Hey guys! I spent in NZ 8 months and I loved it there. What is a MUST:
1) WANAKA is more laid back and friendly than Queenstown, which is very touristy and commercial town. But still - great surrounding!Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, good swimming in the summer.
2)MILFORD Sound - even if it is raining, still worthy! thousands of waterfalls around you, it is spectacular! Milford road from Te Anau is considered as one of the most beautiful roads in the world.
3) HIKING, definitely go for it! you have to head to wilderness to experience real NZ. Mt Aspiring NP, amazing! Try to make Cascade Saddle, it is a pretty hard job, but views are great. Moreover, you may have a chance to see a big mountain parrot called Kia, they eat almost everything (tents, bottles, etc.)!
4) if you have time, visit DUNEDIN and Otago peninsula with heaps of seals, dolphins and penguins.

ENJOY THIS STUNNING COUNTRY WITH GREAT KIWIS

Last spring I studied abroad on the Gold Coast in Australia and for spring break I got to go on a road trip around the South Island. You definately have to go to Queenstown. I know you guys already went white water rafting, but you should do the one on the Shotover River. The bus ride to the river is awesome, you are on skinny dirt roads up and down mountains and the guides are also really cool. While you are in Queenstown also try to do the Nevis Bungee jump. You are basically jumping from a box suspended between two mountains. You should also try to go camping at Abel Tasman. You should try and see the sunrise on the beach which has almost orange sand. And one more thing...definately try to get to Kaikoura for a sunrise. You have to go out to the tip where all the RVs park because there are seals everywhere and the sunrise is probably the prettiest thing I have ever seen. Well that is about it...have an awesome time in NZ.

ya, cour10eemom has th right idea, go to wanaka and the theatre. milford sound drive is pretty but doubtful sound is better, esp the undrground power plant, awesome!

As, "riedo", posted earlier, Wanaka is a great small town worth checking out. Its not far away, and its a pretty little drive. Wanaka's pretty chill and has some great views from the sky whether you sky-dive, which i suggest, or parasail on the lake. You must also check out Milford Sound.

Hey TJ's... this one is for Tony mainly. You must check out World Bar while in Queenstown. They sell teapots (literally) of all different types of wild concoctions to drink. These, along with the live dj's and backpackers galore, make for a great night. have fun!

Man, Queenstown is so beautiful even if you have no money you could spend weeks just looking at the landscape, it's incredible.

When I was in Queenstown, I went on the Shotover Jet. This was amazing fun and the turns and speed is soooo sweet.

I also went up on the gondola and went on the Luge. The Luge is GREAT, really easy to control and you get stunning views from up at Skyline.

http://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/luge/

Climbing the Franz Josef Glacier is a must. The YHA hostels in NZ are awesome and reasonably priced. (http://www.yha.co.nz/default) We went to NZ in May a few years ago and bad weather postponed our glacier climb 1 day. We still ending up climbing the glacier in the pouring rain. Regardless, it was an experience I will never forget! The rain created tunnels in the ice, and we were able to slide down the tunnels (our guide attached ropes to the ice for us to hold onto!) Mount Cook is also really beautiful--not too far from Queenstown.

First off, while none of you will probably read this, I'm John. I am studying journalism right now as an undergrad in Wisconsin (a far cry from the Pacific rim!).
I know you guys only have so much money and time, but if you get a chance, go to the south island and visit Fiordland National Park. Breathtaking views and hundreds if not thousands of square miles of vast wilderness. Sound cool? It sure does. Tiffany, it seems this might be something you would like, but I am sure the group would all be impressed. I have never been, but hope to visit soon! Take care and have fun, you guys (and girls) are great! Wish I was there!

Best- John

quote:

Originally posted by hurricanee:
Tony,

I have a friend who has a bar in Queenstown...let me know if you're interested in guest bartending and I'll get you his number.

Hey Hurricanee, I'm not sure if you're still checking the boards but if you see this, I am definitely interested in some guest bartending! Hit me up asap as we'll be in Queenstown in no time at all. You can myspace me if you'd like at www.myspace.com/fluffysgonnadie or reply here in this thread. Thanks for the help and let me know what's up asap. Thanks again!

quote:

Originally posted by wiscojohn:
First off, while none of you will probably read this, I'm John. I am studying journalism right now as an undergrad in Wisconsin (a far cry from the Pacific rim!).
I know you guys only have so much money and time, but if you get a chance, go to the south island and visit Fiordland National Park. Breathtaking views and hundreds if not thousands of square miles of vast wilderness. Sound cool? It sure does. Tiffany, it seems this might be something you would like, but I am sure the group would all be impressed. I have never been, but hope to visit soon! Take care and have fun, you guys (and girls) are great! Wish I was there!

Best- John

I read it!

