Hi guys,
I am going to New Zealand on Sept 7th for a year on a working holiday visa.
I will be mostly based in ChristChurch (south island, east coast) but plan to travel all over...
Anyone got any advise for me????
Where to go?What to do??
Anything I've just GOT TO see or do????
Got all the travel books available but you can't beat 1st hand experience!!!!
Thanks!!xx
2007-08-29 08:52:44 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ New Zealand ➔ Christchurch
I lived in Christchurch for a year - also the Sunniest place in NZ, Nelson for many more years. http://nelsonnz.com
Nelson has great beaches, vineyards, heaps of outdoor adventure and art centres.
Near by is Abel Tasman National Park, http://www.abeltasman.co.nz Kaiterteri – golden sand beaches.
A must to walk the track, kayak down there or even water-taxi. Swim with the seals. Stay at http://www.awaroalodge.co.nz/ - Gorgeous place . . .and must see !!!!
http://www.kaiteriteribeach.co.nz
http://www.seakayaking.co.nz
http://www.southern-exposure.co.nz
Happy Valley - Cable Bay in Nelson is a hoot. I had such fun there http://www.happyvalleyadventures.co.nz
You must go to 'the Honest Lawyer' at Monaco in Nelson. A pub, resturant and accommodation. A must to have dinnner there, great food and the pub is amazing!! http://www.honestlawyer.co.nz
Have fun in NZ.
2007-08-29 14:00:52 · answer #1 · answered by • Koala • uʍop ɹǝpun 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I went over there on a working holiday visa a few years ago....was definitely an INTERESTING experience!
I'm from Vancouver Canada, and lived in the capital of NZ-Wellington (the second largest city in NZ, on the southern tip of the north island)...
The visa I had was crap because I could only work for an employee for three months at a time so I hope that yours is better!!
Any particular reason that you chose to be based in Christchurch? It's a quaint city....but I didn't find that there was that much to do...(however, I prefer to live in a city with lots to do-which is why Wellington was great!)
Must sees:
Milford Sound (I did an over night cruise which was awesome -saw wild dolphins there!!)
Any of the glacier hikes on the south island
I liked Queenstown-take the gondola ride and try out the luge!
Wellington:
-take the trolley from downtown on Lampson Quay up to the top of the Botanical Gardens
-Te Papa Museum is really cool
-Oriental Bay is nice
-Chocolate Fish Cafe is a great place for an ice cream or a hot chocolate -it's right on the beach!!
-check out the beehive (the parliament buildings)
-city views from the university are pretty cool
Mnt Tongariro is an AMAZZZZING hike!!! That is a deffo on the north island!! Make sure to do it in the spring/summer and not in the winter...
Lake Taupo is a cool tourist place...
Rotorua is neat, but SMELLY(sulphur)..lol...I saw geysers and bubbling mud!!
The Coromandal has AMAZING beaches...breathtaking!! camping up there is fun!!
Advice:
-look both ways when crossing the street...lol (unless you come from a country that drives on the left side)
-rent is paid weekly
-taxes are included in all prices
-try the kapiti ice cream!!
-the roads are super winding, and their highways are crap (for instance, one way bridges in the middle of the highway) -but that could have changed since I was there...
-gases prices where crazy then, so I can't image what they must be now
***Bring a digital camera as photo developing was really expensive when I was there
I found it to be a lot more conservative than here in North America, but I also lived with some really conservative guys while there...
I lived on the north island, and as I didn't have anyone to travel down to the south island with, I did a tour with Contiki...which was great! They do tours of both islands for people aged 18-35 yrs!!!
Good luck, hope that you have a wonderful time!!
2007-09-01 00:21:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to live in christchurch, now im in dunedin. Christchurch is pretty nice, i would suggest rowing on the avon, i used to do it all the time when I was a kid and i miss it! Theres all the regular touristy things like going to the cathedral, the gardens etc. You should go out to Sumner and take a surfing lesson or something!
Wanaka and Queenstown are also awesome, its snowboarding and skiing season! And you could bungee jump if you wanted to in queenstown, i did that it was pretty fun. Nelson is nice too, I have family there and we usually go up there for the summer- has some of the nicest rivers to go to for a day or so- good swimming. The beaches there are also good. Anyway, I guess I'm bias but theres quite alot to do in NZ and chch and i havent been too bored living here!
2007-08-31 07:09:08 · answer #3 · answered by ohaebored 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get some transport 1st.Travel the whole place-each island top to bottom.When in Christchurch drive out to Methven and drive up Mt Hutt-amazing views of the Plains.
Also an absolute must is the Tongariro crossing in the central plateau(near Taupo).Only a couple of days are needed in any other of the big cities.Whale watching in Kaikoura is wicked too.
2007-08-31 13:50:23 · answer #4 · answered by big oll 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry and don't be shy - the locals are really friendly. Explore the whole country. South island: Dunedin, Nelson, the glaciers. North Island: Wellington, Taupo, Rotorua, Napier, Auckland (love it!) The country is full of beautiful sights. Christchurch is a great little city. You will have such a good time!
2007-08-29 17:02:54 · answer #5 · answered by dlm 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
christchurch is my home
the best city in NZ if you ask me
and Nzers are not racist, we are friendly people. you will be very welcome in NZ
definitely go to Mount Cook
and Both of the glaciers Fox And Franz JOseph
Hanmer Springs most definitely so touristy up there and is close to Christchurch.
Queenstown is beautiful aswell, lots to do there. go to Nelson and the marlbourough sounds that place is really pretty
and take the ferry across the Cook Strait and go to Taupo and the Huka Falls
Auckland isnt much to see (haha) but yeah
Kaikoura (a couple of hours away from christchurch) is good too, go whale watching
best experience !
hope you have a great time =]
2007-09-01 22:03:27 · answer #6 · answered by nzwarrier 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Golden Bay. An easy bus trip from Christchurch. Try Nelson and then Malborough Sounds...There are heaps of things to do and places to see.
Best way to see the country is with a local, jump off the tourist trail and get friendly with a local. Carefully though!
Take it easy and travel wisely!
http://radio.weblogs.com/0128644/
Check this out http://radio.weblogs.com/0128644/
2007-09-01 04:50:58 · answer #7 · answered by Kiwi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My niece went for a long stay she took a mobile phone with no Sim card .Then bought a Sim card in NZ it was cheaper to call home that way.good luck
2007-08-29 15:59:40 · answer #8 · answered by kipper 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
'sebcue'
Your answer is closer to the truth than most New Zealanders will ever care to admit. I agree with much of what you say, though not all of it.
NZers love to criticise foreigners, but can't take being criticised themselves. Sad really.
I expect the 'thumbs down' aplenty, which of course will reinforce what I've said.
2007-08-31 05:21:08 · answer #9 · answered by trasosmontes 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ignor sebcue, he is a *******
New zealand; there is so much to do
Moved to here from australia and never looked back
2007-08-30 21:53:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