Hi,
For the outdoors and national parks, I'd say spending some time based in Wanaka, Queenstown, and Te Anau would be the most rewarding.
After that, if you still want more take a look at Fox Glacier (the heli hikes are for your to-do list if you have plenty of budget) and Mount Cook village.
That covers NZ's real wow mountains and glaciers in the south island, though if you want more then there is more! Nelson Lakes NP maybe. The Marlborough Sounds. The Catlins are nice, as is Abel Tasman NP though it's more about beautiful coastline.
The North Island's big hits are more volcanic. Tongariro NP is spectacular. A boat trip to White Island volcano is highly recommended. Personally I'd also take in some of the geothermal features and hot springs - Waikite Valley (between Taupo and Rotorua) is a less commercial one.
Specific ideas for your to-do list: (go google them) Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Mount Aspiring Rob roy glacier walk, lake ohau, lake tekapo, Larnach Castle, International Antarctic Centre, Pancake Rocks, Moeraki boulders, Kaikoura whale watching, Rotorua geothermal area, huka falls, Taranaki hikes, Tongariro alpine crossing, Mount Ruapehu chairlift, Driving Creek Railway, Queenstown gondola, Wanaka cinema, Hot and cold geothermal rivers, Rangitoto island boat trips from Auckland, Hobbiton film set tour Matamata, Waitangi treaty house Bay of Islands, Napier art deco, Wellington cable car museum.
Wow, a lot to put on my list then! They all sound amazing, might have to extend my trip.
Thank you very much Andy
You're welcome - although some of it may not be to your taste.
How long are you thinking for NZ? For me a month is rushed to cover the highlights; I've had ten weeks there in total and that has meant some tough choices - I have the makings of trip 3 in the back of my mind.
I'm thinking a month or so in New Zealand then a month in Japan so i can come back to Oz and work. However if I get a second year visa I will most definitely go again
Then maybe look at spending almost all of that month in the south island, with maybe a look at Tongariro, Taupo, Rotorua for a few days in the North Island.
I gather Japan is seriously expensive. I went to Taiwan instead, as it was cheaper and still interesting to me.
Great, thank you!
My family have been to Japan and they didn't say it was too expensive. However luckily money isn't an issue.
[ 12-Sep-2015, at 17:55 by Yogibear ]
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