Newbie to NZ (just arrived in Queenstown)
Feb 29th 2004, 9:07 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Newbie to NZ (just arrived in Queenstown)
I just arrived in Queenstown, New Zealand today after having been
around in Australia for 2 months (had a GREAT!! time there, seeing
lots of stuff, going off the touristy track etc.).
But I'm clueless!! It's probably not as bad as it seems right now,
after just having arrived in a new country, being tired and having to
start all over again from scratch just like I did in Australia 2
months ago, but still.... if someone has a few pointers to get me
started?...
I don't have any guide-book yet, but hope I'll find a bookstore here
in Queenstown which sells the "Let's go New Zealand" guide (I had a
"Let's go" guide for Australia which I liked, and I get put off by
everybody havign the exact same Lonely planet guide, so I choose to do
things differently).
Other than that I don't know much about what to do next -what to see
here, where to go next. What I can say is that I am flying out of
Auckland in about 4 weeks time, so naturally I'll be heading towards
that direction.
Queenstown seems VERY touristy to me: it looks like it's all about
joining tours and stuff like that, just like in Australia, though I'm
more into independant travelling, not tourism. Besides it costs a lot
of money. What is there to do here that doesn't cost a fortune and
isn't too touristy? What do local people do in this country when they
want to experience more of it? I don't have a car, just in case that
comes up, so I have to rely on public transport. I like seeing the
outdoor, but I'm not too ventured in hiking and all that sort of thing
(believe it or not, being from Norway and all -actually Queenstown
could very well be one of the many villages in Norway!), so it'll more
be short walks for me. Not tough, enduring, strenous hikes. Besides I
don't have any proper mountain clothing either and don't plan to spend
hundreds of dollars for that sort of thing.
It's pretty cold here (well, compared to most of the Australian east
coast/inland which I visited anyway), and it would definitely be nice
to go to some warm, nice, relaxing places instead of freezing my butt
off -is all of NZ pretty cold?
I'm open for suggestions. Thanks.
Hallvard
around in Australia for 2 months (had a GREAT!! time there, seeing
lots of stuff, going off the touristy track etc.).
But I'm clueless!! It's probably not as bad as it seems right now,
after just having arrived in a new country, being tired and having to
start all over again from scratch just like I did in Australia 2
months ago, but still.... if someone has a few pointers to get me
started?...
I don't have any guide-book yet, but hope I'll find a bookstore here
in Queenstown which sells the "Let's go New Zealand" guide (I had a
"Let's go" guide for Australia which I liked, and I get put off by
everybody havign the exact same Lonely planet guide, so I choose to do
things differently).
Other than that I don't know much about what to do next -what to see
here, where to go next. What I can say is that I am flying out of
Auckland in about 4 weeks time, so naturally I'll be heading towards
that direction.
Queenstown seems VERY touristy to me: it looks like it's all about
joining tours and stuff like that, just like in Australia, though I'm
more into independant travelling, not tourism. Besides it costs a lot
of money. What is there to do here that doesn't cost a fortune and
isn't too touristy? What do local people do in this country when they
want to experience more of it? I don't have a car, just in case that
comes up, so I have to rely on public transport. I like seeing the
outdoor, but I'm not too ventured in hiking and all that sort of thing
(believe it or not, being from Norway and all -actually Queenstown
could very well be one of the many villages in Norway!), so it'll more
be short walks for me. Not tough, enduring, strenous hikes. Besides I
don't have any proper mountain clothing either and don't plan to spend
hundreds of dollars for that sort of thing.
It's pretty cold here (well, compared to most of the Australian east
coast/inland which I visited anyway), and it would definitely be nice
to go to some warm, nice, relaxing places instead of freezing my butt
off -is all of NZ pretty cold?
I'm open for suggestions. Thanks.
Hallvard
Mar 1st 2004, 8:08 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Newbie to NZ (just arrived in Queenstown)
Hallvard Tangeraas <[email protected]> wrote:
> Queenstown seems VERY touristy to me: it looks like it's all about
> joining tours and stuff like that, just like in Australia, though I'm
> more into independant travelling, not tourism. Besides it costs a lot
> of money. What is there to do here that doesn't cost a fortune and
> isn't too touristy? What do local people do in this country when they
> want to experience more of it? I don't have a car, just in case that
> comes up, so I have to rely on public transport. I like seeing the
> outdoor, but I'm not too ventured in hiking and all that sort of thing
> (believe it or not, being from Norway and all -actually Queenstown
> could very well be one of the many villages in Norway!), so it'll more
> be short walks for me. Not tough, enduring, strenous hikes. Besides I
> don't have any proper mountain clothing either and don't plan to spend
> hundreds of dollars for that sort of thing.
