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Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 7:43 am
by Enzedder
Jeff the Bear wrote:Rotorua smells of bum.
Shall we talk showers?

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 7:50 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
Caley_Red wrote:
Joking aside, I know what you mean- the only pub I can find in Sydney that is even remotely ye olde worldly is the Lord Dudley. Having lived in Edinburgh and London for many years, I miss the classic Victorian pub.
Haven't you been to the Lord Nelson!?!

The Dudley is good but a bit out of the way.

Rozelle and Balmain have a few old style pubs - although a couple have closed recently.

Believe it or not, the best "English" style pub in Oz is in Albany. Probably due to the Whalers being based there but coming from the UK originally.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 7:55 am
by Caley_Red
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:
Caley_Red wrote:
Joking aside, I know what you mean- the only pub I can find in Sydney that is even remotely ye olde worldly is the Lord Dudley. Having lived in Edinburgh and London for many years, I miss the classic Victorian pub.
Haven't you been to the Lord Nelson!?!

The Dudley is good but a bit out of the way.

Rozelle and Balmain have a few old style pubs - although a couple have closed recently.

Believe it or not, the best "English" style pub in Oz is in Albany. Probably due to the Whalers being based there but coming from the UK originally.
Is the Lord Nelson also free of door staff? An unexpected sneeze seems to get one chucked out these days. That's incidentally why I like the Dudley (and indeed Bat Country in Randwick) as there's no bouncers (at least not when I've been there).
Yeah, I used to live in Balmain East and I loved the high street along there but have actually never been to Rozelle (shamefully).

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 7:56 am
by usermame
maxbox wrote:
usermame wrote:
maxbox wrote:Bullshit, we didn't have any chicken runners in the 1960s :?
I don't suppose you'll ever get it.
Enlighten me oh wise one ;) You are South African correct?

Jokes bro, I take it your whanau moved over here in the 1990s?
No.

Some were here in 1860 odd. A fat vicar, I believe.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 7:56 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
Caley_Red wrote:
Is the Lord Nelson also free of door staff? An unexpected sneeze seems to get one chucked out these days. That's incidentally why I like the Dudley (and indeed Bat Country in Randwick) as there's no bouncers (at least not when I've been there).
Yeah, I used to live in Balmain East and I loved the high street along there but have actually never been to Rozelle (shamefully).
Yep.

I go there fairly regularly.

Rozelle is actually preferable to Balmain nowadays.

You should really join the Sydney Cabal, although it's a bit broken at present...

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 8:01 am
by Caley_Red
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:
Caley_Red wrote:
Is the Lord Nelson also free of door staff? An unexpected sneeze seems to get one chucked out these days. That's incidentally why I like the Dudley (and indeed Bat Country in Randwick) as there's no bouncers (at least not when I've been there).
Yeah, I used to live in Balmain East and I loved the high street along there but have actually never been to Rozelle (shamefully).
Yep.

I go there fairly regularly.

Rozelle is actually preferable to Balmain nowadays.

You should really join the Sydney Cabal, although it's a bit broken at present...
That's good to know: Sydney's pub scene has been utterly ruined by overzealous local bureaucrats insisting that outside companies are hired to do the door. My record was, after going to withdraw some cash at the ATM, I was refused re-entry to the Coogee Bay Hotel despite still having a bit of my 1st pint left on the table. .

How does one join the Sydney Cabal? Would be good to know if people are off to watch some games.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 8:01 am
by usermame
WoodlandsRFC wrote: Marton truly epitomises the (not so) rural Kiwi former service town cum intellectual mecca, Its no wonder it was on the shortlist for NZs most beautiful town in 1983.
Well I'm happy to hear that. I have a soft spot for the place after my 2nd cousin showed me how to ride his motor cycle on his farm there when I must have been, oh, at least 9 or 10. I was always a bit miffed a tractor rolled on him.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 8:22 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
Caley_Red wrote:
That's good to know: Sydney's pub scene has been utterly ruined by overzealous local bureaucrats insisting that outside companies are hired to do the door. My record was, after going to withdraw some cash at the ATM, I was refused re-entry to the Coogee Bay Hotel despite still having a bit of my 1st pint left on the table. .

