Visiting New Zealand

Hi all, found this wonderful website. It seems so very helpful, I hope you all can give me some guidance and help me choose. I know it all comes to down to whatever I'd prefer, but NZ hikes are so wonderful it is too hard to choose! Being a typical American, ...

Hi, Have a general plan to hike NZ from tip to toe. Here's what I envision... 2 months - Dec/Jan, or Jan/Feb. Which would be more practical in terms of travel/weather/etc..­.North to South or South to North. Is 2 months enough...would like to include all great walks and their connectors. I average 10-20k ...

My girlfriend and I are thinking about visiting New Zealand next summer for about 14 - 18 days. We started some basic planning and we think we want to stay around Queenstown or Wanaka. We both enjoy hiking and I would probably classify our skill level as slightly above average ...

I am looking at walking over Harpers Pass and was wondering what people thought would be the best transport options. I would look to depart from and return to Ch. Ch. On the outward journey I would want to be dropped at Windy Pt. And on the return picked up ...

I'm looking to be in New Zealand from May to July and am wondering what are my best options for a multi-day backpack (tramp?) on the South Island. I'll probably be in the North Island at some point as well but I've got a friend in Dunedin and am interested ...

I'll be visiting through most of November and I plan to do 2 or 3 tramps that last 4-5 days. I'm curious about how easy it is to hitchhike to and from the trailhead. I know what to expect here in the states, but I'm wondering what most locals' impressions ...

That helps a ton! I am starting my trip in christchurch so I am happy to hear that it won't be a struggle to get out on my first trip. cheers

Hi All, I will be backpacking through NZ From mid January to mid March without much of a plan. I won't be renting a car so I am wondering how difficult it is to get from towns/cities to the trail head. Are there any busses or transports that go out to ...

Dear all, I know this topic is highly subjective but nevertheless I am thankful for your contribution. I am currently planning my 30-day visit to New Zealand in April 2010 and would like to hike some tracks. There are so many tracks so I am quite overwhelmed... So far I thought of ...

I know you have very, very strict regulations on bringing kit into the country, regards cleanliness etc. I can't find anything about what we are expected to disinfect gear with. Shoes, tents, poles, everything. Travelling from UK to Tasmania first (tramping) then on to NZ from Sydney. Is a good ...

My 17 year old son and I will be visiting NZ in March for about two weeks and are looking to do one (possibly two) tramps in that time. We are experienced hikers / campers from Alaska and both in good shape so are looking for something challenging and scenic, ...

I am a college student from the USA and will be studying at Uni. Canterbury from february-june. I am an experienced hiker and outdoors person looking for some good weekend tramps as well as longer (4-5) day trips on the south island hopefully not to far from Christchurch. Any suggestions ...

Recently enjoyed my tramping trip with car in North Island and now I would like to have another chance in South Island. Will fly to Ch Ch in mid December and plan to go tramping for a few weeks. Are you interested ?? Please do not hesitate to contact me. ...

http://www.wises.co.­nz/ While trip-planning, I've been using this website to guage how long it'll take to drive from A-to-B. Seems like the NZ version of Mapquest in the US, which is pretty accurate. Here's some fairly common routes; can anyone offer feedback as to whether Wises' times are pretty accurate? Thanks in advance... * Auckland ...

Hi, I'm looking for advice regarding food. I'm arriving in Queenstown 26th Dec - is it going to be possible to do shopping on the same day, or are all shops closed that day because it's Saturday right after Christmas? Thanks in advance.

Hi. I will be moving with my wife and two boys (8 and 5 years) to the Auckland region for January to June 2010. We have done a fair bit of hiking in British Columbia, Canada. Can anyone tell me a good track in NZ to do with the family? ...

I am going to be in NZ for about nine days in the end of August into the first week of September visiting my girlfriend who is studying in Lincoln. Just curious if anyone has any suggestions on some tramps (2-4 day) that would be better than others during this ...

Hi, I am visiting a friend in Nelson during June/July and would like to go off on at least one decent hike - preferably over three days. I am struggling to find one that is running and within a sensible budget - can anyone offer help or advice? I won't have a ...

We're coming for about 4 months of summer tramping, and I've got some kea questions: 1) If we're taking a day hike from "base camp", do I need to strike the tent completely in order to avoid daytime invasion & destruction? Or just flatten the tent? Or is this not a ...

We're coming for about 4 months of summer tramping, and I've done enough research to have pretty realistic expectations regarding wasps. I'm left with a few specific wasp questions though: 1) Any best methods & practices to avoid bumbling & stumbling into nests or swarms? Should I always be able to spot ...

We're coming for about 4 months of summer tramping, and I've got a few specific possum questions: 1) we'll be tenting most of the time. At night, if we've left food in our packs, under the tent vestibules, will the possums come barging in & try to tear/rip/dismantle the tent and/or ...

We're coming for about 4 months of summer tramping, and I've done enough research to have pretty realistic expectations regarding sandflies. I'm left with a few specific sandfly questions though: 1) in late-spring & summer, do they go away at dusk? Sooner? Later? Never!? And come out again at daylight? 2) Sounds like ...

