NZ holiday must dos?

[JMemonic]

Good suggestions here but my money would be on Arrowtown over Wanaka.
Ross? Gotta stay at the Empire, classic old joint.

Yeah we have to look into Arrowtown, any suggestions for around there as we might consider staying there on the way to the Burt Munro this time?

[peasea]

Yeah we have to look into Arrowtown, any suggestions for around there as we might consider staying there on the way to the Burt Munro this time?

Last summer we stayed at the Mace Motel. Not the most up-market but it was a spur of the moment thiing and they had a room. It was the best bed of the whole trip though. There would be flasher places but what do you need?

[Blackbird]

If they get to the Wanaka area, they MUST try this out:http://www.wanakariverjourneys.co.nz/. It's run by the son of a workmate of mine and is in the most breathtaking scenery imaginable. You can either do the boat trip on its own or combine it with a helicopter trip that lands you in the snow in Mt Aspiring national park, then returns you to the boat for the return trip. It's just about the best thing I've ever done in NZ. Costs about $400 pp for the combined trip which lasts half a day.

[ynot slow]

Last summer we stayed at the Mace Motel. Not the most up-market but it was a spur of the moment thiing and they had a room. It was the best bed of the whole trip though. There would be flasher places but what do you need?

The pub is good to apparently,at my brothers' wedding last year people stayed at motels,pubs,campground.Campground was tidy,and that was cabins,the motel units were good,15 min walk to town.The motels were ok by those staying there.Dad stayed at the pub,he said nice and quaint(quiet)but had parking around the back.Should mention the big mountain bike event was on that weekend,and the Sunday was start of masters world cricket,so accomodation was pricey.

[Headbanger]

If they get to the Wanaka area, they MUST try this out:http://www.wanakariverjourneys.co.nz/. It's run by the son of a workmate of mine and is in the most breathtaking scenery imaginable. You can either do the boat trip on its own or combine it with a helicopter trip that lands you in the snow in Mt Aspiring national park, then returns you to the boat for the return trip. It's just about the best thing I've ever done in NZ. Costs about $400 pp for the combined trip which lasts half a day.

Freakin Awesome.

[Blackbird]

Freakin Awesome.

Cheers, it really is. Brent Pihama, the tour operator, has the sole concession on the Matukituki River so it's not full of boats plying their trade. He does a few spins and the like but Brent concentrates on the history and geology of the area and he's a wonderful guide.

I might mention the chopper flight too. It's run by a local large cattle and deer station. The pilot, Alex Aspinall, is the daughter of the station owner; probably in her mid 20's with already 7 years of chopper and fixed wing experience. Smoothest pilot I've ever flown with.

The photo of the glacier face on one of the pics below is 25 metres high - shows the scale of things. It felt like we could reach out and touch it!

[NinjaNanna]

Thanks for the input guys, for those who haven't added anything yet I'm looking for that local knowledge that uncovers the gems.

For those interested about stuff to do in or around Auckland, I highly recommend:

1. Tree adventures high ropes course at Woodhill forest
2. Mountian biking at Woodhill forest
3. Bungy Ball near Skytower
4. Caving Adventures @ Waitomo
5. Leisurely walk through the tunnel and mining ruins around the Karangahaki gorge near Waihi
6. Tongario Crossing walk

Most of these are relatively inexpensive to do.

So what other gems are out there?

Cheers
Shane

[peasea]

Adventure tours? Meh. Stay home, watch DVD's for two weeks. PS3, all that shit is so much better for you.

Ooops, the teenager in me has escaped!

Get back in there....