January Weather?
Discussion
Gday from the West end of the West Island 
We're off on a cruise your way in mid Jan, from Melbourne around NZ then return
No idea what to pack (ugg boots? ) I assume you do a Summer of sorts down there?
Only in each port for a day so won't have time for any car stuff, but would appreciate any tips on what to see/avoid?
Cheers
Tim
Thu Jan 14 Fiordland National Park, New Zealand (Cruising)
Fri Jan 15 Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand
Sat Jan 16 Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand
Sun Jan 17 Wellington, New Zealand
Mon Jan 18 Napier, New Zealand
Tue Jan 19 Tauranga, New Zealand
Wed Jan 20 Auckland, New Zealand
We're off on a cruise your way in mid Jan, from Melbourne around NZ then return
No idea what to pack (ugg boots?
) I assume you do a Summer of sorts down there?Only in each port for a day so won't have time for any car stuff, but would appreciate any tips on what to see/avoid?
Cheers
Tim
Thu Jan 14 Fiordland National Park, New Zealand (Cruising)
Fri Jan 15 Dunedin (Port Chalmers), New Zealand
Sat Jan 16 Christchurch (Lyttelton), New Zealand
Sun Jan 17 Wellington, New Zealand
Mon Jan 18 Napier, New Zealand
Tue Jan 19 Tauranga, New Zealand
Wed Jan 20 Auckland, New Zealand
You only need the UGG boots to keep the sheep s
t off your feet.
I'm in Lyttelton, opposite the port, let me know when you arrive and I'll put the jug on, take you through the tunnel at 9000rpm and drop you in town, srirred, not shaken.
Just pop those st stained UGG boots off first.
What to avoid?
Behaving like an archetypal aussie cruise ship ponce.
Listening to the on board advice and paying through the nose for dissapointing shoreside activities.
And
The North Island..............
t off your feet.I'm in Lyttelton, opposite the port, let me know when you arrive and I'll put the jug on, take you through the tunnel at 9000rpm and drop you in town, srirred, not shaken.
Just pop those s
t stained UGG boots off first.What to avoid?
Behaving like an archetypal aussie cruise ship ponce.
Listening to the on board advice and paying through the nose for dissapointing shoreside activities.
And
The North Island..............
Okay so we head to Melbourne Sat early, then board the ship Monday... any advice on things we should see in the ports we stop at?
We haven't booked any of the organised tours, prefer to do our own thing, whether that be wandering round the town or maybe a couple of hire car days, I believe there are some wineries around Napier?
Cheers
Tim
We haven't booked any of the organised tours, prefer to do our own thing, whether that be wandering round the town or maybe a couple of hire car days, I believe there are some wineries around Napier?
Cheers
Tim
Well only having a day in each port means it probably isn't worth going too far inland or you'll spend half the day driving there and back. Dunedin has some nice old buildings etc around the town centre and uni if thats your thing (and Speight's brewery or Cadbury's chocolate factory if you prefer ). Also well worth a drive out around the Otagp Peninsula too - the Tairoa Heads albatross colony is quite a popular destination, as is Larnach's Castle along the way. Buses run pretty frequently but the roads are a lot of fun to drive yourself!
Others can advise you better on things further north.
). Also well worth a drive out around the Otagp Peninsula too - the Tairoa Heads albatross colony is quite a popular destination, as is Larnach's Castle along the way. Buses run pretty frequently but the roads are a lot of fun to drive yourself!Others can advise you better on things further north.
Hi Tim,
Been over here myself for a couple of months now, but way up north. I'm missing the Munro and GT3, as you don't get sent to jail over here for slightly exceeding some random speed limit. Roads are a bit crappier than WA (but this place isn't flat) and I've found driving standards pretty poor - lot of drink/drug driving. Heading back to dark ages again in a month.
Wellington - don't know it - Te Papa (I've not been)? would probably take up a whole day.
Napier - look online - I just like wandering around looking at the art deco buildings and checking out the antique stores. Dunno if the aquarium is any good (compared to Perth anyway). You need to check out the sav blancs from here - they have a subtly different taste from the more well known Marlborough stuff. Unfortunately the wineries are not so closely spaced as in Margeret River, so I guess they will recommend you to the bigger ones (Mission Estate probably). They are OK, but I like the smaller ones - they tend to have better tasting plates as well. Good fruit here also.
Tauranga - don't know it well, but the beach is nice (if not overrun by bogans - it is bogun season and they used to collect here). Lunch at Mills Reef winery and try the Syrah (I like it anyway, but someone may recomend you a better place). Helicopter to White Island??? Might even be worth getting a chopper and heading off to some of the inland lakes and/or forests and rivers.
Auckland - just another big city in my opinion and more like Sydney than Perth. Maybe Kelly Tarltons Underwater world, Peter Blake / Americas cup museum/display on Viaduct wharf? Lunch in Parnell? Rangitoto Island is good but will use up all your time, likewise Waiheke Island (very upmarket Rotto) I think. North Shore beaches are a bit like the South West, but with less wind and more houses.
The internet is your friend for NZ - and check out where things are on google maps if you havn't got your own transport as many places are likely to be a good drive away from the port, and I suspect the NZ public transport system may be a little lacking... No doubt there will be plenty of places to poke a kiwi (the feathered type), eat a kiwifruit, watch a whale and look at large men jumping around in skirts (before they sell you a plastc tiki). Toss a line over the side before Tauranga -I think the billfish season is just starting to kick off.
Been over here myself for a couple of months now, but way up north. I'm missing the Munro and GT3, as you don't get sent to jail over here for slightly exceeding some random speed limit. Roads are a bit crappier than WA (but this place isn't flat) and I've found driving standards pretty poor - lot of drink/drug driving. Heading back to dark ages again in a month.
