New Zealand master thread
Feb 16, 2005, 7:32 pm
#16
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Canterbury & Mount Cook
Intro to Canterbury & Mount Cook
The areas likely to be of most interest to visitors are inland - MacKenzie Country, Mt Cook/Aoraki (NZ's tallest mountain) and the Southern Alps. However there are some places of interest nearer the coast - Temuka, Timaru, Oamaru (strictly Oamaru is in Otago).
What to see?
Temuka pottery is well known in NZ. Timaru is a quiet seaside city - Caroline Bay is nice. Oamaru is a small town with old style whitestone buildings in the centre.
The MacKenzie Basin (aka MacKenzie Country) is semi-wild landscape of rolling tussocky foothills with the Southern Alps as back drop. Several lakes dot the area both natural and man-made (some major hydro schemes). See the turquoise colours of large glacial lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. The Church of the Good Shepard at Tekapo is picturesque.
What to do?
In season there is good fishing at the river mouths of Rakaia, Rangitata and other rivers.
Go for day walks or for those experienced in mountaineering more serious climbs from Mount Cook. For the less energetic take a plane onto nearby Tasman Glacier - one of the longest temperate climate glaciers in the world.
Where to stay?
There are no major hotels in the region. Timaru has some small hotels, and most towns have at least a pub or two that you can stay in. Mount Cook village has The Hermitage (european alps style), plus motels & camping.
How to get around?
Mount Cook is well served by tour buses, otherwise to explore the area hire a car.
Major events
Tips & tricks
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - summer or autumn
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - winter
The areas likely to be of most interest to visitors are inland - MacKenzie Country, Mt Cook/Aoraki (NZ's tallest mountain) and the Southern Alps. However there are some places of interest nearer the coast - Temuka, Timaru, Oamaru (strictly Oamaru is in Otago).
What to see?
Temuka pottery is well known in NZ. Timaru is a quiet seaside city - Caroline Bay is nice. Oamaru is a small town with old style whitestone buildings in the centre.
The MacKenzie Basin (aka MacKenzie Country) is semi-wild landscape of rolling tussocky foothills with the Southern Alps as back drop. Several lakes dot the area both natural and man-made (some major hydro schemes). See the turquoise colours of large glacial lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. The Church of the Good Shepard at Tekapo is picturesque.
What to do?
In season there is good fishing at the river mouths of Rakaia, Rangitata and other rivers.
Go for day walks or for those experienced in mountaineering more serious climbs from Mount Cook. For the less energetic take a plane onto nearby Tasman Glacier - one of the longest temperate climate glaciers in the world.
Where to stay?
There are no major hotels in the region. Timaru has some small hotels, and most towns have at least a pub or two that you can stay in. Mount Cook village has The Hermitage (european alps style), plus motels & camping.
How to get around?
Mount Cook is well served by tour buses, otherwise to explore the area hire a car.
Major events
Tips & tricks
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - summer or autumn
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - winter
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; May 21, 2006 at 10:58 pm
Feb 16, 2005, 7:33 pm
#17
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Buller & West Coast
Intro to Buller & West Coast
Sparsely populated and rugged, the wild west coast of the South Island is like going back in time. Lush rainforest and wetlands dominate the landscape. Access is limited to a few roads through the mountains - in the northern end from Nelson or Hamner Springs through Lewis Pass and Buller Gorge to Westport and Buller district, in the middle from Christchurch through Arthurs Pass to Greymouth and Hokitika, and in the south from Queenstown through Haast Pass (to Haast township).
What to see?
In Westport see the Coal Museum and the seals at Cape Foulwind (and feel the power of the prevailing roaring forties). Drive northward to see Oparara Arch (natural limestone formation) and lush rainforest. Inland from Westport the Buller Gorge has the historic Lyall ghostown and gold workings, and see the road carved out of the cliffs (semi-tunnel).
To the south of Westport are the pancake rocks and blowholes at Punakaikai.
Shantytown is a village museum showing life in the early days.
South of Hokitika see pristine lakes and more lush rainforest. A short side-trip from the main road to get to Lake Matheson may reward on a clear day with views and reflections of the Southern Alps including Mount Cook/Aoraki. The white heron (kotuku) colony at Okarito Lagoon is nearby (also side road).
Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are the most accessible low altitude glaciers anywhere in the mid-latitudes. Either drive up and take a short walk to the face or overlooking the glaciers, or use the services of guides for a walk on the actual glacier.
Further south is more unspoilt terrain, and yes, more lush rainforest.
What to do?
