Travel Tips » New Zealand

Where to see penguins in New Zealand

Vi — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:01:29 +0000

When I was going to New Zealand kiwi the only bird I was interested to see. But when I was planning my last trip around South Island I read about couple places where it is possible to see penguins. It is not Emperor penguins but much smaller – blue and yellow eyed penguins but I never saw any penguins in the wild, so it was interesting to see them and added some places to my route.

Probably best place for penguin watching is Omaru town. There it is possible to see both kind of penguins. Every night they are coming back from the see to the land and you can watch both kinds at the same night even their colonies are on different sides of peninsula because yellow eyed penguins are coming back 1-2 hours earlier then blue eyed penguins. An hour before sunset go to Bushy Beach (about 5 minutes driving from city center) and wait in the hides for yellow eyed penguins appearing from the sea. Just be careful there are seals on that beach too, so don’t step on them
After sunset go to blue eyed penguin colony. There is entry fee there and you watching penguins there. Didn’t find any places where it would be possible to see blue eyed for free in the wild in New Zealand. Let us know if you know any such place and check this web site for other places there it is possible to see penguins.

Departure fee – most annoying thing in New Zealand

Vi — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:01:19 +0000

In last 3 years I been on and off New Zealand for may be 10 times. I always have great time there, but one thing really annoys every time I am coming to airport to catch my out bound flight. For all international departures you need to pay departure tax (currently it is 25$NZ).
It looks small charge comparing with amount of money you already spent in the country. That is the thing I can’t understand – they collect so much taxes from all tourist industry, as it is expensive country to travel, and it still not enough and just want to ruin all your final memories about New Zealand. Small thing, but I am sure will be remembered by most of tourists. Especially the waiting in whose long lines to pay that fee.

Gladly at least in Auckland airport you don’t need to pay this fee, but keep 25$NZ in you pocket if you are flying out from any other airport in New Zealand.

NZI Rugby Sevens: Wellington’s biggest sporting weekend of the year

Vi — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:01:35 +0000

NZI Sevens 2009

NZI Rugby Sevens is an annual international sevens tournament held in Wellington in February. But it is not just rugby and the Wellington NZI Rugby Sevens is like no other weekend. All city looks like big party and every year it becomes bigger and bigger. So even if you are not into rugby, but are traveling in New Zealand during this time schedule your trip to be in Welly during that weekend. It usually happens on first weekend in February, but double check official website for exact days. This year it starts…today.

Key Summit trail. Short trails in New Zealand

Vi — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:01:01 +0000

Not far from Lake Marian track there is another short walk to Key Summit Track, which leads to very nice peak with 360 degree view.

: View from Key Summit

The best time to walk there in my opinion is in afternoon as at that time sun very nice lightens Southern Alps.

View Larger Map
So if you are going Milford Sound cruise in the morning, on your way back stop in The Divide car park where trail starts. There also begins Routeburn Track, but after you pass beech forest Routeburn and Key Summit tracks will split. Track is well signed and there is no way to get lost there. It takes about 40-60 minutes one way to get to summit and I would grade it as easy walk comparing with Lake Marian track

Some more photos from Fiordland in New Zealand

Most dangerous species in New Zealand

Vi — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 08:23:10 +0000

This week I read news about most dangerous animal in New Zealand at the moment – dolphin Moko, who became too intimidate with people in Girsborne.

It made me start thinking what was most dangerous creature I met during time I lived in New Zealand. I love New Zealand it’s safe nature – no poison snakes or grizzlies in the woods, but even there are some not so friendly species and here is mine top 3 :

1. Sandflies – probably most painful species in New Zealand. At least I didn’t see anything worse then it. It is so itchy. Somewhere I read they shouldn’t be active after sun set, but most bites I got then it was starting getting dark. Or may be it was time of day when I wasn’t moving enough? By maori legend the god Tu-te-raki-whanoa created sand fly to make people move and work instead of admire the beauty of Fiordland. West coast of South Island is the worst. So be prepare for it.

2. Mosquitoes. Is anywhere in the world mosquitoes free place? In new Zealand they can be met anywhere.

3. Kea – mountain parrot. It won’t hurt you (at least I didn’t hear any accidents), but need to be careful and not leave any bags unattended in the mountains. Bird can open your bag and take anything from it. In the above picture you can see kea checks my backpack. Also it is better not allow get too close to your car as it likes to rip rubber parts. It is funny to watch some bus drivers running around the bus and trying to keep keas away from it. You definitely will meet these birds in Southern Alps.

