Topic Wiki

Check out the New Zealand trip report from Fan of Dan

North Island Activities and Attractions
Auckland - boating, hiking, Sky Tower talk, Kosher, Chabad, Hilton & Crowne Plaza Hotels with points.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves - a unique New Zealand attraction.
Lake Taupo - great boating activities, bungee, and a nice Hilton.
Hobbit Movie Set Tour - if you are into that.
White Island - The only active volcano in NZ, has rave reviews.
Tauranga - Mount Maunganui Summit Track, nice beaches.
Tongariro National Park - the first one created in NZ.
Bay of Islands - Beautiful beaches, old town charm in Russell, and great hikes.


Fifth season of "Jet Lag the Game" filmed in New Zealand in 2023, includes visits to tens of attractions from the north tip to the south:
See all the episodes in the Jet Lag the Game thread
« Last edited by YitzyS on June 02, 2023, 05:59:34 PM »

Author Topic: New Zealand Master Thread  (Read 67983 times)

Offline Eli

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 1491
  • Total likes: 36
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Ir Hakodesh
  • Programs: Starwood Platinum, Priority Club Platinum, Fairmont Premier, Avis First, Star Alliance Gold, bmi Gold and A"A Lifetime Gold
New Zealand Master Thread
« on: July 11, 2010, 02:22:58 PM »
There was some bits and pieces of info on the Australia thread about NZ, but I figured it would be best to start a new thread. I will be travelling to Christchurch and will be there for 2 days.

Firstly, any Visa requirements for US or Canadian citizens?

Secondly, things to do in CHC for 2 days? What are the hotspots to go to? I've heard of Milford Sound...is it near Christchurch?

How about Shuls or Kosher restaurants?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks so much.
-Eli

Offline steve2

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2009
  • Posts: 2077
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: outside some Club
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2010, 03:06:34 PM »
 sorry we were in AKL so cant comment on CHC , but we didnt need aVisa and it was like arriving at TLV, gave the PP to them and they stamped it and off we went

 I once posted this link its very good for getting around although the prices are not to be relied on it will be more;  http://toandfromtheairport.com/

 its good for any Airport anywhere and is very good and concise of the different ways to/from the Airports

Offline Eli

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 1491
  • Total likes: 36
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Ir Hakodesh
  • Programs: Starwood Platinum, Priority Club Platinum, Fairmont Premier, Avis First, Star Alliance Gold, bmi Gold and A"A Lifetime Gold
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2010, 10:12:32 AM »
Damax, can you comment on the 2 day trips from Christchurch that you mentioned to me?
-Eli

Offline damaxer91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 3182
  • Total likes: 64
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2010, 06:24:21 AM »
Damax, can you comment on the 2 day trips from Christchurch that you mentioned to me?

http://www.railnewzealand.com/christchurchgreymouthtrain.html


Offline Eli

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 1491
  • Total likes: 36
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Ir Hakodesh
  • Programs: Starwood Platinum, Priority Club Platinum, Fairmont Premier, Avis First, Star Alliance Gold, bmi Gold and A"A Lifetime Gold
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2010, 03:05:01 PM »
http://www.railnewzealand.com/christchurchgreymouthtrain.html


Sorry D, this really looks boring. The videos on YT show only old people on the train. It's 4.5 hours each way and the "scenic" views are what I see when driving to the catskills.

Are you absolutely sure that this is a "must do"? Any other ideas?
-Eli

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #5 on: July 18, 2010, 12:40:01 AM »
How about bungee-jumping? NZ is supposed to be from the best of the world.

Offline Eli

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 1491
  • Total likes: 36
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Ir Hakodesh
  • Programs: Starwood Platinum, Priority Club Platinum, Fairmont Premier, Avis First, Star Alliance Gold, bmi Gold and A"A Lifetime Gold
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2010, 06:25:32 AM »
How about bungee-jumping? NZ is supposed to be from the best of the world.
I'm going with a wife, remember? But maybe I'll do it.

Right now I have a segway tour (I'm a HUGE fan of segways) and maybe a harbour cruise. It's gonna be cold...low 50's
-Eli

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #7 on: July 18, 2010, 07:08:09 AM »
I'm going with a wife, remember? But maybe I'll do it.
They say its a very bonding activity...

