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Where is the best place to ski as a family in New Zealand our kids are 6 &9 so need a kid friendly place. Any suggestions for us?

We are heading to New Zealand in July and would like to know where
would be the best place to ski as a family..our kids are 6 & 9? Any
suggestions?

New Zealand, 4 days ago by Ross Clark
- James Barrett: Best place in NZ is to ski at the Queenstown slopes. This is family friendly and Queenstown itself has all the amenities and shopping you and family require. The gorge is just spectacular to see as well.
  2 days ago
- Nicholas Roberts: There was a reply on Twitter from: http://twitter.com/MountainRangeNZ
  
  They said:
  Cardrona Ski Field near Wanaka!
  
  --
  
  Link: http://www.cardrona.com/
  1 day ago
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5 answers

What are the best places to snowboard in New Zealand?

I prefer to ride blues and greens, hate using anything smaller than a chairlift, and am up for some jumps in the park.

Is there anywhere to specifically avoid? Or that is more geared to skiing?

Also, what time of year is the snow at its best?

It's been a while but, I am really looking forward to hitting the slopes this year.

New Zealand, 17 days ago by Samantha D'Angelo
- Charles Coxhead: Head to Wanaka or Queenstown in the South Island. From there you can ride at one of four major ski fields all with different kinds of riding and decent park facilities. Then there is also Snowpark which is all about the jumps.
  
  There are lots of great smaller fields throughout the South Island, some have chairlifts, many just have rope tows and and nutcrackers so you may or may not be into those...good thing is they are cheaper and often less crowded. These fields are also known as club fields because they are typically run by clubs.
  
  The North Island has Mt Ruapehu which has two ski fields, but I think you are better off down south with more choices and probably more consisent snow and/or weather.
  17 days ago - 2 people liked this answer
- Ramona Maidstone: The remarkables are the best place for snowboarding, near Queenstown.
  16 days ago - 1 person liked this answer
- Ellie Miller: Hey,
  
  I'm definitely with Charles in heading to Queenstown! It's a pretty good place to base yourself for the mountains down here, the closest being Coronet Peak (about half an hour away) but there's also the Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone (at the furtherest, it's 1.5hrs away in Wanaka).
  
  Queenstown has a huge amount of accommodation options as well as transport available to all of the above mountains if you don't have your own while you're here. Not to mention the stackload of other activities that you can get amongst while you're here, from bungy jumping to wine tours and everything in between!
  
  Cheers,
  ellie.
  16 days ago - 2 people liked this answer
- Samantha D'Angelo: Thanks for your answers! Definitely have something to go with now!
  12 days ago
- John Cobb: Queenstown is definitely the best place to base yourself from. We spent a few weeks there last year, the accomodation is super cheap, there are shuttle buses to the two major resorts in the area (Coronet Peak and The Remarkables), prehaps to others further afield also, and the general vibe of the whole town is awesome.
  
  As for the resorts, Coronet Peak has some really good blue and green runs, and the main runs are serviced by 8 seater (I think it was 8, perhaps 6) lifts. The Remarks is a bit smaller and more park orientated. Has some awesome parks, and pretty decent begginer park (where i spent alot of time!).
  
  The best thing about Queenstown is being able to switch between the two mountains (i think there is a third mountain covered also) day to day, as your lift pass covers both mountains.
  
  check out www.nzski.com for more info. Coronet Peak and The Remarkables also have facebook pages which are updated frequently, which is awesome pre season to see how the snow cover is progressing.
  10 days ago
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2 answers

Skiing near Christchurch?

What's the closest ski resort from Christchurch within a drivable distance? Is it worth being based in Christchurch or should I head down to Queenstown?

Canterbury, New Zealand, about 1 month ago by Rob Saunders
- Daryl L Foy: Mt Hutt is arguably quiet good value for money with some excellent facilities and fair mix of runs.
  about 1 month ago - 1 person liked this answer
- Roy Britten: Christchurch gives you easy access to Mt Hutt (90 minutes away) and a number of very good club fields. Queenstown is more oriented to the tourist market and is correspondingly more expensive. If you want to be close to a large ski field, Methven is located near the foot of Mt Hutt.
  24 days ago - 1 person liked this answer
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3 answers

When is the best time of year to visit New Zealand?

