riversight
New Member
Hi KG, thanks for the info. Will consider both self-drive and package tours.
hi guys, check out these sites...
http://www.aa.co.nz/travel/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/
http://www.aa.co.nz/travel/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/
See Yeow Hoe,
During the winter period of May and June, it can be cold. However, to some, it is the most beautiful time to come. The leaves will turn golden and you will see it all throughout the North and South Island.
Daylight savings now finishes in April rather than March. So, the days in May will definitely be shorter.
If you do come during the May/June period, do come prepared with winter gear. As the days are shorter, you will have to plan where you want to go and where you like to stay.
During the winter period of May and June, it can be cold. However, to some, it is the most beautiful time to come. The leaves will turn golden and you will see it all throughout the North and South Island.
Daylight savings now finishes in April rather than March. So, the days in May will definitely be shorter.
If you do come during the May/June period, do come prepared with winter gear. As the days are shorter, you will have to plan where you want to go and where you like to stay.
eman, there is no such thing as cheap and good car rental. Although the NZD has gone down, petrol is still quite high. Today's price is 172.9 a litre.
My advice for car rental is to get a 2L car. How many luggages are you going to bring? Just ask yourself, if you have a 1.6L car in SG, and you dump all your luggage and shopping inside, can your car accelerate? You will be surprised what you buy when you are in NZ. Moreover, in SG you cannot speed, in NZ you can drive at 100km/h on the highway.
Go to the supermarkets, there are plenty to choose from. Dont worry, not many Made in China food stuff in the supermarket.
My advice for car rental is to get a 2L car. How many luggages are you going to bring? Just ask yourself, if you have a 1.6L car in SG, and you dump all your luggage and shopping inside, can your car accelerate? You will be surprised what you buy when you are in NZ. Moreover, in SG you cannot speed, in NZ you can drive at 100km/h on the highway.
Go to the supermarkets, there are plenty to choose from. Dont worry, not many Made in China food stuff in the supermarket.
haha... will only get NZ stuff when in NZ 
Well, I am surprised that the rental price for a 2L car varies and I suppose it is due to the different insurance (excess).
Pretty much going to enjoy the trip and hopefully buy value-for-money stuff. Am a giam gnna and the economy is not excellent so any savings would be good and fun!
Lodging is pretty standard, does not seem to have really cheap lodging. But then again, it's all through the internet and the internet sites for NZ are really user friendly.
Well, I am surprised that the rental price for a 2L car varies and I suppose it is due to the different insurance (excess).
Pretty much going to enjoy the trip and hopefully buy value-for-money stuff. Am a giam gnna and the economy is not excellent so any savings would be good and fun!
Lodging is pretty standard, does not seem to have really cheap lodging. But then again, it's all through the internet and the internet sites for NZ are really user friendly.
Hi, i signed up the CTC NZ trip for 8 Days. need to know roughly how much extra cash to bring along for own expenditure? most lunches are not provided and some dinners also not. only one F&E day optional tour. what places in South island is a must to visit? Any advice.
Thanks.
Thanks.
hi there, I'm planning for a self drive trip to NZ South island with my parents and hubby in Sep09, can anybody share their itinery with me? Thanks!
please mail to [email protected]
please mail to [email protected]
jayin_fairyland
New Member
Hi, i am considering NZ for my HM. Looking to travel in mid june. is NZ's winter a good time to be there? If we dun drive, is it still possible to go f&e or will u guys suggest that i take a packaged tour then? Thanks so much!
esther,
this is what i said earlier.
During the winter period of May and June, it can be cold. However, to some, it is the most beautiful time to come. The leaves will turn golden and you will see it all throughout the North and South Island.
Daylight savings now finishes in April rather than March. So, the days in May will definitely be shorter.
If you do come during the May/June period, do come prepared with winter gear. As the days are shorter, you will have to plan where you want to go and where you like to stay.
I think May is better than June to visit NZ.
this is what i said earlier.
During the winter period of May and June, it can be cold. However, to some, it is the most beautiful time to come. The leaves will turn golden and you will see it all throughout the North and South Island.