Offline damaxer91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2008
  • Posts: 3182
  • Total likes: 64
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #8 on: July 18, 2010, 07:58:15 AM »
I'm going with a wife, remember? But maybe I'll do it.

Right now I have a segway tour (I'm a HUGE fan of segways) and maybe a harbour cruise. It's gonna be cold...low 50's

You are going to NZ, the point is to get out of Christchurch and see the mountains, Fiords and rivers. I thought that the trans-alpine train was amazing, but each to his own. I think that riding around on a Segway can be done anywhere

Offline Eli

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 1491
  • Total likes: 36
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Ir Hakodesh
  • Programs: Starwood Platinum, Priority Club Platinum, Fairmont Premier, Avis First, Star Alliance Gold, bmi Gold and A"A Lifetime Gold
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #9 on: July 18, 2010, 09:32:14 AM »
The TAT is 4.5 hours each way, no? And you see the same thing on the way there that you see on the way back. Could you elaborate a drop more on just how "amazing" it is?
-Eli

Offline leibima

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 91
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #10 on: July 18, 2010, 12:38:49 PM »
Milford Sound is too far from Christchurch if you are only there for two days.

There is a place in Christchurch (I think very close to the airport) that is called the International Arctic Center. It was closed when I tried early in the morning and it cost more than $50 per person but you may find it interesting. Here is the link www.iceberg.co.nz. They have something called the Hagglund ride which is what they drive around with in the Arctic. They also have a penguin center and some other interesting things.

I think I posted this somewhere else but there are beautiful drives around Christchurch. The scenery is amazing. I personally did the drive from Christchurch to Franz Josef glaciers (a 6 hour ride). The whole ride was stunning but if you even drive the first two hours I think you will be amazed. You travel through Arthur's Pass National Park. Search Google Maps for the drive from Christchurch to Chesterfield. It's about three hours.

Good Luck!! I am really jealous. I would love to go back to New Zealand. Next time try staying longer, it is amazing how much there is to do/see

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67600
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2010, 07:05:29 PM »
Eli, any NZ info from your trip?
I'd love to hear more about stuff to do and kosher food info.
Any reason not to go to NZ in January?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #12 on: September 13, 2010, 07:22:46 PM »
Any reason not to go to NZ in January?
Availability can sometimes be an issue...

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67600
  • Total likes: 16912
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #13 on: September 13, 2010, 07:25:59 PM »
Availability can sometimes be an issue...
I found availability on an AA RTW in F that I'm considering...it is a ton of miles to drop though on 1 trip.
CLE-ORD-YYZ-HKG-AKL-MEL-CNS-SYD-HKG-JFK-CLE on AA, CX, and QF.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline aussiebochur

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2010
  • Posts: 5322
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 24
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #14 on: September 13, 2010, 07:48:44 PM »
I found availability on an AA RTW in F that I'm considering...it is a ton of miles to drop though on 1 trip.
CLE-ORD-YYZ-HKG-AKL-MEL-CNS-SYD-HKG-JFK-CLE on AA, CX, and QF.
Got do something with all those miles your racking up for your wife...is she 1MM yet?

Offline Afight4ever

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1220
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #15 on: July 17, 2011, 11:31:37 AM »
Does anyone know if the willington community is orthodox? Is the deli considrted a good hechsher and is the grey shul orthodox? Any must do activities in Auckland area for this month?

Offline Fan of Dan

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 3029
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #16 on: July 17, 2011, 01:16:42 PM »
When in chc why not go to mt cook it's not to far from chc only like two hours and change. Bungee jumping is best in quenstown but that's already another few hours further than mt cook.

Offline Afight4ever

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1220
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #17 on: July 18, 2011, 10:19:53 AM »
I will only be in Auckland and surrounding area

Offline Fan of Dan

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 3029
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #18 on: July 18, 2011, 01:28:47 PM »
Does anyone know if the willington community is orthodox? Is the deli considrted a good hechsher and is the grey shul orthodox? Any must do activities in Auckland area for this month?
I spoke to a rabbi in Sydney and he was pretty nervous about kosher food in nz. That said they have strict customs on bringing in food. When I go To nz i am putting food in dif places on my luggage.

Offline Afight4ever

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jan 2010
  • Posts: 1220
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #19 on: July 21, 2011, 09:40:34 AM »
They have a kosher restaurant but I am sure its going to be ecpensive.