Planning a Trip to New Zealand

The zoo is a must! there are loads of beautiful parks around the city centre. Late january to mid february is the best time to visit to take full advantage of the awesome outdoor kiwi lifestyle. A visit to Waiheke island from the city port is also to be recommended. The island is home to some great beaches.

Wellington is a cool place if the weather's right. No matter what time of year come prepared for four seasons. Check out the City Gallery in Civic Sqaure, it's free, as is Te Papa, the national museum. There's the Fine Art's Gallery near Queen's Warf (donation), sometimes it's worth a visit. Cable Car is very popular with toursists (and no you won't crash). Cuba Street is supposedly vibe-ish. Check out the beaches, Oriental, Lyall Bay, Eastborne. But it's also nice to get out of the city as it's only a short drive in any direction to get a taste of rural scenery, Waikane is nice. Most people only go to Wellington to travel through to the South Island on the Picton Ferry but it's worth a short stop to have a look around. The nice thing about Wellington is the way most of the surrounding suberbs work into the landscape, old victorian-style houses dotted on the hills. But the best sight in Wellington is the Katherine Mansfield birthplace for the literary, cultural tourist. Have a read of some of her stories before you go, like 'Prelude', 'The Wind Blows,' 'At the Bay' (set in Eastbourne) to put the place and the house in perspective. Enjoy!!

You can see glow worms in lots of caves or in the bush in New Zealand but if you don't have much time and want a guarantee that you'll get to see glowworms then this is the best. Don't miss it!

Best known as a base for trips into the beautiful Doubtful Sound. A trip on the lake in the early morning where the waether is clearing and there is fog across the mountains is a sight worth seeing, even if you don't have time for a full day cruise in the fjords..

Best destination for your glbt night clubbing needs is Karangahape road in Auckland's CBD... also known as K rd it features all time favourite clubs such a s "Family", Restaurants such as Kamo and Drag theatres like Caluzzi and Finale!

Linton is one of the homes of the NZ Army. Known throughtout the decades as a party garrison, where all the attendees can fit in one room. A toilet.

i think this is the only town in the world that's tourist attraction is the public toilet. Designed by Austrian architect Hundertwasser. They look pretty weird and worth a visit if you're in the area but there's absolutely nothing else to see in town.

A small rural town on the main highway from Opotiki to Gisborne. There is a free toilet and a few shops not to mention the old hotel which serves drinks.

If you're looking for a place with all the comforts of home Paradise isn't a destination for you. In order to get there you will need a vehicle that you can get ruff with in order to cross a few streams which can rise quickly with the weather. Paradise does have one comfort though, a long drop toilet and plenty of peace and quiet, far from any city and off the national grid as far as communications goes. Paradise has an information shelter and has walking track access. Don't forget to keep Paradise a paradise leave it how you find it, take all rubbish away with you. BYO shelter, food and water. :)

Go to Buffalo's.  It's a bar setup but scrubs up as a club pretty well. they play a bit of everything (rock, rnb/old school, dance).  And mens toilets have pin-ups inside. apparently all across the wall. 

Te Araroa is the nearest town to the East Cape Lighthouse (only 26 km down a metal road). There are two shops to buy stuff at, there is a sports club, a rugby field, a post office, a petrol station and a pub/hotel. Te Araron has one of the oldest and possible largest Pohutukawa tree living there next to the school and marae. There is a Manuku Honey factory down the road which sells delicious stuff. Te Araroa is a magical place because you are literally so far from Gisborne and Opotiki (the largest cities) that one really notices how clean the air is.

Great place to stay is Montrose backpackers. Great as a base, as well as overnight stay.  Free internet. (2008)

great place to go skydiving!  Taupo Tandem is one of the safest places to do you first jump.   I know, I did it and so did my mom.   I researched on the internet heaps before picking them and I wasn't disappointed.  Don't be cheap either - spring for the photos and video of your jump - you'll be glad you did.  

The bottom of the South Island. On a clear day you can see the South pole from here. Just kidding. But it is where winter comes from. Go for a nice walk and get your photo taken with a very busy signpost.

See the big LP bottle (that has been moved from it's original spot so that tourists don't stand in the middle of the road when they take a photo).
Also check out the Antique stores, and see what people charge for silly things...
funny little town.

The 'pancake rocks' are a must see if you are on the West Coast of the South island. The kids loved the blow holes. Makes for some great photos if you are there in good weather. In my opinion, the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand is in this area, a stunning mixture of sub-tropical rainforest, mountains, rivers and beaches.

Go on a trip out to see the rather large windmills up past Ashhurst . Large alien like structures on the hills , good photo vantage points of the valley . Self drive option only follow signs from Ashhurst . No shops theres so take supplies and be careful opening car daws. Dress warm as it is cold and windy up there

A recommended detour of you are travelling from kaikoura (after whale watching) to the West Coast. A refreshing alpine feeling town with a large thermal springs bathing area. You have to pay a small fee, but you can chose your bath including adults only pools. Some great ice cream parlours and a fantastic photos from the Waiau 'ferry' bridge on the way - some nutters bungy from here.

Go for a Maori Hungi - a MUST!
Also the central Maori reserve has the best Maori performance in all of NZ.

Do a Bungy! AJ Hackett is the home of commercial Bungy and here in Queenstown you can do any of the 3 jumps (or all!) Nevis, the biggest, The Kawarau, the original and the Ledge, very high! The company is great with top customer satisfaction, even if you don't want to take the jump, pop into the Kawarau Bungy Centre and have a coffee and watch the other nuts doing it! Quality! :)

The car ferry will save a long drive.

Dont just stop at the car park to see the seals, walk the whole peninsular. Depending on the tide, walk along the beach and back over the headland, or the other way round. Or be different, park at the southern end of the walk, its much quieter.

Always have a bullet proof vest and a loaded firearm with you

If you want to go to Christchurch, you should go to Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. That will help you see what is like to visit Antarctica.

the most amazing bay with the most amazing beach around the corner (omaha). omaha would b mi favourite beach in nz. white sand. lovely estuary. although doesnt hav much to do. there is a nyc bay u can walk to from the southern end of the beach. and u will find pink sand there