New Zealand Info
Visas are granted on arrival for those arriving from the US, UK and Australia, for other countries please check and make sure.
Currency - New Zealand Dollar
Exchange rates (as at 11 Oct 2010)
1 USD = 1.32 NZD
1 AUD = 1.30 NZD
1 GBP = 2.11 NZD
The April weather in NZ is mild. Days range beween 16-21C (60-70F) and nights can cool down to 13C (55F)
Looking to fly within New Zealand?
www.jetstar.co.nz
www.airnewzealand.co.nz
Trains run between Auckland and Wellington and to limited city destinations. Buses are more frequent and are an easy way to get to and from the airport as well.
Top things to do in Auckland
| 1. Auckland Museum/Domain | A 75 hectacre park in the middle of Auckland City, the Domain holds lots of attractions. Spend the day at the fabulous museum. Admiring the beautiful wintergardens or just stroll through the park. |
| 2. Auckland Zoo | Aucklands own zoo featuring 113 different species of animals including kangaroos, hippos, penguins, kiwis and lions. |
| 3. West Coast Beaches | An hour west of the city lie the stunning black sand beaches of Piha, Murawai and Karekare. Piha has Lion rock which provides a dramatic backdrop and Kitekite Falls. Murawai is home to a gannet colony where you can see these beautiful birds nesting. |
| 4. Lunch/Dinner up the Sky Tower | The Sky Tower is 328 metres tall and is easy spot from almost anywhere in Auckland. Spend the morning watching brave souls jump off the top off the building (not bungy, fixed line descent). Save yourself the cost of just going up, by having lunch or dinner at Orbit, the revolving restaurant just above the observation deck. Reservations (especially for dinner, recommended) |
| 5. Hiking in the Waitakere or Hunua ranges | An extensive network of forest walks and tracks for great hikes. If hiking in the Waitakere's check out Fairy Falls and the Arataki Vistor Centre to learn more about the area. |
| 6. Waiheke | A 30 minute ferry ride from Auckland puts you on Waiheke. It is home to many wineries, olive oil tasting, WWII fortifications and beaches. |
| 7. Art Gallery | Currently under renovations (but due to be completed in 2011), Auckland's art gallery includes over 12,500 works from a variety of artists/time periods. |
| 8. Kelly Tarlton's | Auckland's aquarium which has viewers on conveyor belts through curved tunnels below the fish rather than viewing through flat panels. Also contains a colony of sub-Antarctic penguins. |
| 9. Minus 5 - Ice Bar | One of several bars worldwide made entirely of ice! Get geared up (all gear provided) and spend 30 minutes inside the bar where the seats, sculptures and even the glasses are made of ice. |
| 10. Rangitoto | The largest of the 50-odd volcanoes that the city of Auckland is built on. Take a ferry to Rangitoto and spend a day hiking to the summit through lava fields and caves |
Top Road Trips From Auckland (within ~4 hours)
| 1. Rotorua | Rotorua (approx 3 hrs drive) is a hotbed of thermal activity in New Zealand (literally)! Between geysers, thermal pools, mud baths and the constant smell of sulphur is a main centre of Maori cultural history. If history or playing in mud isn't your thing, you can see Kiwi's at the Kiwi encounter, animals at the zoo or try New Zealand's unique adventure activity where you are locked up in your own little gerbil wheel, zorbing. See our photos of Rotorua here and here. |
| 2. Waipoua Kauri Forrest | Waipoua Forest on New Zealands North West coast is home to New Zealand's oldest Kauri Trees including Tane Mahuta which is estimated to be 2500 years old. While up here see the incredible views at Hokianga Harbour. See our photos of Waipoua (and Northland) here. |
| 3. Coramandel & Hot Water Beach | An easy 2.5 hours Southwest of Auckland is the Coramandel peninsula. Famous for its lovely beaches and nice walks, the Coramandel is also home to hot water beach where at low tide you can dig into the hot water springs just below the sand and enjoy your own heated thermal tidal pool. See our photos of the Coramandel and Hot Water Beach here. |
| 4. Hobbiton | Just 1.5 hrs south of Auckland is the sleepy town of Matamata which is really only famous for Hobbiton, the real live movie set from the Lord of the Rings movies. A 2 hour tour gets you around the grounds, into Bag End and a chance to see some sheep. See our photos of Hobbiton here. |
| 5. Tongariro & Ruapheu | 4hrs south of Auckland and in the heart of the North Island is Tongariro National Park and Mt Ruapheu. A major ski area in winter (not 'til July), this area is famous for it's world class walks and for being Mt. Doom. Tours operate showing more of the Lord of the Rings filming areas. See our photos of Ruapheu here. |
| 6. Bay of Islands | A region about 3 hours north east of Auckland. The Bay of Islands is home to Poor Knights marine reserve rated one of the top in the world. Learn more about NZ's history at Waitangi and go Dolphin watching in the bay at Paihia. See our photos of Paihia here. |
| 7. Taupo | Located about 3.5-4hrs south of Auckland, Taupo is a lakeside town in the centre of the North Island. See the amazing Huka Falls, bathe in thermal springs, or just relax. See our photos of Taupo here. |
| 8. Waitomo Glow Worm Caves (& Black Water Rafting) | 2hrs south of Auckland are Waitomo Caves. Believed to be over 2 million years old the caves have glow-worms (a spectacular sight to behold) and the opportunity to do blackwater rafting which has you riding the waters of the caves in a tube (abseiling down into the cave for the very brave). We haven't actually been here but you can see pictures and learn more here. |
| 9. Waiheke | Ok, so Waiheke isn't really a far away trip. But you can rent a car and stay on the island for a real feeling of getting out of the city without traveling far. See the wineries and explore the old WWII battlements. See our photos of Waiheke here. |
| 10. Make your own itinerary! | Half of traveling is discovering things for yourself! Go out and explore! |