Hi folks,

I´ve always wanted to visit the land of the All Blacks and finally managed to catch a cheap flight from Frankfurt to Auckland!

Will only be in your neck of the woods for 2 weeks but who knows when the next opportunity presents itsself...

As I really prefer to move off the beaten path, I would like to ask you all a question: What to do in 2 weeks, where to go and whom to meet to experience NZ away from the Lonely Planet readers???

I understand tourism has been growing in recent years and end November, beginning of December seems to be a busy time but any hints and tipps from you will be more than welcome!!

Now, must make sure the girlfriend does not read this: although I have been told rather clearly that this is not going to be an outdoors-hunting trip, just out of curiosity I´d be very interested to hear where to go for a nice little fishing trip or maybe even a day of stalking or shooting...

Thanks everybody, looking forward to your thoughts, cheers,

elwood.

Queenstown and Rotorua are worth a visit and then head to Australia

I'm happy to take you out fishing and day of stalking.

Queenstown most definitely.

Elwood
Don't try and do to much. NZ may look small on a map but 2 weeks just isn't enuf time to do more than skim the sights. And you say you want to get off the beaten track and relax, then i suggest you get yourselves to Queenstown and then bury yourself in the Te Anau, and Catlins.
If your serious about a plan get back to me.
Its my back yard and i know it both personally and professionally

+1 for the south of the south island
Queenstown, Wanaka and surrounds has good touristy stuff - to keep the g-friend happy and some of the best hunting to be had as well

If off the tourist route is what you want, then a few days around Wanganui (Lower N Island) could be what you're after...
Interesting little city, and you could spend a day on a jet boat trip up the Whanganui river. I did this with my parents when they came over, and it was stunning.
If you want a night away in a rural farming environment (you might sell it to the gf like this...) you could look up Remote Adventures, and have a hunt

Hi everybody, thanks for all the replies, that gives me some locations to look into!

@ Top-Predator: Have been to Australia once - terribly nice place but just a tad too big for average European holidays... Thanks for the offer, I shall be more than happy to get in touch - where about are you based?

@ larryshores: Thanks, Queenstown really seems to be THE place!

@ highlander: Another vote for Queenstown, thanks! Heard about the Catlins and have heard many more magic things about the Fjordlands, looks like a must on our itinerary. Looks like you a busy in the hunting and fishing business - do you also offer seafishing?

@ HendrikNZ: "to keep the g-friend happy" is a bigger task for me than good weather...

@ bullterrier: Jet boat sounds great and thanks for the "Remote Adventures" hint, will check it out.

One other question, is there still a lot of farmers around who are desperately fighting the goat pest on their grounds? I read about it in the papers the other day, and the job sounds as exciting as roo-shooting just in a not so dry and tough environment!

Cheers, elwood.

Elwood shooting ferals goats won't be problem,how many do you want to shoot??

One of the most fantastic countries in the world. Just got back after being there for almost half a year. Miss it like hell already.

Queenstown was alright, but I MUCH preferred Wanaka. I would also do a boat cruise of Doubtful Sound.

Here is what you can expect.





























So can you take me with you?

@ StormsGSP: Jesus, these pictures make me wish I had 6 months instead of two weeks, too!!! Sorry, no offense, but did you climb all of that yourself or did you use a helicopter?

@ top Predator: How many goats? Well, how many rounds are you allowed to import into NZ?
Seriously, has it become a hunting business in the meantime or is it still the way that farmers are thankful for all the help they get?

Thanks everybody for your help!!!

Fantastic photos there Storm, you have a real eye for it.
Elwood, TP can probably sort you out a bit of goat shooting, but if he is too busy, you're welcome to head out my way, there are not heaps, but we should be able to find 10 or a dozen.
Most farms don't have the goat problems of old, and finding access can be a little harder now days.

quote:

Originally posted by elwood:
@ StormsGSP: Jesus, these pictures make me wish I had 6 months instead of two weeks, too!!! Sorry, no offense, but did you climb all of that yourself or did you use a helicopter?

No offense taken. Yes, I climbed all those myself. I took a helicopter into the back country, but never used it to gain elevation or reach a summit.


Are you set on your Nov/Dec time period?

@ shankspony: Thanks for the offer, I am in the middle of sorting out our route with the GF, trying to unsuspiciously include all the nice spots and locations the folks here recommended...

@StormGSP: Well, then my hat´s off to you - congrats! Yes the flight is booked and the timing is fix...

Cheers, elwood.

P.S.: Am I right in suspecting that there will be no Rugby season in Nov/Dec?

I just got back from my 2nd trip to NZ last week, where I took a red stag, an arapawa ram and a feral goat.

I would do the Milford Track hike, which I did last summer (Feb). It's a 3 day hike over the MacKinnon pass, finishing in Milford Sound. It's some of the most unspoiled, beautiful scenery I've seen anywhere.
www.ultimatehikes.co.nz for more info.

Hunter308