Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Travel tips for NZ? Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, the bear, DerekL, alicefoeller Reply
2005-08-14 5:32 PM

User image

Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: Travel tips for NZ?
There's a chance that we will be able to go to New Zealand in Feb/March to watch two friends compete in IMNZ. If any of you have traveled there before, I'd love to get your tips on saving money, what to do, where to go, etc.

Right now, the plan is to spend two weeks there. There's been some talk of renting RVs or something like that, to save on hotel cost, but nothing has been set in stone.

TIA!


2005-08-14 6:38 PM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
I was there in 99 and spent a few weeks backpacking around.  DOn't be fooled --- NZ seems small, but it is a big country and takes a while to get around.  I never even made it to the South Island.  For two weeks, I'd say pick north or south island and concentrate on that.

RV would be a great way to go.  As I recall, you can park anywhere for the night unles there is a sign saying you can't.  Other option is the hostel network,  the hostel system in NZ in awesome...  they have a book that you can get there that rates all of them, and it is (was) generally pretty spot on.  Don't think all young kids (not sure how old you are) when you hear hostel.  I was 33 when I did it, yeah, there's young uns, but it was still fun.

Can't recommend anything in the south, but if you do the north, make sure you get to Pahia and Bay of Islands.  Beautiful country.  I stayed in a hostel in Kerikeri, near there, that was an organic citrus farm, very cozy place to stay.......

Waitomo Caves (glow worms) was very cool..

Lake Taupo also worth a visit (IMNZ site).

Chris
2005-08-15 4:13 AM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Extreme Veteran
301
100100100
New Zealand
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
Well, being a NZer myself I had to put in my 2c. RV's  are a good choice, but they are called campervans over here.  :-) If you go to this website it will give you price ranges for different types of accomodation: www.aaguides.co.nz  It also has details of what to do and where to visit, hope this helps,

Cheers
Kelly
2005-08-15 12:22 PM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
Thank you, both of you! I really do hope we get to go, as it looks like a wonderful trip.
2005-08-15 1:21 PM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Master
4101
20002000100
Denver
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
I've been there 3 times & lived in Wellington for a a year & I agree with everything ChrisM said. You're probably better off sticking to the North Island since thats where IMNZ is. Not too far from Taupo is the Tongariro Crossing which is a beautiful hike UP and then over & around the volcanoes there. Its a long day hike & you should be able to find a tour company in Tapuo that will drop you off & pick you up since its not a loop. Personally I would get right out of Auckland when you get there, but I do love Wellington as far as cities go. Lively arts & cafe & bar scene, but I'm a bit partial. Ihaven't spent much time in Northland (north of Auckland), but that beautiful too & you could easily spend 2 weeks just tooling around up there. Basically everywhere you go will be beautiful & you really can't lose no matter what you do.
2005-08-15 1:52 PM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Extreme Veteran
724
500100100
Delray Beach, FL
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
I watched a program called "Stranded" on the Travel Channel about Queenstown NZ. If you like adventure, that is the place to go. I have it next on my travel list. What to do there? Bungy jump, skydive, climb mountains, ski, raft, kayak, fish, horse ride, cycle, walk, scenic flights, sail, river surf, jet boat, hang-glide, snowmobile, snowboard, dance, go canyoning, heliski, parapente.....
Awesome scenery.....
How lucky!!!!!


2005-08-15 2:01 PM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
Thanks for all the great tips! One thing that may limit what all we can do will be that at least two of us (not me) will be racing in IMNZ, so we'll probably keep it fairly low-key, especially before the race.

Edited by madkat 2005-08-15 2:01 PM
2005-08-15 2:09 PM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Master
2288
2000100100252525
Katy, TX (West of Houston)
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
madkat - 2005-08-14 4:32 PM

There's a chance that we will be able to go to New Zealand in Feb/March to watch two friends compete in IMNZ. If any of you have traveled there before, I'd love to get your tips on saving money, what to do, where to go, etc.

Right now, the plan is to spend two weeks there. There's been some talk of renting RVs or something like that, to save on hotel cost, but nothing has been set in stone.

TIA!


Send a PM to Patrick (johnybutts). I think he spent a few months in NZ recently.
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/view-profile.asp?uid=1...
2005-08-16 12:49 AM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Veteran
1108
1000100
Perth, Oz
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?

Firstly you will need to learn how to speak New Zealander, heres a few handy hints

Fush - Fish

Chups - Chips

Sex - Six

And most importantly "Choice Bro"is the most important  phrase to learn!

*ducks and runs for cover before Kellyg hits her over the head for stoopid NZ stereotypes*  just kidding. 

NZ is one of the most amazing places to travel too.  The scenery is just beautiful.



Edited by splerph 2005-08-16 12:57 AM
2005-08-16 2:09 AM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Extreme Veteran
301
100100100
New Zealand
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
I thought Sex = Six was an Aussie thing ;-P Don't even get me started on the Pavalova debate LOL
2005-08-16 9:32 AM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Master
4101
20002000100
Denver
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
The first time I went to NZ I was passing thru customs and they told me to go to lane sex. I thought "sweet as", but I was disappointed when I got there.

Edited by drewb8 2005-08-16 9:34 AM


2005-08-16 9:31 PM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Veteran
1108
1000100
Perth, Oz
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?

Hahaha well I'll settle the Pavlova debate.

Pavlova is aussie,   whereas Russell Crowe is definately a kiwi!

Drew that is so funny,  as I said its very important to know that sex is kiwi for six.  It could lead to all sorts of confusion lmao.

2005-08-17 9:45 AM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Master
4101
20002000100
Denver
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?
I was also shocked when I was sitting around watching tv with my flatmates - one of those home improvement shows - and the host said "ok, now we're going to replace his rotting deck". With a kiwi accent it sounded a little different to my ears and I did a double take.

Another tip for kiwiland, they are saying "sweet as", not "sweet ass".

FYI- pavlova and Crowded House are Kiwi, Russel Crowe & Paul Hogan are Aussie.

Edited by drewb8 2005-08-17 9:48 AM
2005-08-17 3:01 PM
in reply to: #227180

User image

Champion
6285
50001000100100252525
Beautiful Sonoma County
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?

drewb8 - 2005-08-17 6:45 AM

FYI- pavlova and Crowded House are Kiwi, Russel Crowe & Paul Hogan are Aussie.

"Hey now, hey now!  Don't dream it's over!  Hey now, hey now..."  Great, now I have that refrain stuck in my head for the rest of the day.  sigh. 



Edited by madkat 2005-08-17 3:07 PM
2005-08-17 10:45 PM
in reply to: #224980

User image

Veteran
1108
1000100
Perth, Oz
Subject: RE: Travel tips for NZ?

ROFL at the rotting deck!

Another helpful tip. I am constantly saying No worries mate but it sounds like Nurries mate, my English cousin couldn't understand it at all when he was visiting here and he said it he'd heard it in NZ too.

Ok ok NZ can take ownership of the Pav but along with that definately comes Russell, (he was born in NZ not Aust) *grins*

Yep Crowded house kiwi, Hoodoo Guru's Aussie! 



Edited by splerph 2005-08-17 10:48 PM
New Thread
Other Resources My Cup of Joe » Travel tips for NZ? Rss Feed