Thetownend.com

Anyone been? Best places to go and see?

Going for 3 weeks in January, a week in christchurch with my brother and then 2 weeks in a motorhome driving about.

Just the South Island then? Milford Sound, Kaikoura if you want see whales and dolphins, Queenstown for adventure sports and the mountains. Make sure you go to see the wizard in Christchurch too, if he's still about.

Who you flying with Tans? We were looking to go Dec to see some friends but the quotes we got were extortionate.

Going to book it  with singapore airlines through the air newzealand website

You can fly with China Southern for about £850. Not the best airline in the world, but you get what you pay for. Qantas isn't too bad either, about a grand.

It's near Lyneham, and has a chicken factory. I've worked in there.

Head west. Air New Zealand via LA might be worth a look.

Wonderful place to visit...

The South Island has the beauty of Europe ( Switzerland and Finland to name a few places ) with lakes and mountains which are truly fantastic.

Top of the North Island including Auckland and the Coromandel is simply great...

Bring plenty of sun block and every where will be wonderful.

COYMR's

   

 

As NZ said great country, I've been several times for extended periods. I can highly recommend, Napier and Wellington. The Wellington to Picton Ferry, The train from Wellington to Greymouth, Franz Josef Glacier and Queenstown to get you going as well as the bits NZ mentions, to get all those in would  fill your 3 weeks in a drive round, which is in itself a stunning way to spend couple your time, north or south Island

You may mean this train journey, which indeed travels through some spectacular scenery.

http://www.seat61.com/TranzAlpine.htm#.VRPZgChELkc

Yes, have railed and driven across, both superb.

what i want to know is where was Zealand?

Holland maybe?

Dutch cartographers renamed the land Nova Zeelandia after the Dutch province of Zeeland. British explorer James Cook subsequently anglicised the name to New Zealand.

I thought everyone knew this  ;)

The Netherlands

Denmark....it's still there.

It's the biggest land mass of Denmark,  isn't it reg? :sherlock:

I seem to remember Denmark consisting of Jutland, which is the biggest bit yutting from Germany....then islands Zealand, Lolland, Funen....with Bornholm a bit further out.

Ah, Jutland.

Assuming you're sticking to the South Island, finishing the 2 week road trip back in Christchurch, and don't like going back on yourself too much, I'd recommend something like this:

Christchurch to the west via Arthur's Pass (stop for a hike, lots of Kea (parrots) here); south to Franz Josef glacier, with a stop at Lake Matheson; down to Wanaka (reminiscent of the Lake District); Queenstown (nice relaxed city, and jumping off point for Fiordland); Milford Sound (worth getting up early or staying late to avoid crowds), kayaking on Doubtful Sound if you're feeling flush, or Lake Manapouri if you're not (private hire a kayak on the cheap); north via Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo (good for stargazing); ending back in Christchurch

Alternatively, if you cross at Arthur's Pass and head north instead, up through Paparoa National Park (you can camp here under a giant rock called the 'Ballroom Overhang'); Nelson (okay for night), Abel Tasman (stunning for beaches/ kayaking), down to the Nelson Lakes, east to Queen Charlotte Sound; Marlborough Vineyards if you're a wine ponce; Picton ferry for a couple of days in Wellington; back over to Kaikoura for the whales; and south again to Christchurch.

Think those would be the two most natural two week loops from Christchurch. You could do a mixture of both, but the road links on the South Island are not the best, so you need to plan your itinerary carefully to make best use of your time. Amazing place though. What I wrote above only scratches the surface.  :)

I spent 5 weeks there in 2006. It is a stunning country.

Don't miss the glaciers (Franz Josef or Fox). The treks are hard work but a real experience.

Hire a car - the drives are as spectacular as the destinations themselves. The lesser known lakes you come across are beautiful.

Don't miss Roturua - the hot spas aren't mindblowing, but they're worth seeing. The sulphur stench is enough to send you on your way after a day or two. Make sure you do the mountain 'luge' there too. Cultural, no, but more fun than any go karting you'll ever do.

Do a wine tour or two around Blenheim.

Take in the Maori culture, but beware the tourist packaged "Maori experience" type evenings. They have all the authenticity of the Bletchley Stealers.

Whale watch in Kaikoura (they gave us half our money back because we only saw two whales!).

Skydive over Lake Taupo. There's also a prawn farm with its very own prawn-themed golf driving range in Taupo. Not many places can say that.

Definitely don't miss Milford Sound. It's out of the way, but hopefully you'll get a clear, still day as we did. You won't forget it in a hurry.

Build in time to amble. NZ is stacked full of things to see, but it's not a country to be rushed. You will love it.

They had a little island out in the water at Taupo with a golf hole 200 yards out. I missed the hole by inches for $500. There is  also a luge at Queenstown, which is brilliant fun as well.

Ha, I did both of those too. Loved Queenstown luge. I was like an over excited child when I got to Rotorua to find the luge was 10 times the length.

 :girlgiggle:

All the positive comments on here are true and more besides...

One thing missing....

The County Ground on a Saturday afternoon  :(

COYMR's

Christchurch
Kaikora
Blenheim
Golden bay
Nelson
Westport
Queenstown
Dunedin
Akaroa
Christchurch

This is our places we are going to, missed anything?

Christchurch?  :)

If you arent touching north Island, I'd def set a day aside to do the Picton-wellington ferry if only  for a day trip, unmissable Imo.

Yeah i think i missed picton ferry off