NZ where to Go ?

[Where]

We are a Family of 5 that are heading to Auckland New Zealand for a week in October. We are looking for ideas on where to go.

Any Ideas will be greatly appreciated

Cheers

[HaileysMom]

Are you planning to stay in Auckland the whole trip or are you going to venture out? If you leave Auckland, are you going to visit the South Island as well?

[Where]

No we are looking for day trips or longer from Auckland. We will be staying in the North Island Of NZ

[HaileysMom]

Hi, Where,
I am sorry, it doesn't like I'd be of much help to you, then. We stayed in Queenstown & explored that part of the South Island. It was nothing short of AMAZING! If you change your itinerary to include the South Island, let me know.
Otherwise, there are a lot of New Zealanders on this board who can oofer advice.
I think, though, that no matter where you go in NZ, you will be treated very warmly. Everyone was very nice & the food was GREAT!
Have fun...we envy you!

[Arry]

I agree with HaileysMom -- South Island is more scenic and more beautiful; you can base your trip from Christchurch. However, if you want to explore North Island only at this time and want to focus on Auckland and its surrounding area, you can make a trip to Rotorua and see the blowholes, fumaroles, geysers, etc - it should be amusing for the whole family. Apart from Rotorua, you can also explore the northern part of North Island (Northland) and visit the beaches, Bay of Islands, the tall kauri trees. You can also take a bus/train to Wellington and see Te Papa Museum and fly out of Wellington, if you can, or return to Auckland. It can be done in a week. Spend as LITTLE time in Auckland as it is just another big town. Just breeze through One Tree Hill (mentioned in U2 song), Parnell (quaint shopping street), the observatory tower (telcom tower, I think -- you should try walking on the glass on the observatory deck and look down! Even though you know that you're safe, your mind still registers that you're in danger)   - then you've pretty much cover Auckland.   I prefer Wellington myself since it seems to have more "character".

[chriso]

I would suggest you spend a day on Waiheke, catch the ferry from end of Queens st Ferry Terminal. You would have to choose from a trip to Bay of Islands or Rotorua, as you would need to take 2 days and only have one week. For me I lived in Rotorua and a fantastic tourist spot, but you would have to choose the bay of islands, stay in Pahia, take the Cream trip or hole in the rock trip, and make sure you visit Kerikeri and Waitangi. The Auto lodge Pahia is Ok with a family, my worlds favorite restuarant also in Pahia, Seafood only (if still there)

[chriso]

I would suggest you spend a day on Waiheke, catch the ferry from end of Queens st Ferry Terminal. You would have to choose from a trip to Bay of Islands or Rotorua, as you would need to take 2 days and only have one week. For me I lived in Rotorua and a fantastic tourist spot, but you would have to choose the bay of islands, stay in Pahia, take the Cream trip or hole in the rock trip, and make sure you visit Kerikeri and Waitangi. The Auto lodge Pahia is Ok with a family, my worlds favorite restuarant also in Pahia, Seafood only (if still there)

[bluemousemonkey]

A day trip to either Waiheke OR Kawau Island is a good suggestion. Rotorua is great to discover as well. Go to these: http://www.onenz.co.nz/tourism/2/A/Index.htm
or http://www.aucklandnz.com/index.html
A great day trip for the family might be to visit the huge Waitomo Caves - easily done and pretty exciting stuff.
Try http://www.new-zealand.com/WaitomoCaves/  for some information about this.
Also, the Waitakere Ranges have some FANTASTIC walks through nature and are only about 20 minutes away. Try http://www.natureandco.co.nz/land_and_wildlife/regions/auckland/reg-parks/visit-for-waitak.php3#kauri-walk
Where are you staying ie what suburb/area of Auckland?

[bluemousemonkey]

Also, just to take a look at what's on now - http://xtramsn.co.nz/travel/0,,8418-1555121,00.html

[Arry]

I forgot to give you the official NZ tourism website:
http://www.purenz.com

Enjoy! NZ is one of my favourite countries, especially the South Island!!

[where]

Thanks everyone we are going to a Wedding in Takapuna and want to do some trips from here.

Thanks for all your suggestions,

Cheers

[bluemousemonkey]

Oh Arry - now you've gone and made me all homesick and tearful and choked up as I look at the purenz website (for the first time) and the 'Middle Earth' presentation there. I miss my homeland dreadfully now.
Yes, the South Island is very beautiful. It reminded me of the highlands of Scotland when I first visited it many years ago. Auckland is fun though if you plan some good places to visit. I feel a family of 5 could have a good time there over a week, do you think?

[HaileysMom]

Arry,
I must tell you...after the one visit we had to the South Island, my husband & I are SERIOUSLY considering retirement there. Even though that is still a few decades away, I dream about it all the time.
Hollywood has finally gotten a clue & are suddenly filming many movies there.
BTW, the Pure NZ web site is how we booked our trip. They have links for every part of the country & for just about every activity you could ever want to do there. HAVE FUN!!!

Just when I thought I had seen some of the most beautiful places on Earth, we went to New Zealand.

[This message has been edited by HaileysMom (edited 01-07-2002).]

[Arry]

Hehe - that was exactly my feeling, HaileysMom! I went to NZ for the very first time in 1997 and fell in love with the country. I returned there again last year in December and put a travelogue online here in expatsingapore, and explored South Island more (the west coast and even as far south as Invercargill!). Cheesily speaking, a part of me was torn away when I took the ferry from South Island to Wellington.  I feel a special affinity with South Island.

One thing that I can't recommend enough, is - when you take a bus, or drive in South Island through the meandering lonely roads, fenced by green hills and the trees in South Island, play a nice classical music or a soundtrack of your choice. I remembered the moment I took a bus in South Island, and I was between Wanaka and Queenstown, my destination. The rain had just stopped moments ago, and the sun was peering shyly from the thick clouds. I put on my CD-walkman and played "The Wings of a Film" (a compilation of movie soundtracks composed by Hans Zimmer). Imagine seeing the mountains unfolding and chasing each other while some sunrays flashing down and reflected by Lake Wakatipu ... and the music was playing "Now we are free" from Gladiator soundtrack.

It was Heaven on earth.

[HaileysMom]

Arry,
You are making me want to pack my bags right now!!! I can see everythign you described in my head as I read your post. Thanks for bring back such wonderful memories...as though 1 whole video & 5 rolls of film weren't enough.  
Where did you stay in Queenstown?