2009 Term 3 School Holiday Ideas
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Qtownmum:
Sounds like an activity-packed one with the kids in mind!! Didn't remember Larnach castle was open for stay before. We were last there 5 and half yrs ago though.Thank you to all for the suggestions.
Our initial plans go like this :
We intend to stay mostly in self-contain units with kitchen (except for the night in the castle), use a rented car throughout (except for the train ride from Christchurch to Greymouth). We are just waiting for the pre-NATAS offers to buy our air tickets.....
Drive to Milford Sound is winding, so be careful.
Have a great trip! -
Yeah, you can say that again. Now that we are parents, whatever we do revolve around the kids.
Yes, Lanarch Castle is open for staying, we just book "The Rose Room" for NZ$ 360 per night. We know it is expensive but figured that if we stay in any other castles (like those in UK), it will cost even more! Besides, the boys will be so thrilled that they get to sleep in a CASTLE!
5 years is a long time ago, perhaps you can make another trip there and stay in Lanarch Castle this time… -
I was discouraged by a friend to bring my 6yrs old son for the glacier walk as it is said to be very challenging, even for an adult.
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Qtownmum
I just LOVE NZ's scenes. Can't stop talking about it
*NZ's full of scenic spots, you'll see brown signs everywhere along the road, lookouts, walks, etc. Try not to rush thru' to next destination and miss all the beautiful scenes on the way. (I learn from experience)
*If you're late to check into the pre-book accommodation, call them before hand to tell them you'll be there (buy a NZ sim card upon arriving), as i know some reception close early, just ring the door bell of owner's when arrived. (most are family-run business)
*You've plan a more relaxing pace for the beginning, with tighter schedule later, good for your boys to keep up with the new routine for the 2 weeks, but some places you might have to rush thru'. Bear in mind the boys might need to take afternoon naps which might deter the physical activities like walks. (It's mainly walks and walks to get the best view)
Day 1 - Fly to Christchurch, head to Akarao for short cruise
A Relax day
Day 2 - Drive to Hanmer Springs for a day in the hot spring pools
Relax at spa resort
- I want to go NZ again....
Day 3 - Drop off rented car and take the Alpine Express from Christchurch to Greymouth
Wow! Train, the kids will love the ride.
Day 4 - Explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes, Shantytown
Never been there, i guess about the same as Pancake Rocks up north at Cape Foulwind? (near Westport)
Day 5 - Drive to Fox Glacier and picnic in Lake Matheson
Your first actual drive in NZ, - expect stops. Our 1st time, very sua-ku, eyes poped out, especially seeing sheeps everywhere, haha.
You'll reach Franz Josef before Lake Matheson, i guess you'll just take a glimpse of FJ from the outside, i find this walk to the glacier mouth/cave more challenging and tougher than Fox. You'll walk on rough uneven pebble paths, with some streams running underneath, and very long way to reach the mouth.
Lake Matheson :
Chk my old pics, the sign at the entrance to it says:
Jetty Viewpoint 20min
View of Views 45min
Reflection Island 50min
(i think is one way walk time)
Lake Circuit 1hr30min return
Bring Insect Repellent!! Loads of it!
Day 6 - Helicopter ride to see the 2 glaciers and do the glacier face terminal walk
This is fun! Land on the Glacier and get to see some insides of the ice...it should be easier than the walk to see the glacier mouth, for kids.
Day 7 - Drive to Queenstown where we will spend the next 3 night, stopping at the lakes enroute
The drive from Fox to Q-town is great, with mountain, falls and lakes on the way.
A few must stop places to soak up the scenery & snapping shots-
Knights Point
Hast Pass
Fantail Falls (2min walk)
Cameron Flat
The Neck (where 2 Lakes Wanaka and Hawea meet)
You can consider doing a day trip to Lake Wanaka (or stay a night), canoeing on the lake, there's a Puzzling World nearby, great for kids, with maze, illusions and puzzles. http://www.puzzlingworld.co.nz/attractions.html
Explore nearby Arrowtown for some old town feels, and ice cream. (i bought some sheep skin there, cheaper)
Day 8 - Do a 4WD Lord of the Rings tour and Shotover Jet
Your family can try out the 4 wheeler ride from some farm operators, quite fun! We did it at Te Anau.
