New Zealand
The information below is provided by Lonely Planet readers and is not verified by Lonely Planet. For the official lowdown, contact your nearest embassy or check out our Travel Links.
Travel Tips
Sadly, the Dairylands visitor attraction near Hawera in Taranaki has now closed permenantly. So no point stopping here now.
Ross Cashmore, New Zealand (Oct 05)
Moving About
The roads in New Zealand follow the contour of the land. Most are two lane roads with passing zones from time to time. It would be a great place to see by motorcycle. There are many one lane bridges in New Zealand. After one lane bridges, there is usually an arrow, which weâ??ve called the American arrow, to indicate the correct lane to enter for further travel. New Zealand drivers tend to straighten curves. Curves to the left will often find NZ drivers using the shoulder of the road on the left. Conversely, on a curve to the right, NZ drivers will often be right on the dividing line. Gravel roads are sometimes called metal (pronounced meat el) roads.
Bill Hetzel, USA (Dec 05)
There is a road leading from the city of Wanaka to the Mount Aspiring National Park; after some kilometers the paved road becomes a dirt road, and by the time I tried to get to the park, It was in such a bad condition that I had to turn back my rental car; I think only 4WD cars could drive that road without beeing concerned about not breaking the car. The guidebook mentions this road, but I think the condition of the road should be more clearly specified, as this is one of the greatest and more impressive national parks in New Zealand.
Jesus Rodriguez, Spain (Aug 05)
We live in Reporoa and are touring cyclists. It scares us to see cycling tourists on some of the roads. The traffic in NZ has increased dramatically since 2000. Especially as in most cases there is an alternative. The two main ones that concern us are:
- The road from Waihi to Tauranga. A lot of people use it to get down to Rotorua, but it is probably the second section in NZ for road deaths. The cars and trucks are non-stop and there are only a few places with a shoulder. It is a cycling fatality waiting to happen. Take the Karangahake Gorge walking and now cycle way. We walked it last week and it would be a cruise on a bike. Just need a torch for the tunnel. There is a reasonable shoulder to Paeroa. Then, till the rail is up and running, a short run on the main Paeroa Te Aroha Rd to Rawhit Rd into Te Aroha. From Te Aroha down the Old Te Aroha Rd. Stopping for a lovely walk up to the Waiere water fall 150 metres, then on to spend a night at the Okauia hot springs camping ground on Okauia Springs Rd.,or carry on to Matamata, or by pass it by staying on the Old Te Aroha Rd. Turn right at SHW 24 for 100m then left onto Stopford Rd and into Te Poi. Turn right. Turn left into Ranganuku Rd to the right into Langlands Rd. Head straight to TirauOkoopore Rd or to the foot of the Mamaku Range via Sommerville Rd. Once again there is no realistic option other that SHW 5 over the Mamakus to Rotorua.
- Rotorua to Taupo. We refuse to ride on SHW 5 or Broadlands Rd unless it is for a very short time to hook into something else. Basically up SHW 30, turn left into Bryce Rd or carry on up to Whirianki Rd. Here you have the option of following Whirinaki Valley Rd all the way to the Waikiti Hot pools. It is quite a bit shorter going Bryce Rd. Turn left into Waikaukau Rd, left into Rehi Rd then left again into Corbet Rd. Then left into Whirinaki Valley Rd. 100 meters to the hot pools, then join SHW 5. Turn Right. For about 5 km then left into Cambell Rd follow it right at the T intersection, it turns into Longview Rd. Turn right into Sangro Rd, left at the T onto Strathmore Rd then right at the T into East Rd which once again takes you to SHW5. Then I'm afraid it is SHW 5 into Taupo. Hardly any traffic at all on the weekends. Normally during the week a truck every two minutes and cars all the time.
I know this sounds fiddly, awkward and longer (by about 10 to 15km). But you have the choice of lovely quite scenic roads with lovely swims or traffic hell.
Brian & Sue Brown, New Zealand (Feb 05)
Be very careful if you do the Milford Sound in a car on your own. We heard many scary tales of people admiring the scenery rather than the road, and on the way back, our coach was involved in a crash with a car which came around a bend on the wrong side of the road, out of control and skidding in the rain. Four backpackers then ended their trip to NZ in hospital after a painful wait for helicopters, etc.
Nicki Miquel, France (Apr 03)
Scams & Warnings
Beware of accidents in jet boats especially in Queenstown. We had enjoyed quite a number of professionally run jet boat trips in NZ until, that is, we went to Queenstown. During what was described as a historic tour of the Skippers Canyon the crazy young driver suddenly and without adequate warning spun the boat 360 degrees. We got soaked (fun?), I nearly got thrown out and my female companion severely wrenched her right shoulder. We had to be helicoptered out at the company's expense, and she ended up at the hospital. The operator did not have any medical facilities at the base, not even an ice pack. Our travel insurance would not pay for treatment in NZ nor when we got back to the UK. We also discovered that the so-called NZ Accident Compensation Scheme did not apply to tourists from overseas. And NZ law states that you cannot sue anyone for personal injury.