How does one join the Sydney Cabal? Would be good to know if people are off to watch some games.
We generally wear Pink Carnations..... :lol:

A fair few have moved away but there is still a few hardcore members.

Might be a small one next week

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 9:39 am
by Gordon Bennett
Caley_Red wrote:
Cheers Pat, yes- I fell for that myself whilst looking at the map but have since overlaid NZ onto Australia.
Gordon Bennett wrote:Best rafting is in the South Island. Heli-raft into the Perth or Whataroa.

North Island, the rafting from River Valley near Taihape is pretty good. Ask to take the wrong routes run on the Kaituna trip to have a thrilling and bruising trip.
Thanks, will definitely be rafting at some point.
My recommendation is to go with this bunch: https://ecorafting.co.nz

Josh James (the Kiwi Bushman - plenty of youtube videos and was on some American survival show) runs the company, and he's a good laugh - always good for a yarn.

Helirafting though - so much more expensive. NZ$550 for a full day trip. Worth it though.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 10:09 am
by booji boy
mr bungle wrote:I’ve always wondered what a tourist having been to QT thinks when they roll in to the NI equivalent, Rotorua. x(
NI equivalent? I thought Taupo was vying for the title 'Queenstown of the North'? Not a patch on Queenstown in reality but much nicer than Rotovegas.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 10:13 am
by booji boy
obelixtim wrote:Any adventure stuff (jetboating, Bungy, Skydiving, rafting etc) is much cheaper to do in Taupo, rather than Queenstown.

Great pie shop in Taupo...coming from Huka falls/Craters of the moon, down the hill into Taupo, across the bridge, up the hill, turn left onto Spa road (supermarket on your left), a hundred metres or so on your left is a pie shop....great pies.
I drive past that pie shop daily on the way to work.

Didn't realise what I was missing!!! :lol: (I have had a pie from there and thought it was good but not worthy of a world wide plug on PR :lol: ).

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 10:15 am
by Kiwias
booji boy wrote:
obelixtim wrote:Any adventure stuff (jetboating, Bungy, Skydiving, rafting etc) is much cheaper to do in Taupo, rather than Queenstown.

Great pie shop in Taupo...coming from Huka falls/Craters of the moon, down the hill into Taupo, across the bridge, up the hill, turn left onto Spa road (supermarket on your left), a hundred metres or so on your left is a pie shop....great pies.
I drive past that pie shop daily on the way to work.

Didn't realise what I was missing!!! :lol: (I have had a pie from there and thought it was good but not worthy of a world wide plug on PR :lol: ).
There is a small bakery in Masterton, middle of the main drag, that serves magnificent pies. Try the steak and mushroom. The pastry is excellent and heaps of filling.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 10:24 am
by booji boy
Davedj77 wrote:
Andalu wrote:
UncleFB wrote:This Rotorua discussion has gone a bit weird. Any time I hosted someone from overseas Rotorua has always been a well loved stop (and think of how hard it is for someone from Magpies country to say that about Steamers country).