Queenstown is an overpriced tourist trap. I suggest you travel up the West
Coast. Take your time and stop often. It may be wet so be sure you have
boots and a raincoat.
> It's pretty cold here (well, compared to most of the Australian east
> coast/inland which I visited anyway), and it would definitely be nice
> to go to some warm, nice, relaxing places instead of freezing my butt
> off -is all of NZ pretty cold?
This summer in NZ has been cooler than normal [really hot until about the
2nd week in Jan, then it got cool]. Chances are it won't get much cooler
than it is now for the next month or so. The North Island has been having
much worse weather [flooding, high winds] than the South over the last 2
weeks.
> Queenstown seems VERY touristy to me: it looks like it's all about
> joining tours and stuff like that, just like in Australia, though I'm
> more into independant travelling, not tourism. Besides it costs a lot
> of money. What is there to do here that doesn't cost a fortune and
> isn't too touristy? What do local people do in this country when they
> want to experience more of it? I don't have a car, just in case that
> comes up, so I have to rely on public transport. I like seeing the
> outdoor, but I'm not too ventured in hiking and all that sort of thing
> (believe it or not, being from Norway and all -actually Queenstown
> could very well be one of the many villages in Norway!), so it'll more
> be short walks for me. Not tough, enduring, strenous hikes. Besides I
> don't have any proper mountain clothing either and don't plan to spend
> hundreds of dollars for that sort of thing.
Queenstown is an overpriced tourist trap. I suggest you travel up the West
Coast. Take your time and stop often. It may be wet so be sure you have
boots and a raincoat.
> It's pretty cold here (well, compared to most of the Australian east
> coast/inland which I visited anyway), and it would definitely be nice
> to go to some warm, nice, relaxing places instead of freezing my butt
> off -is all of NZ pretty cold?
This summer in NZ has been cooler than normal [really hot until about the
2nd week in Jan, then it got cool]. Chances are it won't get much cooler
than it is now for the next month or so. The North Island has been having
much worse weather [flooding, high winds] than the South over the last 2
weeks.
Mar 1st 2004, 10:50 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Newbie to NZ (just arrived in Queenstown)
Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
> I just arrived in Queenstown, New Zealand today...
>
> But I'm clueless!! It's probably not as bad as it seems right now...>
> I don't have any guide-book yet, but hope I'll find a bookstore here
> in Queenstown which sells the "Let's go New Zealand" guide
That's pretty thin on the ground actually, so you'll be lucky. Look for
Whitcoulls - they have a biggish shop in central Queenstown, but will
probably only have the LP and Rough Guide. You might find something
else in the library to have a look at.
> Queenstown seems VERY touristy to me: it looks like it's all about
> joining tours and stuff like that, just like in Australia, though I'm
> more into independant travelling, not tourism. Besides it costs a lot
> of money. What is there to do here that doesn't cost a fortune and
> isn't too touristy?
'
Queenstown is probably NZ's major tourist destination, as you can tell
by all the organisations there who will try to seperate you from your
money. If you like the general environment but want to experience it on
a quieter scale, try going up the road to Glenorchy - it is right at the
top end of Lake Wakitipu and has only a couple of hundred residents.
> What do local people do in this country when they
> want to experience more of it? I don't have a car, just in case that
> comes up, so I have to rely on public transport.
Find the info centre and get yourself a timetable for Atomic Shuttles
and Intercity - that will give you an idea of the places that are easily
accessible to you. In your four weeks, if you want to get round most of
the country, I doubt you'll be getting far off their routes. I guess
the first question you need to answer is whether you want to go further
south or north. You'll find that there are quite a few touristic
destinations coming south from and around Queenstown - Wanaka &
Arrowtown are nearby, then coming south there are Te Anau and Milford.
Further south, you're getting into places a little less aimed at
tourism, that exist to serve their local populations.
I'd see the things around Queenstown that interested you and head south
(consider Stewart Island if you truly want to get away from the tourist
trail and want some interesting walks - you can fly or ferry from
Invercargill), then back north towards Christchurch, stopping at Dunedin
(I live here so can give detailed info if you get here) and Oamaru on
the way. From there, getting over to the West Coast would be a priority
for me: unless you have a particular interest in the chance of seeing
whales, I'd skip between ChCh and Picton altogether and just explore the
west coast before heading towards Nelson, Takaka, Marlborough. There
are several little bus companies up in this area to get you around.
With 28 days, I'd take 15-20 days for the South Island and the rest up
North but that's just my particular taste. Given your attitude to
Queenstown, I don't know if I'd go to Rotorua. Its actually quite hard
to say what I'd suggest once you hit Wellington, because there are nice
trips up both the East (Napier, Gisborne, East Cape) and West (New
Plymouth, Taranaki, Raglan) coasts. For me, both are better than going
through the centre (which is what most tourists do), although they do
mean missing the Tongariro area. Possibly the best compromise is to go
up to National Park (central north Island) and then backtrack to
Palmerston North (around 3-4 hours) to go either East or West from there.
