Travel
-
-
Off to New Caledonia for a fortnight on Saturday. Never been on my bucket list but hey it's not NZ or Oz
it is hellish expensive though. Still as it is part of Europe
no Covid restrictions at all.Haven't had to parlez Franglais since 1989
Over seas but not really overseas as part of Zealandia?
New Zealand and New Caledonia are large, isolated islands in the southwest Pacific Ocean. They have never been regarded as part of the Australian continent, although the geographic term Australasia often is used for the collective land and islands of the southwest Pacific region. In the following sections, we summarize the four key attributes of continents and assess how Zealandia meets these criteria.
-
@MajorRage fond memories of drinking the most expensive Sam Smiths in Yorkshire at a pound 31 or something a pint. Even at $3 to the pound it was cheaper than NZ!
Sam Smiths is still fucking cheap compared to others, even their pubs in London.
But I still prefer to pay double to get triple the taste.
(I appreciate their concept/conceit though... it IS possible to provide quality beer for a fraction of the price that the other fluffybunnies do it) -
Hey cunce.
After umming and ahhing over where we'll go for a family holiday , we've decided yet again on NZ because why the fuck not.
As we're heading over in January, and haven't really travelled north of Auckland (Devonport doesn't count), gimme your "Shit To See & Do In Northland" list.
Looking at about 4-5 nights in Aotearoa in total (maybe another look around Auckland), and not too much driving in between. Of course if flights are crazy expensive then we might look at staying longer.
-
Hey cunce.
After umming and ahhing over where we'll go for a family holiday , we've decided yet again on NZ because why the fuck not.
As we're heading over in January, and haven't really travelled north of Auckland (Devonport doesn't count), gimme your "Shit To See & Do In Northland" list.
Looking at about 4-5 nights in Aotearoa in total (maybe another look around Auckland), and not too much driving in between. Of course if flights are crazy expensive then we might look at staying longer.
What sorta stuff do you want too see/do? Coming up to the Winterless North
-
@Machpants said in Travel:
What sorta stuff do you want too see/do? Coming up to the Winterless North
Touristy shit I guess.
I like to get out in nature, but also being summer we'd hit the beach and look at anything Northland specifically offers that other places don't.
-
@Machpants said in Travel:
What sorta stuff do you want too see/do? Coming up to the Winterless North
Touristy shit I guess.
I like to get out in nature, but also being summer we'd hit the beach and look at anything Northland specifically offers that other places don't.
Now no one can read your posts without the mental image of you as a naturist.
-
@Machpants said in Travel:
Hey cunce.
After umming and ahhing over where we'll go for a family holiday , we've decided yet again on NZ because why the fuck not.
As we're heading over in January, and haven't really travelled north of Auckland (Devonport doesn't count), gimme your "Shit To See & Do In Northland" list.
Looking at about 4-5 nights in Aotearoa in total (maybe another look around Auckland), and not too much driving in between. Of course if flights are crazy expensive then we might look at staying longer.
What sorta stuff do you want too see/do? Coming up to the Winterless North
My trip didn't live up to the marketing. It was the middle of winter though.
@NTA I did it for the first time a few years ago.
Definitely recommend driving along 90 mile beach.
Driving up the west coast to check out Tane Mahuta (big fucking tree).
Treaty grounds obviously.I expect accom will be crazy expensive at that time. It was crazy expensive in the Bay of Islands as well as having limited options in the middle of winter. So you'd best get looking now).
-
@Nepia yeah I'm mentally steeled against the pricing. The flights are what will be interesting on the cost front - things are crazy right now.
If it gets too difficult, I'm going to suggest a road trip to the high country in Victoria.
Thing is we renewed the kids' passports a few months before COVID hit, with a June trip in mind to see some rugby with Redbeard. We paid for those fucking passports and want to get some use before they expire!
-
@NTA I reckon start hunting now for a holiday home or two and just take day trips. It’s all about chilling at that time of year so look for somewhere close to an east coast beach. Might be a big ask but you might get lucky.
A campground cabin/unit would be ideal if you really want the summer vibe IMO. Share a few brews with the neighbours, scrounge some fresh catch etc -
@Nepia yeah I'm mentally steeled against the pricing. The flights are what will be interesting on the cost front - things are crazy right now.
If it gets too difficult, I'm going to suggest a road trip to the high country in Victoria.
Thing is we renewed the kids' passports a few months before COVID hit, with a June trip in mind to see some rugby with Redbeard. We paid for those fucking passports and want to get some use before they expire!
Yeah flights are a lottery at the moment. My Mum is going from GC to HB for $900 in November which is almost normal prices (GC-AK and then AK-HB), but a day either way and it would have been over $1300 for the exact same trip.
The prices should be coming down as other airlines start crossing the Ta$man (I think Air Asia and Lantam are starting soon and you'd expect Virgin etc to start soon too).
-
@NTA I reckon start hunting now for a holiday home or two and just take day trips. It’s all about chilling at that time of year so look for somewhere close to an east coast beach. Might be a big ask but you might get lucky.
A campground cabin/unit would be ideal if you really want the summer vibe IMO. Share a few brews with the neighbours, scrounge some fresh catch etcYeah, we stayed in Mangonui which was pretty handy to go north and south and to Kaitaia for a culture shock.
-
We had plans to do a sleeper train trip to Amsterdam and Vienna but gave up as everything was booked up for months. Settled on a train holiday to East Yorkshire and Carlisle with buses where needed.
Actually really relaxing and convenient with modern tech and travel apps. And the scenery is stunning.
-
@Machpants said in Travel:
What sorta stuff do you want too see/do? Coming up to the Winterless North
Touristy shit I guess.
I like to get out in nature, but also being summer we'd hit the beach and look at anything Northland specifically offers that other places don't.
The diving and deepsea fishing is great.
4wd as well.
https://www.wikiloc.com/trails/offroading/new-zealand/northland
Seeing the Ta$man hit the Pacific off Cape Reinga can be spectacular
Also parasailing https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g1747761-Activities-c61-t212-Northland_Region_North_Island.html
If you are sick of mammals
(I guess it isn't north at all but I always had a soft spot for Great Barrier Island)Nature and conservation
Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island was New Zealand's first Nature Reserve. It is one of the last remnants of primeval New Zealand, and as such is an invaluable refuge for rare and endangered plants, birds and animals.
-
This article I saw today
Stuff Travel Go-To Guide: Northland & Bay of Islands
Stuff Travel's guide of must dos, hidden gems, where to eat and where to stay in Northland & Bay of Islands.
-
-
@Machpants I reckon that list is pretty arbitrary. I wouldn't stay in Opua as there is nothing around, but I like not having to drive once I setlle in.
Two of my great Uncles names are recorded on the Kohukohu Gates of Remembrance. One of them is allegedly responsible for causing the fire that burned half the town down in the 1890's, but again I don't think as a town it has much to recommend.
@NTA 4-5 days you're really not going to see much. There's are scores of beautiful bays and beaches all up the east Coast, many with camping grounds but they are likely all already booked out - and do you really want to fly across the Ta$man to go to a beach?
Personally I think Paihia is a dump despite it's popularity. I'd be inclined to base myself in Doubtless Bay. Do a day trip to Cape Reinga (and Spirits Bay), go out on a boat from either Mangonui or Whangaroa. Spend one day driving up the East Coast and another back to Auckland by cutting through to Kohukohu - get the ferry to Rawene, check out the Hokianga and say g'day to Tanemahuta. If it's your sort of thing the Kauri Museum at Matakohe...
-
There are some great little galleries and workshops too https://nzjane.com/northland-art-galleries-workshops-and-exhibitions-worth-a-visit/