Daylight savings now finishes in April rather than March. So, the days in May will definitely be shorter.
If you do come during the May/June period, do come prepared with winter gear. As the days are shorter, you will have to plan where you want to go and where you like to stay.
I think May is better than June to visit NZ.
Maybe to intro more of our Honeymoon planning so that i can have more advices.
-F&E trip, we buy Air tickets only and hotels will be booked online.
-We plan to visit Auckland only, F&E. Joining their local tours such as APT or AAT Kings.
-Honeymoon period should be Nov'09 (spring) or Jan'10 (summer) cos we want to skip dec which is christmas period, as a member highlight before that most of the shops will be closing early. Plus we do not want our HM to fall on peak season.
-Maybe join a 3D2N farm stay (which we do not know how to organise if we are having F&E trip since our hotel stays are already prebooked) any advises?
Thanks alot!
PS: i read from one of Angry's replies that he/she lives in NZ? can give me more advises? or PM me? Thanks.
-F&E trip, we buy Air tickets only and hotels will be booked online.
-We plan to visit Auckland only, F&E. Joining their local tours such as APT or AAT Kings.
-Honeymoon period should be Nov'09 (spring) or Jan'10 (summer) cos we want to skip dec which is christmas period, as a member highlight before that most of the shops will be closing early. Plus we do not want our HM to fall on peak season.
-Maybe join a 3D2N farm stay (which we do not know how to organise if we are having F&E trip since our hotel stays are already prebooked) any advises?
Thanks alot!
PS: i read from one of Angry's replies that he/she lives in NZ? can give me more advises? or PM me? Thanks.
lovetotravel
New Member
Dear ryanmel,
I can't remember whether its skycity grand or skycity hotel. But I definitely stay at one of them. Hotel is ok good grade but nothing fancy. Remember to request for queen room cos we wer given twin rooms at that time.
will u be going to south island? Its more scenic than north island. If I am not wrong, there is a town napier where u can view the earliest sunrise. Its been many many years back so I can't really remember.
I can't remember whether its skycity grand or skycity hotel. But I definitely stay at one of them. Hotel is ok good grade but nothing fancy. Remember to request for queen room cos we wer given twin rooms at that time.
will u be going to south island? Its more scenic than north island. If I am not wrong, there is a town napier where u can view the earliest sunrise. Its been many many years back so I can't really remember.
ryan
of all the places in NZ you can visit, you only want to goto Auckland ah? then you might as well stay in Singapore. Dont waste your money.
Anytime is a good time to goto NZ. There is nothing really worth shopping in NZ. If you want to goto NZ to shop, i suggest dont waste your money, shop in Singapore, cheaper and better variety.
Since you want to spend about 10 hours sitting on your bump to fly to NZ, plan what you want to do. NZ has a lot to offer. Do you want to
a. enjoy the wine?
b. enjoy the scenery?
c. Drive on open road?
d. all of the above
Decide
a. how many days you want to spend in NZ
b. whether you like North or South Island
c. what you would like to do?
To me:
a. accomodation should be last thing on your mind. You are only going there to sleep. Pay an average price, you will be ok.
b. if you intend to hire a car, where you stay is inmaterial. Distance is only relative.
c. Dont waste your money in Auckland, there are other places nicer than Auckland. Eg, if you like spa and massage, I recommend Rotorua. Do a google search on it. I strongly recommend visit the waitomo glow worm caves and Aranui Caves.
d. Everyone said South Island is nice, I dont deny it. But, you are coming at the wrong time. South Island, in my opinion, is best visited during Autumn, where all the leaves are golden in colour.
e. If you die die want to come during Nov or Jan, I strongly suggest you book soon. You will be competing against the North hemisphere wanting to goto a warm country, and the kiwis going away.
f. if you change your mind, you might want to goto NZ in Feb and watch Lionel Richie sing live at a vineyard. http://www.missionconcert.co.nz/default.aspx
of all the places in NZ you can visit, you only want to goto Auckland ah? then you might as well stay in Singapore. Dont waste your money.
