Kiwis and travellers, please give adivce!

Hi!
My name is Johan and me and my mate are planning a trip around Asia, Australia and NZ next year. We´re having trouble figuering out the best places to visit while we´re in NZ.
We will probably fly to Auckland and we know that we will go down to Queenstown. But should we go up to the norhern parts first? What is there to do there except swim and sunbathe?
If we would like to visit one of the wine yards, which one is to prefer?
Where are the Lord of the ring tourist sites (or just beautiful scenery)?

As you might have figuered out, we´ve just started planning but are having trouble with NZ.

Take care!

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Hey Johan,
Just going around NZ now. Have a look at my Tblog. Have fun. Kia ora
Later,
Lenny Reply to this

Heya Johan,

I've travelled round NZ a couple of time and absolutely love it! Loads to do and experience. Have to say my favorite of the two was the South Island. Did the whale watching in Kaikoura which was incredible. Also went swimming with dolphins in the wild in Akaroa, the only place in the world which has Hector's Dolphins, the smallest and rarest species of dolphin, so that was also amazing. Akaroa is a really beautiful little town just outisde Christchurch, and coincidentally, has the best fish and chips I've ever tasted, and I live on the coast! Hamner Springs, north of Christchurch, is pretty cool as well. Lots of hot natural spring bath things, dont quite understand how it worked! It was bizarre going out in winter in a swimming costume and jumping in a hot spa though, was even more bizarre when friend then pushed me into the cold pool! Also, would strongly recommend all of the extreme sporting activities down in Queenstown. Think Queenstown is the friendliest, most chilled out, fun place I've ever been. The white water rafting is awesome, even if you're a complete beginner like I was when I found myself on the advanced course! Jet boating was also pretty good fun and everyone I spoke to said that the AJ hackett bungee jump was a real experience, I just watched that one!

Went to a vineyard in the Canterbury region but cant think for the life of me what it was called - sorry! Got the impression that a lot of the vineyards there are good to visit though. Fox and Franz Josef were both cool. Milford Sound was also really stunningly beautiful and had tonnes of wildlife, waterfalls etc. if you're into nice scenery. Helicoptor ride above the glaciers sounds very cool, when I was there we took a small plane over the glaciers which was breathtaking. For Lord of the Rings sets, the river that AJ hackett company use for jet boating in Queenstown was apparently the river from the first LOTR film with the horses made of water, if you know which bit I mean! If you're after a bit of a LOTR experience I read about a hobbit style hotel in NZ on unusual hotels of the world, think the url is www.uhotw.com. Christchurch is also a really great city to visit and Auckland is good fun too. Check out the bar and live music scene in Christchurch, go punting on the river etc. Also, I used to work in the tourism office in Christchurch and all the staff there are really helpful and really nice if you need any advice while you're in that area, they'll recommend a good vineyard for you.

Have a great trip, Sarah. Reply to this

i had an amazing 5 days in Auckland. however, i found it quite difficult to locate nice alternatives to hotels in Auckland. I had good success with http://www.holiday-velvet.com/auckland . easy to use and the owners got back to me quickly. enjoy! barbara Reply to this