Make a stop at Mahinapua Hotel on the road south of Hokitika - the pub in the middle of nowhere.
Where to stay?
Only small hotels, motels and a few campgrounds in the usual spots.
How to get around?
Tour buses run along all the main roads connecting the west coast with Queenstown/Wanaka, Christchurch and Nelson.
Major events
Tips & tricks
Note that distances, and particularly travel times, between towns can be large so be sure to book ahead during holiday periods so that you dont get caught out - there may only be one place to stay within 100km and not nice if they're full already when you turn up. Same logic to filling up with petrol - if you're starting to get low then fill up, can be a long distance to the next station. I think there now aren't any north of Westport for example.
The roads are built to cope with the high rainfall, however floods can wash out bridges and landslides can block roads. Particularly if travelling south of Hokitika make sure your itinerary can cope with an extra day if the road is closed.
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - any, chances are it will rain 1 out of any 2 days
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - winter
Sparsely populated and rugged, the wild west coast of the South Island is like going back in time. Lush rainforest and wetlands dominate the landscape. Access is limited to a few roads through the mountains - in the northern end from Nelson or Hamner Springs through Lewis Pass and Buller Gorge to Westport and Buller district, in the middle from Christchurch through Arthurs Pass to Greymouth and Hokitika, and in the south from Queenstown through Haast Pass (to Haast township).
What to see?
In Westport see the Coal Museum and the seals at Cape Foulwind (and feel the power of the prevailing roaring forties). Drive northward to see Oparara Arch (natural limestone formation) and lush rainforest. Inland from Westport the Buller Gorge has the historic Lyall ghostown and gold workings, and see the road carved out of the cliffs (semi-tunnel).
To the south of Westport are the pancake rocks and blowholes at Punakaikai.
Shantytown is a village museum showing life in the early days.
South of Hokitika see pristine lakes and more lush rainforest. A short side-trip from the main road to get to Lake Matheson may reward on a clear day with views and reflections of the Southern Alps including Mount Cook/Aoraki. The white heron (kotuku) colony at Okarito Lagoon is nearby (also side road).
Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers are the most accessible low altitude glaciers anywhere in the mid-latitudes. Either drive up and take a short walk to the face or overlooking the glaciers, or use the services of guides for a walk on the actual glacier.
Further south is more unspoilt terrain, and yes, more lush rainforest.
What to do?
Make a stop at Mahinapua Hotel on the road south of Hokitika - the pub in the middle of nowhere.
Where to stay?
Only small hotels, motels and a few campgrounds in the usual spots.
How to get around?
Tour buses run along all the main roads connecting the west coast with Queenstown/Wanaka, Christchurch and Nelson.
Major events
Tips & tricks
Note that distances, and particularly travel times, between towns can be large so be sure to book ahead during holiday periods so that you dont get caught out - there may only be one place to stay within 100km and not nice if they're full already when you turn up. Same logic to filling up with petrol - if you're starting to get low then fill up, can be a long distance to the next station. I think there now aren't any north of Westport for example.
The roads are built to cope with the high rainfall, however floods can wash out bridges and landslides can block roads. Particularly if travelling south of Hokitika make sure your itinerary can cope with an extra day if the road is closed.
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - any, chances are it will rain 1 out of any 2 days
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - winter
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; May 22, 2006 at 2:08 pm
Feb 16, 2005, 7:33 pm
#18
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Queenstown & Central Otago
Intro to Queenstown & Central Otago
This area is different to almost everywhere else in New Zealand and still envokes images of the wild west, at least when away from the bustling towns of Queenstown and Wanaka! Nestled between coastal plains and the Southern Alps this region is mostly hilly and open - thanks to the climate (dry and continental) and early clearing by settlers there are few trees to be seen. In winter this is the coldest part of the country, and the only part other than the mountain peaks that can experience days that fail to get above freezing. While in summer it is generally warm and can be hot in nor'west fohn conditions. Off the main highways there are places that few (even kiwis) have visited.
What to see?
Queenstown is the best known, for it's stunning mountain scenery and Lake Wakatipu (which "breathes" - a regular cycle of rising and falling lake level). Little over an hour away Wanaka offers much the same as Queenstown but with smaller crowds (at least for the next few years).
The hill country behind Queenstown is easily accessible through Skippers Canyon (warning car rentals are NOT insured on this road - take one of the many adventure operators instead) or the less visited valleys behind Arrowtown for a feeling of remoteness.
Many Lord of the Rings sites are found in this area including mountains, valleys and forest.
