We are starting to plan a lifetimes trip, one choice is New Zealand?

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â€¢ Koala â€¢ uÊop É¹Çpun

My 'must do's in NZ'.

If you are in the North Island, Wellington, take the ferry across to Picton - here you will travel through some of the Marlborough Sounds - so gorgeous on a calm sunny day! Ferry - http://www.interislander.co.nz
Take in the wineries, also visit the Queen Charlotte track in the Marlborough region - http://www.destination.co.nz/marlborough
Marlborough and Nelson is rated as the sunniest places in NZ

Nelson http://nelsonnz.com has 3 of New Zealand's national parks, golden beaches, crystal lakes, picturesque towns, vineyards, outdoor adventure and art centreâ€™s.

Visit Kaiteriteri Beach nearby http://www.kaiteriteribeach.co.nz Then carry on to Abel Tasman, you won't be disappointed !

Donâ€™t miss walking the Abel Tasman track, (you can do a short walk for an hour or do the day trek) or kayak down there or even water taxi. Swim with the seals is a great experience too.
Stay at http://www.awaroalodge.co.nz at the end of the track -Gorgeous place . . and great food ....a must see to really experience NZ!!! http://www.abeltasmaninformation.co.nz
Hot springs and mineral pools in Hanmer http://www.hanmersprings.co.nz

Whale watching is in Kaikoura for a unique experience. http://www.kaikoura.co.nz
http://www.whalewatch.co.nz http://www.whales.co.nz http://www.worldofwhales.co.nz

Christchurch's International Antarctic Centre - http://www.iceberg.co.nz is located near the airport.

Franz Joseph Glacier - http://www.franzjosefglacier.com
Wanaka â€“ Lake Wanaka - http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/index.cfm/Home

Queenstown - The ADVENTURE capital of NZ. Costly little place though, but has all the attractions on offer. You can't pass up a bungy jump though. http://www.ajhackett.co.nz and the world famous Shotover Jet doing full 360Âº spins! http://shotoverjet.co.nz

Also the Milford Sounds for breath taking scenery, http://www.fiordland.org.nz

You are spoilt for choice in NZ , but after living there for 20 + years, I still believe the South Island is SO much nicer than the North Island and has more to offer.

For a summary on the regions in the South Island - here's a quote from them all:

MARLBOROUGH - "the wine and food capital of the country"
NELSON/GOLDEN BAY - "hops and crops and crafts"
CANTERBURY - "Christchurch . . . a garden city more English than England
THE WEST COAST - "a heritage of mining shapes the land and the people"
MOUNT COOK TO WANAKA - "magnificent mountains and picture-perfect lake, winter sports and the worlds most beautiful fighting machines"
QUEENSTOWN AND CENTRAL OTAGO - "the adventure centre of the Pacific"
DUNEDIN - "The Antipodean Edinburgh "
FIORDLAND "a raw, elemental, awe-inspiring landscape"
SOUTHLAND - "of oysters, tuataras, bootleg hooch . . . and solitude"

Have a great trip !

Alex

New Zealand is definately worth a trip.

For Maori culture - you have to go to Rotorua. If you want some really good food, go to a bar called the Pig and Whistle

Also, check out South Island cause its really picturesque and you can do heaps of adventure sports in Queenstown, bungy (a must!!!), skiing, zorbing (which I really want to try). Just, if your like me, you might want to go in the summer (but you won't be able to ski or anything)

Check out the bay of islands in Northland as well!

allblackgirl10

I recommend the South Island for the real Beauty of New Zealand and for the true Cultural parts you have Rotorua which is very touristy but North of Auckland and the West Coast of Northland offers some great insight in the true NZ Maori

samdawsoniow

I went to New Zealand this time last year and it was amazing. We used a 60 hour flexipass bus pass meaning we could book a coach and travel wherever we wanted (http://www.flexipass.co.nz/)

Our first stop was Paihia (the Bay of Islands, at the top of the North Island) which was just spectacular, we went swimming with wild dolphons and kayaked through the mangrove forest as well as many different walks and tried to spot Kiwis. Other stops we made on the North Island were Auckland, Rotura (high recommend you stay at least a few days here, almost all the hostels have hot tub due to the thermal activity, also great place to experience Maouri culture) Matamata (to go to the hobbiton set) and Wellington (a great city)

On the South Island we stopped a lot more but some of the locations I really recommend would be Picton (this is where you get off the ferry - most people pass it by but it is stunning, check out the Malborough sounds too) Mount Cook (you have to stay here it is absolutely beautiful, some wonderful walks - and if you can afford it (we couldn't) helicopter trips over the mountains).
Queenstown is a must, it is a bit touristy, so make sure you book ahead of arriving there but it is the adventure capital of NZ so you can try out bungee jumping, also the remarkables are just that, remarkable! Dunedin is great for wildlife, we saw albatroses, penguins, furseals, and sealions. And don't forget Kaikoria!

