New Zealand - when and where to go

[lowrie333]

Hello, I am planning a trip to New Zealand next November for 4 weeks. Is this a good time to go, or would there be a better time? Also does anybody have any suggestions / advice on where to go and what i shouldn't miss out on?

[bongerman]

top tip if you're going at that time of year... camp.

Best campsites in the world that I've been to.

[mancmo]

Hi, Im off to New Zealand this November visiting a friend and she said it will be glorious weather! so a good time to go me thinks!!!

There is so much to do in NZ. I went there 10 years ago and travelled around on the Kiwi Experience bus, which is an organised bus tour organised especially for backpackers but there are all sorts of travellers that go on it, not just the young ones taking a year out. have a look on their website. www.kiwiexperience.com

Some places that stick in my mind are: Heli-Hiking in Franz Josef near Queenstown, fantasitc experience, helicopter ride to the top of the glacier then treking back down again!!

Milford Sounds, whale watching in Kaikora, bay of islands and Rotarua in the north island. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, shotover jet in Queenstown.

I recommend getting the Lonely Planet, it was like a bible to us!!! you'll have a fantastic time, if i can think of any other places to see and do, will post them.

[sddsddean]

If you happen to go to Wellington, I recommend the Segway tour at Bodyelectric. Tony, the guy who runs it, is really good and the tour lasts a good 2hrs (possibly a bit more). He only takes 4 people at a time, as you go along some pavements, so can be a bit congested. Bit pricey at NZ$89 (�35), but the wife and I loved it.
http://www.bodyelectric.co.nz/tours.htm
(You book via the Wellington tourist site, link supplied)

[Gef]

I went for 5 weeks last July/August and am going again this year at the same time - still so much that I haven't seen. There is really so much to do and see I don't really know where to start so I won't be specific.

I hired a car from Auckland to do the Bay of Islands then flew to Christchurch. From there I did the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth before joining the very good Magic Bus (felt very welcome even though I'm 55 and most of the other were 20s - 30s).. Then travelled back to Auckland via Franz Joseph, Queenstown, Milford, Dunedin, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch, Kaikoura, Nelson, Abel Tasmam, Picton, Wellington, Napier, Rotorua and Mt Maunganui.

Stayed in backpacker hostels all the time and was never disappointed.

I bought the Rough Guide and it was excellent so I've just bought the new edition. Other folk that I met swore by Lonely Planet but the new one has had some poor reviews on Amazon. Whichever you buy make sure it is as up to date as possible.

Could go on forever but please post again if you have any specific questions or post an email addy.

You will love it. Good luck.

[Snowy Owl]

So much depends on what your interests are and the state of your finances, not to mention your age! November is the start of their spring which, depending on how hard a winter there has been, may make some parts of the SI less easily accesible. A friend of mine went early November 4 years ago and had to have snow chains when driving around some parts of the SI.

No doubt all of us who have had the good fortune to go would be able to furnish you with lists of not to be missed, where to stay and how to travel, but our interests and finances may be very different to yours. There are a lot of answers to similar questions already on AB. If you type New Zealand into the 'search travel' box on the left hand side of this page, you will find over 200 hits! Start with what is on here and those pages and then head for your local library and borrow one or two of the travel guides and check them out.

I'm sure that the one thing we would all agree on is that there is no way that a month is long enough. I'm saving up now to return in possibly 2009.....!