Glenorchy and the Dart River at the head of Lake Wakatipu offer braided river valleys reaching into the mountains, lush rainforest and a sense of isolation. Visit this area in the next few years before it becomes more popular (through LOTR and potentially also a gondola through to Milford Sound).
What to do?
Queenstown is the adventure capital. If an activity involves adrenaline, chances are it can be done here. Here is an incomplete list of types of adventure activities - bunjy (ranging from little 40 metre jumps to 134 metre falls), parapenting, jetboating, white water rafting, skydiving, parasailing, canyoning, fly by wire, flying fox, horse riding, 4wd rides (eg to the abandoned gold mining area of Macetown), river yaks (body surf down the rapids), etc.
There are some very nice walks around Queenstown - ranging from short, flat rambles to 4 world class multi-day hikes in the nearby mountains.
In winter skiing and snowboarding at one of several fields by Queenstown and Wanaka. Cross country and heli-ski options also available. Most years there is also outdoor curling in the small frozen dams around Alexandra.
Ride the central otago bike trail (follows an abandoned rail line, so an easy if long ride).
Play golf at Millbrook, one of the top (and most scenic) golf courses in the country.
Try your hand at a (non-moving) flight simulator to see how you do flying into ZQN.
Flying - there are fantastic scenic flights to Milford Sound (including flying past Sutherland Falls the tallest waterfall in New Zealand), Mt Aspiring or further afield (Mt Aoraki/Cook area).
Take the Air NZ or Qantas flight IN to Queenstown for one of the most stunning flights (other than Milford Sound) you will ever take. The scenery on the flight out is also good, but not as close to the mountains as the flight in, which flies past Mt Aoraki/Cook and the Southern Lakes before wending through mountain valleys and over a couple of passes on the final descent.
Where to stay?
A few chains are starting to open hotels in Queenstown, and I'd expect more to be added as the popularity of the area continues to grow. The first post of Kiwi Mainland Do contains info on some of the main hotels. There are hundreds of B&Bs and apartments in Queenstown.
Other centres (Wanaka, Alexandra, etc) have much less options with no major hotels. Wanaka, catering to winter ski season, has lots of smaller hotels and B&Bs.
How to get around?
Tour buses link Queenstown with Milford Sound, west coast (via Wanaka), Christchurch and Dunedin. Buses also run between Queenstown and nearby towns (Wanaka, Cromwell). Arrowtown is on the Queenstown local bus routes.
For the back country areas behind Alexandra a rental car is needed.
Major events
(all Queenstown unless otherwise specified)
Brass Monkey Motorcycle Rally - Oturehua, June
Winter Festival - late June / early July
Blossom Festival - Alexandra, September
Tour of Southland (cycling) - November
New Years Eve - Queenstown and Wanaka
Tips & tricks
Flying into/out of Queenstown is the easiest and quickest way to enter and leave the region. However, being surrounded by mountains and subject to variable climate, delays and cancellations are more common here than elsewhere in NZ. Try not to book flight out of Queenstown on the same day as an international flight from Auckland.
If flying from Queenstown to Milford Sound or vice versa, allow a minimum of 3 days. Weather conditions can stop all flights for days at a time.
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - changeable at any time
Best music and public events - mid to late winter
Least crowded - autumn and spring
This area is different to almost everywhere else in New Zealand and still envokes images of the wild west, at least when away from the bustling towns of Queenstown and Wanaka! Nestled between coastal plains and the Southern Alps this region is mostly hilly and open - thanks to the climate (dry and continental) and early clearing by settlers there are few trees to be seen. In winter this is the coldest part of the country, and the only part other than the mountain peaks that can experience days that fail to get above freezing. While in summer it is generally warm and can be hot in nor'west fohn conditions. Off the main highways there are places that few (even kiwis) have visited.
What to see?
Queenstown is the best known, for it's stunning mountain scenery and Lake Wakatipu (which "breathes" - a regular cycle of rising and falling lake level). Little over an hour away Wanaka offers much the same as Queenstown but with smaller crowds (at least for the next few years).
The hill country behind Queenstown is easily accessible through Skippers Canyon (warning car rentals are NOT insured on this road - take one of the many adventure operators instead) or the less visited valleys behind Arrowtown for a feeling of remoteness.
Many Lord of the Rings sites are found in this area including mountains, valleys and forest.
Glenorchy and the Dart River at the head of Lake Wakatipu offer braided river valleys reaching into the mountains, lush rainforest and a sense of isolation. Visit this area in the next few years before it becomes more popular (through LOTR and potentially also a gondola through to Milford Sound).