Then, if you have time once you get to Auckland, head north, West Coast
definitely if you can find transport, otherwise Bay Of Islands on the
East coast.
This is just how I would do it - but I seem to have a similar aversion
to Queenston to you, if that's any use.
> It's pretty cold here (well, compared to most of the Australian east
> coast/inland which I visited anyway), and it would definitely be nice
> to go to some warm, nice, relaxing places instead of freezing my butt
> off -is all of NZ pretty cold?
Well, NZ is pretty much going to be 10-15 degrees cooler than Oz anyway:
mid 20's will be the norm now that autumn has officially hit. If you
want warmth and relaxation, probably think more in terms of the top of
the south island and Tauranga, Northland than what I've been mentioning.
> I just arrived in Queenstown, New Zealand today...
>
> But I'm clueless!! It's probably not as bad as it seems right now...>
> I don't have any guide-book yet, but hope I'll find a bookstore here
> in Queenstown which sells the "Let's go New Zealand" guide
That's pretty thin on the ground actually, so you'll be lucky. Look for
Whitcoulls - they have a biggish shop in central Queenstown, but will
probably only have the LP and Rough Guide. You might find something
else in the library to have a look at.
> Queenstown seems VERY touristy to me: it looks like it's all about
> joining tours and stuff like that, just like in Australia, though I'm
> more into independant travelling, not tourism. Besides it costs a lot
> of money. What is there to do here that doesn't cost a fortune and
> isn't too touristy?
'
Queenstown is probably NZ's major tourist destination, as you can tell
by all the organisations there who will try to seperate you from your
money. If you like the general environment but want to experience it on
a quieter scale, try going up the road to Glenorchy - it is right at the
top end of Lake Wakitipu and has only a couple of hundred residents.
> What do local people do in this country when they
> want to experience more of it? I don't have a car, just in case that
> comes up, so I have to rely on public transport.
Find the info centre and get yourself a timetable for Atomic Shuttles
and Intercity - that will give you an idea of the places that are easily
accessible to you. In your four weeks, if you want to get round most of
the country, I doubt you'll be getting far off their routes. I guess
the first question you need to answer is whether you want to go further
south or north. You'll find that there are quite a few touristic
destinations coming south from and around Queenstown - Wanaka &
Arrowtown are nearby, then coming south there are Te Anau and Milford.
Further south, you're getting into places a little less aimed at
tourism, that exist to serve their local populations.
I'd see the things around Queenstown that interested you and head south
(consider Stewart Island if you truly want to get away from the tourist
trail and want some interesting walks - you can fly or ferry from
Invercargill), then back north towards Christchurch, stopping at Dunedin
(I live here so can give detailed info if you get here) and Oamaru on
the way. From there, getting over to the West Coast would be a priority
for me: unless you have a particular interest in the chance of seeing
whales, I'd skip between ChCh and Picton altogether and just explore the
west coast before heading towards Nelson, Takaka, Marlborough. There
are several little bus companies up in this area to get you around.
With 28 days, I'd take 15-20 days for the South Island and the rest up
North but that's just my particular taste. Given your attitude to
Queenstown, I don't know if I'd go to Rotorua. Its actually quite hard
to say what I'd suggest once you hit Wellington, because there are nice
trips up both the East (Napier, Gisborne, East Cape) and West (New
Plymouth, Taranaki, Raglan) coasts. For me, both are better than going
through the centre (which is what most tourists do), although they do
mean missing the Tongariro area. Possibly the best compromise is to go
up to National Park (central north Island) and then backtrack to
Palmerston North (around 3-4 hours) to go either East or West from there.
Then, if you have time once you get to Auckland, head north, West Coast
definitely if you can find transport, otherwise Bay Of Islands on the
East coast.
This is just how I would do it - but I seem to have a similar aversion
to Queenston to you, if that's any use.
> It's pretty cold here (well, compared to most of the Australian east
> coast/inland which I visited anyway), and it would definitely be nice
> to go to some warm, nice, relaxing places instead of freezing my butt
> off -is all of NZ pretty cold?
Well, NZ is pretty much going to be 10-15 degrees cooler than Oz anyway:
mid 20's will be the norm now that autumn has officially hit. If you
want warmth and relaxation, probably think more in terms of the top of
the south island and Tauranga, Northland than what I've been mentioning.
Mar 1st 2004, 12:14 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Newbie to NZ (just arrived in Queenstown)
#1. Buy anything BUT Let's Go!! Too Americo-centric!
#2. Queenstown is an expensive little spot. Do the 'must dos' for you there
and move on. Personally I'd head off counterclockwise.
Good Luck!
