Very quick question here and no doubt highly contentious but here we go anyway...
We're coming to NZ for just over three weeks, flying into Christchurch and out of Auckland. We'd like to see as much as we can sensibly fit into that time but realise that we'll have to miss out some highlights for another time. We've already settled on seeing nothing south of Te-Anau/ Milford Sound and quite possibly nothing north of Auckland.
The question is, having done a loop from Christchurch to Kaikoura (via Queenstown, Franz Josef and Abel Tasman) should we head back to Picton for the ferry (and get to see Wellington) or head back to Christchurch and fly straight to Rotorua, from where we can see some of Hawkes Bay, Taupo and Coromandel before heading up to Auckland. This option might even save us a day or two to either headup to BoI or take things a bit easier!
Any comments on the 'unmissability' of Welly would be welcomed!
Wellington is nice, with good nightlife, beautiful harbour etc, but could be skipped if you're short on time. But as you're already in Kaikoura, you're not too far from Picton and the ferry through the Marlborough sounds is a nice trip. You can drive up to Hawkes Bay, maybe back in to Tongariro/Taupo etc.
The ferry trip was really beautiful when i was over there, however i was there in winter and due to weather we were stranded cos the ferry couldn't run. mThe most unmissable thing imho is Te Papa.... I spent the better part of a day there and still didn't have enough time.
However if you are choosing between Taupo and that area and Wellington..... choose Taupo and more time in Rotorua. I LOVED there more than wellington. the extra time in Rotorua would be welcome i'm sure
Hi there. As mike has pointed out, you would miss out not only on Wellington itself, but also on the ferry cruise through the Sounds and on the drive through some really nice North Island scenery on SH 1 (typically NZ shaped hills and sheep) up to Taupo including Tongariro National Park from the Desert Road (unless you choose to drive via Napier). As for the city, if you go there for mere sightseeing, i.e. for the city centre, Parliament buildings, the Botanic Gardens etc, it is my view that you would not truly grasp the beauty of the place. Wellington has a stunning setting, the outdoors "just there", great views onto the sea, a fantastic lifestyle and is simply an amazing place to be. If you rent a bike and ride along the water to Scorching Bay (and the famous Chocolate Fish Café), have lunch by the waterside near Te Papa (after you've visited that one), enjoy the view at night from Mt. Victoria or take the ferry over to Days Bay, you will get a good impression - and I should say you will love it. Personally, I would rather cut down on my time in Auckland or Christchurch, but Auckland- Wellington is indeed a highly contentious topic....
Guys, thanks a lot for your advice... wildsnow, you've done such a job of selling Wellington to me I'm sure you must be getting some kind of commission from the tourist board! I think you've actually made things a bit harder for us because we'd pretty much already dumped Welly and am now seriously thinking that may have been hasty...
Thanks anyway, any more opinions warmly welcomed!
Wellington is a real town, Rotorua is totally orientated to tourists. Wellington is absolutely gorgeous on a good day - bloody awful when the southerly blows ( cam say that its almost my home town) -what time of year are you going - Feb is the best chance with the weather. Are you hiring in the South Island- if so dont take the vehicle on the ferry - drop it at Picton and pick up a new one in Wellington . You then have the option to see Taupo and Ruapehu which are better value than Rotorua any day of the week (IMHO)
I had a similar time frame when we came to NZ for our first holiday. We only had one day in Wellington and it was plenty. For me, Wellington wasn't very touristy and there were other places that we really wanted to go to and couldn't fit it all in. The ferry ride was beautiful - calm sunny day (this was in Nov 2003).
We decided to move out to NZ after our hols and we have lived in Wellington for over 3 years. Have got a completely different view of it now - absolutely love it, however I would not recommend to include Wellington on a trip if you are stretched for time.
PS I can't believe chocolate fish cafe is closing at the end of the year :(
Is it really? That is bad news! I actually googled it before I sent my posting in order not to post any outdated info but when the website still popped up I was happy. Andy, no worries, I'm def not getting any commission:) - just lived in Welly and loved it! And had the same experience as Moosey, wasn't too impressed when I drove through in the first place while still travelling but then absolutely loved it once I lived there - that's why I recommended those few places above, they should give you a bit of the real Wellington feeling. If you like the sea and the spirit of a city being made by water, then you'll like Wellington. Having said that I would always recommend to go and pick some of the typical spots for just a day (which should be enough) rather than skipping the NZ capital (!). Plus, I don't know what your plans are for Tongariro NP, but it would be a rather long drive from Rotorua and you could more easily get there from Taupo, which would be on your way up north (or even stay in National Park overnight) and the park is beautiful, you shouldn't miss it!
PS: If you have a nasty Southerly in Wellington, don't put the blame on me!:)
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