NZ this November. Looking promising?
Discussion
We downsized and retired two years ago with the express purpose of travelling. In particular, making it to New Zealand.
Covid really has put pay to that idea lately!
However, it now looks like things will be opening up around Easter time. No one knows for sure but, what are your thoughts on it being possible for tourists from the UK being allowed in later this year?
We are planning on London, San Francisco, Cook Islands, NZ (for at least a month), Hong Kong, Shanghai, London.
There are a couple of rail journeys in NZ I would like to experience
Covid really has put pay to that idea lately!
However, it now looks like things will be opening up around Easter time. No one knows for sure but, what are your thoughts on it being possible for tourists from the UK being allowed in later this year?
We are planning on London, San Francisco, Cook Islands, NZ (for at least a month), Hong Kong, Shanghai, London.
There are a couple of rail journeys in NZ I would like to experience
We have 'done' NZ twice and a third trip planned and a lot of motels/hotels and cars pre-booked for early 2021 mopping up quite a few 'off the beaten track' sights which then obviously didn't happen. We really haven't many expectations of it happening
until at least Jan 2024. We would rather wait and have all restrictions off, flights back to normal and then see what
is left regarding accommodation and restaurants.
Our previous two trips were about 6 weeks each flying London/Dubai/Australia/ Auckland and return from Christchurch
/Dubai/London. This worked really well for us, jet lag minimal due to good sleeping on the aircraft. Suggest it is well worth paying the extra for business when its such a long trip.
We preferred to stay in motels and hire a medium SUV(from Apex, ferry included meaning no change of car at Picton) rather than a motorhome, which are expensive, slow and logistically a nightmare.
until at least Jan 2024. We would rather wait and have all restrictions off, flights back to normal and then see what
is left regarding accommodation and restaurants.
Our previous two trips were about 6 weeks each flying London/Dubai/Australia/ Auckland and return from Christchurch
/Dubai/London. This worked really well for us, jet lag minimal due to good sleeping on the aircraft. Suggest it is well worth paying the extra for business when its such a long trip.
We preferred to stay in motels and hire a medium SUV(from Apex, ferry included meaning no change of car at Picton) rather than a motorhome, which are expensive, slow and logistically a nightmare.
Kenty said:
Suggest it is well worth paying the extra for business when its such a long trip.
Would echo this. It really is a long way away. It's pretty much as far as you can go before you start heading back home!As for restrictions to travel, I would say it's too early to draw any meaningful idea for this year. It all seems to be heading in the right direction but a trip to NZ requires more consideration than week in Spain so may be worth holding off for a bit.
But it will be worth the wait. Stunning, lovely place. Like the UK but less people and less s
t! Grandad Gaz said:
We are planning on London, San Francisco, Cook Islands, NZ (for at least a month), Hong Kong, Shanghai, London.
Been to all of those apart from Cook Islands and couldn't recommend enough. Obviously a moving target for entry etc but I think the one you will struggle with is Shanghai. Used to go on business 3 times per year but not a chance now due to restrictions.Thanks for the comments. I am 67 now, so getting on a bit! Jan 2024 seems so far away!
Others I have spoken to are saying pretty much the same thing.
Our itinerary, if you are interested, will be:
Three or four days in Auckland, then train (northern explorer) to Wellington. A couple of days here and then the ferry to Picton. One night, then travel to Christchurch. A few days here and then train to Greymouth. Hire a car for about two weeks exploring the South Island before returning to Christchurch. Fly from here back to Auckland, then hire a car for about two weeks exploring the North Island.
Lots of things to do
Others I have spoken to are saying pretty much the same thing.
Our itinerary, if you are interested, will be:
Three or four days in Auckland, then train (northern explorer) to Wellington. A couple of days here and then the ferry to Picton. One night, then travel to Christchurch. A few days here and then train to Greymouth. Hire a car for about two weeks exploring the South Island before returning to Christchurch. Fly from here back to Auckland, then hire a car for about two weeks exploring the North Island.
Lots of things to do
I am biased because I am from NZ but my favourite part of the country is between Christchurch and Queenstown. If you do it the other way coming though from Haast (watch for sandflies - like midges but worse) you'll come through the mountains then the Lindis Pass, through Omarama (gliding mecca) past Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki, through the high country to Lake Tekapo, through the Mackenzie country to Burkes Pass and Fairlie. Stop there for a pie at the Fairlie Pie Shop.
Then on to Geraldine, (spend an hour or two in the vintage car and tractor museum there) and up to CHC via the Canterbury plains. I prefer to take the inland route via Methven and the Rakaia Gorge.
Check out the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington too - well worth an afternoon.
Be warned, Kiwi drivers are terrible, the roads are often narrow and unpaved, there are countless one lane bridges on the West Coast, and don't leave anything of value in your car, even for a few minutes unattended. Apart from that, enjoy it.
Then on to Geraldine, (spend an hour or two in the vintage car and tractor museum there) and up to CHC via the Canterbury plains. I prefer to take the inland route via Methven and the Rakaia Gorge.