"Hallvard Tangeraas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I just arrived in Queenstown, New Zealand today after having been
> around in Australia for 2 months (had a GREAT!! time there, seeing
> lots of stuff, going off the touristy track etc.).
> But I'm clueless!! It's probably not as bad as it seems right now,
> after just having arrived in a new country, being tired and having to
> start all over again from scratch just like I did in Australia 2
> months ago, but still.... if someone has a few pointers to get me
> started?...
> I don't have any guide-book yet, but hope I'll find a bookstore here
> in Queenstown which sells the "Let's go New Zealand" guide (I had a
> "Let's go" guide for Australia which I liked, and I get put off by
> everybody havign the exact same Lonely planet guide, so I choose to do
> things differently).
> Other than that I don't know much about what to do next -what to see
> here, where to go next. What I can say is that I am flying out of
> Auckland in about 4 weeks time, so naturally I'll be heading towards
> that direction.
> Queenstown seems VERY touristy to me: it looks like it's all about
> joining tours and stuff like that, just like in Australia, though I'm
> more into independant travelling, not tourism. Besides it costs a lot
> of money. What is there to do here that doesn't cost a fortune and
> isn't too touristy? What do local people do in this country when they
> want to experience more of it? I don't have a car, just in case that
> comes up, so I have to rely on public transport. I like seeing the
> outdoor, but I'm not too ventured in hiking and all that sort of thing
> (believe it or not, being from Norway and all -actually Queenstown
> could very well be one of the many villages in Norway!), so it'll more
> be short walks for me. Not tough, enduring, strenous hikes. Besides I
> don't have any proper mountain clothing either and don't plan to spend
> hundreds of dollars for that sort of thing.
> It's pretty cold here (well, compared to most of the Australian east
> coast/inland which I visited anyway), and it would definitely be nice
> to go to some warm, nice, relaxing places instead of freezing my butt
> off -is all of NZ pretty cold?
> I'm open for suggestions. Thanks.
> Hallvard
#2. Queenstown is an expensive little spot. Do the 'must dos' for you there
and move on. Personally I'd head off counterclockwise.
Good Luck!
"Hallvard Tangeraas" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I just arrived in Queenstown, New Zealand today after having been
> around in Australia for 2 months (had a GREAT!! time there, seeing
> lots of stuff, going off the touristy track etc.).
> But I'm clueless!! It's probably not as bad as it seems right now,
> after just having arrived in a new country, being tired and having to
> start all over again from scratch just like I did in Australia 2
> months ago, but still.... if someone has a few pointers to get me
> started?...
> I don't have any guide-book yet, but hope I'll find a bookstore here
> in Queenstown which sells the "Let's go New Zealand" guide (I had a
> "Let's go" guide for Australia which I liked, and I get put off by
> everybody havign the exact same Lonely planet guide, so I choose to do
> things differently).
> Other than that I don't know much about what to do next -what to see
> here, where to go next. What I can say is that I am flying out of
> Auckland in about 4 weeks time, so naturally I'll be heading towards
> that direction.
> Queenstown seems VERY touristy to me: it looks like it's all about
> joining tours and stuff like that, just like in Australia, though I'm
> more into independant travelling, not tourism. Besides it costs a lot
> of money. What is there to do here that doesn't cost a fortune and
> isn't too touristy? What do local people do in this country when they
> want to experience more of it? I don't have a car, just in case that
> comes up, so I have to rely on public transport. I like seeing the
> outdoor, but I'm not too ventured in hiking and all that sort of thing
> (believe it or not, being from Norway and all -actually Queenstown
> could very well be one of the many villages in Norway!), so it'll more
> be short walks for me. Not tough, enduring, strenous hikes. Besides I
> don't have any proper mountain clothing either and don't plan to spend
> hundreds of dollars for that sort of thing.
> It's pretty cold here (well, compared to most of the Australian east
> coast/inland which I visited anyway), and it would definitely be nice
> to go to some warm, nice, relaxing places instead of freezing my butt
> off -is all of NZ pretty cold?
> I'm open for suggestions. Thanks.
> Hallvard
Mar 3rd 2004, 3:28 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Newbie to NZ (just arrived in Queenstown)
The shotover river jetboats are a must
Mar 4th 2004, 7:19 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Newbie to NZ (just arrived in Queenstown)
Dear Hallvard Tangeraas
>I just arrived in Queenstown
www.bottombus.co.nz to see the bottom bit including dunedin, catlins
and stewart island.
evan
Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track
Get off your bottom and do the Hump!
http://www.humpridgetrack.co.nz
>I just arrived in Queenstown
www.bottombus.co.nz to see the bottom bit including dunedin, catlins
and stewart island.
evan
Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track
Get off your bottom and do the Hump!
http://www.humpridgetrack.co.nz
