zealand

[Marvin]

Hi All,
I am planning a surprise trip to NZ for 2 weeks in December - for my husband (we never had a honeymoon!) and would like to know what you guys recommend. I know many of you have been there and I have no idea what to see. My hubby isn't into taking pictures but has always wanted to go to NZ and I am keen for some photographic opportunities!
Do we do the North Island, the South Island or try to fit in both?? We are flying into and out of Christchurch (no kids!!!). Any input as to where to go, stay, take pictures etc would be more than welcome!
Thanks,
Marvin

[MHD]

hahahaha!!!!
can I tell you some things...
I've been there twice and going back for my third this december


Take a look at my two albums (taken with a very old 2mp P&S)
http://potofgrass.ath.cx/gallery/nzepic
http://potofgrass.ath.cx/gallery/nz2

I have not finished uploading all the photos for either of these

Now this is all my opinion...
2 weeks is SHORT for NZ, IMHO you should only do the south island and even then you will be rushed...

Now what do you like doing as well as taking photos?

IMHO the three must see's are Mount Cook Village, Franz or Fox glaciers, and even though it is quite touristy and a pain to get to you MUST got to Milford sound

(still have not got mu milford photos up)

If you are into bushwalking there are some TOP walks! While in Mt cook village, if you are at all fit you should try to walk up to Muller hut, AWESOME views and you can stay the night up there (was not to expensive as I recall)

There are some awesome walks and views in Aurthurs pass...

are you hiring a car?

[Marvin]

Hi MHD,
I know two weeks is too short - unfortunately we have only got the two weeks before xmas as my husband hasn't got any more leave. He used it all up on a trip to Europe. We also have to be back to have xmas with the kids! But, anyway....
We will be hiring a car, probably for the whole 2 weeks. We love to walk and are reasonably fit. I am mostly interested in the natural environment - hikes, mountains, scenery, etc.
Thanks for the info. Where are you going when you go? The mountains and scenery really appealled to me in your pictures. They look gorgeous!
Marvin

[plukaduck]

Marvin,

Do the South Island, you will be there already when you fly into Christchurch. Hire a car (they are dirt cheap) and head down south. Make sure you go visit Milford Sound, Franz Joseph Glacier, Dunieden and Queenstown just to name a few places.

If you are more daring there is White water rafting, bunjy jumping, jet boating much more.

I spend a couple of weeks there every year.

http://www.queenstownadventure.com/

Cheers,

Darryl.

[Marvin]

Wow, thanks for the link Darryl. My husband would LOVE to do some rafting, bungy jumping or skydiving! I'm keen on the rafting but I don't know about the rest!!

[MHD]

We are there for about 4 weeks and are doing a little of the north and a lot of the south

I will be climbing to Muller hut again! (did I say that was a an awesome walk)
one thing we will be doing again that we did last time, which I highly recomend, is spending the night on a boat on Milford sound... It costs about 175 pp but is 100% worth it as most of the tourists go home at 4pm and you get the stillest calmest water in the early morning to get those mirror lake effect photos

Our basic itenery is Sydney -> wellington -> Lake Taupo -> wellington (xmas) -> Christchurch NYE -> mt cook -> Milford -> christchurch -> sydney

with some minor stops on the way..

where are you staying... I dont know if budget is an issue but I can not speak highly enough of the YHA system in NZ... you save a FORTUNE by buying local produce and using thier kitchens (which can be spend on helicopter rides over the glaciers etc)

[Marvin]

I was actually just looking at YHA as we aren't too fussed about the accommodation. We used hostels in England and were quite happy with them. It looked to me like there were only a couple of YHA hostels in NZ though. I may have followed the wrong link - I ended up at the HI page. Do you book in advance or just rock up on the day! I'll definitely look at Muller hut and the Milford sound stay over. Thanks for the tips!

[MHD]

rocking up is VERY risky..

our first trip we booked about 3 days ahead and didnt get into a few...

this time we are taking the parents and plus the new baby we are 5 so we are booking everything ahead..

some backpackers are worse than others so far as being busy... Christchurch, the Milford explorer (boat), and franz joseph all need to be booked in advance....

all the info should be at http://www.yha.org.nz

[Marvin]

Ah ha! That's what I was looking for! Thanks for the link MHD. I only started to organise the trip this week, so I'd better get cracking! Good plan to take the parents on your trip. We carted a 3 and 5 year old around Europe for 10 weeks last year and I can't tell you how many times we wished we had someone else there so we could just go and see something by ourselves! I wouldn't have given up the fantastic family holiday but just for a few nights....

[darb]

Ive been there during winter.

That country is simply awesome. I love it.

http://darb.net/nz-2002 <-- pics from my trip

[Greg B]

I did the Top to Tail tour in around 1978. Bus, sleeping under canvas, cooking tent, the whole nine yards. It was great fun. I was with wife #1, we were the only couple. In total 28 women and five over excited guys.

I shot around 20 (36 size) rolls of Kodachrome 64, edited down to "The Best 100". Remember slide nights? Great photo opportunities in NZ, no doubt.

Some language tips for you..

Judder bars - speed humps
Jandles - thongs
I want sex - they are asking for half a dozen

Good luck

[birddog114]

I did the Top to Tail tour in around 1978. Bus, sleeping under canvas, cooking tent, the whole nine yards. It was great fun. I was with wife #1, we were the only couple. In total 28 women and five over excited guys.

Judder bars - speed humps
Jandles - thongs
I want sex - they are asking for half a dozen

Good luck

Greg,
Was with wife # 1 and now #??????????????????????
Please PM me your tactics and strategies and provide me some tutors

[MHD]

Tramping = Hiking
Fush = fish
Bro = mate

[Marvin]

 LOL!
Ut's dufinitely a dufferent lunguage there usn't ut??