Posted by Nat Coalson on February 24, 2009 at 9:47 PM
Hi all -
I will be in New Zealand April 6 - May 6. Planning to visit both islands. I would like to get some suggestions, tips and input from the group. Any advice (and sample photos!) would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!
Posted by Colin Jakes on February 25, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Hi Nat
Plenty of "Landscape" opportunities on both north & south island, NZ is very easy to get around, get yourself a couple of travel guides to help plan your route and ensure that you don't miss out on anything, like the thermal springs area on north island. Assume you will be using a motorhome when you get onto south island, as that affords most flexibility.
Suggest you book a couple of boat trips out from Kaikura, for dolphins & albatrosses - not to be missed. Drive up to Mount Cook, some spectacular views as you drive along the lake on the way up, if the weather is good. Tiny place called Okarito on west coast of south island (near Fox Glacier) where a local guy will take you out on a skiff trip on the lagoon - beautiful & peaceful. I ran out of time and never made it to Fiordland, make sure you do!.
Have a great trip.
Colin
Posted by Cynthia Spence on February 25, 2009 at 10:49 AM
I'm jealous Nat...New Zealand is a fantastic place to visit. Unfortunately, my photos are slides and can't share, and I only saw part of the North Island, but I can give some tips on what I enjoyed. Some of them are touristy but there's a reason they are. Sometimes to get a feel for a place you have to do the touristy things to get them out of the way.
Cape Rienga at the very tip of the North Island is amazing...this is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific actually clash when they meet (you can see and hear it!) and though I didn't see it..I'm told earlier in the day you can actually see the colors blend. The lighthouse is very photogenic. Would love to go back there. We stayed in a hostel a few miles south...and there is some camping around there that I remember on the Pacific. Have food with you because there are some small towns but you won't find a big grocery store or lots of restaurants up there, and if you leave early in the morning to travel the restaurants won't be open. Had a great fish sandwich from a roadside vendor one night, and fish and chips some where around there...fresh out of the ocean! . And found a place to stay at a hotel in Omapare, which at the time for a very nice two bedroom cabin with TV and kitchen was only $80 NZ...but again the nearby grocery store didn't have much, but that was 1996 in March.
90 mile beach on the west coast will probably not be very occupied...we had it entirely to ourselves in March...lots of dunes...some sea arches and birds.
Kauri trees...are really big, like the redwoods of the US, but they look like they were planted upside down...could be a great exercise in trying to capture them because of close quarters...but so different than what we're used to, and if the light is right could be very moody.
I climbed Rangitoto in Auckland, which was fun...you take a ferry across the bay and the view at the top is fantastic. It's entirely volcanic and though dormant it's still so young that the basalt rock hasn't turned into dirt yet. Auckland is a beautiful city...if you like cityscapes...I especially liked the view of and from One Tree Hill...360 degrees...this is the hill from the U2 song. Auckland has the world's largest marina as I remember so the photo opportunities for boats are extensive.
I also went south on a day trip to Rotorura, which is a tiny Yellowstone, and over near Waukatani (sp?) you can see an active volcano (White's Mountain or something like that) it's on the east coast.
The Waitomo caves down near Rotorura are amazing, but like sites here in the US for Native Americans, they are sacred to the Maori so you can't take a camera with you, or if they let you probably no flash...but the the caves are like seeing stars on the ceiling.
I strongly suggest, if you want to get a feeling for the history to go to the Museum in Auckland to learn about what "was" on this very isolated Island and to get a feel for the Maori influence. There is also a tourist area up north called Waitangi where a peaceful treaty was signed and you can see replicas of Maori boats and homes. New Zealand has a very Polynesian influence, kind of like our Hispanic influence here in the Southwest.
And finally the Bay of Islands near Russell is worth seeing and is a recreational town with lots of activities, and if you have time I had a great day taking a catamran ride through the Bay...just sat on a pontoon and enjoyed myself. I suppose it might be pricey but you might be able to hire a boat to take you out during sunrise and sunset.
Oh and a hint about all the Maori (Mowrie) words. All of them have soft "g's" so they are pronounced like we say the word "hung" rather than the hard "g" in "good"...I found this out the hard way, and people just look at you funny and won't correct you. For example there is a suburb of Auckland called Onehunga...it's not ONE HUNGA (with a hard g) it is Oneehunga...long "O" and pronounce it like hung with an "uh" on the end. So Rangitoto is like the word "rang" then "ee" "toto" ...if that helps any...I went and found a used Maori dictionary just to figure out the meanings.
I strongly recommend getting the Lonely Planet guide, and I just hope a month is enough...I was there for 3 weeks and just getting started...so much to see so little time...I got a good taste but there is so much I didn't see.
