Heading for NZ, what not to miss?

[InTransit]

@amarinth

I’m not going to have time to see both glaciers (though I do have space set aside for a glacier walk - the whole idea seemed too cool not to try it.) Is there one that I should do over the other?

I have read/heard that Franz Josef is the more “visited” one (I believe it’s closer to town), and there are pluses to Fox for not being so trampled to, but really, you can’t lose with either glacier and you don’t need to do both. Weather may dictate things for you anyway. We found that it iadvisable to leave cushions of time around your events, if you are one to plan in terms of hours.

NZ hotel proprietors are incredibly friendly and helpful. They made bookings for us and were great at recommending local activities and eateries.

[Kilvert_s_Pagan]

We were only there for 9 days, and hit both islands. If we had to do it again, with that short of a trip, we would have skipped the North Island entirely. (With no offense meant to the good Dopers who reside there…) But that’s because our interests were heavily skewed to the outdoors. Also, as someone who lived in Wyoming for years, Rotorua didn’t do as much for me… Yellowstone is larger, prettier and less spoiled. One of the attractions of the North Island is the glowworm caves, but you can experience lesser versions of these on the South Island as well.

We stayed in a tiny town way south called Te Anau for a few days, which was a handy (and less expensive) place to base day trips to Milford and other area attractions.

If you’re really into nature, you may also want to consider a Tasmania (side) trip. NZ has prettier scenery, but Tasmania’s flora and fauna were (IMHO) more interesting.

And I agree on one other point - the NZ people are very friendly, even to Paheka like me.

[Richard_Pearse]

Do you mean pakeha?

Thank you everyone for making me feel well and truly home sick.

If I may throw a few suggestions your way, if it’s not too late.

Please consider going to Doubtful Sound rather than Milford Sound. Both are exceptionally beautiful and you won’t regret going to either, however Doubtful is not as “touristy”. A good option is to stay at Te Anau for a night then take a ferry across Lake Te Anau, followed by a bus trip across to Doubtful Sound. Then you are taken on a cruise through the sound, it usually includes a visit from the local dolphins and a visit to a seal colony. The bus trip back includes a drive through an underground power station which uses the vertical distance between Lake Te Anau and sea level to generate power.

If you decide to stop at Wanaka, check out Crifel Peak Safaris. They operate four wheel bike tours around the area, lots of fun. If you are interested in old aircraft, there is an exceptional museum of airworthy WWII fighters at the New Zealand Fighter Pilot’s Museum.

Whether it be in Wanaka, Queenstown, or further north on the West Coast, you will not regret a scenic flight around the mountains. The air in NZ is very clear with visibility sometimes up towards 200Km.

Please don’t be disheartened if it pours with rain on the West Coast of the South Island. Some areas get over 6 metres of rainfall per year (that’s some serious rainfall, more than many tropical places get in their “wet season”) but it also creates the most magnificent waterfalls and landscapes. You haven’t really experienced the West Coast until you see it on a rainy day.

Even though you are travelling at the best time of year, it can still get very cold at times, be sure to have warm clothes available!

Tipping is not part of NZs culture, it is appreciated but not expected. A tip is generally received with slight surprise and genuine pleasure. Wait staff do not rely on tips for their wages but feel free to tip if you receive exceptional service.

One final word of warning. There is a lot to do in NZ. If you don’t anticipate going back for a second trip, you’d be wise to spend more time seeing fewer locations in greater detail. If you’ll be going back, feel free to see a lot of places so you can decide on where to concentrate your efforts on your next trip.

Relax and have fun!

[hawthorne]

Food and beverages:

Lemon and Paeroa soft drink (not saying it’s good, just that it has to be tried)
Green-lipped mussels (top of Sth Island)
Proper whitebait
Macs Gold beer
Mutton pies

Places that haven’t been mentioned:

Napier: if you like art deco, this is quite a place. Rebuilt after disasters in the 1930s, this place is a stunner.

Bay of Islands: the top of the Nth Island is seriously under-rated. This is a lovely area even if you don’t get on a boat.