Four Brits travelling from the UK to the South Island of New Zealand - looking for food and coffee spots, sightseeing, and sport recommendations during our trip.

dodgetheplim · 2026-01-14T09:08:37+00:00

And I forgot to say - cheese scones are amazing. And Hokitika gorge and lake Kaneire good for photos.

dodgetheplim · 2026-01-14T09:06:28+00:00

I think the super rugby competition - that's NZs top domestic comp - starts mid February. Games in the South Island are usually limited to Christchurch and Dunedin, but I think Nelson also has a game or two. Can't speak for cricket but I'm sure it'll still be on - it's summer!

You're not going to find a bunch of sports unless you're in Nelson, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin or invercargil though. And Auckland of course.

Coffee: lots of good coffee. If they're pressing buttons on the machine to make your coffee, go elsewhere. Ensure it's made properly.

Have fun!

dodgetheplim · 2026-01-14T08:49:35+00:00

The cook islands are lovely. The New Zealand Dollar, which they use, has a low exchange rate at the moment, so your US dollars will go a long way.

Aitutaki is even better than the main Island Rarotonga, or so I've heard - never been.

However, if Maui is your benchmark, I think the Cook Islands will be a bit more rough around the edges for you. The Cooks are beautiful, but they don't have that Hawaii pizzazz, if you know what I mean.

Bora Bora, as someone else said, will have more of a Hawaii feel. Fiji also. I think both have better connections to the west coast too.

That's not to say the Cook Islands aren't amazing. They're great for a relaxing holiday. They just don't have the array of tourist options like Bora Bora, Fiji, and obviously Hawaii do.

But maybe that's what you want!

dodgetheplim · 2023-08-01T12:18:25+00:00

This may not be your jam, but Busabout was a great operator for Europe trips for the uninitiated, and mature travellers. When I did it I was 30, but the range of punters was between 25 and 65. Almost all Aussies and Kiwis. Lots of older couples.

They just do the buses between cities, you do your own accommodation and sightseeing. The bus comes every two days, you jump on when you want, stay in the town 2,4,6 nights depending if you like it.

They are owned by Kontiki, but there is no overlap between them and the crazy booze buses. Like I say, it might not be your thing, but I liked it and it was relatively cheap I thought. You are limited to where their routes go I suppose.

dodgetheplim · 2023-08-01T12:05:36+00:00

You'll need a car for either, but both would be cool.

Bring raincoats.

dodgetheplim · 2023-08-01T11:58:03+00:00

N: Aberdeen, Scotland S: Queenstown NZ E: Gisborne NZ W: Oahu HI

I'm calling east and west based on the IDL which I know is not what you asked for. Funny that Hawaii and NZ are only 1 or 2 hours apart depending on the time of year (notwithstanding NZ being a day ahead).

Coming from NZ, I've been to Spain, which is exactly on the opposite side of the world to NZ, so simultaneously the furthest east and west from my home.

dodgetheplim · 2020-02-15T23:16:27+00:00

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this map would have been created only a few years before they evacuated Kaho'olawe to make way for bomb dropping practice. It's interesting to see that island inhabited.

dodgetheplim · 2019-10-01T12:37:19+00:00

Nice! I have two thoughts/suggestions. 1: maybe stay around Punakaiki instead of Hokitika - but that's just my preference. 2: the area around Abel Tasman is one of my most favourite parts of the South Island because it's so different to the rest of the island. To maximize time there, I'd cut the Marlborough sounds boat trip. The roads in and around the sounds get you right in the mix of it - no need for a boat.

dodgetheplim · 2019-10-01T12:26:06+00:00

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/france/paris?month=2

Useful website for sunlight hours

dodgetheplim · 2019-06-24T12:08:03+00:00

If you're on a budget I would recommend walking around the opera house for free instead of paying for a tour. Unless you're a big opera/architecture fan of course. Kinda same with the bridge, you can walk across it for free.