Check out the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington too - well worth an afternoon.
Be warned, Kiwi drivers are terrible, the roads are often narrow and unpaved, there are countless one lane bridges on the West Coast, and don't leave anything of value in your car, even for a few minutes unattended. Apart from that, enjoy it.
some bloke said:
I am biased because I am from NZ but my favourite part of the country is between Christchurch and Queenstown. If you do it the other way coming though from Haast (watch for sandflies - like midges but worse) you'll come through the mountains then the Lindis Pass, through Omarama (gliding mecca) past Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki, through the high country to Lake Tekapo, through the Mackenzie country to Burkes Pass and Fairlie. Stop there for a pie at the Fairlie Pie Shop.
Then on to Geraldine, (spend an hour or two in the vintage car and tractor museum there) and up to CHC via the Canterbury plains. I prefer to take the inland route via Methven and the Rakaia Gorge.
Check out the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington too - well worth an afternoon.
Be warned, Kiwi drivers are terrible, the roads are often narrow and unpaved, there are countless one lane bridges on the West Coast, and don't leave anything of value in your car, even for a few minutes unattended. Apart from that, enjoy it.
Thanks. I’ll bear that all in mind Then on to Geraldine, (spend an hour or two in the vintage car and tractor museum there) and up to CHC via the Canterbury plains. I prefer to take the inland route via Methven and the Rakaia Gorge.
Check out the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington too - well worth an afternoon.
Be warned, Kiwi drivers are terrible, the roads are often narrow and unpaved, there are countless one lane bridges on the West Coast, and don't leave anything of value in your car, even for a few minutes unattended. Apart from that, enjoy it.
David Beer said:
We’re planning for Xmas this year for 5 weeks. Done NZ twice before but Amex said don’t plan anything. !! Virgin open up Shanghai then partner with NZ air for the next bit.
That’s interesting. When will you book it? I was thinking of doing all the flights and some of the hotels through “Trailfinders “ just in case things get cancelled. At least that way, we should get a full refund.
This travelling is all a bit alien to me. It’s been 12 years since our last flight!
Grandad Gaz said:
some bloke said:
I am biased because I am from NZ but my favourite part of the country is between Christchurch and Queenstown. If you do it the other way coming though from Haast (watch for sandflies - like midges but worse) you'll come through the mountains then the Lindis Pass, through Omarama (gliding mecca) past Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki, through the high country to Lake Tekapo, through the Mackenzie country to Burkes Pass and Fairlie. Stop there for a pie at the Fairlie Pie Shop.
Then on to Geraldine, (spend an hour or two in the vintage car and tractor museum there) and up to CHC via the Canterbury plains. I prefer to take the inland route via Methven and the Rakaia Gorge.
Check out the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington too - well worth an afternoon.
Be warned, Kiwi drivers are terrible, the roads are often narrow and unpaved, there are countless one lane bridges on the West Coast, and don't leave anything of value in your car, even for a few minutes unattended. Apart from that, enjoy it.
Thanks. I’ll bear that all in mind Then on to Geraldine, (spend an hour or two in the vintage car and tractor museum there) and up to CHC via the Canterbury plains. I prefer to take the inland route via Methven and the Rakaia Gorge.
Check out the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, north of Wellington too - well worth an afternoon.
Be warned, Kiwi drivers are terrible, the roads are often narrow and unpaved, there are countless one lane bridges on the West Coast, and don't leave anything of value in your car, even for a few minutes unattended. Apart from that, enjoy it.
Another good trip was heading north from Auckland up the east coast to the Bay of Islands (staying in Russell) with a stop in Matapouri. If you stay in Auckland, visit the Waitakere Ranges and Piha beach.
Edited by peter tdci on Friday 28th January 20:01
Grandad Gaz said:
That’s interesting.
When will you book it? I was thinking of doing all the flights and some of the hotels through “Trailfinders “ just in case things get cancelled. At least that way, we should get a full refund.
This travelling is all a bit alien to me. It’s been 12 years since our last flight!
Been really lucky with travel . Just got back from CA and back again in June.When will you book it? I was thinking of doing all the flights and some of the hotels through “Trailfinders “ just in case things get cancelled. At least that way, we should get a full refund.
This travelling is all a bit alien to me. It’s been 12 years since our last flight!
The reason for the NZ comment was we moved June from LA to San Fran and asked by virgin if there was anything else they could help with?
That’s when they advised not to book anything as would of done it there and then !
Last visit into Aukland , Xmas, the plan was to do the south and then the final 3 weeks in the north. Got as far as Nelson and gave up, the weather was awful !
If possible to go this Xmas, if a fine weather window opens will fly down. Shame last time as the idea of New Years aboard a yacht on the Milford sounded fab.
On the subject of Russell on the north, will be on the list again as well as hot water beach, now that’s funny !
David
Grandad Gaz said:
We downsized and retired two years ago with the express purpose of travelling. In particular, making it to New Zealand.
Covid really has put pay to that idea lately!