Anytime is a good time to goto NZ. There is nothing really worth shopping in NZ. If you want to goto NZ to shop, i suggest dont waste your money, shop in Singapore, cheaper and better variety.
Since you want to spend about 10 hours sitting on your bump to fly to NZ, plan what you want to do. NZ has a lot to offer. Do you want to
a. enjoy the wine?
b. enjoy the scenery?
c. Drive on open road?
d. all of the above
Decide
a. how many days you want to spend in NZ
b. whether you like North or South Island
c. what you would like to do?
To me:
a. accomodation should be last thing on your mind. You are only going there to sleep. Pay an average price, you will be ok.
b. if you intend to hire a car, where you stay is inmaterial. Distance is only relative.
c. Dont waste your money in Auckland, there are other places nicer than Auckland. Eg, if you like spa and massage, I recommend Rotorua. Do a google search on it. I strongly recommend visit the waitomo glow worm caves and Aranui Caves.
d. Everyone said South Island is nice, I dont deny it. But, you are coming at the wrong time. South Island, in my opinion, is best visited during Autumn, where all the leaves are golden in colour.
e. If you die die want to come during Nov or Jan, I strongly suggest you book soon. You will be competing against the North hemisphere wanting to goto a warm country, and the kiwis going away.
f. if you change your mind, you might want to goto NZ in Feb and watch Lionel Richie sing live at a vineyard. http://www.missionconcert.co.nz/default.aspx
Peng, thanks for the advice. Ya, i will request for King Room (not Queen hor). lol. Can enjoy our Honeymoon.
We still not sure on whether N or S NZ yet.
Angy, lol dun worry about us wasting $$. And our purpose is not to SHOP. If we want to, we rather go to Europe. Definitely a NO-NO shopping for honeymoon
(thats why we chose such a slow-pace country), cos we dun want to end up having many 'shopping lists' from relatives/frds/colleagues while we are on our honeymoon.
Its our honeymoon, we just want to spend relaxing time together thats why we choose NZ (wanted Australia, but went before).
Why Auckland, cos NZ has 2 or 3 airports (if we are not wrong), and Auckland is one of them.
-Accomodation: We chose Skycity hotel for its location cos we dun plan to rent a car. Read from somewhere that this hotel is near train/bus station.
-No wine, both of us know nothing about wine and we do not like wine much.
(thanks for recommending *wink)
-No Driving, we dun plan to rent car/drive on our honeymoon trip now.
Will want to try that when we want to visit NZ again after our honeymoon trip.
-Will want to spend ard 7-10 days for our honeymoon,
-No preference in N or S NZ, thought of joining their day tour such as APT/AAT.
-Lastly all we wanted to do is to spend our honeymoon relaxing, enjoy moments with each other. (hot coffee in cool/chilling weather, taking a stroll, maybe some spa, etc etc)
and some not too engery consuming activities.
PS: our AD is on Nov 2009, thats why we plan our honeymoon on Nov09 or Jan2010 (Dec is peak, Feb2010 is CNY period) if not March2010.
We dun want to wait for long to have our Honeymoon after our AD.
Thanks alot for all your advices, which city in NZ are you staying at btw? business trip?
We still not sure on whether N or S NZ yet.
Angy, lol dun worry about us wasting $$. And our purpose is not to SHOP. If we want to, we rather go to Europe. Definitely a NO-NO shopping for honeymoon
(thats why we chose such a slow-pace country), cos we dun want to end up having many 'shopping lists' from relatives/frds/colleagues while we are on our honeymoon.
Its our honeymoon, we just want to spend relaxing time together thats why we choose NZ (wanted Australia, but went before).
Why Auckland, cos NZ has 2 or 3 airports (if we are not wrong), and Auckland is one of them.
-Accomodation: We chose Skycity hotel for its location cos we dun plan to rent a car. Read from somewhere that this hotel is near train/bus station.
-No wine, both of us know nothing about wine and we do not like wine much.