Chris Brady, UK (Feb 03)
The summer sun in New Zealand is extremely strong. The air temperature is not high, but the radiant heat and UV is a knock out. My husband's glasses, which have lenses which react to the amount of UV, were constantly black. So, sunscreen and cover-up clothing is essential.
Berna Collier, Australia (Jan 03)
We want to warn travellers about the following things: Be careful parking your car or motorvan at the North of the Northland (North island) especially at Cape Reigna and the Keri Keri peninsula. Cars are broken into a lot in these areas. At Cape Kidnappers: do not think you can reach the Cape (Gannets) via the beach without getting your feet wet. Take Teva's with you, there is clay and rock. The minimum level that the water will reach will be above your knees.
Iris Blok & Jan Glas, Netherlands (Oct 02)
Gems, Highlights & Attractions
At the botanical gardens in Wellington, we saw the planetarium show. This was a great introduction to the southern skies. On a clear night, it was possible to pick out the Southern Cross, Alpha Centauri and Orion which was upside down. I could not locate the clouds of Magellan, but my eyes are not what they used to be. There is also a planetarium show in Auckland, but it is open to the public only on some the evenings.
Bill Hetzel, USA (Dec 05)
Whilst recently in NZ our relatives took to us the Mount Parahaki lookout which is on Memorial Drive which runs off Riverside Drive about 3 km north east of the City Centre. The lookout offers superb panoramic views of the entire district and out beyond the harbour to the sea from the 242m elevation. It's free and is open all hours. There is also a walkway access via Mair Park and the lookout has a large memorial cross which glows in the dark.
Matthew Ayre, Australia (Aug 05)
We would like to point out one area that doesnâ??t get much attention. It is the area around Whangarei, on the northern part of the northern island. This is a very beautiful area, which has everything to offer. It is not as touristy as Coromandel or Bay of Islands despite the fact that the beaches are just as good, if not better. Try looking at Ocean Beach, Whale Bay and Sandy Bay. This is also close to the diving area at Poor Knights. You can also make great walks in the bush or climb to the top of Mount Manaia. It is an area that is best reached by car.
Mariann & Michael Tang, Denmark (Jul 05)
We loved the Otara market. It is a great place to get a real feel for the Polynesian/Pacific culture in Auckland.
Leane Malone, Canada (Apr 03)
The drive from Picton to Kaikoura is beautiful. Stop and look at the seals on the way, just north of Kaikoura.
The Taieri Gorge Railway is extremely scenic and is an excellent day out - it is well worth it. Some dramatic scenery and you don't have to be a train buff to enjoy it!
Brian Sisk, Ireland (Feb 03)
Waikato River: Aratiatia Rapids. The spectacular transition of bare rock and a small blue pool into the raging blue torrent of water is amazing.
Lesley Beard, UK (Jan 03)
Stewart Island. If the traveller has the time a visit to Stewart island is well worth the effort of crossing Faveaux Strait. Fabulous bush walks as well as a great place to sample the Blue cod Fish. Not to mention the Oysters.
Keith and Trish Janes, New Zealand (Jan 03)
On the Karikari peninsula we did the Fig Tree Walk, and to tell you the truth it's exactly what I imagined tramping in New Zealand would be like. Squeezing through branches, climbing up steep inclines, wading through waist high grass (and knowing there's no snakes is a plus!), and then breaking out of the tree line and being absolutely blown away by the view of Henderson bay and Cape Reinga in the distance. There's also an amazing phenomenon with this red clay there which basically paints the water red....it was just beautiful. Not to mention we only ran into two other people the entire time we were there.
Christopher Kruzel, USA (Aug 02)
One thing in NZ to do, which is a must- The Hokitika Wild Food festival, held in March. Hokitika is on the West Coast on the South Island, with a very small population, but once a year, half of Christchurch and other towns flock to it to sample crazy food like possums, huhu grubs, mountain oysters ( sheep's whatsits!) and anything else you can imagine. There is also a vast variety of delicious beer and wine, and afterwards you can dance your legs off at the hoe down dance or relax around one of the many drift wood fires down the beach. There are quite often raves to attend as well! It has become such a big thing over the years.
Leila Buni, New Zealand (Apr 02)
Yarns, Fables & Anecdotes
Golf is interesting in New Zealand. The â??yardageâ?? on the various holes is in meters rather than yards. Yet, itâ??s still called â??yardageâ??. There are often fairway markers at 135 meters, or about 150 yards from the hole. Just take the â??yardageâ?? in meters and add another 10% to get the â??yardageâ?? in yards. The southern most 18 hole golf course in the world is just outside of Invercargill (Southland Golf Club or Oreti Sands Links). If one asks, they will give you a certificate for playing the southern most golf course. (I heard that the southern most 9 hole golf course in on Stewart Island, but donâ??t know this to be true).
Bill Hetzel, USA (Dec 05)
^ back to top
|
