SethInMI 174 #1 May 2, 2017 This is for the Kiwis on here, or anyone else with an opinion... The wife and I are travelling to NZ Christmas 2017. Dec 26-Jan 6. She works for the schools, and that is the only time available for us to visit in the NZ summertime. We will be spending all our time on the south island. We are wondering what if any planning we should do to account for that time of year. Are certain places packed with people? Are most touristy things open Jan 1 or Jan 2? Anyone with any NZ travel experiences please share. Thanks, SethIt's flare not flair, brakes not breaks, bridle not bridal, "could NOT care less" not "could care less". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,588 #2 May 2, 2017 If you go to Queenstown, you have to do the Queenstown Skyline Luge Track. It's way fun. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SethInMI 174 #3 May 2, 2017 That does look like fun!It's flare not flair, brakes not breaks, bridle not bridal, "could NOT care less" not "could care less". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 150 #4 May 6, 2017 Right in the middle of the summer holidays, most Kiwis will be on holiday. The place will be packed wherever you go, so accommodation will be hard to find in the touristy spots. Book now if you want somewhere to stay. Queenstown will be jam packed. To the point of being annoying. Its also quite expensive. NZ is basically overrun with tourists, to the point the government tourism outfit has stopped advertising internationally. The infrastructure is struggling to cope. Wanaka might be a better option, you can day trip from there. There will be plenty of adventure activities open and pumping. Skydiving...Nelson is your best bet. Have a look at some of the websites to find out what to do.My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SethInMI 174 #5 May 8, 2017 thanks tim. Your advice confirmed what we were thinking, now we'll skip Milford and go to Doubtful Sound instead, should be a little more quiet. So its, Fox Glacier, Queenstown, Doubtful Sound, Dunedin, ChristChurch. No skydiving for me, but I'll do the Nevis Bungy, it appeals to my sense of history to do a bungy in the place that invented it. SethIt's flare not flair, brakes not breaks, bridle not bridal, "could NOT care less" not "could care less". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 35 #6 May 8, 2017 obelixtim Right in the middle of the summer holidays, most Kiwis will be on holiday. The place will be packed wherever you go, so accommodation will be hard to find in the touristy spots. Book now if you want somewhere to stay. Queenstown will be jam packed. To the point of being annoying. Its also quite expensive. NZ is basically overrun with tourists, to the point the government tourism outfit has stopped advertising internationally. The infrastructure is struggling to cope. Wanaka might be a better option, you can day trip from there. There will be plenty of adventure activities open and pumping. Skydiving...Nelson is your best bet. Have a look at some of the websites to find out what to do. You can blame the tourism upsurge on the Lord of the Rings/Hobbits movie franchise. Hey, its a good problem to have. "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obelixtim 150 #7 May 8, 2017 BillyVance *** Right in the middle of the summer holidays, most Kiwis will be on holiday. The place will be packed wherever you go, so accommodation will be hard to find in the touristy spots. Book now if you want somewhere to stay. Queenstown will be jam packed. To the point of being annoying. Its also quite expensive. NZ is basically overrun with tourists, to the point the government tourism outfit has stopped advertising internationally. The infrastructure is struggling to cope. Wanaka might be a better option, you can day trip from there. There will be plenty of adventure activities open and pumping. Skydiving...Nelson is your best bet. Have a look at some of the websites to find out what to do. You can blame the tourism upsurge on the Lord of the Rings/Hobbits movie franchise. Hey, its a good problem to have. Nah, its a problem. The trick is to get the balance right, but its out of whack at the moment. There is a point where a nice holiday becomes an expensive hassle. Fortunately NZ has plenty of cool places to go to off the beaten track, if you know where to go. My advice would be to make yourself known to the local skydivers, even if you don't intend jumping, and ask their advice about what to do and where to go. Make the connections even before you leave home.My computer beat me at chess, It was no match for me at kickboxing.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites