New Zealand?

Question

I am planning a trip to New Zealand (no dates yet) and wanted to know...

- When is the best time to go (weather wise)
- I'm trying to avoid the tourist "hot spots," what are some great local places you reccomend? I'm more "turned on" by the natural aspect of New Zealand, so please base your responses on that (outdoor activites).
- ...but I also want to hit a few bars and clubs while I'm there, suggestions?
- Also, any other helpful tips about traveling to New Zealand will help.

The more info the better

Thanks :-D

Answer 1

Well if your going to the North Island I went early March and it was the end of summer there. But stilll warm enough to go to the beach. Outdoors stuff:

1.Muriwai Beach, awesome area they have thousands of these birds called gannets on these to rocks. It's a nice hike up to the top of the hill and right on the ocean.

2.Bethels Beach cool fresh water lake with old houses, it's also where they filmed Xena.

3.Piha Beach my favorite beach the sand is black/purple and so soft it feels good on the feet.

4.Devonport is awesome little island (there a bridge to get to it) with cool tunnels and hills very pretty

Bars:

1. Kings Arms is really good its near Karangehape road but I can't remember what street its on. They have a public bar in the front and then in back therea garden, they also have live music with local abnds through out the week.

2. Thirsty Dog is right on Karangehape road, its an awesome pub.

Pretty much Karangehape road is going to have alot of bars/ dance clubs there. Cabs are easy to find and cheap they are just linned up every so often. Check out the Wine Celler on K road too. Most of there drinks are all from New Zealand there so its kinda cool to try there whiskey, beers, and wines. Speights is a really good beer.

Check out Mt. Eden also it's kinda of a tourity thing but you kinda have to chekc it out anyway. Its a dead volcono that you can stand right at the edge of.

Answer 2

Like everyone else has said, february or march are the best times to come as its still hot (although the weather this summer has been crap so far).
The 1st persons suggestions were all pretty good.
However, Devonport isn't an island, it's just a sticky-out bit of Auckland's north shore. It's really close to the city by ferry, and pretty close to Takapuna and other suburbs, but because it's quite cut-off, and less suburban, it feels more like a little provincial town, but waaaay more trendy.
Theres a good bar in devonport called the Masonic, quite a few local bands play there.
If you have a budget for going out, the uni bars would be quite good. The last week of February (or around then) is usually orientation week so theres lots of bands playing and cheap alcohol. Auckland Uni's bar is called Shadows, and AUT's is called the Vesbar.
If you want to go clubbing more, the viaduct is probably the best place, although you won't want to go more than once because it can get pretty boring, also lots of sleezy guys and slutty girls. Theres heaps of bars and clubs there though - Float, Waterfront, the Loaded Hog etc. Also theres a bar/club in the SkyCity complex called Bar3, full of posers and plays crap music, but I recommend going there just to use the toilets because theyre awesome.

If you want to go away on a mini trip, you could head up north to Mangawhai Heads. It's about 1.5 or 2 hours out of the city, the beaches up there are my favourite ones ever. Mangawhai heads surf beach usually has really good waves, but if you dont like the waves, over the otherside of the car park is another bay thats really sheltered and nice, and you can see all the sand dunes which look especially awesome at sunset.
Also up near mangawhai are some hidden beaches, you have to drive down gravel roads to get there but its absolutely worth it, because when you get there, they'll be pretty deserted, and are so beautiful. They're called Te Ari (might be spelt Te Arai?) and Forestry, so if you do head up that way, ask someone about them.
Also up north, but not so far up, is Goat Island. It's a marine reserve and you can go snorkelling and they have a glass bottom boat but it doesnt run all the time. You can also sometimes rent kayaks there.
Thats about all I can think of.

Answer 3

Best time to go? February or March. The weather is warm and dry but the kids are back at school, so not too many holidaymakers. Tourist hot spots like Auckland, Rotorua, ski resorts and Queenstown, Wanaka, Te Anau and Milford Sound are expensive and overrated. If you avoid them you won't miss much. If you're catering for yourself, like in camping grounds, buy your groceries away from tourist traps, which jack up prices. These days, even provincial places like Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson and the West Coast of the South Island have some night life. Shop around. The Southern Scenic Route from Balclutha to Te Anau in the South Island is good value.

Answer 4

I'd agree with February and March as great times to go, but of course it depends on what sort of stuff you want to do and how long you're going for. South Island is the best place for stunning scenery and lots of outdoor activities. Queenstown is the hub of all this, but really quite touristy... I'd recommend staying in Glenorchy or Wanaka instead. If you go to Glenorchy, do the Dart River Safari, as that's an excellent trip. Fiordland is also a must. For the city life, I'd head to Wellington, which is a great place, with lots going on. Dunedin is also a nice city, and close to the Catlins, Otago Peninsula etc. Have a great trip!

Answer 5

Weatherwise: February, then March, the hottest, most settled weather.
Local Places: Why avoid the hotspots? They are great. In Feb and March then they won't be so busy as most NZer's will be back at work/school. Howver there are many places to see off the beaten track, go to www.aatravel.co.nz as they have got NZer's to vote on the best 101 places in NZ so there will be some less frequented places in NZ. But if you want to go 'bush' expect to travel over some long and dusty roads to get there, or you need a boat. So dependent on how long you are here it may be a push. Some out of way places i.e Take a trip to Cape Reinga and hire some boards at Te Paki Sand dunes to surf down the HUGE sandhills out there. Tane Mahuta the huge Kauri tree and then camp at Kai Iwi Lakes that are filtered sand freshwater lakes
Hot Water Beach, dig a hole, let it fill with Natural Hot Water and soak (free). Go to Waitomo Caves for Glowworms and fantastic stalagnites or Blackwater rafting in tubes through the caves. Marakopa Falls are nice. When in Rotorua ask directions to Kerosene Creek (not marked on any map). Another hot water stream with waterfall where you can soak for free. Go to the Putangirua Pinnacle Rocks in Southern Wairarapa (free), check out the Vineyards at Martinborough on your way.
Go to www.aatravel.com and check out 101 things to do for Kiwi's.

Answer 6

Well The Bay of Islands in the North is spectacular! The rest of North island is volcanic mud pits that have a heavy aroma of sulphur. After the first Maori village and ceremony and the geysers and mud pits ( witches cauldrons) you have seen them all!
Go to the South island for spectacular scenery that is paradise unleashed. I suggest Lake Winnaka in the Centre. But anywhere you travel in the South expect to be gobsmacked, You can bungie Jump, bike it, drive it camp it water ski and ride in jet boats, Snow ski at 3 cones or cross country ski at the Snow farm. You can para sail at Queenstown and fly fish in almost any river. You can exchange any currency 24/7 in any tin pot shop. They can even change Roubles to NZ dollars in a fish and chip shop! Anytime is the best time to visit NZ Plenty of nighlife wherever you go in the larger towns and cities, Great beer, Great Nightclubs.
They are the best set up country i have ever visited for dealing with tourism. Can't say enough Good about NZ.

Answer 7

nicely, technically "old Zealand" is in Holland. even as the Dutch landed in New Zealand, Tasman categorised the islands on his map as Staten Landt after the States-everyday of the Netherlands. It grow to be later replaced by using Dutch cartographers to Nova Zeelandia (in Latin), from Nieuw Zeeland, after the Dutch province of Zeeland. After a touch more suitable than one hundred years, Europeans got here visiting and Captain James cook dinner "britishized" it by using calling it New Zealand.