Visiting New Zealand?

Question

My friend and I are set to visit New Zealand in March for the first time. We're staying with a friend of mine in Masterton and I have a few questions for anyone who lives there or has ever visited......

1. Has anyone ever taken the train from Auckland to Wellington, and how was it?

2. We'll be there over St.Patrick's Day (March 17), but we're curious about whether or not Kiwis even celebrate St.Pat's.

3. What months does the rugcy season cover and what team is closest to Wellington/New Zealand?

4. How are Americans generally received?

5. How difficult/expensive is it to travel between the north and south islands?

6. Most importantly....does anyone have any ideas for great things to do or see? We're really interested in seeing the country through the eyes of the locals so any lesser-known spots or activities are exactly what we're looking for. The less-touristy the better!

Thanks in advance!

To be honest · Accepted Answer

Hi I am a born and bred kiwi citizen. Hope I can help :-) Under each item is the links to helpful websites!

1. Sorry havent taken the train from Auckland to Wellington .. although Wellington is a must visit and is hope to the parliament buildings, cable car and national museum!

www.railnewzealand.com/Overlander.ht
the website for the overlander train from auckland to wellington

2. I live in Wellington and there is a St Pats. parade!! it is quite a big event and all the bars have parties and green beer ect.. We have over 10 irish bars and Molly Malones is 2 storeys tall. The event is publicised on the radio and tv!

http://www.st-patricks-day.com/irish-pubs-new-zealand-wellington.asp
this site will show you how we kiwis celebrate st patricks day ;-)

3. There are two the Wellington Lions who compete in the nz tournament and the Wellington Hurricanes who comete in the super 14 tournament with Australia and South Africa. The rugby season pretty much lasts all year with the all blacks the national team, the super 14, provincial tournament, touch rugby ect..

Wellington lions - www.wellingtonlions.co.nz
Hurricanes - www.hurricanes.co.nz
All blacks - www.allblacks.com/


4. Im 18 and waitress at a mexican cafe where we get american tourists every night. Generally Americans are seen as friendly people interested in learning about the country. They are usually polite and outgoing people.

5. It is not difficult .. take the interislander ferry that leaves from either picton in the south island or wellington in the north island. The journey lasts around 3 hours. You can take a car on board and there is a small movie thearte, cafe and television rooms and arcade to occupy time. If the water is rough however then you might get a bit sea sick as the cook staight is one of the roughest parts of the sea. Or take the plane as there are many deals going around.

Air
www.airnewzealand.com
www.flypacificblue.co.nz

Sea
www.interislander.co.nz

6. Truely the best site for tourist attractions and attractions that arent so touristy too ;-)
http://www.tourism.net.nz/region/wellington/attractions-and-activities/

One activicty you might not hear about is the Dominion post ferry which goes from Wellington harbour to somes Island the island in the middle of the harbour and Days bay a beach about 45min away. In summer Wellingtonians love this trip to Days bay where there is a fabulous beach and cafe to unwind at. The boat trip is fun too!

http://www.eastbywest.co.nz/
the above site is for the dominon post ferry

The Kaori wildlife sanctuary is Wellingtons premiere bird sanctuary where you can ride a gondola, see an old gold mine, go through a glow worm cave , take a hike, bird watch and take a picnic. There are also night tours avaliable.

http://www.sanctuary.org.nz/

Walking red rocks is a good journey where you can see the famous giant red rocks and event spot a seal colony. 

http://www.wellingtonrover.co.nz/redrockswalk.pdf

All 3 of these things are things ive done myself as a kiwi .. so they arent too touristy!

Have so much fun while youre here! ;-)

jennifer h · Answer

It costs about $69 on the Ferry from Wellington to Picton If the weather is good it is a beautiful trip . I see Virgin blue are starting domestic flights in NewZealand so that should bring the prices down . The prices vary a lot but you should get a flight Wellington to Christchurch for about $70 but you would miss a lot of scenery with flying. Most New Zealand people are very friendly you should be received well. The train from Auckland to Wellington is good but once again you will miss some good scenery. Plenty of Irish in New Zealand . you should be able to find a pub in wellington that celebrates it

nicola_1975 · Answer

question 1 i have not been on a train to auckland/wellington.

question 2 we do celebrate st patricks day and there is usually something to do at the bars and sometimes parties in the town center.

question 3 i don't know about as i don't follow rugby.

Question 4 americans are received well we are a friendly bunch us kiwis :o) just remember we don't tip in nz.

Question 5  there are good cheap rates to fly between soputh and north island i got a ticket from Christchurch to Auckland return for 200NZ$ this is the best site to watch for cheap tickets

http://flightbookings.airnewzealand.co.nz/vgrabview/

Question 6, well i think the best tourist thing to see in the south island is Milford Sound, ask your friend about that ok.

Chrsitchurch is nice(bit i am biased as thats where i live) Timaru is a nice wee town its 2 hours south of Christchurch.

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Visiting New Zealand?

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