Looking to take a trip to New Zealand

[Bugaboo]

Got a few bucks saved for an trip over seas in August or September. Always thought about going to New Zealand and living in Illinois means that I know no one who has gone. Any one with experience traveling or living there?

I'm interested in taking a hike and scuba diving and at least one nice hotel and restaurant for a romantic night for my lady. Would love to move from city to city. I'm willing to camp or stay at hostels for some of the trip too. Of course i need a few good breweries and pubs to visit.

Debating on staying in Fiji for a day or two because i think most flights go through there.

 

[ryanpaulnorris]

Amazing country. If you are visiting the south island, make sure to take a tour of the Monteiths Brewery. Great beer, and a lot of fun.

 

[jkarp]

I did a 2,100 mi motorcycle tour of both islands. Fantastic place. Definitely hit Queenstown, Milford Sound (take a boat trip & see the penguins), make a run up the west coast of the south island, and see all the amazing hop fields between Motueka and Nelson. If you opt to ferry over to the north island, the spas at Rotura were magnificent, Napier was a fun beach town, and don't miss driving the Coromandel peninsula.

They drive on the "wrong" side of the road there. If you've never experienced that, it's not as bad as you might think. Just remember the "near left, far right" turn rule as you pull out of gas stations.

Loads of mom-and-pop run motels across both islands. Priced quite fair and never experienced a "bad" one. Every bar seems to have its own beer. Try them all!

 

[Bugaboo]

Would love to rent a motorcycle or even a scooter. Is there any licensing procedures you have to go through? I have a motor cycle license already just want things to go smoothly. Same question for scuba diving. When I was in hawaii you needed a certificate and I know friends who went to mexico and did not need one. If I need a certificate I would love to get one in the states before I go.

 

[jkarp]

I know nothing about scuba, but your state's DL with motorcycle endorsement is all you need for riding in NZ.

 

[Bugaboo]

I know nothing about scuba, but your state's DL with motorcycle endorsement is all you need for riding in NZ.

perfect!

Hop fields sound pretty awesome. Looking at franz josef glacier now.

Is public transportation any good? Suppose it's better on the north island

 

[jkarp]

perfect!

Hop fields sound pretty awesome. Looking at franz josef glacier now.

Is public transportation any good? Suppose it's better on the north island

Yeah, the glacier is awesome. You can feel the ground shake as things happen inside.

Outside of Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, I'd say public transportation is non-existant. People seem more amicable to picking up hitchhikers there but then you're at the mercy of someone coming by going your way. There ain't a lot of traffic outside of the big cities.

 

[iparks81]

BRING BACK PACIFIC JADE HOPS!!! lol....sounds like a great trip you've got planned, Id throw in my advice, but Ive only been to Australia, (moms from Aus.) so Ive got some idea of things to do there, but nothing as far as NZ goes...good luck and happy vacationing!

 

[angolajones]

Didn't they just have a major earthquake? That may change where you can go.

Jonesy

 

[Patirck]

I have not been to New Zealand but I did go diving in Fiji at a few places on a wonderful two week trip about 10 years ago. Dive Kadavu was great. The main Island where the airport is (Nadi) is OK and has some great indian food (Fiji is about half populated with ex pat Indians). I have been diving all over the world and I think Fiji is certainly in the top three for diving. I'm not sure about the diving on the main island - most of the really good stuff is at the other islands. Look up the great astrolabe reef and get familiar with drift dives - it was amazing.

Another place for a stop over that is really cheap and has great diving is Rarotonga - cook islands. Air New Zealand stops there on the way to Auckland from L.A. and they have really good deals for short stay overs. Cook islands are a New Zealand protectorate and it's very laid back. If you go make sure to have dinner at the Flame tree restaurant.

Have fun!

 

[Bugaboo]

Didn't they just have a major earthquake? That may change where you can go.

Jonesy

Yeah last tuesday I believe. Here's a map showing the magnitude http://www.christchurchquakemap.co.nz/. Would be interesting to go there and see how they are progressing with the clean up by August. 150 dead so far. 'Most beautiful places are too often the most dangerous.

I have not been to New Zealand but I did go diving in Fiji.................

I was already think about staying at Fiji a couple days after I noticed some flights stop there. Not sure if there's anything I can't find in New Zealand. I think what is appealing is being able to say "just got back from my trip to Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand" and not just New Zealand.

I'll have to check out the Cook Islands too.

P.S. My plan B vacation is Europe. Slightly cheaper and shorter flight and being able to move between countries is a big plus. Oh and of course the breweries are awesome.

 

[Caboose]

Im a little biased since I was born in Auckland, NZ. But I would highly recommend it. Both islands are equally beautiful. The greatest part of NZ is the size, you can rent a car and see mostly everything you want. And with the size there is so much to see in very close areas. I am jealous that you get to go somewhere (hopefully NZ) I left when I was 5 and moved to South Australia, then moved to Kentucky when I was 9 and havent been back. But Im dying to.