New Zealand

Hi
I am staying one night in Christchurch at the start of my trip. Its a Monday night. I can find plenty of hotels, but looking for somewhere where I can park up and find a couple of pubs to visit. Shortlist Riccarton Road area or Papanui Road. Any reccomendations appreciated.

I have been to Wanaka and Tekapo and planning for my first visit to North Island. I don't know how much should I reserve for Rotorua and Taupo for some nice walks near town, beside allocating time for avtivities and visits to attractions.
Can someone descibe some comparisons between my titled places or recommend some nice walk for Rotorua and Taupo ? Any must do walks for nice scenery other than forests ?

Hi

I see that the places for the 2014 IEP visa are taken.

Does anyone know when they usually become available for the following year. It seems they get snapped up pretty quickly.

Is there any preparation I can do before they start accepting applications again. E.G what tpotentially time consuming things will they be after? Police checks? Medical Checks? I could time getting them done so I'm ready

I'm asking BUNAC too, but good to get personal experience too.

Plus, am I right in thinking…

Hi guys,

I'm a 25yr old Canadian and am new to backpacking and I'm also new to exploring places alone . I have arrived in New Zealand and am finding it hard to go explore on my own.

I think it might help to join some kind of tour, but would like to join one that will possibly have other solo travellers. Any suggestions, opinions, or comments on the matter would be greatly appreciated!

Hi all, I could sure use you guys' expertise here.

I'm travelling to New Zealand next month and will be landing in Auckland on Mar 8. I will fly out of Auckland again on Mar 23.

As I'm meeting a friend there in Queenstown, I've actually booked a flight to fly from Auckland to Queenstown directly Mar 10. We will spend a couple of days in the area, with a visit to Milford Sound planned, and then from Mar 14, I just need to travel up from Queenstown to Auckland.

These are the things that we…

My husband & I will spend a few days in Auckland (early March), and we're looking for advice on whether to stay in the Parnell area or Ponsonby. I'm trying to figure out the general 'feel' of each area. Thank you.

Edited by: Denisekit

Hi,

I am planning my 2 weeks trip to the south island of NZ in late-March. The plan is to spend 10-15 days cycling (alone) to discover the great landscapes the south island has to offer! ;-)

Would you have any recommendation about feasible itineraries ?
I still can't decide if I should go north or south from Christchurch (I'll fly there from Australia).
I would also love to do the west coast but I'm a bit worried about the weather (wind...) there in late March... (?)

Also, I would like to…

Hey so Im spending the semester in Dunedin (Feb-June) and want to do a lot of overnight tramps. Preferably ones that I didnt have to spend 50 bucks for cabins. Tent camping is ideal. Also ones that are easy enough to get from Dunedin and back within the weekend. Id love some advice, thanks!

Hello. An afterthought to an earlier post. I will be renting a car in the South Island for two weeks. Prior I will spend a few days in Wellington. I was thinking of taking the ferry to Picton, picking up my car, and flying home from Christchurch. The idea of a ferry crossing appealed to me. But I now realize that beginning in Picton would make me do some doubling back if I want to go around the whole island. That it might be more efficient time wise (petrol wise) to fly to Christchurch…

If I wish to spend at least one full day of activities each in Rotorua(Pohutu/Te Puia & Rotorua lakeside walks) and Taupo(for bungy and skydiving) with a total of 4 nights for these 2 places, where shall I sleep ? Shall I split them into 2 each or just use one as a base ?
I have checked some activities in "Bookme" and both are grouped in the same region. I wonder if all their activities are available at both places ?

I can start at either end but without backtrack as I will be visiting Auckland…