NZ holiday must dos?

[NinjaNanna]

Hi There

My Mum and Dad are planning on playing tour guide and bringing 2 other familys across to NZ in Sept 2010.

My folks are mid 50's, one family is mid 30's with a 7 and a 9 year old and the other family is mid 40's with a 13, 15 and a 17yr old.

All of them live and work on large Aust cattle properties (workers not owners unfortunately) so budget will be a major consideration.

They are planning on coming for about 16 days and wish to see both the north and south islands.

So with that in mind what would you say are must do's / must see's (green bling awarded for any suggestions with links or contact info)

Also they'll be planning on hiring 2 mini vans to get everybody around.

Cheers in advance

NN

[ynot slow]

Tell them to fly into Auckland and leave from Queenstown/Christchurch,that way they won't lose the time returning to Auckland to fly out.
Your folks can pick them at Auckland,tiki tour south,go over Cook Strait and enjoy Sth Island,when they leave the parents cruise back to Auckland.

My cousin did that last time,they flew from GB into Akl and out of Chch,used campervan and also my uncle used his campervan to tiki tour with them when down south.

[jim.cox]

So with that in mind what would you say are must do's / must see's

Dryland Aussies, Huh?

Show them some green and wet

West Coast of the South Island

Include a flight up onto the glaciers

[Devil]

yeah as stated before, in at AKL out at CHCH.
6 days north island, 10 days south.

[Edbear]

Tell them to fly into Auckland and leave from Queenstown/Christchurch,that way they won't lose the time returning to Auckland to fly out.
Your folks can pick them at Auckland,tiki tour south,go over Cook Strait and enjoy Sth Island,when they leave the parents cruise back to Auckland.

My cousin did that last time,they flew from GB into Akl and out of Chch,used campervan and also my uncle used his campervan to tiki tour with them when down south.

Good idea!

For the North, I thoroughly recommend the Waipoua Forest and a stop at Tane Mahuta. Paihia is a beautiful spot for general access to the North. Day trips up 90 mile beach to the top. Great restaurant on the water and a ferry ride across to Russell for the craft shops, a trip either on the ferry or the fast boats through the "Hole in the Rock", right next to Waitangi which I recommend having a look through. Kerikeri with the stone cottage, Mangonui for their world famous fish and chips...

For Auckland I recommend the Sky Tower for dinner, the buffet is better value than the revolving retaurant. The Museum of Transport and Technology at Western Springs, and a tram ride up to the aircraft museum.

[Headbanger]

Ignore the North island, Fly into ChCh from Aus, do the South Island loop and fly back out of ChCh, No need to go near Auckland. And anything worth seeing in the North island has a more impressive counter part down South.

Unless they are here to shop, in which case they should've visited a major Aussie city.

[ynot slow]

Ignore the North island, Fly into ChCh from Aus, do the South Island loop and fly back out of ChCh, No need to go near Auckland. And anything worth seeing in the North island has a more impressive counter part down South.

Unless they are here to shop, in which case they should've visited a major Aussie city.

Not far off the mark,except the Forgotten Highway in campervans,gotta keep the tourist tradition.And Mt.Egmont isn't too bad either while in the area.

[chef]

hope the 15 year old and 17 are girls do em. theyll have fun then

[JMemonic]

West cost of the South Island, vist Franz Glacier but the flights cost a fortune, you can walk so far in, and there are walking tours, try to avoid the camp ground there as costs a fortune compared to others.

Pelorus Bridge is worth a stop to stretch your legs on the way from Picton to Nelson and try Queen Charlotte drive on the way there as well.

Avoid Shanty Town and visit Ross, its free and a nice stop.

Of course one should try and stop at Punakaki, if there is time.

Wanaka is good for overnight the camp ground there was basic but friendly and affordable last time we went through.

[peasea]

Good idea!

For the North, I thoroughly recommend the Waipoua Forest and a stop at Tane Mahuta. Paihia is a beautiful spot for general access to the North. Day trips up 90 mile beach to the top. Great restaurant on the water and a ferry ride across to Russell for the craft shops, a trip either on the ferry or the fast boats through the "Hole in the Rock", right next to Waitangi which I recommend having a look through. Kerikeri with the stone cottage, Mangonui for their world famous fish and chips...

For Auckland I recommend the Sky Tower for dinner, the buffet is better value than the revolving retaurant. The Museum of Transport and Technology at Western Springs, and a tram ride up to the aircraft museum.

Not forgetting a late-night jaunt along K Road. Real eye-opener for outback folk I'd say.

[ynot slow]

Not forgetting a late-night jaunt along K Road. Real eye-opener for outback folk I'd say.

As long as they take a 5 ltr nilverm drench pack with them.

[peasea]

West cost of the South Island, vist Franz Glacier but the flights cost a fortune, you can walk so far in, and there are walking tours, try to avoid the camp ground there as costs a fortune compared to others.

Pelorus Bridge is worth a stop to stretch your legs on the way from Picton to Nelson and try Queen Charlotte drive on the way there as well.

Avoid Shanty Town and visit Ross, its free and a nice stop.

Of course one should try and stop at Punakaki, if there is time.

Wanaka is good for overnight the camp ground there was basic but friendly and affordable last time we went through.

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

[peasea]

As long as they take a 5 ltr nilverm drench pack with them.

Along with a gun or two?

[kit]

Gotta go to milford sound!

[ynot slow]

Arrowtown camp ground is good for campervans,as long as nothing happening when there to book up all accomodation.