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New Zealand advise.
Posted on 2/13/25 at 8:24 pm
Posted on 2/13/25 at 8:24 pm
I have 3-5 days to spend in New Zealand before heading to Sydney April 2026. Anyone have any recommendations on things that are must sees?
7
Posted on 2/14/25 at 4:58 am to MBclass83
Protest outside Jacinda Artern's place.
Posted on 2/14/25 at 7:31 pm to MBclass83
Short time. I assume you fly into Auckland, and you'll need a day to begin recovering from the flight and time shift. It's a nice small city. If stay is 3 days, just stay there. If 5, take a train down to Wellington and back. Book local tours that get you out of the city. The biggest contrast between NZ and AU is the terrain and ecosystems.
Posted on 2/14/25 at 11:09 pm to MBclass83
I prefer the South Island, but you're pretty short on time - even with five days. Maybe look into flying direct to Christchurch on United (AA dropped their flight) or take a connecting flight from Aukland.
After resting and exploring Christchurch, you could rent a car and drive to Queenstown via Lake Tekapo, Mt. Cook and Wanaka. Lots of cool stuff to do in Queenstown the next day. After that drive to Milford Sound and take a boat tour. Lots of amazing views and stops on the road up to Milford Sound too. Overnight in Te Anu then drive back to Queenstown and catch a flight to Sydney. That's ambitious but doable.
The North Island is good too but it's more similar to Australia. The mountains and lakes of the South Island would probably provide a better contrast to start the trip. But if you only have three or four days I would stick to the Aukland area. Rotorua and the Hobbit village from Lord of the Rings are popular day trips. You could also take the train down to Wellington and fly out from there.
Posted on 2/15/25 at 5:45 am to MBclass83
I've only traveled to the South Island, and you likely don't have time for that if you're only doing 3 days. If you have 5 days, though, you can go to Queenstown and do some amazing hiking in the Southern Alps. As has already been suggested, Milford Sound is amazing, and the glow worm cave at Te Anau is cool.
Posted on 2/15/25 at 7:17 pm to Tree_Fall
quote:I’ve never been to either Australia or New Zealand but the adage to differentiate the two countries I’ve always heard from folks from both places is “Everything in New Zealand wants to hug you, everything in Australia wants to kill you”.
The biggest contrast between NZ and AU is the terrain and ecosystems.
Good luck and report back as I’m planning on spending weeks in both countries once I retire.
Posted on 2/15/25 at 11:54 pm to soccerfüt
quote:
I’ve never been to either Australia or New Zealand but the adage to differentiate the two countries I’ve always heard from folks from both places is “Everything in New Zealand wants to hug you, everything in Australia wants to kill you”.
Thanks for letting us know brother
Posted on 2/19/25 at 5:39 am to MBclass83
3 days is short but 5 days is doable in a pinch. We did 6 nights on the north island in December 2023.
Stayed at a Hilton in Auckland to start. Spent one day seeing the city. Second day we did a wine tasting tour of Waiheke Island. Loved that. The third day (a Saturday I think) we went north and drove to some beaches and a few other towns.
We then drove south to Lake Taupo and stayed at a Hilton there. Cool spot. We did a sunset cruise on the lake. I got to swim in it for a while and do a rock jump. Holy shite the water was cold.
You can stay busy easily. 3 days would be a stretch honestly but 5 is enough to see a few things.
Stayed at a Hilton in Auckland to start. Spent one day seeing the city. Second day we did a wine tasting tour of Waiheke Island. Loved that. The third day (a Saturday I think) we went north and drove to some beaches and a few other towns.
We then drove south to Lake Taupo and stayed at a Hilton there. Cool spot. We did a sunset cruise on the lake. I got to swim in it for a while and do a rock jump. Holy shite the water was cold.
You can stay busy easily. 3 days would be a stretch honestly but 5 is enough to see a few things.
Posted on 2/19/25 at 9:07 am to MBclass83
Honestly, all my favorite stuff is on the south island, it's hard to go wrong there. That takes a couple of weeks for a good trip. The one tip that may be useful is to look at Air New Zealand and their Sky-couch option. It lets you reserve one of their seat rows that are set up to fold down into a couch shape, with bedding included. It actually ends up as a larger bed than a lay flat first class seat. It costs slightly more than 2 economy seats and is a great way to fly to New Zealand.
Posted on 2/23/25 at 9:58 am to MBclass83
As noted, the South Island is preferable.
However, if you stay on the North Island, I would recommend the following:
1. Waitomo caves. Black water rafting allows you to see the glow worm caved while having a cool experience.
2. Whitewater rafting. It’s a legit experience with a waterfall drop included.
Youtube Link
3. The Hobbit site - it’s pretty cool imho.
Youtube Link
4. The redwood treetop walk. It was best at sunset, as the area is lit up at night. Zip lines as well.
Youtube Link
5. The “Squeeze” jet boat tour.
One of my favorite experiences.
Youtube Link
6. Zorb ball. Just do it once. It’s actually a cool experience.
Youtube Link
7. Skyline luge - Rotorua
My favorite overall. A damned good time.
Youtube Link
8. Duck boat tour - Rotorua.
A pretty fun half day.
Youtube Link
9. Maori hangi feast.
Youtube Link
10. Polynesian spa - Rotorua
Youtube Link
However, if you stay on the North Island, I would recommend the following:
1. Waitomo caves. Black water rafting allows you to see the glow worm caved while having a cool experience.
2. Whitewater rafting. It’s a legit experience with a waterfall drop included.
Youtube Link
3. The Hobbit site - it’s pretty cool imho.
Youtube Link
4. The redwood treetop walk. It was best at sunset, as the area is lit up at night. Zip lines as well.
Youtube Link
5. The “Squeeze” jet boat tour.
One of my favorite experiences.
Youtube Link
6. Zorb ball. Just do it once. It’s actually a cool experience.
Youtube Link
7. Skyline luge - Rotorua
My favorite overall. A damned good time.
Youtube Link
8. Duck boat tour - Rotorua.
A pretty fun half day.
Youtube Link
9. Maori hangi feast.
Youtube Link
10. Polynesian spa - Rotorua
Youtube Link
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