haggis supper

Thinking of heading across to NZ for 2-3 weeks sometime in March or April, with Mrs Haggis and the kids (aged 8 and 6).

I'd greatly appreciate any advice, suggestions, hints etc on places to go, where to stay, things to do etc with the family.

I'm currently back in Glasgow (land of the long yellow vomit) so need something to get me excited.

Thanks awfully.
Col

Nikki.P

Are you going North or South island or both? Loved New Zealand but especially the south island, just driving into and around the hills was amazing. There is also an explorer to the south pole centre you can do which was not bad. We weren't there for very long so can't really recommend much but its a beautiful place, all the scenery of scotland with slightly better climate!!!!

foxall22

We spent a month touring the South island, and saw Wellington, Auckland and Rotorua in the North Island. NZ is SO well geared for tourism that there are excellent things everywhere, just a shame LOTR pushed up the prices a little! If you're not going there for skiing then there's the Milford Sound trip, kayaking in the Abel Tasman Park, Christchurch for Antarctic centre and nice regional drives, Mount Cook. We liked Wanaka and Te Anau esp, but you are spoilt for choice wherever you go!

Enjoy,
Gemma

Wannabe_Sheila

Hi

I'm a British Expat living in New Zealand. Whereabouts are you looking to go/see/do? New Zealand does have something for everyone but you do have to decide beforehand what you're doing so you can plan your itinerary

Pollyana

Try a post in the NZ forum, quite a friendly bunch in general over there

Mrs Old

www.hanmersprings.co.nz is a great place. We went in winter and it warmed us up no end!

hantorro

Went to NZ over Christmas, stayed at Christchurch which is very picturesque, almost a cross between York and Durham City with a splash of the cosmopolitan. Have a nice trip, the place is spectacular

ramlmmjem

We spent two weeks in February this year. Loved it and it wasn't enough!

Visited Bethel's Beach (near Auckland - an hour's drive - its where the film The Piano was filmed, the black beach), the Cramandel Penisula, Rotorua (which we were less then impressed with, its a lot touristy and parts can be a bit tacky - experienced a very poor 'Maori'-experience), Napier via Lake Tahoe which would be a nice place to stop, and Wellington in the North Island. Missed the Bay of Islands which I believe is really nice.

In the South Island, we stayed in the north as we decided that we'd had enough driving. Went along the north coast towards Farewell Spit from where there's an unmetaled road its worth following towards the west coast for the beach.

Abel Tasman Park is magical. Take a water taxi up the coast and walk to another bay to be picked up later.

We stayed in Mapua at an ace bed & breakfast for four nights (didn't need breakfast because of the high quality eating place on the pier!), there are two excellent places to eat on the pier. we alos stayed in Golden Bay on the way to the Spit. A lovely spot.

Would do it all again anytime and take at least twice as long.

good luck.

Alistair

Lenmil

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7726323...7600761124167/

Have a look through the pictures here.