Day 9 - Steam train ride, gondola and luge rides
Relax day.
Day 10 - Drive to Te Anau and do the Milford Sound cruise and Glowworm cave tour
Twins' right, the drive's windy, take it slowly.
Day 11 - Drive to Invercargill, do a horse back riding in the bush and beach
Your kids are so lucky, so many new things to try.
Day 12 - Take the Catlin coast drive seeing all the blowholes and waterfalls along the way to Dunedin. Stay in Lanarch Castle for the nite
It's a very long drive with many stops to see, you might consider staying at Caitlins, or start Caitlins from Day 11, as there are quite a numbers of falls to see along the way.
Cathedral Cave -check at the tourist office beforehand on accessibility, it closes during high tide, there's advice on specific time to visit as gate closes before the tide comes in. Worth the walk! (We saw a seal on the beach there!)
Weather gets quite cold even during Summer, esp near the coast, bring thick jackets for kids.
Larnach Castle - no offence, i find it too commercialize, the castle's too modern unlike the European ones, you might consider a 'older' castle next time you bring them to Europe - just my opinion. I prefer Windsor in the UK than this one, for the interior and size.
btw, if you're staying in Larnach Lodge, it's built on castle ground, not in the castle itself.
Day 13 - Visit Cadbury factory in Dunedin before heading north to Oamaru and see penguins march in that nite.
Visit Baldwin st in Dunedine, world's steepest st!
The fairy penguins? They are cute! If you're lucky can spot some lost ones near Caitlin coasts. I think can't bring camera coz it'll disturb them, unless u shoot w/o flash secretly.
Day 14 - Drive back to Christchurch, passing through Lake Tekapo
ermm... have you miss out Mt Cook?
Day 15 - Last day - drive to Kaikoura for a whale watch cruise before flying back home
ermm... it's the season to catch the whale? Thot it's June/july?
OPPS! sorry for the lengthy post. Looking at the old pics bring me fond memories -
Thank you all for lot’s of good tips and comments.
My boys are 5 and 8, they can zzzz in the car when we are travelling between places. Only we adults tend to appreciate sights and views as we drive, don’t think the kids are that keen. That’s why we have to ensure that every stop is an exciting stop with new things to do or else we will start hearing complaints like "It’s so boring…"
Looking at the website for the Lanarch castle, I can imagine that it is not as grand or huge as some of those I have seen in England or Wales. The kids have not been to Europe like us adults have, so I figured this should be a good 1st time experience for them.
Thanks for all the warnings about Milford Sound, I have heard the same from the motel owner in Te Anau. So we are "chickening out" - we are going to park our car in the Te Anau motel and join the Real Journeys Coach which will take us to Milford Sound for the cruise. We thought better to leave the driving to the pro to sit back and enjoy the view (usually the driver cannot enjoy the view while driving). We have to pay a little more and kind of waste the car rental for that day but for the safety of all and a more relaxed time - why not?
Would you suggest that on Day 14, spend it in Mt Cook instead of driving straight back to Christchurch? How do we access Mt Cook? What are some of the activities that you would suggest?
As for whale watching - I have read in some guide books its Jun/Jul too but the tour company promises a 80% refund if no whale is sighted. Do you really think I should forego that? I was a little skeptical but DH wanted to do it. Its $$$$ too!
In replacement of whale watch, what do you suggest? I am just wondering if it is possible to go to Malborough and back to Christchurch in 1 day? Saw some nice pics on the guide book for that place! -
Qtownmum:
Qtownmum
As for whale watching - I have read in some guide books its Jun/Jul too but the tour company promises a 80% refund if no whale is sighted. Do you really think I should forego that? I was a little skeptical but DH wanted to do it. Its $$$$ too!