Sorry if this isn't much help - there is just so much to do and it is such a beautiful country. We were there for just under 2 months and still didn't manage to do everything (I'm going back when I have saved up more) so grab a guide book and look at what you really want to see (wildlife, mountains or cities and nightlife) and have a great time

mai52802

Sound like one good choice for your life's trip...Wish i can visit New Zealand also, place looks so serene

x Spitz dogs are number 1 x

NZ is honestly an awsome country and I think one of the safest in the world :)

The North and South Islands are VERY different.

NI=Very multi cutural!! Full of Asians,Indians and Pacific Islanders.There are more NZ Maori in the North Island too and if you could pick one place, i recommend you go to "Rotorua".It is just over an hours drive from Auckland which is where you'll probably land.Rotorua has so many tourist attractions that will teach you about our history and culture.

SI: Known for its beautiful mountains and land scapes.Often you drive around and feel as though know ones to be found.Its so untouched and if there was one place i'de recommend it would have to be "Queenstown".

For souveniers, the best place to go to is the $2 shop.Its a blue building and is in almost every city :)

Have fun whilst here and enjoy our layed back culture that NZ has to offer...

Nikita

Most of the previous answers seem to have it all covered but having seen all the North Island only myself I must add Cathedral Cover in the Corromandel. It is the most beautiful beach and scenery I've seen in my life and I'm pretty well travelled. Accessible only by foot (magnificent clifftop walk of about 30 mins) from Hahei or by boat is actually features in the latest Narnia movie. The rest of the North Island is nice in places - quite a few places of geological interest like Rotorua and Taupo are well worth a visit. But from other travelers and what I've seen from their photo's everybody regards the South Island as being the true New Zealand with incredible mountain scenery and lakes so if I were you I would make sure I spent the majority of my tour time there.

Blue ladies

Queenstown, Wanaka, Napier, et cetera yeah its all worth seeing and wonderful, anywhere you go you will love.

Te Papa is in Wellington its very kool.

a

HappyWife

My husband is from NZ and he told me about a place that I am looking forward to seeing...He thinks its in Rota Rua (been a long time since he's been home). There are two lakes; the blue lake and the green lake. He says they are incredibly beautiful. Apparently in the same area there are hot springs and it is a wonderful place to make a day of it. I expect you could google the above and find out more info.

My hubby,, who has done a lot of travelling claims it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. Have a wonderful time!

fashonion

Rotorua is the place to visit. It takes a bit of getting used to the smell of sulphur.
"Rotorua is the heartland of New Zealandâ€™s Maori culture. "

There is also an active volcano on an island off the north island called White Island.

Another must do is the TranzAlpine trail. The train goes from Christchurch on the east coast of the south island to Greymouth on the west coast. You go through the Southern alps and over rivers.

Also go on the glaciers on the West coast of the south island. We walked on the Fox glacier. It is something I will never forget.

There are too many things to do in New Zealand I have a list of things I want to go back and do.

robrobiii

Ii have yet to visit, but on my list is the vineyards in either Marlborough or Martinsborough areas.
I also like the idea of the rent a camping van and just travel around. And would love to see penguins in the wild...

travel_stories

If you go to http://www.holidays-in-newzealand.com you will find a comprehensive look at all there is to see and do in New Zealand. There are so many parts you will want to see to cover your criteria. Have a look at the itineraries. The northern part is subtropical - the southern more a European climate so snow and cold winters and hot summers.
Rotorua is probably the best place for Maori Cultural activities. Waitangi in Northland is where New Zealand was first signed over to the British Crown, so a historic area.Auckland is the biggest city with a third of the population living there. It is beautiful with plenty to see and do. Wellington is smaller, and a nice city to visit. Nelson and Marlborough are lovely, wine growing areas.Napier is an art deco city, and a wine growing area.Christchurch is our very English city.Queenstown is a must.
Outdoor adventure activities, mountains, lakes, history, Lord of the Rings, beautiful nature all nearby.

We have mountains and sea, bush, rivers, lakes, caves. Culture, music, arts and crafts, museums.The outdoors offers a whole plethora of activities.

Great wine growing, wonderful food, - choosing what you can fit in will be your biggest dilemma.

Far too much to tell you about here.

sueby40

Contact a local Travel Agent in NZ who will be able to book all your flights accomodation and assist you while you are visiting. I suggest House of Travel which is NZ wide.

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