Any locals in Queenstown out there? Anyone out there got some trouble I can get myself into in Queenstown? Any local gatherings, parties or events I should know about? Anyone out there want to hang out?

FERGBURGER! I've had many burgers in my life, but i'll never forget eating fergburger in Queenstown. They are so gooood! Best burger i've ever had. It's a cool little place too, although no real seating, just a long bench right by the order window.
You'll have to forgive me, it's a bit off topic, but are you guys going to Thailand, or did you already go? If you do I have some great suggestions.

milford sound is a must...take the bus if you can afford it. we packed a picnic lunch (wine, cheese, etc.) for the trip. full day but well worth it.

you guys SHOULD go to byron bay...awesome, awesome, awesome. my most fave place in oz. been three times. very bohemian, artsy, friendly, alternative...everything ...free live music... bars, (the beach hotel bar that paul hogan owns is right on the water). the rails for music and great food and drink...best beaches in the world. where russell crow and nicole kidman go when they want to hide out (they stay at Rae's at Watego)... lots of young people

tony: I just sent an email to your myspace w/ the contact info. I'll also give him the heads up it's coming.

quote:

Originally posted by tonystake:

quote:

Originally posted by hurricanee:
Tony,

I have a friend who has a bar in Queenstown...let me know if you're interested in guest bartending and I'll get you his number.

Hey Hurricanee, I'm not sure if you're still checking the boards but if you see this, I am definitely interested in some guest bartending! Hit me up asap as we'll be in Queenstown in no time at all. You can myspace me if you'd like at www.myspace.com/fluffysgonnadie or reply here in this thread. Thanks for the help and let me know what's up asap. Thanks again!

Wow! NZ! Fun-tastic place! Spent 13 days there last Nov from north to south island. dont fly or u'll lose out on the fabulous scenery!

handgliding was fun too! nearly swallow my heart!
markkrassner, u rite about Fergburger! Love those buns! =)

should try the glacier walk, tiring but well worth it! Not sure if u'll be heading there huh?

hope u guys have a great time in NZ, definetly gonna make another trip there myself!

where will u guys be next?
cheers!

The suggestions you have been getting sound good so far, definately hit up Winniebago's and try to go bungee jumping. A hint for the bungee jumping is that you can go at night from a suspended platform at the top of the gondola in Queenstown. The advantage is its cheaper$ and you get harnesed so the bungee is attached at hip height and not at your feet. Better for me because I could run and dive off the platform with less fear and less whiplash.

Can't wait to go back! Be there in March!

Renee- So, I might sound like a total dork, but you totally made my night by mentioning my post on the Auckland show tonight! I'm just glad to see that you got to Rotorua.

Josh- They used to let you bungy jump for free if you went naked, but I'm not sure if they still do. I think it's time for you to follow Tony's lead and get naked for the team!

Have fun in Queenstown!

as a north island kiwi now living in texas the one thing i miss about being home is the fresh foods and seafood, as well as the land being able to walk with barefeet on the grass without fear of being bitten by something is great and you dont no what you have got untill you dont have it no more, while down south you got to go to the oyster farms in invecargill and visit the stewart island, there is a ferry that goes accross, but is some great culture down there, i have to agree with others you have got to at least play a game or see a game of netball and rugby it is has important as eating the food and seeing the nz country side, its a shame you dont have more time to visit some of the smaller areas in the north island there are some great things to experience that the citys dont offer, enjoy the great land we call aotearoa, have a safe and great trip, tell home i miss it

The Bungy jumping is the most awesome thing I did in Queenstown. Do the Nevis Highwire.. it's 138 Metres.. If you can afford it or work out a deal with them. It's the most awesome adrenaline rush I've found thus far in life.. different than sky diving completely. The White Water rafting was cool... Have fun! I'm quite jealous of you guy's lives right now

Hi guys and girls, Hope you're loving Queenstown!
Josh- NZ is the rugby capital of the world, it's not only a national sport it's there national obsession. If you get a chance to hit an All Blacks match, do it, you definitely won't regret it! The All Blacks, the NZ national team, perform the Haka, which is a Maori warriors dance prior to every match. The entire stadium joins in and they are crazy! Otherwise hit the local university and have fun, the culture around the sport is just as interesting as the sport itself. Enjoy the songs, the stories, the drinks and the atmosphere. This part everyone would enjoy.

Also, this is for all of the 5 Taker's, I recently finished grad school and a few of my friends are from Thailand, one in particular is Thai royalty/upper class. What I'll try to do is get a hold of her now and see what her schedule is like in the next few weeks. If you do go to Thailand I will try to set up a meeting with her, or at least get tons of info from her as to where to go and what to do. Otherwise, if you're not doing anything next November I'm going to Thailand for her wedding and wouldn't mind taking a group around myself then. Drop me a post here and I'll send you my email so we can talk more.
Cheers!
Kevin,
from Minnesota