In replacement of whale watch, what do you suggest? I am just wondering if it is possible to go to Malborough and back to Christchurch in 1 day? Saw some nice pics on the guide book for that place!
Just to forewarn you that the whale watching cruise could be a little choppy, so do prepare your family about it. Eg, don't have too heavy a meal before the cruise otherwise it will all go overboard
Too ambitious to go to Malborough and back to Christchurch in a day. It will end up as a \"drive and drive and drive\" only, no time to \"stop and smell the roses\", if you know what I mean.
In my view, you should not plan to cover too much distance cos you end up spending more time in the car than appreciating the surrounds itself. -
Qtownmum:
depends on which whale you are planning to see....
As for whale watching - I have read in some guide books its Jun/Jul too but the tour company promises a 80% refund if no whale is sighted. Do you really think I should forego that? I was a little skeptical but DH wanted to do it. Its $$$$ too!
...
humpbacks only passes by there during their migration, but sperm whales are residents all year around. unlikely to see migrating blue whale as their numbers are too low these days. -
Can i k-poh abit and add some adjustment to your itinerary fr D8?
note*Remember to drop by the tourist info office (marked as 'i' sign along road) to pick up the local map for attractions and driving routes, very useful. Don't feel shy to ask any qns.
Day 8 - Do a 4WD Lord of the Rings tour and Shotover Jet
Shotover is fun! 4WD LOTR no comment, maybe too commercialized? can consider drop it and add luge to this day?
Day 9 - Steam train ride, gondola and luge rides
Suggest get up early, do the train ride, late afternoon drive to Te Anau (200km moderately windy road, with breaks in between, will take about 3 hrs at least? depends on the experience of the driver - presume only your hb?)
Stay at Te Anau, get up early for the Tour next morning.
(If drive the next morn from Q-town, very rush and might risk missing the Tour)
Day 10 - Drive to Te Anau and do the Milford Sound cruise and Glowworm cave tour
Next to the Te Anau lake, there're nice restaurants and water activities on lake.
Day 11 - Drive to Invercargill, do a horse back riding in the bush and beach
Another 200km drive.
Do the horse ride, then set off heading towards Catlins as the drive is inland, not much view too. Maybe 100+km then check in for the night.
This one seems interesting place to stay, chk out their website (ur kids can meet and feed the farm animals). About 150km non-straight road from Invercargill, which will take about 2-3hrs drive incl breaks.
http://www.catlins-nz.com/falls-backpackers/
So u might want to drop the horse activity in Invercargill and do this one instead, just my suggestion!
Other accom. in Caitlins
http://www.catlins-nz.com/accommodation.html
Remember to discipline yourself to wake up early, chop-chop and finish bf, pack n go. Last time we always set off after 10am and ended the days late, most of the time rushing to the next accommodation, missing some spots on the way.
Day 12 - Take the Catlin coast drive seeing all the blowholes and waterfalls along the way to Dunedin. Stay in Lanarch Castle for the nite
Spend you day at Catlins, take it slowly then drive to Otago Peninsula (LArnach) around 150km away.
I guess u'll chk in early for dinner and enjoy the room right?
Day 13 - Visit Cadbury factory in Dunedin before heading north to Oamaru and see penguins march in that nite.
It's 100km drive up north, you have enuff time to chk-in then go for the penguin parade. (need to purchase tics in advance? can buy fr tourist office at Dunedin i think?)
Day 14 - Drive back to Christchurch, passing through Lake Tekapo
Go google map - can gauge the distance. It's also important to assist ur hb if he's the only driver by being the navigator, tell him the distance fr chk point to chk piont (the major towns on map), so that he'll know how long more to next destination.
This is the roads fr Omaru-Mt Cook, then come back out to Christchurch.
http://www.postimage.org/
Distance to Mt Cook fr Omaru's around 250km, u'll reach Lake Pukaki 1st(200km fr Omaru). (can watch people catching salmon along the lake)
It's a pretty easy drive. The view in is spectacular, worth going, the mountain just appear in front of you after LAke Pukaki.
