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[smiffy]

I'm getting so excited now so if this post gets carried away I apologise! I leave in like 12 days for 2 months in australia then a month in new zealand!

The thing is 'cos I'm doing the east coast and it's so popular I kinda know where I want to go on that part of my trip. But to be honest I haven't really got a clue about where to go in new zealand! The north island we're doing off our own backs and then we've got a campervan for the south island! I know a month isn't a long time so that's why I'm asking what people think are the best things to see in both islands! I've read the NZ starter kit which was really helpful but I'm still a bit clue less when it comes to places to go!

Hope u can help!! Thanks

Leanne xx

O by the way I start in auckland and pick the camper up in christchurch!

[ScottWoz]

Hi Leanne,

Picking up the camper in Christchurch and then bouncing around for a month is perfect. You're gonna have the time of your life, great time of year to go too. Really, it all depends on what floats your boat. What sort of things interest you the most? This will have a great bearing on what to squeeze in to that month.

Personally, I'd spend a little more time in the south island where your main decision will be whether or not to go around the bottom - along the southern scenic route OR cut through the Mackenzie Country, the great lakes and head inland. Both options have their merits - great merits. Going coastal you'll potentially miss the great lakes & Mt Cook, going inland you'll miss Dunedin, the Catlin's & Stewart Island. Move quick enough however and you could do it all, though quality time is really what you need here, the place is tooooo amazing to flash past.

Give us an idea of your interests and we'll see what we can come up with. For now and off the top of my head I'd have to say the South Island must do's would be:

The Fiordland
The west coast (glaciers)
Kaikoura
Banks Peninsula (just south of Christchurch)
Queenstown & surrounds
The great lakes (Tekapo, Pukaki, Ohau)
Marlborough Sounds

And the North Island:

Bay of Islands
Cape Reinga
Taupo
Tongariro
Rotorua
Bay of plenty and the Coromandel region

This will all make it tight on your time and of course, there's so much more to see, but NZ is a doddle to get around (compared to Australia) so I don't think you'll go far wrong having the time of your lives..

[smiffy]

Wow thats amazin thanx so much!

My boyfriend went to NZ and did it in a camper too earlier this year and said it was such a great place and so I'm really looking forward to the change of pace from australia!

In terms of my interests I'd say I really would like to catch some of the Lord of the Rings areas and the glaciers and hot mud and spa pools and geysers! Just going round having a blast with my friends is gonna be ace but also having some beautiful things to look at is gonna make for a great trip!!

xx

[Paul]

Hi Scott.

That is really crap. Please don't write things like that, because you will make me want to spend lots of money and go and explore NZ with my family.

Please just write things like the place is ugly and not interesting. That way I can happily sit at home and go nowhere.

[ScottWoz]

No, sorry. Not until that yellow t-shirt comes through the letter box I won't.

Seriously mate, you need to think about 'spending lots of money and go explore NZ with your family'. You've always seemed to me to be one of the 'open' ones. It would without doubt mark itself as one of life's humbling moments. And I for one will be there to read about your experiences.

Hi Leanne,

Well you've just covered most things on that little list so you won't be disappointed. You'll find heaps of LOTR locations in both islands, though the craggy, mountainous, jagged peaks and vast mirror lakes will be primarily in the south island. Definitely get yourself down to Queenstown, Glenorchy and Paradise and prepare to be amazed.

As I said, NZ is so accessible and has so many vastly contrasting natural wonders in such a close proximity that I really think you'll see everything you could dream of. And I'm sure you will. Dont forget to take loads of pics and tell us all about it in your travelogue. If you need anything else please shout up.

Enjoy!

[alexb6]

Hi Smiffy,

I was out travelling in OZ and NZ this time last year and now am sat at my desk getting very jealous! I did get in touch with you a few weeks back about good travel sites to use for OZ and NZ. One of my favorite sites was lazyshark.com! It specialises in OZ and NZ so I was able to book accommodation and some cool trips/tours through the site. I recommend the Triple Challenge when you are in Queenstown! I also used the site to upload pictures, travel journals and send meesages so it was pretty helpful.

Regarding your trip the east coast of OZ is a must. I learnt to surf in Sydney and then booked a surf safari up the coast to finish in Byron Bay. I booked this on the lazyshark.com site and it was the highlight of my trip. You can do the east coast in about 4 weeks so you should try get across to Perth, Melbourne and Alice Springs if you can afford it. Otherwise tale your time in Byron, Hervey Bay and Airlie Beach!

As for NZ, it was even better! I backpacked around the whole country and the south island is the best! North Island was great too as Auckland is good fun, Bay of Islands is stunning and Rotorua sticks but is worth a visit! Also try see the glow worm caves in Waitomo! Spend more time in the south island if you can. I did the campervan option which is definately the best way. My favourite places were Kaikoura (whale watching is a must), Christchurch (some great bars), Queenstown (spend at least a week), Milford Sounds (unbelievable), Mount Cook (quiet but spectacular) and Glacier Country (Fox and Josef Glaciers on the west coast). If you manage all of that you won't be dissapointed.

Have a great trip!!!

Alex

I'm getting so excited now so if this post gets carried away I apologise! I leave in like 12 days for 2 months in australia then a month in new zealand!

The thing is 'cos I'm doing the east coast and it's so popular I kinda know where I want to go on that part of my trip. But to be honest I haven't really got a clue about where to go in new zealand! The north island we're doing off our own backs and then we've got a campervan for the south island! I know a month isn't a long time so that's why I'm asking what people think are the best things to see in both islands! I've read the NZ starter kit which was really helpful but I'm still a bit clue less when it comes to places to go!

Hope u can help!! Thanks

Leanne xx

O by the way I start in auckland and pick the camper up in christchurch!

[ScottWoz]

It's a must. Look forward to hearing about your experiences. How long d'you have over there?

[ScottWoz]

That would be much better. NZ is so often so easily overlooked. You'll need as much time as you can get your hands on..