There's lots that 'tourists' like to do and visit, even if a grumpy NZer doesn't.
That's fair. If it sounds and looks like it would be your thing then go for it. I'd recommend Coromandel and Waitomo as tourist spots in that general part of the country over Rotorua though.
One last defence of Rotorua then I'll give up. Totally disagree. Where can you see the stuff Rotorua has anywhere in the rest of the world? Only a handful of places and Rotorua would probably be the easiest to access. Coromandel is beautiful but is a bit out of the way. September/October, when the OP is here isn't really the ideal time for the Coromandel either. And Waitomo, other than the caves has...what? Plus it is out of the way. Rotorua is on the way south to Taupo, another spot that shouldn't be missed so why would you avoid it? If the wonders of nature don't interest you, maybe if you have been to Yellowstone and it didn't do it for you, sure, give Rotorua a pass. But otherwise as an international tourist you would be mad to bypass Rotorua. You'd be missing a unique part of not just NZ but the world. Just don't go expecting Queenstown like scenery or a pumping nightlife and you'll be fine.
One other great thing I'd point out about Rotovegas (although probably irrelevant to this thread and Caley-Red) is the awesome mountain biking in the Redwoods and the recently added downhill at the gondola. People literally travel from all around the world to ride these trails. World famous, literally. :thumbup:

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 1:44 pm
by SilverGrin
Caley_Red wrote:
SilverGrin wrote:If you make it to Dunedin, get in touch and I can take you for a ride down the peninsula on the back of my bike.
I'll 100% be making it to Dunedin as it's one of the places I've always wanted to go! Just been looking at google images of it now.

With the smile from that avatar, your offer wouldn't happen to be a euphemism? :lol:
No euphemism, no.

Image

Easy enough to bolt the pillion seat on.

It's a pretty neat way to enjoy the countryside IMO.

Don't feel obliged to, I'm happy enough to meet up for a quiet beer.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 2:10 pm
by obelixtim
usermame wrote:
WoodlandsRFC wrote: Marton truly epitomises the (not so) rural Kiwi former service town cum intellectual mecca, Its no wonder it was on the shortlist for NZs most beautiful town in 1983.
Well I'm happy to hear that. I have a soft spot for the place after my 2nd cousin showed me how to ride his motor cycle on his farm there when I must have been, oh, at least 9 or 10. I was always a bit miffed a tractor rolled on him.
I remember a newspaper headline from years ago, after a tractor rolled on an AB forward (can't remember who it was)

"Tractor damaged when rolling on All Black forward".

Might have been Ken Gray.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 2:44 pm
by obelixtim
Seneca of the Night wrote:
obelixtim wrote:
usermame wrote:
WoodlandsRFC wrote: Marton truly epitomises the (not so) rural Kiwi former service town cum intellectual mecca, Its no wonder it was on the shortlist for NZs most beautiful town in 1983.
Well I'm happy to hear that. I have a soft spot for the place after my 2nd cousin showed me how to ride his motor cycle on his farm there when I must have been, oh, at least 9 or 10. I was always a bit miffed a tractor rolled on him.
I remember a newspaper headline from years ago, after a tractor rolled on an AB forward (can't remember who it was)

"Tractor damaged when rolling on All Black forward".

Might have been Ken Gray.
Ken Gray farmed in Plimmerton I think. Marton is flat - how does a tractor roll on someone there? But I think Jazz Muller might have ended up there from memory.
Jazz Muller....could well have been him.. you could roll a tractor on a stopbank, or maybe just putting a wheel into a ditch.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Wed May 23, 2018 3:10 pm
by frillage
SilverGrin wrote:
Caley_Red wrote:
SilverGrin wrote:If you make it to Dunedin, get in touch and I can take you for a ride down the peninsula on the back of my bike.
I'll 100% be making it to Dunedin as it's one of the places I've always wanted to go! Just been looking at google images of it now.

With the smile from that avatar, your offer wouldn't happen to be a euphemism? :lol:
No euphemism, no.

Image

Easy enough to bolt the pillion seat on.

It's a pretty neat way to enjoy the countryside IMO.

Don't feel obliged to, I'm happy enough to meet up for a quiet beer.
Not a euphemism, but he only needs the pillion for the ride to the peninsula!