Cynthia
Posted by Miguel BŽrubŽ on February 26, 2009 at 12:11 AM
Hi Nat,
I would suggest not looking into a motorhome but rather rent a car and stay at the "Holiday Top 10 Resorts" and rent a small room (pretty cheap, VERY clean and found in most bigger towns). In the end, it seems a cheaper alternative as gas is cheaper than diesel (sometimes by a lot) and being able to drive on unsealed roads is a real plus when renting a car (you will be liable to no insurance if you drive "off-road" with a motorhome and mine got stuck on the beach and had only a couple hours before the tide came in...pretty scary moment for me!) A definite must would be the South Island. The north is really nice but you can't miss the spectacular alpine scenery of the south as the lakes near Queenstown and Wanaka are spectacular (don't miss Glenorchy but skip the speedboating and opt to go hiking in the area instead).
Milford Sound is an obvious choice and a must-see! Pictures don't do justice to the peaceful area but skip the boat tours and go sea kayaking instead (same price but a much better experience). Stay in Te Anau as is will be cheaper than in Milford Sound and there are supermarkets and services that Milford Sound doesn't have whatsoever. You should also go by Arthur's Pass and spend some time admiring the grand vistas and plentiful waterfalls. If you need a rest and like fly-fishing, there are lots of opportunities in the Fjordland region.
Hopefully this helps, if you need any other ideas or input, please let me know!
Miguel
Posted by Marshall Black on February 27, 2009 at 4:45 AM
Some good ideas already. If you have any specific plan I would be happy to give some help, I spent 3 months wandering around in 2005.
It is worth looking into staying in YHA or BBH hostels as a cheaper alternative, they often have private room alternatives to the normal shared hostel accomodation.
There are a number of NZ images on my website http://marshallblack.co.uk/. If you see an area you like let me know and I'll help if I can.
we spend about 14 months photographing NZ, we actually made a photo book called "NZ Journey" when you in NZ it will be hard to miss it.
one thing, besides anything else: split the time in thirds and spend 2 thirds on the s island and 1 third in the north. I'd suggest to rent a small campervan as this is the way to go in NZ and you will be much more independed to shoot whenever you like insztead of booking rooms all the time. especially the west coast can be all booked out at times.
enjoy
georg
Interesting to read the comments as a New Zealander
I will agree the South Island has more grand scenic opportunities than the north.
"it seems a cheaper alternative as gas is cheaper than diesel (sometimes by a lot)"
This is patently incorrect diesel is always cheaper than petrol (Gas! which it isn't cause its a liquid) however there is no doubt a motorhome will burn far more fuel than a car.
Further some of our roads are narrow and windy particularly the more remote parts. A car may be less stressful to drive under those conditions. But balance this against the flexibility of having your bed with you.
Posted by Nat Coalson on March 23, 2009 at 6:29 PM
Thanks for the helpful suggestions and comments, everyone!
We've worked out our plans: Flyung into Christchurch (via Auckland). Rented campervan from Wilderness Adventure. We will spend 20 days on the south island, then 10 days on the north. We will return the campervan in Auckland and fly back to the States from there.
Planning to hit all the essential icons plus a few treasures we discovered in our research.
Lots of good tips above. Wanaka is one of my favourite places in NZ. At that time of year, you will also get the autumn colours around the lake. Wanaka is also great to access the mountain area around Mt Aspiring.
Discussion
8 repliesI will be in New Zealand April 6 - May 6. Planning to visit both islands. I would like to get some suggestions, tips and input from the group. Any advice (and sample photos!) would be greatly appreciated... Thanks!
Plenty of "Landscape" opportunities on both north & south island, NZ is very easy to get around, get yourself a couple of travel guides to help plan your route and ensure that you don't miss out on anything, like the thermal springs area on north island. Assume you will be using a motorhome when you get onto south island, as that affords most flexibility.
Suggest you book a couple of boat trips out from Kaikura, for dolphins & albatrosses - not to be missed. Drive up to Mount Cook, some spectacular views as you drive along the lake on the way up, if the weather is good. Tiny place called Okarito on west coast of south island (near Fox Glacier) where a local guy will take you out on a skiff trip on the lagoon - beautiful & peaceful. I ran out of time and never made it to Fiordland, make sure you do!.
Have a great trip.
Colin
Cape Rienga at the very tip of the North Island is amazing...this is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific actually clash when they meet (you can see and hear it!) and though I didn't see it..I'm told earlier in the day you can actually see the colors blend. The lighthouse is very photogenic. Would love to go back there. We stayed in a hostel a few miles south...and there is some camping around there that I remember on the Pacific. Have food with you because there are some small towns but you won't find a big grocery store or lots of restaurants up there, and if you leave early in the morning to travel the restaurants won't be open. Had a great fish sandwich from a roadside vendor one night, and fish and chips some where around there...fresh out of the ocean! . And found a place to stay at a hotel in Omapare, which at the time for a very nice two bedroom cabin with TV and kitchen was only $80 NZ...but again the nearby grocery store didn't have much, but that was 1996 in March.
90 mile beach on the west coast will probably not be very occupied...we had it entirely to ourselves in March...lots of dunes...some sea arches and birds.
Kauri trees...are really big, like the redwoods of the US, but they look like they were planted upside down...could be a great exercise in trying to capture them because of close quarters...but so different than what we're used to, and if the light is right could be very moody.
