BBMacLaird Posted May 4, 2017 #1 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Today we've published a blog post "Seven Things to Do in New Zealand" highlighting our two country-intensive voyages around New Zealand. I'm thinking we could have rounded it out to Ten Things to Do in New Zealand! I know my husband wants to go to NZ for the sailing. I'm a big fan of agri-tourism and NZ is a leader in this. I'd love to visit some farms...maybe watch a sheep-shearing contest. How about you...can you think of 3 more things to do in NZ, not on our list of 7?? https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/blog/seven-things-do-new-zealand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenP Posted May 4, 2017 #2 Share Posted May 4, 2017 For Lord of the Rings/Hobbit fans, Hobitton near Matamata is a gorgeous place to visit. Waitomo caves are beautiful, and walking up one of our fabulous glaciers is a must do as well. NZ is an outdoor lovers paradise, provided the weather cooperates! Sent from my SM-J200Y using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delgados129 Posted May 5, 2017 #3 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Go on a jet boat (http://www.newzealand.com/us/jet-boating/ ) . We tried it this past March on an Azamara excursion and LOVED it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBMacLaird Posted May 5, 2017 Author #4 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Go on a jet boat (http://www.newzealand.com/us/jet-boating/ ) . We tried it this past March on an Azamara excursion and LOVED it. Sounds fun. What port did you do this? How many people were on the jet boat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upwarduk Posted May 5, 2017 #5 Share Posted May 5, 2017 Akaroa is now the tender port for Christchurch since the earthquakes, so I'm not sure how relevant my memories are! However, we took the excellent Trans Alpine express journey from Littleton ( Port for Christchurch) up to Greymouth and back. The views were stunning, especially the glacial lakes which were green! https://www.seat61.com/TranzAlpine.htm http://www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommui987 Posted May 5, 2017 #6 Share Posted May 5, 2017 NZ is a leader in this. I'd love to visit some farms...maybe watch a sheep-shearing contest. When we first visited NZ, my thought was a "sheep is a sheep is a sheep". This is a country where I believe the sheep population is 10-tikmes larger than human population! I was dragged to an agricultural show featuring sheep! I was wrong! The show was most fascinating and (if memory serves), more than 200 varities of sheep were exhibited. Sheep-shearing was also featured. Highly recommended! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delgados129 Posted May 6, 2017 #7 Share Posted May 6, 2017 Sounds fun. What port did you do this? How many people were on the jet boat? This was an excursion that strangely enough was not in the original schedule. We learned about it on-board. It was called 'High Country by 4 X 4' out of Akaroa, NZ. We started off in a heavy duty 4 X 4 to the site where we first did the speed boat. The guide/driver told us the weather had just broken a few days earlier and we ended up with perfectly blue skies. After the exhilarating river ride...about 1 hour...we had a nice buffet lunch. Then we toured a private sheep ranch in the 4 X 4 heading up to the top of a small mountain. Then back to the ship. I would highly recommend this excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndiTravler Posted May 6, 2017 #8 Share Posted May 6, 2017 Oh man -- We did a 3+week tour several years ago. I would recommend you see about offering the following: Do an overnight in Dunedin -- take the Taieri Gorge Railway and see the town one day. The other day out on the Otago Peninsula to see Albatross and Penguins. Do your AAmazing Evening ashore in Oamaru to see the Blue Penguins! In an immersive trip I would expect to see both Milford Sound AND Doubtful Sound In Wellington -- folks can see Te Papa Tongrewa (Museum of New Zealand) and the botanical gardens. And another great place for an overnight. Waipoua Forest to see the biggest and oldest Kauri trees. But there is no large city up there and I have no idea where you would park a ship (our rental car was no problem) In Matamata -- See Hobbiton (and sheep). In Napier -- see Art Deco. Hope that was helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurieb Posted May 7, 2017 #9 Share Posted May 7, 2017 For Lord of the Rings/Hobbit fans, Hobitton near Matamata is a gorgeous place to visit. Waitomo caves are beautiful, and walking up one of our fabulous glaciers is a must do as well. NZ is an outdoor lovers paradise, provided the weather cooperates! Sent from my SM-J200Y using Forums mobile app Totally agree on hobbiton!!we went there a couple years ago on a land based tour; it was the highlight for me!! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies Aunt Posted May 7, 2017 #10 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Cannot believe nobody has mentioned those fabulous wineries! In Tauranga we got a taxi to Hawke`s Bay a fabulous area (very flat), hired bikes and cycled the whole bay visiting wineries. .Ok it got a little messy towards the end but such a memorable day. In Picton we arranged a trip to several wineries (including Cloudy Bay) and had a fantastic lunch at one of them. Akaroa we went to a sheep farm and saw them being sheared, watched a very impressive display of sheep-dogs at work and finished with tea and scones on the veranda. Akaroa also has THE best fish and chip shop right on the bay.. So many wonderful trips to do in New Zealand...just don`t forget those wineries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Gilly Posted May 7, 2017 #11 Share Posted May 7, 2017 Try not to mss the overnight trip to Queenstown. It was amazing if a little expensive but worth every penny. We left the ship in Milford Sound and re-embarked in Dunedin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProfessorEFFE Posted May 11, 2017 #12 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Bonnie do you realize that New Zealand has the BEST cave exploring in the world!!?? Glowworm Caves, Black Water Rafting, climbing abseils etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted May 11, 2017 #13 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I know that this is a cruise forum but in my opinion the only way to do justice to New Zealand and Australia is extensive land tours On a cruise you will only ever get a taste and will be left wanting more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBMacLaird Posted May 11, 2017 Author #14 Share Posted May 11, 2017 Bonnie do you realize that New Zealand has the BEST cave exploring in the world!!?? Glowworm Caves, Black Water Rafting, climbing abseils etc. No, i didn't know that about NZ...nor did I know the word abseil - "to descend a vertical drop using a rope, to rappel". Thanks, Professor :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucymorgan Posted May 11, 2017 #15 Share Posted May 11, 2017 (edited) Explore the Scotland of the South - Dunedin - even the accents are Scottish! Catch a ferry from Auckland to the quaint town of Devonport Visit the windy city Wellington - the centre of government and home of Te Papa - the Museum of New Zealand? The building is built on rubber feet to withstand earthquakes (edit: I now see you have mentioned Wellington and Te Papa, but did you know airline pilots are specially trained to land/takeoff in Wellington because of the wind - a cruise is much more comfortable) I may have missed it but have you mentioned the sounds (Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound)? Edited May 11, 2017 by lucymorgan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBMacLaird Posted May 11, 2017 Author #16 Share Posted May 11, 2017 I know that this is a cruise forum but in my opinion the only way to do justice to New Zealand and Australia is extensive land tours On a cruise you will only ever get a taste and will be left wanting more. Or do both...a cruise followed by extensive travels in New Zealand! Our Feb 8 2017 Sydney-Auckland voyage would be perfect... https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/voyage/1518066000/14-night-tasmania-new-zealand-voyage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ithikan Posted May 12, 2017 #17 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Or do both...a cruise followed by extensive travels in New Zealand!Our Feb 8 2017 Sydney-Auckland voyage would be perfect... https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/voyage/1518066000/14-night-tasmania-new-zealand-voyage But the Feb. 8 2018 would be even better - at least you've a chance of making the sailaway! ; ) We're very much looking forward to our Feb. 2, 2018 departure from Auckland on Journey, and have been avidly following this thread. Thanks, Bonnie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now