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 12:06 am
by WoodlandsRFC
Seneca of the Night wrote:
obelixtim wrote:
usermame wrote:
WoodlandsRFC wrote: Marton truly epitomises the (not so) rural Kiwi former service town cum intellectual mecca, Its no wonder it was on the shortlist for NZs most beautiful town in 1983.
Well I'm happy to hear that. I have a soft spot for the place after my 2nd cousin showed me how to ride his motor cycle on his farm there when I must have been, oh, at least 9 or 10. I was always a bit miffed a tractor rolled on him.
I remember a newspaper headline from years ago, after a tractor rolled on an AB forward (can't remember who it was)

"Tractor damaged when rolling on All Black forward".

Might have been Ken Gray.
Ken Gray farmed in Plimmerton I think. Marton is flat - how does a tractor roll on someone there? But I think Jazz Muller might have ended up there from memory.
Just a few minutes north of Marton all the farmland turns to rolling hills.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 12:20 am
by Jay Cee Gee
Seneca of the Night wrote:
obelixtim wrote:
usermame wrote:
WoodlandsRFC wrote: Marton truly epitomises the (not so) rural Kiwi former service town cum intellectual mecca, Its no wonder it was on the shortlist for NZs most beautiful town in 1983.
Well I'm happy to hear that. I have a soft spot for the place after my 2nd cousin showed me how to ride his motor cycle on his farm there when I must have been, oh, at least 9 or 10. I was always a bit miffed a tractor rolled on him.
I remember a newspaper headline from years ago, after a tractor rolled on an AB forward (can't remember who it was)

"Tractor damaged when rolling on All Black forward".

Might have been Ken Gray.
Ken Gray farmed in Plimmerton I think. Marton is flat - how does a tractor roll on someone there? But I think Jazz Muller might have ended up there from memory.
Yeah, I met his brother a few years back and he told me the family had basically owned all the land on the eastern side of SH1 from Plimmerton to Pukerua Bay.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 1:52 am
by Caley_Red
frillage wrote:
SilverGrin wrote:
Caley_Red wrote:
SilverGrin wrote:If you make it to Dunedin, get in touch and I can take you for a ride down the peninsula on the back of my bike.
I'll 100% be making it to Dunedin as it's one of the places I've always wanted to go! Just been looking at google images of it now.

With the smile from that avatar, your offer wouldn't happen to be a euphemism? :lol:
No euphemism, no.

Image

Easy enough to bolt the pillion seat on.

It's a pretty neat way to enjoy the countryside IMO.

Don't feel obliged to, I'm happy enough to meet up for a quiet beer.
Not a euphemism, but he only needs the pillion for the ride to the peninsula!
I'll certainly take you up on the beer!

I haven't been on a motorbike since I crashed one in Cambodia (about 20 mins after the first 2017 Lions - AB test concluded) so will have to banish the fear!

Are there any old school pubs in Dunedin? I am hoping they have also replicated the Edinburgh pubs. .

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 1:54 am
by Caley_Red
Also, a general thanks to everyone who has contributed so far- I've begun transcribing the recommendations into a route complete with pie stops :)

I am not going until Sept but will post my finalized route and rough dates in case anyone knows of another pie shop or pub in the vicinity :lol:

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 1:59 am
by booji boy
Caley_Red wrote:Also, a general thanks to everyone who has contributed so far- I've begun transcribing the recommendations into a route complete with pie stops :)

I am not going until Sept but will post my finalized route and rough dates in case anyone knows of another pie shop or pub in the vicinity :lol:
Well if you do make it to the recommended Taupo pie shop I can meet you at a pub later to wash it down. 🍻🍺

I live in Taupo. It's a pretty small town.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 2:04 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
The Pie shop in Keri Keri does a magnificent Kumera and Lamb pie.... :shock:

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 2:11 am
by Kiwias
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:The Pie shop in Keri Keri does a magnificent Kumera and Lamb pie.... :shock:
Kumara

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 2:22 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
Kiwias wrote:
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:The Pie shop in Keri Keri does a magnificent Kumera and Lamb pie.... :shock:
Kumara
Really? They spell it that way here.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 2:40 am
by WoodlandsRFC
Caley_Red wrote:Also, a general thanks to everyone who has contributed so far- I've begun transcribing the recommendations into a route complete with pie stops :)