New Zealand, about 1 month ago by Alicia Smith
- Sharon Wright: NZ has many 'best' times of the year to visit, it just depends what you are looking for, the winter has all the winter games, ski-ing, lovely snowy mountian tops etc.... but in the summer you can take advantage of the beautiful national parks and beaches...Not much help i know but it all depends what kind of holiday/adventure you are looking for.
  about 1 month ago
- Melesh Patel: I would agree with Sharon, there are many things to see and do, if you come to New Zealand its really two seasons, Winter and Summer, Both are great times to come and see and do things, My favourite would be summer, the beaches up North of Auckland and the dolphin swimming in the bay is amazing!!! but then again its totally up to you on what you are into!
  about 1 month ago
- Ramona Maidstone: ditto with both the answers above but sometimes its worth considering going towards the end of the season because hostels and tour operators often hike the prices up in peak season.
  27 days ago
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6 answers

Day trips around New Zealand

My family (2 A, 2C) will be taking a cruise from Sydney to NZ in Nov 2010 - the organised tours are extremely overpriced (ie over $850 Au for a day trip from Tauranga to Rotorua - entrance fees to attactions included)
We would like to do our own day trips to save money but also see things off the tourist track. ie instead of Rotorua's thermal tourist area we could head to one of the free walk around thermal parks.

Cities we will be visiting are - Dunedin, Christchurch(well the Peninsula at Arturoa), Wellington, Napier, Taurunga, Auckland and Bay of Islands.

We are restricted by time usually off ship by 9am back by 4pm so need day trips that we can do within that time without rushing.
Would appreciate suggestions from previous travellers or from locals.

Thanks

New Zealand, 2 months ago by Pamela Ann van der Ploeg
- Melesh Patel: There are many ways of travelling to those destinations, There are ways of still doing a tour, and being cheap but still giving you the tourist feel. The best way i would say would be a bus, you can use the Intercity Bus to Rotorua and chill out, take in the sights and walk in the parks check out the Spas! and then jump on a bus back, just need to make sure your on the right bus back before 4pm.
  
  Things i would suggest in each area..
  
  Bay of Island - Dolphin Swimming, Jet Boating, Maori Shows, Park walks
  
  Auckland - Whale and Dolphin Safari, Rangitoto Island (a dormant volcano) Sailing on the American Boats, Kelly Tarltons an Underwater World, Harbour Bridge and Mt Eden
  
  Tauranga - Make a trip to Rotorua, or climb the Mt Maunganui, walk along the beautiful beach
  
  Napier - Has some of the most lovely wines, just place to just sit at a cafe and relax, also it is famous for the Dolphin Show.
  
  Wellington - If you love LOTR there are so really great trips from Wellington, as well as city tours, Te Papa (A very famous museum) and shopping, Wellington has some of the best shops in New Zealand!
  
  Christchurch - City tours, Maori shows, Gondola, Yaldhurst Museum of Transport and Science and the famous International Antarctic Centre.
  
  Dunedin - there are museums, wildlife tours you can do here, like penguin spotting, but one thing i can highly must do, is the Cadbury Chocolate Factory!!
  
  If you plan on doing one or any of them, you will need to pre-book just to make sure you have and space and to get back in time. You wont be able to do all of the activities, but you should be able to do one or two of them
  
  I hope this was helpful, and i really hope you enjoy New Zealand when you come, there is so much to see and do, you and your family will love it here!!
  2 months ago - 1 person liked this answer
- Pamela Ann van der Ploeg: Thank you Melesh.
  You have given me heaps of options that I hadnt yet looked at - I did see the Cadbury factory and there is no way I'm missing that place (stuff the kids thats for me!! hehe)
  I lived in NZ for a year when i was 8 and remember it like it was yesterday - so I cant wait to show my kids around - unfortunately we wont have time to do Glow Worm caves, Mt Taranaki or Kaikoira but theres always next time.
  
  Its still a while away so if you think of anything else feel free to write again - and if I can help you with queries about Adelaide Australia please ask.
  Pamela
  2 months ago
- Duncan Bennet: With the bay of Islands stop-over try the circus - http://www.actionworld.co.nz/index.htm
  
  the kids will have a great time and its a 15 minute walk from the centre of pahia
  2 months ago - 1 person liked this answer
- Pamela Ann van der Ploeg: Thanks for the link and suggestion Duncan. This place looks great and I am sure our family will have a day to remember here.
  2 months ago
- Yael Gaffney: Yael Gaffney: In July this year I visited Rotorua, and I also wasn't keen on paying a fortune to visit a "thermal park" (which apparently have timed geysers anyway). Kuirau Park which is right in the centre of town is free to visit and has boiling mud pools for you to marvel at!
  The kids might really enjoy the luge in Rotorua - I know I did!! It's a bit like go-karting. http://www.skylineskyrides.co.nz/
  2 months ago - 1 person liked this answer
- Pamela Ann van der Ploeg: Thanks Yael - I am so a fan of this site now - everyone has been so helpful. Thanks for the tips.
  2 months ago
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4 answers

We will have six weeks in New Zealand. How should we divide our time between the North and South Island?

New Zealand, 3 months ago by Karin McKenna
- Sam Araz: I had about the same amount of time and spent most of it in the South thinking that the North didnt have as much appeal - mistake!
  
  I loved both parts of NZ and wish I had had more time to dawdle around the North and really get to see it. We only went as far as Auckland as time ran out.
  
  The South has so much to see and do, and is really easy to drive round. I really liked Kaikoura and the wine region. In the North, we tended to do Wellington for a long time and then finally headed off to explore. The Coromandale Penninsula is simply stunning and worth devoting a couple of days to.
  
  NZ is so easy to do, but remember to book your ferry crossing in advance as they do get booked up quite quickly.
  3 months ago
- Kirsten McRae: Hi Karin,
  
  Six weeks of fun times in NZ - awesome!!! I live in Wanaka, down the south of NZ about 1hr from Qtn. I find that a lot of people who are coming to NZ are splitting their time 50:50 Btw the islands and find that they are running out of time when they reach the south island as they underestimate the time it takes to drive around. We have a lot of windy / mountainous roads, on which the average speed limit is well below 100kmph - especially on the west coast.
  
  Both islands have some awesome activities, hikes and scenery. Personally I would probably go approx 2.5 weeks in the north and 3.5 weeks in the south. You'll find the more time you spend in either island, the more you wish you had!!
  
  All the best with your travel plans, and if you'd like anymore info about the south - let me know!
  
  Cheers
  Kirsten
  3 months ago
- Ramona Maidstone: Hi Karin,
  
  6 weeks in NZ will be awesome. Auckland's a great base in the North Island where you can head off either north to the coromandel (amazing) or east to Gisborne(and wine) or south to Rotorua. They are all only a couple of hours from Auckland. In the South Island, Queenstown is an excellent base to get your bearings and decide how you want to spend your time.
  Have an amazing trip!
  2 months ago - 1 person liked this answer
- Melesh Patel: Hi there, i would say it depends on the way you are travelling! If you take a car i would spend a bit more time in the south just because of the roads are bit more scary and long! Bus like intercity i would do the same, and just remember the bus do take a lot longer to each place, but then you also have the New Zealand Hop on and Hop Off Buses
  2 months ago
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5 answers

Is it better to rent a car in New Zealand from the U.S. or after we get there?

New Zealand, 3 months ago by Karin McKenna
- shannon smith: It really depends on when you are going to come over. If you are planing to come between November till May i would look a pre booking online well in advance as cars and campervans can book out well in advance. Outside of these times I would use a small local travel agency in NZ when you get here as they have access to top deals in the quiet time
  3 months ago
- Jenna Langer: I don't know much about this specific question, but this website - http://www.standbyrelocs.com/default.aspx has really cheap deals on cars and campervans that need to be relocated - as little as $1/day sometimes. I haven't used the service, but it looks like a great cheap way to travel if you have flexibility.
  3 months ago
- Sam Araz: I always book in advance as you usually get a good/better deal that way. Check out with someone like Hertz - booking both via the US website and the local NZ website and compare.
  
  Is it a car you want or a campervan? If its the later, then I would go with Maui. Their vans are great.
  3 months ago
- Sue Roberts: I hired a car earlier this year online(for 2 weeks during peak time of February) about 3 weeks before arriving, with a New Zealand company www.jucy.co.nz . They were very reasonably priced and we had no problems. Jucy have a happy hour to book online where you get a discount of $1 per day off the normal price. Check the website. Big companies like Hertz usually charge a lot more. There are lots of local rental companies as there is a huge rental market in NZ so lots of competition.
  3 months ago
- Melesh Patel: Hi there, i would i agree with the first one, i rented a car in from Auckland to Auckland for 2 weeks and got a price, try www.madtravelshop.co.nz and see what they have to offer, sometime or most the times the travel agents can get a cheapper price, but try them and see what they say
  2 months ago
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6 answers

Does anyone know of any good hostels in Queenstown?preferably centrally located ones?

Queenstown, New Zealand, 3 months ago by Ramona Maidstone
- Sharon Wright: Hi,
  
  I stayed in the Southern Laughter, http://www.kiwi-backpackers.co.nz/southern_laughter.html - its very central but not directly in the middle of the town like most of the Hostels so you dont get all the noise at nights. It just 2mins round the corner from Camp Street which is where all the bars etc are so you get the best of both worlds.
  3 months ago
- Nicholas Roberts: We have an answer from Twitter:
  
  http://twitter.com/aarr0n/statuses/6260396762
  
  aarr0n says:
  Aspen lodge is pretty good for doubles and twins...and you get a discount with a bbh card.
  
