Lplater said...Quick few questions first before I respond......will u have a vehicle? How Long you going for? And are you going north, south or both? What are yr fav pass-times?
Roughly planning to do Christchurch to Auckland in 17 days with a campervan.
Kiting would be great (although I don't think it's the right season), otherwise SUP, mtn biking, rock climbing & hiking.
I'd also be interested in a not-so-touristy white water rafting/kayaking trip.
17 days is almost enough time - I would allocate 12 days min in the south and the rest in the north. You can drive Welly to Auckland in a day if need be. You can pretty much camp for free where ever you like in NZ as long as you clean up after yourself.
I would set off from Chch and head for Queenstown / Wanaka and over to Milford Sound - if you get a nice blue sky day fly there from Queenstown - amazing! After that head up the west coast via the glaciers. Lots of cool coastal towns with no shortage of wind on the west coast or swell. You issue will be that the water is cold and there will be no one around. Then head for the top of the South Island to a place called Kaiteriteri and go and explore the Abel Tasman National Park - you can catch a boat and walk back, mountain bike back, kayak, sea plane etc - loads of options to do it in 1,2,3 or 4 days. Or do it vice versa and do adventure out and boat back. Nelson is a good spot to stop for a beer. This South Island tour should take you 10 days in a hurry and preferably 3 weeks. If you have some spare time before getting the ferry from Picton (make sure you do a day crossing as its magnificent scenery) you could head over to Kaikorua and get some waves - some amazing spots around there...Meat Works and Managamanu should more than satisfy you.
Catch the ferry to Wellington - you may need a night out by now - if so head to Courtney Place for some late night entertainment - loads of bars here. A few nice ones down the waterfront as well. Wellington is also the one of the windiest places on earth so you will have a ball there.....loads of spots to play in.
Now you get to decide what you want to do in the north - you drive 1.5 hrs north from Welly and its decision time - head inland and see the mountains in the Central North Island (some great tramps to do if you have time) and then onto tourist spots like Rotorua (think mud pools and some of the best mountain biking you will ever do) and then on to Raglan before driving the last few hrs to Auckland before you fly out.
Alternatively head up the west coast for some of the best waves you will find....the surf highway in Taranaki is heaven - got to be 50 plus easily accessible breaks - mostly reefs and long long points - can handle anything the ocean can throw at it except for the dreaded SW - NW winds - but they should be good for your kite. There are so many spots that I will not even bother getting into them on here - but they give you a tourist map with them all marked on it! Have a google and you shall see. If you are heading that way PM me and I will tell you the really good ones
If its flat or too windy climb Mt Taranakai....its a great day!!! After that its a 3 hrs drive to Rags my old stomping ground - enough has been said about this place over the years....then onto Auckland a few hrs before you are due to fly out.
You will find lots of rock climbing, mountain biking stuff down around Queenstown / Wanaka in the south and in the north as well. For rafting Queenstown is good as is the central north island and also Waitomo Caves just south of Raglan and north of Taranakai have some pretty cool stuff to do. Wellington has some amazing mountain biking - my brother in law heads out 3 nights a week! Loves it. Very steep and very fast single track that will have ya pumped and wanting more. If you need any other info PM and I willg et back to ya. Enjoy.
Things you really should do
1: stop in Central Otago for a Pinot Noir - beautiful red wine!! Go to Rippon Vineyard in Wanaka
2: go for a drive up the valley towards Mount Aspiring - just past the turn off to Treble Cone - simply amazing
3: Stop at the Cardona Hotel for a beer (between Queenstown and Wanaka)
4. surf Mangamanu
5. Surf indicators as Tux suggested
6. Mountain Bike Rotorua
7. Milford sound as has been mentioned above with a pic.
Home made chutney
. Planning a trip for 2013 for about 17 days of riding.