Wellington - don't know it - Te Papa (I've not been)? would probably take up a whole day.
Napier - look online - I just like wandering around looking at the art deco buildings and checking out the antique stores. Dunno if the aquarium is any good (compared to Perth anyway). You need to check out the sav blancs from here - they have a subtly different taste from the more well known Marlborough stuff. Unfortunately the wineries are not so closely spaced as in Margeret River, so I guess they will recommend you to the bigger ones (Mission Estate probably). They are OK, but I like the smaller ones - they tend to have better tasting plates as well. Good fruit here also.
Tauranga - don't know it well, but the beach is nice (if not overrun by bogans - it is bogun season and they used to collect here). Lunch at Mills Reef winery and try the Syrah (I like it anyway, but someone may recomend you a better place). Helicopter to White Island??? Might even be worth getting a chopper and heading off to some of the inland lakes and/or forests and rivers.
Auckland - just another big city in my opinion and more like Sydney than Perth. Maybe Kelly Tarltons Underwater world, Peter Blake / Americas cup museum/display on Viaduct wharf? Lunch in Parnell? Rangitoto Island is good but will use up all your time, likewise Waiheke Island (very upmarket Rotto) I think. North Shore beaches are a bit like the South West, but with less wind and more houses.
The internet is your friend for NZ - and check out where things are on google maps if you havn't got your own transport as many places are likely to be a good drive away from the port, and I suspect the NZ public transport system may be a little lacking... No doubt there will be plenty of places to poke a kiwi (the feathered type), eat a kiwifruit, watch a whale and look at large men jumping around in skirts (before they sell you a plastc tiki). Toss a line over the side before Tauranga -I think the billfish season is just starting to kick off.
Quick comment on your Welly trip. It really does depend what you're into and the tourist guide info is pretty comprehensive on the options. If you want a cruisy wander around town with a few sights thrown in along the way I'd suggest:
- Te Papa. As you won't be traveling inland much like Ben said, definitely set aside a couple of hours to get a taste of NZ. It's really a pretty entertaining and informative place, much improved from the days I remember as a school boy touring through the national museum past case after case full of stuff moth-eaten rats and fossils.
- Cable car. Take a ride up for the views and wander back through the Botanic Gardens if it's a nice day.
- Shops are like shops anywhere - there's nice cafes and restaurants if you want to cruise through town, but nothing particularly unique.
If you're into wines then Martinborough is a vineyard region about 1 1/4 hours away by car (rental for a day?). Great sauv blancs and arguably 2nd best pinots in NZ (you won't be getting into the central Otago region which is 1st best).
Happy sailing.
- Te Papa. As you won't be traveling inland much like Ben said, definitely set aside a couple of hours to get a taste of NZ. It's really a pretty entertaining and informative place, much improved from the days I remember as a school boy touring through the national museum past case after case full of stuff moth-eaten rats and fossils.
- Cable car. Take a ride up for the views and wander back through the Botanic Gardens if it's a nice day.
- Shops are like shops anywhere - there's nice cafes and restaurants if you want to cruise through town, but nothing particularly unique.
If you're into wines then Martinborough is a vineyard region about 1 1/4 hours away by car (rental for a day?). Great sauv blancs and arguably 2nd best pinots in NZ (you won't be getting into the central Otago region which is 1st best).
Happy sailing.
We're in Wellington today, wish we'd brought more winter clothes 
Fiordland was unbelievable, Dunedin we didn't see much more than the hospital as unfortunately my GF (PerthS) father had become quite ill and half our group (of8) has stayed in Dunedin with him
He sounds like he is on the mend now.
Yesterday was shown as Christchurch/Lyttleton but ended up being Akaroa for some reason. Had a look around, a lovely town but very cold and wet :brr:
So we haven't actually seen a lot of NZ so far but I have loved what I have seen. Just been on the Wellington cable car, heading back to the ship now.
As far as the cruise goes, I had my doubts (i don't do boats) but have absolutely loved it so far.
Apparently it's 42C in Perth today...
Fiordland was unbelievable, Dunedin we didn't see much more than the hospital as unfortunately my GF (PerthS) father had become quite ill and half our group (of8) has stayed in Dunedin with him
He sounds like he is on the mend now.Yesterday was shown as Christchurch/Lyttleton but ended up being Akaroa for some reason. Had a look around, a lovely town but very cold and wet :brr:
So we haven't actually seen a lot of NZ so far but I have loved what I have seen. Just been on the Wellington cable car, heading back to the ship now.
As far as the cruise goes, I had my doubts (i don't do boats) but have absolutely loved it so far.
Apparently it's 42C in Perth today...
Tim,
Good on ya for keeping your chin up. Sounds like a bit of a nightmare, what with the storm on the way over, the coldest summer weather we've had this season in Akaroa, Wellington and Lyttelton and your family member being taken ill.
Give it another go, fly over, rent a sports car and try out the roads, you won't regret it.
All the best.
Good on ya for keeping your chin up. Sounds like a bit of a nightmare, what with the storm on the way over, the coldest summer weather we've had this season in Akaroa, Wellington and Lyttelton and your family member being taken ill.
Give it another go, fly over, rent a sports car and try out the roads, you won't regret it.
All the best.
I celebrate because hopefully it will spread up to Northland. It's pretty dry up there and they need some decent rainfall.Arrived back in Melbourne this morning, delayed somewhat due to gale force headwind... would definitely return to NZ for a better look sometime but will bring more warm clothes for "summer"
Already have the brochures for the next cruise but might be a while saving... and planning on heading somewhere a bit warmer next time
but will bring more warm clothes for "summer" Already have the brochures for the next cruise but might be a while saving... and planning on heading somewhere a bit warmer next time
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