(thanks for recommending *wink)
-No Driving, we dun plan to rent car/drive on our honeymoon trip now.
Will want to try that when we want to visit NZ again after our honeymoon trip.
-Will want to spend ard 7-10 days for our honeymoon,
-No preference in N or S NZ, thought of joining their day tour such as APT/AAT.
-Lastly all we wanted to do is to spend our honeymoon relaxing, enjoy moments with each other. (hot coffee in cool/chilling weather, taking a stroll, maybe some spa, etc etc)
and some not too engery consuming activities.
PS: our AD is on Nov 2009, thats why we plan our honeymoon on Nov09 or Jan2010 (Dec is peak, Feb2010 is CNY period) if not March2010.
We dun want to wait for long to have our Honeymoon after our AD.
Thanks alot for all your advices, which city in NZ are you staying at btw? business trip?
Hi Ryan & Melissa
My husband and I just had our honeymoon in NZ in mid November to early December at South Island. The timing was perfect as we managed to avoid the crowds. The airport was filled with people when we were leaving NZ. Apparently, their peak season starts in December. We really enjoyed ourselves very much as we planned a rather relaxed self-drive itinerary:
Christchurch: 2 nights
Lake Tekapo: 2 nights
Mt. Cook: 1 night
Wanaka: 2 nights
Queenstown: 3 nights
Christchurch: 1 night
In fact, our parents were so impressed with our photos and hearing us marvel on our trip that they went to NZ too in early Jan this year! As they had less time to work with, their itinerary goes like this, which is slightly more hectic:
Christchurch: 1 night
Franz Joseph: 2 nights
Wanaka: 1 night
Queenstown: 3 nights
Christchurch: 1 night
It's really easy to navigate around the place as the maps are simple to read and the roads are easy to drive.
As mentioned, mid-November is quite a good time to go as you avoid the crowds and the weather is rather cooling. We were basically walking around the lakes, taking photographs, eating ice-cream and just enjoying the scenery. Even our driving was minimum. The longest drive for us was only 3.5h.
Like what angy mentioned, it would really be a waste to travel all the way to NZ just to go to Auckland, which is just like any other major city. I would strongly advise you to go a few more places. A different town/city would bring about a totally different experience, especially those around the lakes.
Perhaps you could read up more about NZ. We actually enjoyed the planning process as well as sourcing for the accommodation online. You would really be missing out a lot if you just travel to Auckland
My husband and I just had our honeymoon in NZ in mid November to early December at South Island. The timing was perfect as we managed to avoid the crowds. The airport was filled with people when we were leaving NZ. Apparently, their peak season starts in December. We really enjoyed ourselves very much as we planned a rather relaxed self-drive itinerary:
Christchurch: 2 nights
Lake Tekapo: 2 nights
Mt. Cook: 1 night
Wanaka: 2 nights
Queenstown: 3 nights
Christchurch: 1 night
In fact, our parents were so impressed with our photos and hearing us marvel on our trip that they went to NZ too in early Jan this year! As they had less time to work with, their itinerary goes like this, which is slightly more hectic:
Christchurch: 1 night
Franz Joseph: 2 nights
Wanaka: 1 night
Queenstown: 3 nights
Christchurch: 1 night
It's really easy to navigate around the place as the maps are simple to read and the roads are easy to drive.
As mentioned, mid-November is quite a good time to go as you avoid the crowds and the weather is rather cooling. We were basically walking around the lakes, taking photographs, eating ice-cream and just enjoying the scenery. Even our driving was minimum. The longest drive for us was only 3.5h.
Like what angy mentioned, it would really be a waste to travel all the way to NZ just to go to Auckland, which is just like any other major city. I would strongly advise you to go a few more places. A different town/city would bring about a totally different experience, especially those around the lakes.
Perhaps you could read up more about NZ. We actually enjoyed the planning process as well as sourcing for the accommodation online. You would really be missing out a lot if you just travel to Auckland
Thanks jinnie, can i just check with you...
how about accomodation? on the spot check-in or
you had pre-booked online?
