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Only 8 days for NZ but still

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albatross

Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Sweden

Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 5:02 am Post subject: Only 8 days for NZ but still

Hi there, Me and my brother are travelling down under in late november and have 8 days for NZ. We would like to get some tips on what to see and where to go on such short time. (We are going to both western and eastern Aus as well). We love nature and have a good budget. We're in the 60's but are still young at heart. We're brother and sister. Please advice us. Brgds Cristina _________________ The wind is free!

Garry
Site Admin

Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 290
Location: New Zealander in Scotland

Posted: Sat May 20, 2006 11:15 pm Post subject:

Hi Albatross, since nature is what you are after land in Christchurch and head across the Westcoast via Arthur's Pass, then down the West Coast to Queenstown. From Queenstown head to Te Anau and Milford Sounds and then back to Queenstown. From Queenstown you can either head back to Christchurch via Tekapo and Mt Cook or since your user name is albatross you may like to go Dunedin and see Royal Albatross ( http://www.albatross.org.nz/ )and Penguins down the Otago Penisular (Dundedin), you can then cut inland to Tekapo and Mt Cook at Oamaru. Here are some maps of these regions http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/maps/area/ch/ http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/maps/area/hk/ http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/maps/area/dn/ http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/maps/area/in/ and some photos http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/gallery/Arthurs-Pass http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/gallery/Westland http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/gallery/Milford-Sounds http://www.backpack-newzealand.com/gallery/Mckenzie-Country

albatross

Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Sweden

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 2:21 am Post subject: Thanks Garry

Hi Garry, Thank you so much for all the info. I suppose you think the South Island is it when it comes to NZ. As you pointed out we are very fond of albatrosses and I'm a member of the british RSPB, section "Save the albatrosses". Even my sailing boat is named Albatross. Crazy? No! Do you suggest that we rent a bedmobile or is it easy to find B&B along this route? We are very good drivers both of us especially my brother, is it dangerous to drive and are the roads in good condition? Do you know? brgds, Cristina _________________ The wind is free!

Trussell_LLoyd

Joined: 24 Nov 2005
Posts: 16
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 3:09 am Post subject:

if you're spending any time in victoria while you're doing east coast Aust. i recommend wilsons promontory national park and grampians national park great hiking, plus beatiful day walks and easy strolls too

albatross

Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Sweden

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 4:28 am Post subject:

Thanks Trussell_Lloyd, We'll have that in mind. We arrive Sydney 3rd dec. and have no arrangements made as yet except for a visit to an old friend some three hours drive up the coast from Sydney. Ciao Cristina _________________ The wind is free!

Garry
Site Admin

Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 290
Location: New Zealander in Scotland

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 7:49 am Post subject:

"bedmobile or is it easy to find B&B along this route", yeah there are plenty of B&B's, farmstays, hotels, backpackers and camping grounds (cabins - NZ$40 - $60 for 2 people a night). I personally would just get a car even though the roads are quite good with some narrow parts i.e road to Milford Sounds (tip: leave very early in the morning) just in case you want to get off the main road. But then again the ability to stop by a lake for the night somewhere in a campervan is also quite appealing.

albatross

Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Sweden

Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 8:19 pm Post subject:

Garry, you really know how to sell your country. I'm very greatful for all your info. We're really longing for our journey. How is the weather from late november early december? Any suggestions on clothing, we're backpacking. Cristina _________________ The wind is free!

Garry
Site Admin

Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 290
Location: New Zealander in Scotland

Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 6:54 am Post subject:

Yeah the weather should be warm and usually dry in most places, the westcoast and fiordland are known for having lots of rain, so do be surprised if it rains. Bring warm clothes with you especially if heading into the mountains, even in summer it can turn nasty quick. Polypropylenes (thermals) are worthwile just having in your bag if going for a long day walk, light and warm. I don't want to scare you but a few people have died the past summer even on day walks, stick to the track and don't underestimate the bush http://www.nzherald.co.nz/search/search.cfm?kw1=tramper%20died&kw2=&thesection=&period=week&op=all&searchorder=2&display=50&requesttimeout=180 .

albatross

Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Sweden

Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 9:18 pm Post subject:

Sure we'll stick to the tracks. We know here in Europe what happens if you ski off pist. Once again, we are really very thankful for all the help and advice you have given us. It seems that you are the guy to contact when you need any info at all. I'm sure I will be back with more questions ahead, but for the moment I feel content. There still is some time to go before we take off from Sweden. Best regards, Cristina _________________ The wind is free!

Garry
Site Admin

Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 290
Location: New Zealander in Scotland

Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 10:41 pm Post subject:

No problem Cristina, sometimes it may take me a while to reply especially when we leave Malta in a months time to travel around Scotland.

albatross

Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Sweden

Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 12:21 am Post subject:

Have a nice trip to Scotland, also one of my favourits, though I never been there. There are so many beautiful places to see on this earth that I wish I had twice my lifetime to be able to see it all. Will be in touch Cristina _________________ The wind is free!

Garry
Site Admin

Joined: 10 May 2004
Posts: 290
Location: New Zealander in Scotland

Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:10 am Post subject:

Here is a westcoast video at itube if you want to watch it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY1IWV18x9I Yeah I have traveled bits of Scotland and I love what I have seen so far. Will try and get to Sweden as well before I come home.

albatross

Joined: 19 May 2006
Posts: 11
Location: Sweden

Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 11:22 pm Post subject:

Hi Garry, Been out of the internet for a while, working with my boat to get it ready for our summer. If you haven't been to Sweden before I suggest that you try to come here. It is a beautiful country and our capitol Stockholm is really a magnificent city with lots of water surrounding it. There are boat tours to be made into the Stockholm archipelago which contains of some 30.000 islands. There are hostels on some of the islands where you can spend a night or two and then travel on to the next and so forth. The rest of the country is a big diversity of nature almost like NZ. Great farmland in the south and heavy mountain land in the north. Best regards, Cristina _________________ The wind is free!

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