Lake Marian track. Short trails in New Zealand

Vi — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:01:12 +0000

Probably the nature is main thing attracts people to New Zealand. Though a lot of tourists come to New Zealand only for couple weeks and it is far from enough to hike (or tramp) longer treks like Milford track which takes about 4 days to complete. But time shortage should not stop you to do at least shorter hikes. One of such short hikes is Lake Marian trail in Fiordland National Park. Track is located on the way to famous Milford Sound.

View Larger Map

It is not easiest walk as track is steep in some places and can be muddy after rain, but it takes less then an hour to reach the lake and you’ll be rewarded with view to beautiful alpine lake surrounded by mountains.

Lake Marian

Water even in summer is quite cold but is very refreshing if you’ll be keen to swim in hot day.

Here are more pictures from Fiordland in New Zealand and information about other short walks in South Island, New Zealand.

How to save on buying travel guides in Australia and New Zealand

Vi — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:39:44 +0000

Borders coupon example

You probably already bought all travel guides you need if you going to Australia, New Zealand or other pacific Islands. But what if you need to buy additional guides during your trip? For some reasons most books in Australia or New Zealand are twice expensive then in US. For example Lonely Planet Australia (2009) latest guide cost 19$US, but you’ll find it for almost 50$AU( or 45$US by today currency exchange rate) in Australian book stores. I am not planning of going into details why it is such big difference, but want to show you way how to save on buying books in Australia or New Zealand. Only thing you need to do – subscribe to Borders Australia or Borders New Zealand news letters. Every week Borders sends some discount deals like in picture above. Sometime ago they were sending deals up to 50%, but didn’t see such discounts for awhile. In any case 30% savings it is still deal as I am sure you’ll find where to spend spear money.

One road rule you must to know when you are driving in New Zealand

Vi — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:01:15 +0000

If you are planning go to New Zealand you probably will rent camper van or car to travel around this amazing country. Of course you know they drive on left side of road. It could feel a little bit weird if you are from “right side” country, but you shouldn’t worry too much about that. You’ll adjust to this in no time. In your car will be sign “Keep left” as reminder in case you’ll forget it by looking to scenery. In most tourist places you’ll find signs on the road with arrows which side to drive. So no worries. But there is one road rule you won’t find in any other country. It is so-called right-hand rule. It requires that cars turning left must wait to give way to those vehicles turning in front of them from the right. There are plans to change this rule. Although about these plans was already written some time ago, but rule still in force, so keep in mind it and obey it.

Want To Save On Your Next Payment For Flight Ticket? Use POLi

Vi — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:45:10 +0000

POLi

Was no any announcement about that. I didn’t read and didn’t hear about it although follow travel news regularly and I had noticed it only after I bought next my ticket. I did everything automatically and after pressed button to process with payment I saw something different on the screen. POLi. What is that? POLi is an online payment option you can use to safely pay for your flights directly from your bank account and some airlines based in Australia and New Zealand started use it on their online ticket booking systems.
What does this mean for you? You’ll save about $10 by using POLi instead of credit card. Yes, it is not much but how it is annoying after finding cheap airfare at last stage of payment to see price going up, isn’t it?
At the moment I found three airlines using this payment option:

Virgin Blue

Jet Star

Air New Zealand

The only catch I can see, you must have account in one of supported banks in Australia, New Zealand or UK. Here is list of supported banks.

Is It Safe To Travel In New Zealand ?

Vi — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:01:29 +0000

Most people are considering New Zealand as safe destination and I agree with them. Never had problems walking in the cities at late night. It is more dangerous to drive during dark time because of cattle. There are 40 millions sheep in New Zealand, so no surprise that some of cattle you can meet in the middle of the road, especially in more remote parts of country. But it is probably not big difference from other countries then common sense caution should be considered on the road. Difference is other tourists who didn’t use to drive on left side of the road. It is beautiful country and so many drivers are forgetting about looking to the road. So be careful on hidden turns in mountains as some cars can suddenly turn to your side of road, or even yourself can do so. Keep left!
Although biggest dangers I faced in New Zealand are not cattle or other drivers, but thieves. It seems people after awhile starting feel like there is no danger in New Zealand and relaxing too much. I gave a lift to German guy who was robbed in the hostel, met couple whose campervan was robbed and heard a lot of similar stories. Don’t allow your holidays to be ruined and don’t leave any valuables visible in the car/campervan. When going for longer walk/hike/tramp take your documents with you. If you loose money, you can ask your relatives or friends for money transfer, but to get new travel documents/passport can be very long process.
So be careful and enjoy your holidays in New Zealand.

Share your thoughts if you know any other tips.