Hello All,

I've decided to take the plunge and get hitched

We're planning a 3 week escape to New Zealand for the Honeymoon and want to ask people who live in or know the islands.

If anyone knows of any good companies to rent a fairly decent camper van that would be great.

Also people's opinions/views on "must see" areas/attractions. We're travelling in April so it would also be useful to know people's knowledge of the weather at that time of year and in case anything is affected by the season.

We've already got a good idea of what we want to do but there's still room to get a couple of extra bits in.

If anyone is able to provide some indicitive costs for the main attractions that would be absoultely fantastic (things like the Whale Watching in Kaikoura, Kayaking in Abel Tasman etc...)

Any info/feedback/opinions would be greatly appreciated

Many thanks,

Ah, NZ...............

I was born and raised in NW Ireland, a beautiful place, I know the Scottish highlands well, the Peak District, Wales, the Lakes, Devon, Cornwall, the Alps of Europe, the Atlas mountains of north Africa, the Cascades of NW USA and a considerable number of other areas of the world (though I am quite prepared to admit, there is still a lot to see) BUT.........

New Zealand..... quite the most beautiful place I have ever seen. stick a pin in the map, it just keeps going. 'round every corner another gob smacking view.

It just does not matter, north or south island, it's all great. My own personal fav was, I have to say, the shear grandeur of the west coast of south island. (and where else could you take an hilarious photo of your missus pretending to fart next to the sign for Cape Foulwind, and no, I'm not going to post a copy )

Really, NZ is wonderful and I could not recommend it enough, but the jet lag WILL be a horror... (do yourself a favor and once cleared from customs in Auckland, head for the Corromandel Peninsula, not far away (in Oz terms) but a world away.

More info available on request.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the feedback - we both can't wait to get out there.

Our rough travel plan is:

Arrive Auckland 16th April and spend first night in hotel before collecting campervan.

The rest of the itineray is flexible on time scales but the rough route is:

Bay of Islands - 17th/18th April 2012
Coromandel Peninsula
Rotoura
Napier
Wellington - travel to south island
Nelson / Abel Tasman National Park
Kaikoura
Mount Cook
Queenstown
Te Anau
Stewart Island
Dunedin / Otago Peninsula
Christchurch - departing 3rd May 2012

Cape Foulwind sounds like a chuckle however I think my partner would suggest it would be more appropriate for me to be stood next to the picture

Went Jan-Feb North and South

You will love it. From Te Anu through the Homer tunnel and Alpine drive to fjord land. On South Island especially along the West Coast make sure you fill up with fuel as they are few and far between.(Fuel was $2 a litre) Hokatika is a very nice place with a beautiful beach and sunset. And the missus will like the glass makers.

Aurora lodge at Waitikia (towards bay of Islands) is a really nice place to stay.

You are trying to get alot in in three weeks. Internal flights between Aukland and Christchurch on Redstar are quite reasonable. $70 return.

Billy

I wish you All the Best, Chris.

But please heed this advice well:- whilst you are still young, start taking the steps necessary to emigrate to New Zealand.

That's what I would do, if I could have my time again.

Agree with the comment from Billy you are jamming in waaay to much for 3 weeks. What most people dont realise about NZ is the roads are not like overseas with straight freeways connecting towns etc.

Something might look close on a map but it might take you 6 hours to drive there. Have no idea why you would want to goto Stewart Island. Also the drive from Rotorua to Napier is a good 4 hours atleast from memory along some really windy roads. I would replace that with going to Lake Taupo, about an hours drive from Taupo.

Nick makes a very valid point. Most of the roads ain't that great (and full of slow moving camper vans!).
We went the hire car option (switching to a new one between islands, saving some $ on the ferry) and used B+Bs and cabins as the accommodation. There are loads available (see www.bnb.co.nz). The old lighthouse in Wellington was a highlight though I nearly broke my neck coming down the stairs but all were very well set up and welcoming. The other great advantage from our point of view of doing things this way is there was absolutely no option for cooking for ourselves so we were forced to eat out every day. Oh joy!
If I had one "problem" with NZ it is that I found the Maori place names utterly unpronounceable. I don't think those who are used to the English language have the necessary muscles to be able to deal with them. We just gave up and used initials instead

While I think about it I might also suggest that you read a book called "The New Zealand Wars" by James Belich (published by Penguin). A most interesting history of the European colonisation and it will make your trip all the more interesting

I was going to make a similar comment earlier, but held back out of er, ... politeness?

"If it were me" ... I would just head on out there with no detailed itinerary. Just chill out, take things nice and easy, and enjoy whatever happens.

I have never been one for the:- "If it's Tuesday then it must be [insert next tourist destination here]" gang myself. Shudder at the thought!

In fact my advice would be to avoid all such places altogether (as I do).

The bottom line? Apart from the bare essentials (flight, the first hotel, etc.) ... don't plan anything! Just take it as it comes, enjoying the company of your Truly Beloved along the way - surely that's what really matters here?

I should have said Rotorua is an hour or so drive from Taupo

Kiora Chris,

Nice to see you are visiting the South Island. Way prettier than the NI if you like mountains, rivers and stuff like that. The West Coast of the South Island should definately be on your itineary. Its a visual symphony. Westport, down through to Haast through to Queenstown area is a stunning drive. Personally, I would give Napier (a hassle to get to), the Otago Peninsular and Stewart Island a miss, unless you are really after a whirlwind trip. They are all nice, but nothing amazing. Abel Tasman is awesome, as is the Kaikoura Coast and Ta Anau / Fiordland. Just remember, its a lot to fit into three weeks. Let me know if you need any other info. I am based in the 'munted' city of Christchurch. Its a nice city, but following out seismic events of late, I am not really sure what their is to see apart from the International Antartic Center and a lot of broken buildings.

Michael.