Our upcoming trip involves several flights within NZ. Here's the legs... 1) Napier to Nelson 2) Nelson to Christchurch 3) Nelson to New Plymouth 4) Palmerston North to Dunedin I googled around & found these are pretty standard flights, using I'm pretty sure fairly small planes. If we'll be loading something like 2 backpacks, 3 duffel ...

I posted several threads last year for advice on our visit to NZ (from Wales) in February. I just wanted to say thanks for all the help you gave, we are now safely returned to Wales (snow, sleet, freezing wind!!) and had a great trip. Managed a few tramps, though would ...

We are coming to New Zealand in a few weeks and will be tramping the Tongariro Northern Circuit, the Heaphy Track and the Kepler Track as well as some one and two day excursions. We're renting a camper van for transportation and accomodations in between tramps. How worried should I ...

My wife and I are from Colorado in the USA and are experienced but older hikers. We are coming to the South Island in November. We like to hike (tramp) and would like to do the Milford Track. If we do that, we won't have time to see the Mt. Cook ...

Hello everyone! I'm going to be in New Zealand next month. My plan is to cycle around and stop at a few tracks and tramp around - perhaps for a few days, camping off of the track. I know New Zealand is a particularly friendly place, but would there be ...

Hi! I’m visiting New Zealand next February with my wife. And we are going to tramp the Routeburn, the Tongarino, the lake Waikaremoana and the Abel Tasman. We need help deciding what sleeping bag to take. We will be sleeping in the DOC huts in all the tracks. So, what temperature rating should ...

Our family of 4 were initially planning a tramping trip to NZ, then a one way cruise back to OZ. Long story but that fell through and we are now doing a 14 night cruise Sydney to Sydney in January 09. I have done a lot of tramping in NZ over ...

Hi everyone!! This is my first post, although I’ve been a regular visit to the site. Me and my wife are visiting New Zealand in February/ March (we live in Portugal, in the exact opposite side of the world, a 35h journey!!!) We are doing the Routeburn, Abel Tasman, Tongariro Northern Circuit and ...

4 weeks in Feb 2009, about 2 weeks in each island. Guess we want the cheapest transport available (4 wheels), but not camper van. Been told we need to book a hire car now, as nothing (cheap)will be available by February, is this so ? Don't want to commit ...

Hello, I have general question about camping and tramping. I am going to Fiordlands NP. If I would like to go away from marked tracks (e.g. connect to distanced tracks to make a loop) do I need any special permission? Is it permitted in New Zealand Parks to walk and camping ...

Hi All, I'm planning a trip to NZ from Sept 30 to Oct 11 and I was wondering if at that time the Tongariro Round the mountain track will still have some snow. Thanks in advance for any advise. Davide

My wife and I live in NY City and will be in Sydney at the end of July. We plan to be in NZ for 5-6 days at the beginnig of August and are thinking about doing some tramping. Given that this is the "wrong" season: a) what would be the ...

Can anyone provide a lead for two of us to access pushbikes for a couple of days in early April 08 from around the Mackenzie country region (MtCook). We're doing Ball Pass in a day and want to stash the bikes near Celmisia Flat on the Tasman so as to ...

Hi, can anyone give me any tips on what mountain huts can be reached in 1 day (10 hour or less climb, average fitness), with great views of mountains or glaciers? Are there any? Is Chancellor Hut reachable anymore or not? I couldn't find much info on the web, but ...

I am visting New Zealand next March and travellling by camper van (and really looking forward to it). My partner and I walk in UK whenever we can and are looking for unguided one day walks throughout New Zealand. The Tramper site looks good but I have not found any ...

I am after an old reliable car (for tramping) with buy-back options (I am a careful female driver). I will leave Melbourne late January and arrive in Auckland at the beginning of Febuary and travel from North to South. Tramping in South Island is in question (been there a couple ...

If you only had three weeks in the fall (March-April) to walk the most fabulous routes (north & south islands, thinking two weeks south & one north), which would top the list? I'm coming from the American midwest where there are no mountains, glaciers, beaches, trees, waterfalls, oceans, etc., etc., ...

Dear All, Advice please. Visiting South Island in November. Based initially in Christchurch, then Twizel. Looking for advice/details etc for Day Walks/Hikes in both areas, within reasonable driving distance. Prefer something that gains altitude, and has views. Any books etc that I should purchase? Many Thanks. C.

Dear friends! I am coming to NZ for the first time from Russia to tramp in the Southern island in April. Unfortunately my reseacrch time is very limited and the country offers endless opportunities. Could you please advise me some good tramps with mountain/sea scenery, but without cover charges and crowds. ...

Around May I’m going to New Zealand for a year. While I’m there I want to do a lot of tramping. What I’m looking for are long tramps (say, 5 days or more) that are not necessarily hard, but that require a lot of navigation by map and compass. I ...

Hi all, I realize this forum is just starting out but I've decided to post my vacation questions. My wife and I are visiting New Zealand in Feb/Mar from Canada and we're looking for some memorable camping/tenting. Our current plans have us spending a week in Christchurch, doing the Heaphy track ...

Hi all, I realize this forum is just starting out but I've decided to post my vacation questions. My wife and I are visiting New Zealand in Feb/Mar from Canada and we're looking for some memorable camping/tenting. Our current plans have us spending a week in Christchurch, doing the Heaphy track ...