However, it now looks like things will be opening up around Easter time. No one knows for sure but, what are your thoughts on it being possible for tourists from the UK being allowed in later this year?
We are planning on London, San Francisco, Cook Islands, NZ (for at least a month), Hong Kong, Shanghai, London.
There are a couple of rail journeys in NZ I would like to experience
Think there is a govt announcement in late Feb on the border openings, I’m guessing they will be allowed vaxed travelers from mid year unless the next 2-4 weeks in NZ are dire (as omicron is just kicking off).Covid really has put pay to that idea lately!
However, it now looks like things will be opening up around Easter time. No one knows for sure but, what are your thoughts on it being possible for tourists from the UK being allowed in later this year?
We are planning on London, San Francisco, Cook Islands, NZ (for at least a month), Hong Kong, Shanghai, London.
There are a couple of rail journeys in NZ I would like to experience
OP, if you're in the area this is very worthwhile.
https://www.dangerousroads.org/australia-and-ocean...
https://www.dangerousroads.org/australia-and-ocean...
Some South Island stuff I forgot, if you get to Nelson there's a very good car museum there which usually also has an amazing clothing exhibition. World Of Wearable Art.
https://nelsonclassiccarmuseum.nz/
Then from Nelson go over Takaka Hill to Golden Bay. Stay overnight in Takaka and then go to Collingwood and take a Farewell Spit tour. Awesome place.
https://www.farewellspit.com/
https://nelsonclassiccarmuseum.nz/
Then from Nelson go over Takaka Hill to Golden Bay. Stay overnight in Takaka and then go to Collingwood and take a Farewell Spit tour. Awesome place.
https://www.farewellspit.com/
Borders opening release from today:
New Zealanders in Australia will be able to skip MIQ and enter New Zealand from 11.59pm on Sunday the 27th of February.
The returning Kiwis will have to be vaccinated and self-isolate – but won’t need a space in a Government-run managed isolation facility (MIQ).
From March 13 New Zealanders from the rest of the world will be able to return under similar conditions.
Then no later than July the country is expected to open up to non-citizens from visa-waiver countries – like Australia, the USA, and UK. Finally, in October, NZ would open up to the rest of the world.
At first, arrivals will need to self-isolate for 10 days, but once New Zealand moves to “phase two” of the Omicron outbreak that period will drop to 7 days
Self-Isolation expected to be dropped later in the year.
New Zealanders in Australia will be able to skip MIQ and enter New Zealand from 11.59pm on Sunday the 27th of February.
The returning Kiwis will have to be vaccinated and self-isolate – but won’t need a space in a Government-run managed isolation facility (MIQ).
From March 13 New Zealanders from the rest of the world will be able to return under similar conditions.
Then no later than July the country is expected to open up to non-citizens from visa-waiver countries – like Australia, the USA, and UK. Finally, in October, NZ would open up to the rest of the world.
At first, arrivals will need to self-isolate for 10 days, but once New Zealand moves to “phase two” of the Omicron outbreak that period will drop to 7 days
Self-Isolation expected to be dropped later in the year.
Update.
All booked for later this year
2 nights in Singapore on the way there and also 2 on the way back. One week in the Cook Islands. A total of 52 days!
We have even booked all the hotels, mainly 4 and 5 star, plus the obligatory whale watching, helli hiking and Milford Sound boat trip.
All booked for later this year
2 nights in Singapore on the way there and also 2 on the way back. One week in the Cook Islands. A total of 52 days!
We have even booked all the hotels, mainly 4 and 5 star, plus the obligatory whale watching, helli hiking and Milford Sound boat trip.
Edited by Grandad Gaz on Tuesday 15th March 07:12
Hi, we arrived back in the UK about 3 weeks ago.
had an incredible time and saw so many amazing sights. Too many to list!
we hired a Rav 4 in Auckland and spent about 6 weeks touring both islands, dropping the car off at Greymouth and catching the tranz alpine rail to Christchurch. we spent 3 days there before flying back to Auckland.
a couple of points: NZ is struggling with staffing issues in the hospitality trade, just like the UK. There were a couple of times when the hotels we were staying in had to close the restaurants due to staff shortages.
tourists entering the country are given a covid test kit at the airport and asked to take a test on the first day and another on the fourth or fifth day. we did. however, we found out from a hotel we stayed in, that most people were just throwing them in the bin unopened!
we also found Singapore airlines better than Air New Zealand
had an incredible time and saw so many amazing sights. Too many to list!
we hired a Rav 4 in Auckland and spent about 6 weeks touring both islands, dropping the car off at Greymouth and catching the tranz alpine rail to Christchurch. we spent 3 days there before flying back to Auckland.
a couple of points: NZ is struggling with staffing issues in the hospitality trade, just like the UK. There were a couple of times when the hotels we were staying in had to close the restaurants due to staff shortages.
tourists entering the country are given a covid test kit at the airport and asked to take a test on the first day and another on the fourth or fifth day. we did. however, we found out from a hotel we stayed in, that most people were just throwing them in the bin unopened!
we also found Singapore airlines better than Air New Zealand
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