We actually have this crazy idea of 'free & casual' driving, meaning we just book online for a car in NZ, once we reach the airport and then we get our GPS to navigate the route... as we drive pass any attractions we like we just stop and check-in on the spot.
What do you think? Of cos we will choose a non-peak season.
how about accomodation? on the spot check-in or
you had pre-booked online?
We actually have this crazy idea of 'free & casual' driving, meaning we just book online for a car in NZ, once we reach the airport and then we get our GPS to navigate the route... as we drive pass any attractions we like we just stop and check-in on the spot.
What do you think? Of cos we will choose a non-peak season.
lovetotravel
New Member
Hi,
check out this website for info to Auckland. You can also read forums from there. Alot of info.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g255106-Activities-Auckland_North_Island.html
check out this website for info to Auckland. You can also read forums from there. Alot of info.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g255106-Activities-Auckland_North_Island.html
Sunnygal, i found a forum which consists of many
tourists who are giving reviews/questions and some locals actually replied!
http://forum.virtualtourist.com/
you can find more infor there, you just click on the country you want to visit.
Hope it helps
Cheers, Melissa.
tourists who are giving reviews/questions and some locals actually replied!
http://forum.virtualtourist.com/
you can find more infor there, you just click on the country you want to visit.
Hope it helps
Cheers, Melissa.
thanks thanks,i have tis webby too.
bt i usually use www.newzealand.com u can try too
bt i usually use www.newzealand.com u can try too
Sunnygal, the website have New Zealand forum.
(you type the place you want to visit at the search forum, and you will be directed to the discussion forum for that location.)
example: http://forum.virtualtourist.com/forum-3153-1-Travel-New_Zealand-1-forum.html?-vt-0
if you want more precise, you can type eg: Auckland, and there will be lots of posts and replies regarding Auckland.
***look for these words: "Search for a Forum Location:"
Cheers, Melissa.
(you type the place you want to visit at the search forum, and you will be directed to the discussion forum for that location.)
example: http://forum.virtualtourist.com/forum-3153-1-Travel-New_Zealand-1-forum.html?-vt-0
if you want more precise, you can type eg: Auckland, and there will be lots of posts and replies regarding Auckland.
***look for these words: "Search for a Forum Location:"
Cheers, Melissa.
wa, suddenly this NZ forum is alive again
Sunny-gal, motel check in/check out is usually 1400/1200 respectively.
As it is summer, November sun rise is around 0645 and set around 1930
sunnygal and ryanmel
Both N and S island have their beauty. Ryanmel, if you are really lazy and want to stay in one place only, why not stay in Wellington. You can almost walk anywhere in Wellington but not in Auckland.
You can
a. drink the best kopi in NZ
b. visit the museum and see the world largest cuttlefish
c. visit the sites where the movie LOTR are shot.
d. Go for beautiful walks, such as Kaitoke.
e. Play a round of golf at $50 or less green fees. Where can you find green fees so cheap in Singapore and dont have to queue up to tee off?
f. Take a ferry cruise down to Nelson and stay there for 1 or 2 days.
Anyway, you all have alot of time. Remember to book early. Dont rush to visit so many places. Just focus on key ones.
Happy planning
Sunny-gal, motel check in/check out is usually 1400/1200 respectively.
As it is summer, November sun rise is around 0645 and set around 1930
sunnygal and ryanmel
Both N and S island have their beauty. Ryanmel, if you are really lazy and want to stay in one place only, why not stay in Wellington. You can almost walk anywhere in Wellington but not in Auckland.
You can
a. drink the best kopi in NZ
b. visit the museum and see the world largest cuttlefish
c. visit the sites where the movie LOTR are shot.
d. Go for beautiful walks, such as Kaitoke.
e. Play a round of golf at $50 or less green fees. Where can you find green fees so cheap in Singapore and dont have to queue up to tee off?
f. Take a ferry cruise down to Nelson and stay there for 1 or 2 days.
Anyway, you all have alot of time. Remember to book early. Dont rush to visit so many places. Just focus on key ones.
Happy planning