Top New Zealand hotels
Willowbank Wildlife Park Christchurch
2 Reviews ...almost good enough to be under 'attractions'...but to me, not quite.. Address: www.willowbank.co.nz/ 60 Hussey Road, Christchurch We wanted to see at least 1 wildlife Park during our 9 day stay in...
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They don't tip down here, but if you do tip they'll be your best friend!Plus, the wait staff does not move fast!Don't expect speedy service. They don't have deli's and all their food is pre-made. To have anything made to order is impossible. Plus, they don't have diners.Make sure your kind, because they frown and turn on rude pushy people.
Be warned, you may come to New Zealand as a visitor with a ticket to leave. But you will be 'Enchanted, charmed, filled with fun enjoyment, and a magical spell will cause you to not want to leave beautiful New Zealand. Be prepared to have fun no matter what your age.
This is more of an alert than a tourist trap. There is a free bus running between the international and domestic terminals at Auckland International airport. Use it!! or do the walk if you have time. I got caught out by my late arriving plane giving me 40 minutes to get through everything before my domestic flight took off. I missed the free bus transfer so with 15 minutes left i was forced to take a taxi--to my horror this 3 minute ride cost me NZ $20 (about US$10). I can undestand that a taxi driver may have been waiting for a while for the ride but $20 is a little on the step side. IF YOU HAVE THE TIME TAKE THE BUS OR WALK!!! Take the FREE BUS to transfer or walk between the terminals if you have the ttime (about 5 minutes).
The food is so good and cheap that you will not be able to stop eating. When a New Zealander invites you home you will be offered the most delicious food . Morning and afternoon tea consists of buttered pikelets, scones, mufffins - all will be home made and so moreish! Dinner will consist of either a barbecue or a roast or some fish that they just caught that day. Irresistable!
Be sure that when you go Jet Boating in New Zealand that you ask if there are Rapids that you boat up and down.AS lots of operators build up the hipe with pretty brouchers but only do spins - which you can do in a lake .But a real Jet Boat ride tackles the white water and its safer because the River gives the thrill not the driver going close to the cliffs as some do, this is because if the motor stops and your by a cliff then you hit it HARD> so the White water Rides are more Awsome and safer . Stand on the bank and watch - then when you get the chance ask a local for the white water Jet Boat ride or youll get your money taken for a deep flat water spin ride and not experience how amazing these Jet Boats really are especially in the Rapids. If in the North Island do the Big rapids ride with Rapids Jet Aratiatia Waikato River Taupo http://www.rapidsjet.com
Queenstown has a lot of adreline experiences. However, don't get too exited about it. You pay a lot and it is not all that special. Rafting is nothing compared to the Zambezi for example. A skydive can be done at much prettier places like the Bay of Islands. Queenstown is fine for some days of partying, just don't get the tourist traps forced on you!
The Bluff on the South Island where you can see Stewart Island and there's a sign where every tourist go take a picture. It's only about 30 km from Invercargill, but the town is not that pretty nor interesting.
the kelly tarlton waterworld in auckland is one. so is the casino in the tower in central auckland. queen street is too expensive. you can get cheaper stuff from ponsonby or from parnell or newmarket. just take the white shuttle buses. or go to one of the nearby suburbs on a bus from the bus station at the bottom of queen street
In Pihia (Bay of Islands) watch out for the 'Swim with Dolphins' boat tours.... after you are on the boat, they tell you that the government has severly limited the conditions under which you can actually 'swim' with the dophins. I asked how often they actually get to swim them... the guide said 'about once a month'!That said... it is interesting to get up fairly close to the dolphins, just don't expect to actually SWIM with the dolphins!
Another tourist trap I ran into was the 'Traditional Mouri Hangi' as pushed by Oz Experiance in Rotarua.... the one we went to was in a local shopping plaza!The dancing was good, dinner not too bad... just thrown off by the location.That said, there are many that are held in more traditional surroundings. Beware.
Copthorne Hotel Commodore Christchurch Airport Christchurch
6 Reviews and 293 Opinions Prior to the earthquakes, I have always stayed in town at some renowned hotel chains. When I was...
SKYCITY Grand Hotel Auckland Auckland
7 Reviews and 434 Opinions The rooms and hotel in general were nicer than expected, and service was good. While this hotel may...
Browns Boutique Hotel Queenstown
1 Review and 170 Opinions Within stroling distance from the main town. Welcoming and homely. A warm cozey room admist the cold...
Reviews and photos of New Zealand attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for New Zealand sightseeing.
Q: Last time in NSW/Australia it was quite easy to find good parking-places for my small motorhome, partly INside the villages, but...
A: With "official parkinglots" I mean rest-area along highways and other roads, such "Rest and revive-places" that are announced along the bigger roads ! I also saw some of...
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