I climbed Rangitoto in Auckland, which was fun...you take a ferry across the bay and the view at the top is fantastic. It's entirely volcanic and though dormant it's still so young that the basalt rock hasn't turned into dirt yet. Auckland is a beautiful city...if you like cityscapes...I especially liked the view of and from One Tree Hill...360 degrees...this is the hill from the U2 song. Auckland has the world's largest marina as I remember so the photo opportunities for boats are extensive.
I also went south on a day trip to Rotorura, which is a tiny Yellowstone, and over near Waukatani (sp?) you can see an active volcano (White's Mountain or something like that) it's on the east coast.
The Waitomo caves down near Rotorura are amazing, but like sites here in the US for Native Americans, they are sacred to the Maori so you can't take a camera with you, or if they let you probably no flash...but the the caves are like seeing stars on the ceiling.
I strongly suggest, if you want to get a feeling for the history to go to the Museum in Auckland to learn about what "was" on this very isolated Island and to get a feel for the Maori influence. There is also a tourist area up north called Waitangi where a peaceful treaty was signed and you can see replicas of Maori boats and homes. New Zealand has a very Polynesian influence, kind of like our Hispanic influence here in the Southwest.
And finally the Bay of Islands near Russell is worth seeing and is a recreational town with lots of activities, and if you have time I had a great day taking a catamran ride through the Bay...just sat on a pontoon and enjoyed myself. I suppose it might be pricey but you might be able to hire a boat to take you out during sunrise and sunset.
Oh and a hint about all the Maori (Mowrie) words. All of them have soft "g's" so they are pronounced like we say the word "hung" rather than the hard "g" in "good"...I found this out the hard way, and people just look at you funny and won't correct you. For example there is a suburb of Auckland called Onehunga...it's not ONE HUNGA (with a hard g) it is Oneehunga...long "O" and pronounce it like hung with an "uh" on the end. So Rangitoto is like the word "rang" then "ee" "toto" ...if that helps any...I went and found a used Maori dictionary just to figure out the meanings.
I strongly recommend getting the Lonely Planet guide, and I just hope a month is enough...I was there for 3 weeks and just getting started...so much to see so little time...I got a good taste but there is so much I didn't see.
Cynthia
I would suggest not looking into a motorhome but rather rent a car and stay at the "Holiday Top 10 Resorts" and rent a small room (pretty cheap, VERY clean and found in most bigger towns). In the end, it seems a cheaper alternative as gas is cheaper than diesel (sometimes by a lot) and being able to drive on unsealed roads is a real plus when renting a car (you will be liable to no insurance if you drive "off-road" with a motorhome and mine got stuck on the beach and had only a couple hours before the tide came in...pretty scary moment for me!) A definite must would be the South Island. The north is really nice but you can't miss the spectacular alpine scenery of the south as the lakes near Queenstown and Wanaka are spectacular (don't miss Glenorchy but skip the speedboating and opt to go hiking in the area instead).
Milford Sound is an obvious choice and a must-see! Pictures don't do justice to the peaceful area but skip the boat tours and go sea kayaking instead (same price but a much better experience). Stay in Te Anau as is will be cheaper than in Milford Sound and there are supermarkets and services that Milford Sound doesn't have whatsoever. You should also go by Arthur's Pass and spend some time admiring the grand vistas and plentiful waterfalls. If you need a rest and like fly-fishing, there are lots of opportunities in the Fjordland region.
Hopefully this helps, if you need any other ideas or input, please let me know!
Miguel
It is worth looking into staying in YHA or BBH hostels as a cheaper alternative, they often have private room alternatives to the normal shared hostel accomodation.
There are a number of NZ images on my website http://marshallblack.co.uk/. If you see an area you like let me know and I'll help if I can.
Marshall
one thing, besides anything else: split the time in thirds and spend 2 thirds on the s island and 1 third in the north. I'd suggest to rent a small campervan as this is the way to go in NZ and you will be much more independed to shoot whenever you like insztead of booking rooms all the time. especially the west coast can be all booked out at times.
enjoy
georg
I will agree the South Island has more grand scenic opportunities than the north.
"it seems a cheaper alternative as gas is cheaper than diesel (sometimes by a lot)"
This is patently incorrect diesel is always cheaper than petrol (Gas! which it isn't cause its a liquid) however there is no doubt a motorhome will burn far more fuel than a car.
Further some of our roads are narrow and windy particularly the more remote parts. A car may be less stressful to drive under those conditions. But balance this against the flexibility of having your bed with you.
We've worked out our plans: Flyung into Christchurch (via Auckland). Rented campervan from Wilderness Adventure. We will spend 20 days on the south island, then 10 days on the north. We will return the campervan in Auckland and fly back to the States from there.
Planning to hit all the essential icons plus a few treasures we discovered in our research.
Will post photos and trip report when we're done!
Have a look at Kah Kit's web site, he has quite a few images from a trip he did there recently. http://www.magichourtravelscapes.com/gallery.php?gallery=newzealand
The boat trip from Kaikura is also great, as already mentioned.
Have fun,
André