I am not going until Sept but will post my finalized route and rough dates in case anyone knows of another pie shop or pub in the vicinity :lol:
Fat Bastard pies in Invercargill is probably not too bad. There's numerous bakeries in Welly. You'll be right, we love our pies.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 2:42 am
by WoodlandsRFC
Caley_Red wrote:
frillage wrote:
SilverGrin wrote:
Caley_Red wrote:
SilverGrin wrote:If you make it to Dunedin, get in touch and I can take you for a ride down the peninsula on the back of my bike.
I'll 100% be making it to Dunedin as it's one of the places I've always wanted to go! Just been looking at google images of it now.

With the smile from that avatar, your offer wouldn't happen to be a euphemism? :lol:
No euphemism, no.

Image

Easy enough to bolt the pillion seat on.

It's a pretty neat way to enjoy the countryside IMO.

Don't feel obliged to, I'm happy enough to meet up for a quiet beer.
Not a euphemism, but he only needs the pillion for the ride to the peninsula!
I'll certainly take you up on the beer!

I haven't been on a motorbike since I crashed one in Cambodia (about 20 mins after the first 2017 Lions - AB test concluded) so will have to banish the fear!

Are there any old school pubs in Dunedin? I am hoping they have also replicated the Edinburgh pubs. .
I've heard Starters bar in Dunedin is a popular stop amongst Scottish expats.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 2:43 am
by Kiwias
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:
Kiwias wrote:
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:The Pie shop in Keri Keri does a magnificent Kumera and Lamb pie.... :shock:
Kumara
Really? They spell it that way here.
I've never seen it spelt with an 'e'

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 2:49 am
by booji boy
Kiwias wrote:
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:
Kiwias wrote:
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:The Pie shop in Keri Keri does a magnificent Kumera and Lamb pie.... :shock:
Kumara
Really? They spell it that way here.
I've never seen it spelt with an 'e'
I have but it's incorrect.

Pat the Ex Mat is in Aussie though isn't he so the misspelling is not surprising.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 2:50 am
by UncleFB
As noted in the Pavlova thread any pie shop in NZ, bakery, supermarket, cafe, petrol station is going to have much better pies than in Oz ;) . And you can 1/4 your planned fish and chips budget if you made it on Australian rates.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 3:01 am
by Pat the Ex Mat
booji boy wrote:
Kiwias wrote:
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:
Kiwias wrote:
Pat the Ex Mat wrote:The Pie shop in Keri Keri does a magnificent Kumera and Lamb pie.... :shock:
Kumara
Really? They spell it that way here.
I've never seen it spelt with an 'e'
I have but it's incorrect.

Pat the Ex Mat is in Aussie though isn't he so the misspelling is not surprising.
Pom actually!

I should beware relying on Aussie spelling - they spell Maroon correctly but pronounce it Marone..... :shock:

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 4:45 am
by Caley_Red
I've been translating the tips onto my google map itinerary-fair to say NZ is fairly peppered with place markers.

From all the suggestions, there is a few blank spots which (may be intentional as it's rubbish) could do with being filled in:


Blenheim => Moreaki via Christchurch- is there much down this road?

New Plymouth => Wellington down the coastal road.

All pie shops are marked down!!

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 5:15 am
by deadduck
Yes if time is not a factor definitely go from Christchurch inland via Geraldine to Lake Tekapo then to Omarama back down SH83 to Oamaru and down to Moeraki. Mt Cook village is along this road to, with the drive up the side of Lake Pukaki being a stunning one.

