"At the end of the world" New Zealand by mad4travel

New Zealand Travel Guide: 14,440 reviews and 36,340 photos

Split Apple Rock, Abel tasman National Park

Pure New Zealand

My sister and brother in law were lucky enough to ditch their jobs, sell their house and move to New Zealand to travel round for 6 months. I was unlucky enough to have a job I did'nt want to ditch I mortgage I had to pay and only 3 weeks off to go see it.

I saw a lot but I did'nt see it all and I WILL be back one day.....

***Well thats what I wrote when I first joined VT and now I have been back again. New Zealand is a surprisingly large place with Sooo much to see. On my second visit I spent a month here, concentrating mainly on the Northland above Auckland and the North part of the South Island around Nelson and Abel Tasman and loved the place even more***

Best Bits

Milford sound - not raining for a change!

Where do I start , it was all great.

Landscape

North Island
Lake Taupo, Rotorua, White Island
Bay of Islands, Russell, 90 mile beach

South Island
Kaikora
Picton
Wanaka
Queenstown
Milford sound
Franzjoseph Glacier
Nelson
Abel Tasman National Park

Cities
Auckland - the funky twentysomething
Wellington -the sophisticated thirtysomething
Christchurch- the maiden aunt

Wildlife
Whalewatching at Kaikora
Dolphin watching at Pahia

worst bits

Rush hour, New Zealand style!

None really

Its a long way to get there
The weather can be a bit poor at times
The sandlflies at Milford Sound are annoying

Pros and Cons

Pros:Clean air, good living, great scenery, compact country
Cons:its a long long way from home!
In a nutshell:More than just tree ferns and sheep!

Last visit to New Zealand: Feb 2006
Intro Updated Sep 6, 2006
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (32)

Gables motorlodge Greymouth - New Zealand

Good Hotel in Greymouth Hotels (7)

Looking at various websites most accomodation in Greymouth did not look up to much. I found this which was perfectly... more travel advice

Nautilus motor lodge Moteuka - New Zealand

Good Hotel in Moteuka Hotels (7)

Moteuka is a good jumping off point for Abel Tasman National Park. You can get the ferry from nearby Kaiteriteri Beach a... more travel advice

Good Hotel in Nelson Hotels (7)

This is a lovely clean modern apartment sytle motel close to Nelson. Its only a couple of minutes walk to the beach and... more travel advice

Tangowahine Farm Stay Hotels (7)

If you want to get away from it all then this is the place for you! Your host, Hugh is a lively big hearted Kiwi farmer... more travel advice

Things to Do (23)
See All Wellington
Off The Beaten Path (1)
Pupu springs

Shopping (1)
Cheap stuff
Been to New Zealand?
Share your travels with the world!

Travelogues (1)

Written Feb 25, 2005

7 photos

More New Zealand Piccies

1 - 1 of 1

Comments (18)

Reply
- Report abuse
Marianne2 Sep 14, 2007 at 7:24 PM

Great tip! I just saw it as it surfaced as featured on VT. I, too, adore volcanoes. I climbed Mt. St. Helens before it blew up, and have been going back ever since. I'll be back in NZ soon, and hope to see this one. Cheers!
Reply
- Report abuse
moirholj May 29, 2007 at 3:09 PM

Your photos are beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing. I am planning to visit New Zealand and your tips have been very helpful. Thanks!
Reply
- Report abuse
BorneoBoy May 28, 2007 at 8:31 AM

wow.. that split apple rock is huge! I knew a place at lower North Island got similar rock, near the Rangitiki/Manawatu river... inside a forest... which not many peoples knew about it..
Reply
- Report abuse
bijo69 Feb 25, 2007 at 5:19 AM

Been to NZ twice and missed soooooooo much. Great page and outstanding pics!
Reply
- Report abuse
ozalp Sep 6, 2006 at 1:57 AM

I've just read your tip about White Island. The picture is great! I love volcanoes, but I don't have any idea how to visit them. Thanks for useful information. It is fantastic!!!
Reply
- Report abuse
vtveen Jul 8, 2006 at 2:36 AM

WOW !! I want to go back and see it again. Great pics and tips. Jaap
Reply
- Report abuse
luckyzen Jul 7, 2006 at 8:52 PM

Hi Melanie, Thank you for stopping by. I can see why you like New Zealand. Beautiful info and pic.'s. The "rush hour" traffic appeals to me!:~))
Reply
- Report abuse
skywalkerbeth Jun 28, 2006 at 11:59 AM

I like the personification of the cities - you are spot on!
Reply
- Report abuse
sim1 May 26, 2006 at 4:24 AM

Wonderful photos of New Zealand! Seeing them just makes me want to jump on a plane and go there right NOW! Fantastic! Thanks for sharing and making me eager to visit NZ :-))
Reply
- Report abuse
SanguiniA Apr 5, 2006 at 1:43 PM

Ha, I may have been to Finland but you have been to many places on my travel radar, including NZ - fabulous info & pics there!!! It see you had some great weather ... lucky :-)