new zealand

[suemp]

hi we are looking at going there next year as first timers. we will have a 6 yr old and 1 yr old. we dont want to do a tour so is our best bet to hire a car. and what are places not to be missed and wat are places to be missed? ive heard rotorua can smell.
we are a coastal family into fishing etc if thats any help and after cheap cheap cheap lol

[QTB]

ok, Rotorua does smell, really bad, but it is FANTASTIC! i loveee watching the boiling mud! and you get used to it (the smell) really quickly!

Mount Manganui is great, beaches etc. same with Waihi, whangamata, Raglan etc....

[vanillabean]

We went to NZ on our honeymoon, though before we had kids. I do think the best way is by car. We did that and were going to go last year, but circumstances changed and we couldn't. We had an itinerary planned, going to a lot of the coastal areas of the north island. If you get brochures from the travel agents they will show you all those places. I would say you have to go to Rotorua. Yes it does smell a bit when you first get there, but it is beautiful and so much to do. You actually forget the smell after a day or so. I say enjoy!

[vanillabean]

I forgot to add that we looked into cabin style accomodation in tourist parks and it is very cheap and self-contained. They have something like the Big4 tourist park memberships here, so you will get it even cheaper.

[xkwzit]

We are hoping to go soon (if I ever get it planned) but, from what we've heard, if you are limited on time, the south island is the way to go.

From what I've been reading (mainly west coast) there's lost of places to go fishing / kayaking / walking all the way down the coast.

Cheers

[Jinglebells]

oooh you have to go to ChCh Sue, its lovely here, well in the summer when its not cold lol,

I suggest the south island, you'll see more in less time, for fishing a seafood, kaikoura is the bestest, you'll find excellent fush and chups there, and you can hire boats to do your own fishing, actually most coastal parts are good fishing

going by car is the best with kids, cause you can stop at any time, and go where you want,

[luckymama]

I LOVE the smell of Rotorua :D

I say go the north Island, and go to the Bay of Plenty, Mount Maunganui (http://www.mountmaunganui.co.nz/) to be exact, its so beautiful, its where i grew up and i love love it :smiliedance:

[melfunction]

From what I've been reading (mainly west coast) there's lost of places to go fishing / kayaking / walking all the way down the coast.


I can vouch for what X is saying. I spent the first 17 years of my life on the west coast :D

[AM]

I think the Far North of the North Island is pretty special.

The Bay Of Islands
The Hokianga
90 Mile Beach

On the other hand, the South Island is absolutely breathtaking scenery, though can be a little chilly at times.

Have a wonderful time, I am green with envy (feeling a little homesick;) )

[suemp]

nks ladies im thinking going the sth island maybe doing the nth another time.(as dp is hanging out to see the hole in the rock at bay of islands) would 10 days be enough you think?
got brochures today. looks so exciting. was tossing up between tassie and nz but nz looks prettier and id love the kids to see another culture.

[EmsMum72]

I would love to do the Bay Of Islands one day (nth island) but my hubby is from ChCh, so that's where we often go. It's a beautiful place. Hanmer Springs is one of my favourites with warm thermal pools and they have a special pool for the kids. We went in August last year and it was amazing laying in these beautiful warm pools and looking at snow on the nearby mountain :yes: . We also hired a car and drove (which is a great idea btw) from ChCh to Punakaiki (west coast), in particular the pancake rocks, and there was some amazing scenery. Lots of beaches etc. Have a great time.

[SairBear]

my sth island fave places:

kaikoura- for the seals and whale watching and scenery
hamner springs- the hot poolsValentine love that place. horse riding, walking tracks , bungy jumping, jet boats etc

drive or train over to the coast thru arthurs pass to the west coast- so stunning

queenstown cuz its queenstown.. ski capital of NZ.

marlborough area for the wine :D
:thumbsup:

my mums in chch atm... im hoping to go over soonish... alot of family are there.

[suemp]

wow so many places. im loving all the info:smiliedance:
so wat month do you suggest? the agent said june, july august is too cold(remember im a qlder lol)

[xkwzit]

If you are going to drive yourself part of the way www.newzealand.com has a great travel planner diary. You add all the places you want to drive through and it will tell you how long each leg is! You can then save your planner and keep editing it until you are happy with it, print it, email it - whatever.

Cheers

[melfunction]

(as dp is hanging out to see the hole in the rock at bay of islands)

That is an awesome sight and just a bit further out, there is Poor Knights Islands which has a massive cave. I swam in there with a few no-so-small fishes. Water is bloody freezing :eek:

[shed]

Make sure you visit Feilding. Its an absolute 'must-see'.

NOT!!

I would suggest Queenstown/Wanaka in the south island.

Definitely Rotorua if you go to the North Island, but honestly, its only a quick ferry trip between the islands anyway, not a big deal at all, so maybe fly into Hamilton, drive to Rotorua then over to Mt Maunganui, then down to Wellington - going through Taupo, catch the ferry and drive to Christchurch, visit queenstown and surrounding areas, down to Dunedin then back up and fly out of Christchurch.