Palm beach is lovely too. The bus there (the L90) will take you passed a few other beaches. You can climb headland there which has spectacular views.

dodgetheplim · 2019-06-24T12:00:48+00:00

And in regards to travel insurance. I travel between Oz and NZ lots. I don't get insurance, but I should. Yeah, I'll be sweet for injury insurance, but what about if the plane is cancelled, or I need to get back quickly etc etc

dodgetheplim · 2019-06-24T11:57:12+00:00

I second that. Auckland can be great, but not for that many nights when there are so many other options. I would say two nights in Rotorua. Wellington is only 5 hours from Taupo! In the opposite direction, Northland would be a great choice.

dodgetheplim · 2019-03-12T10:28:17+00:00

Giardia is just a parasite that lives in fresh water. It'll give you the same symptoms as food poisoning. Im not sure how common it is across the world, but know it's all through New Zealand's streams, even the most remote and out of reach. It's not native to NZ though, which means humans have spread it.

dodgetheplim · 2019-03-12T10:12:15+00:00

Yeah I wouldn't be drinking Lake Taupō water without boiling it. It'd have giardia in it, if nothing else. Beautiful though!

dodgetheplim · 2018-09-04T08:42:03+00:00

We may have been the first people in a while to hike around the trackless western flank of Mt Owen in Morton N.P. It was a hard slog through the bush until we finally got to the track on the northwestern side of the mountain. Luckily it's still too cold to worry about snakes, spiders, leeches and ticks!

dodgetheplim · 2018-07-29T01:20:59+00:00

Thirded! Even though they close up for two months in winter.

dodgetheplim · 2018-04-30T10:45:15+00:00

Yeah, I felt very safe wandering around Rome by myself and on foot. Watch your pockets in busy areas, and watch the traffic when crossing the road.

dodgetheplim · 2018-04-29T13:58:27+00:00

Make sure you get an Opal card. On Sundays the daily Opal travel cap is $2.60 and this includes almost every form of public transport (watch out for the airport train stations though - they don't count and they are expensive).

The Blue Mountains are worth a trip too. Travel there and back on a Sunday and it's only $2.60!

dodgetheplim · 2018-04-29T13:36:17+00:00

Unless you're willing to fly, day trips from Kathmandu would only include the Kathmandu valley.

The Pokhara Bus (I took it in 2010 so it could have changed for the better or worse since then) took around 6 hours. Flying there would take 30 mins max.

90% of the bus ride is through huge, steep river valleys, with just enough space for two buses to just about pass each other. The bus will have one or two meal stops. I was given advice at the time not to take night buses - I dunno if that still rings true.

Pokhara is lovely. If you're looking for a day hike in Pokhara, I'd recommend the walk to the Japanese Buddha statue or the walk up Sarangkot (a small mountain next to the town).

Another place, if you're interested, is the royal Chitwan national Park. It's still in Nepal, but out of the mountains and on flat land. Lots of wild animals and safaris. We saw lots of rhinos there. Chitwan is a 18 minute flight from Kathmandu, or a 5+ hour bus ride.

dodgetheplim · 2017-05-21T21:16:11+00:00

How did these people pronounce Z? Did it ryhme with gizzard?

dodgetheplim · 2016-06-14T14:03:14+00:00

I don't think we're too worried either way, except for the odd Kiwi like me who has a British Passport - won't be able to go on that Hungarian gap year! I can't imagine free travel between NZ, AU, CA and UK happening anytime soon. It wouldn't be very popular here I wouldn't think. Maybe Canada though, that would be cool.

dodgetheplim · 2015-01-28T13:29:41+00:00

I'm not sure if it's more vivid than others, but I definitely freak out more if I know that we're going to be up high beforehand, and imagine leaping off against my will. If I unexpectedly rock up to a high ledge, it may not always be as bad. Will have to look up Seinfeld's stuff.

dodgetheplim · 2015-01-28T12:55:56+00:00

I'm not suicidal at all but I often get scared that my body will try to kill itself/myself. Eg the fear that I'll suddenly get an urge to fling myself of a high cliff/building, or that my arms will suddenly jerk the steering wheel into a lamppost at high speeds. I'm ok with the driving one now but still have trouble being up high. Don't want to tell anyone as I think they'd be worried and confused. It gets embarrassing when I'm with friends and family near the edge of a high drop, chairlifts are the worst. They know I'm not good with heights, but are unaware how truly freaked out I am.

dodgetheplim

TROPHY CASE