New Zealand
A must see country, you can enjoy driving by car stopping in Hotels, Motels, country stays or campsites – done them all, but my most favourite, cruise around the islands taking advantage of a ship in port to explore the city, by far the best a Crystal Cruise. Luxury plus, such attentive staff and entertainment wow!
If you look at hiring a Motorhome or car and use Motels for accommodation in New Zealand it is advisable to avoid school holidays, New Zealand people like to take advantage of these breaks themselves, so not only are roads busy, but accommodations near to full occupancy and van parks extremely full.
Napier on the East Coast of the North Island is a delightful Art Décor town, rebuilt after a major earthquake. This town has wonderful restaurants, loads of history quaint second hand stores. Ever felt the “need for speed” one way to experience this is on the back of a Super Trike V8 … tour the town then off to the highway for the thrill of your life. Napier is a port most cruise ships now call to so look out for this tour in your shore excursions, if not on the list you can take the ship transfer to the city’s information centre and book there. Another novelty way to see the city is in one of the Antique cars. If you have never seen a Kiwi then head down to the beach front to National Aquarium of New Zealand – not only will you see these beautiful creatures but also have the chance to see Diver Dan feed the sharks, he puts on quite a show for all. General Admission $20 for Adults and $10 for children, then extra cost to be paid for the specialist encounters that are available. Café on the premises provides good food, and the gift shop is well stocked.
A beautiful drive to the Bay of Islands is full of surprises. Quaint towns along the way provide a wide range of accommodation, from the basic right through to The Boatshed Hotel found on Waiheke Island, Hauraki Gulf Islands region. My favourite spot I visited in this area was Ninety Nine Mile beach, loved driving along the beach as the waves broke around the wheels. Food will always delight you in New Zealand; fresh ingredients make the meal mouth-watering. While in the area a ferry trip from Paihia will take you to Russell, a wonderful place for lunch is Gables Restaurant, if you have time you can stay the night, it is possible to take a car ferry across if you are on a self-drive.
Another favourite area of mine is Nelson – situated on the north of the South Island. This was once a major tobacco growing area now a major wine producing area. Largest rise and fall sea level at local beach allows you to wade out for hundreds of metres. From hear you can drive around the friendly West Coast visiting Franz Joseph and Fox Glaciers on the way to Queenstown. In winter a top Ski area, in summer full of adventure, Bungee jumping, jet boating … the list goes on!
From Queenstown you must visit Milford Sound, if your adventurous and love the outdoors, the Milford Track is a world renowned walk. So close continue on to Dunedin … a Scottish settlement made obvious with the style of buildings. Don’t forget to visit Larnach Castle – the stories to be told of this stately home, are like those you would read in both the love stories of Mills and Boon or an Agatha Christie mystery novel. The railway station of Dunedin is a must visit … the tiling in the floor the character and style of the building, from here you can experience the Taieri Gorge Railway kept running by local rail enthusiasts. Dunedin is also home to the steepest street – Baldwin – considered to be the world’s steepest residential street. A challenge to drive up let alone walk up!