You can probably skip Timaru altogether. A more wretched hive of scum and villainy you will not find

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 5:21 am
by deadduck
guy smiley wrote:
EDIT... can't overestimate the tight, winding nature of the roads enough. It's slow going at times with a lot of heavy truck traffic to negotiate and Kiwi drivers are impatient. They'll sit right on your arse... it shits me.
To be fair there's nothing more annoying than a slow tourist driver who has no clue about how to go around a corner and there aren't that many straight sections where a pass can be made safely in much of the country.

If someone is tailing you, pull over and let them pass. Especially in a campervan.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 5:23 am
by usermame
guy smiley wrote:EDIT... can't overestimate the tight, winding nature of the roads enough. It's slow going at times with a lot of heavy truck traffic to negotiate and Kiwi drivers are impatient. They'll sit right on your arse... it shits me.
I've found if one is tail gated that giving four seconds between the rear of the car in front and the front of the car in the rear tends to encourage more space behind one. But yes.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 5:25 am
by usermame
deadduck wrote:If someone is tailing you, pull over and let them pass.
Many will tail whilst in a queue.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 5:52 am
by WoodlandsRFC
deadduck wrote:Yes if time is not a factor definitely go from Christchurch inland via Geraldine to Lake Tekapo then to Omarama back down SH83 to Oamaru and down to Moeraki. Mt Cook village is along this road to, with the drive up the side of Lake Pukaki being a stunning one.

You can probably skip Timaru altogether. A more wretched hive of scum and villainy you will not find
Agreed, turn off just prior to Ashburton I believe, avoid Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru. It's not that they're bad towns, but there's certainly far better things to see between CHCH and Moeraki. Personally would have driven down the West Coast via Lewis or Arthur's pass, and returned back up the South Island via Alexandra and the Lindis Pass. But hey, that's just a local South Islanders opinion.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 6:06 am
by deadduck
WoodlandsRFC wrote:
deadduck wrote:Yes if time is not a factor definitely go from Christchurch inland via Geraldine to Lake Tekapo then to Omarama back down SH83 to Oamaru and down to Moeraki. Mt Cook village is along this road to, with the drive up the side of Lake Pukaki being a stunning one.

You can probably skip Timaru altogether. A more wretched hive of scum and villainy you will not find
Agreed, turn off just prior to Ashburton I believe, avoid Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru. It's not that they're bad towns, but there's certainly far better things to see between CHCH and Moeraki. Personally would have driven down the West Coast via Lewis or Arthur's pass, and returned back up the South Island via Alexandra and the Lindis Pass. But hey, that's just a local South Islanders opinion.

You can go straight out from Christchurch on West Coast Rd, use SH77 and SH72. Stunning drive, especially when there's snow about.



I usually do the West Coast on the return north.

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 6:08 am
by WoodlandsRFC
deadduck wrote:
WoodlandsRFC wrote:
deadduck wrote:Yes if time is not a factor definitely go from Christchurch inland via Geraldine to Lake Tekapo then to Omarama back down SH83 to Oamaru and down to Moeraki. Mt Cook village is along this road to, with the drive up the side of Lake Pukaki being a stunning one.

You can probably skip Timaru altogether. A more wretched hive of scum and villainy you will not find
Agreed, turn off just prior to Ashburton I believe, avoid Ashburton, Timaru and Oamaru. It's not that they're bad towns, but there's certainly far better things to see between CHCH and Moeraki. Personally would have driven down the West Coast via Lewis or Arthur's pass, and returned back up the South Island via Alexandra and the Lindis Pass. But hey, that's just a local South Islanders opinion.

You can go straight out from Christchurch on West Coast Rd, use SH77 and SH72. Stunning drive, especially when there's snow about.



I usually do the West Coast on the return north.
Either or, hopefully Caley Red isn't skipping over Abel Tasman National Park etc but I'm sure he can visit those on the way back up. Via the Catlin's, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Wanaka back up the West Coast. :thumbup:

Re: New Zealand Holiday- Please Help

Posted: Thu May 24, 2018 6:19 am
by deadduck
I see you left out Invercargill.