What to do?
Queenstown is the adventure capital. If an activity involves adrenaline, chances are it can be done here. Here is an incomplete list of types of adventure activities - bunjy (ranging from little 40 metre jumps to 134 metre falls), parapenting, jetboating, white water rafting, skydiving, parasailing, canyoning, fly by wire, flying fox, horse riding, 4wd rides (eg to the abandoned gold mining area of Macetown), river yaks (body surf down the rapids), etc.
There are some very nice walks around Queenstown - ranging from short, flat rambles to 4 world class multi-day hikes in the nearby mountains.
In winter skiing and snowboarding at one of several fields by Queenstown and Wanaka. Cross country and heli-ski options also available. Most years there is also outdoor curling in the small frozen dams around Alexandra.
Ride the central otago bike trail (follows an abandoned rail line, so an easy if long ride).
Play golf at Millbrook, one of the top (and most scenic) golf courses in the country.
Try your hand at a (non-moving) flight simulator to see how you do flying into ZQN.
Flying - there are fantastic scenic flights to Milford Sound (including flying past Sutherland Falls the tallest waterfall in New Zealand), Mt Aspiring or further afield (Mt Aoraki/Cook area).
Take the Air NZ or Qantas flight IN to Queenstown for one of the most stunning flights (other than Milford Sound) you will ever take. The scenery on the flight out is also good, but not as close to the mountains as the flight in, which flies past Mt Aoraki/Cook and the Southern Lakes before wending through mountain valleys and over a couple of passes on the final descent.
Where to stay?
A few chains are starting to open hotels in Queenstown, and I'd expect more to be added as the popularity of the area continues to grow. The first post of Kiwi Mainland Do contains info on some of the main hotels. There are hundreds of B&Bs and apartments in Queenstown.
Other centres (Wanaka, Alexandra, etc) have much less options with no major hotels. Wanaka, catering to winter ski season, has lots of smaller hotels and B&Bs.
How to get around?
Tour buses link Queenstown with Milford Sound, west coast (via Wanaka), Christchurch and Dunedin. Buses also run between Queenstown and nearby towns (Wanaka, Cromwell). Arrowtown is on the Queenstown local bus routes.
For the back country areas behind Alexandra a rental car is needed.
Major events
(all Queenstown unless otherwise specified)
Brass Monkey Motorcycle Rally - Oturehua, June
Winter Festival - late June / early July
Blossom Festival - Alexandra, September
Tour of Southland (cycling) - November
New Years Eve - Queenstown and Wanaka
Tips & tricks
Flying into/out of Queenstown is the easiest and quickest way to enter and leave the region. However, being surrounded by mountains and subject to variable climate, delays and cancellations are more common here than elsewhere in NZ. Try not to book flight out of Queenstown on the same day as an international flight from Auckland.
If flying from Queenstown to Milford Sound or vice versa, allow a minimum of 3 days. Weather conditions can stop all flights for days at a time.
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - changeable at any time
Best music and public events - mid to late winter
Least crowded - autumn and spring
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Jun 16, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Feb 16, 2005, 7:34 pm
#19
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Dunedin city
Intro to Dunedin City
What to see?
What to do?
Where to stay?
How to get around?
Major events
Tips & tricks
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - xxx
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - xxx
What to see?
What to do?
Where to stay?
How to get around?
Major events
Tips & tricks
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - xxx
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - xxx
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Dec 9, 2005 at 6:47 pm
Feb 16, 2005, 7:35 pm
#20
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Fiordland, Southland & Stewart Island
Intro to Fiordland, Southland & Stewart Island
What to see?
What to do?
Where to stay?
How to get around?
Major events
Tips & tricks
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - xxx
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - xxx
What to see?
What to do?
Where to stay?
How to get around?
Major events
Tips & tricks
Links
When is the best time to visit?
Best weather - xxx
Best music and public events - xxx
Least crowded - xxx
Last edited by Kiwi Flyer; Dec 9, 2005 at 6:48 pm
Jun 22, 2005, 6:14 pm
#28
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Apologies for the delay in completing this thread. I hope to get back onto this shortly. What info do you want included in the region/city posts?
What to see?
Where to go?
Where to stay?
How to get around (public transport)?
Major events?
Tips and tricks?
Links to FT threads (specific to location)?
Links to visitor information (specific to location)?
anything else?
What to see?
Where to go?
Where to stay?
How to get around (public transport)?
Major events?
Tips and tricks?
Links to FT threads (specific to location)?
Links to visitor information (specific to location)?
anything else?