  --
  
  Related links:
  www.aspenlodge.co.nz
  3 months ago
- Yael Gaffney: The YHA is really well situated. I would NOT recommend Base backpackers, I stayed there 6 months ago and whilst the location was great, the hostel was probably the worst I have ever stayed in. Drunk people partied 24-7 and the "private bathrooms" were external to the room so everyone could use them anyway. The YHA is across the road from Base, so you can still go across to the bar in Base (Altitude) but then walk back to your cosy rooms and clean kitchen (I knew people staying in the YHA).
  http://www.yha.co.nz/Hostels/South+Island+Hostels/QueenstownCentral/
  3 months ago
- Roy Britten: The YHA gets my vote. It's in a great spot and is well run.
  3 months ago
- Aimee: Nomads Queenstown is a brand new hostel in the centre of town (Church Street, just near Queenstown gardens) it's really sweet with a huge chill out area, cinema room, sauna and the beds are comfy as. Friendly place too unlike some of the larger hostels. Have a look www.nomadsqueenstown.com - if you're staying for NY in Queenie though it's best to book asap, it's the busiest time of the year! Have fun!
  3 months ago
- Ellie Miller: Can vouch for Nomads, is a cool place in a great location on Church St which is in the middle of town near the gardens and lake. It's ace as it's really easy to meet new people since they have a guy who organises different hostel events each night which everyone gets involved in. Also has only recently opened which means that everything is still pretty new - the rooms are well nice and clean!
  3 months ago
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2 answers

Are there a lot of things that travelers can do in Wellington? How long should we stay?

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand, 4 months ago by Adnin Alias
- Christofer Olsson: There's heaps of stuff do to there!
  
  Check out the view from the Botanical Gardens! Grab the cable car, and when you're getting off, go right so you're on the platform. Then before you head off into the actual gardens, you'll see a tree which is in between the most left path and one that branches right, climb up that tree and you can sit on the top because the canopy is so strong and tightly grown together.
  
  http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=sv&geocode=&q=wellington,+nz&sll=59.332788,18.064488&sspn=0.541449,1.209869&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Wellington,+Nya+Zeeland&ll=-41.285152,174.767828&spn=0.000779,0.001182&t=h&z=20 (the lighter green tree with a hole in the middle of it)
  
  Go check out the seals at Owhiro Bay and the bay itself is really nice (good diving too), and while going down Ohiro Rd stop off at the wrought iron statue garden. Ask super nicely if you can check out their basement too! Wicked memorbilia down there!
  
  Te Papa musuem, walking along the harbour. Night life, go to Alice too! Great cocktail bar! There are two enterances: one by going into Boogie Wonderland, or by going down the alley behind it, and getting in straight away.
  
  The view from Mt. Wellington and the rope swing found there too!
  
  Check out Sandwiches too for some good electric music. All along Cuba Street there's great places too eat and party. The Big Kumra is great on Wednesday (student nights)!
  
  For some great Malaysian food at a great price, when walking up Cuba, between Dixon and Ghuznee St, go down the small arcade to the right and on the left hand side there's a super yummy Malaysian Place, and behind THAT there's a good Mexican place. For the Malaysian, I recommend the Rotti Shanai! I miss it ever so!
  
  All in all, after spending about 5 months in Windy Welly, I still don't feel I know enough of the place!
  
  I would recommend a minimum of 3 nights in Welly, and max your life :D
  4 months ago
- Ramona Maidstone: Check this out if you are looking for things to do in Wellington:
  http://nomadshostels.com/Travel-Tips/courtenay-place-a-cuba-st-best-bars-in-wellington-city
  3 months ago
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4 answers

If you only have one day in Wellington, what should you do?

Wellington, New Zealand, 4 months ago by Adnin Alias
- Aine Leonard: Itâ€™s been a little while since I visited Wellington but the 2 things that stood out for me were the Te Papa Museum and a visit to the Parliament Building. The tour of the Parliament building brings you down to the see the â€˜springsâ€™ they inserted into the foundations in case of an earthquake. Te Papa a really good museum and best of all itâ€™s free.
  4 months ago
- Roy Britten: The Karori bird sanctuary is well worth a visit. It's a predator-free bush area well stocked with native birds, close to the centre of town.
  4 months ago
- Sam Araz: Would second ainel's response. The Te Papa Museum is fantastic.
  4 months ago
- Adnin Alias: Thanks for the response guys...ended up staying a couple of nights here at Nomads Wellington...and went to all the places you mentioned, plus, did a Lord of the Rings tour which was great as I got to play a hobbit! :)
  4 months ago
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