Stay a night at Mt Cook.
Day 15 - Last day - drive to Kaikoura for a whale watch cruise before flying back home
If you're willing to drop the whale watching then stay a night at Mt Cook. If not you really have to give Cook a miss.
BUT the drive back fr Mt Cook to Christchurch is round 300+km!! With some windy road after Lake Pukaki.
Lastly, most of the time you might have to pack snacks for lunch and picnic along the way. Buy a lot of fruits and bread to fill the stomach. We ever keep butter in the car, and it wont melt as the weather's cold enuff to keep it in shape! -
thebusybee:
Can i k-poh abit and add some adjustment to your itinerary fr D8?
note*Remember to drop by the tourist info office (marked as 'i' sign along road) to pick up the local map for attractions and driving routes, very useful. Don't feel shy to ask any qns.
Yeah, must be \"thick-skin\". My mum always says, \"the road is on your mouth\", all you have to do is ask.
Day 8 - Do a 4WD Lord of the Rings tour and Shotover Jet
Shotover is fun! 4WD LOTR no comment, maybe too commercialized? can consider drop it and add luge to this day?
4WD LOTR does seem a little commercialised. Our thoughts were to see the LOTR sight and get the 4WD feel. But can consider your suggestion and bring forward gondola and luge.
Day 9 - Steam train ride, gondola and luge rides
Suggest get up early, do the train ride, late afternoon drive to Te Anau (200km moderately windy road, with breaks in between, will take about 3 hrs at least? depends on the experience of the driver - presume only your hb?)
Stay at Te Anau, get up early for the Tour next morning.
In fact, this was exactly my concern when I plan the trip. Whether we are squeezing everything a little too much - kiasu lah, wanna do more within the little time we have...... But could risk \"not smelling the roses along the way!\"
Must seriously consider your suggestion.
(If drive the next morn from Q-town, very rush and might risk missing the Tour)
And it won't allow us time to get lost too!
Day 10 - Drive to Te Anau and do the Milford Sound cruise and Glowworm cave tour
Next to the Te Anau lake, there're nice restaurants and water activities on lake.
Is the Glowworm cave really worth visiting? We have seen \"ying huo cong\" before in Kota Kinnabalu. Aren't they the same? What else are there to see besides the glowworm in the caves?
Reason I am doubting this now is : Milford Sound Cruise trip gets us back to Te Anau at 6 pm and we have to gather again at 6:40pm for the 7 pm glowworm cave tour. Very rush....no time to have dinner!
Day 11 - Drive to Invercargill, do a horse back riding in the bush and beach
Another 200km drive.
Do the horse ride, then set off heading towards Catlins as the drive is inland, not much view too. Maybe 100+km then check in for the night.
This one seems interesting place to stay, chk out their website (ur kids can meet and feed the farm animals). About 150km non-straight road from Invercargill, which will take about 2-3hrs drive incl breaks.
http://www.catlins-nz.com/falls-backpackers/
So u might want to drop the horse activity in Invercargill and do this one instead, just my suggestion!
Do you mean to say that we leave Te Anau, drive to Invercargill (we wanna stop for photo at Stirling Point), skip the horse ride, drive another 150km in the afternoon to stay at this place you recommend and enjoy the animals?
Other accom. in Caitlins
http://www.catlins-nz.com/accommodation.html
Remember to discipline yourself to wake up early, chop-chop and finish bf, pack n go. Last time we always set off after 10am and ended the days late, most of the time rushing to the next accommodation, missing some spots on the way.
Day 12 - Take the Catlin coast drive seeing all the blowholes and waterfalls along the way to Dunedin. Stay in Lanarch Castle for the nite
Spend you day at Catlins, take it slowly then drive to Otago Peninsula (LArnach) around 150km away.
I guess u'll chk in early for dinner and enjoy the room right?
So, if we stay the nite in Catlins, then shorter drive to enjoy the coast on the next day, right?
Day 13 - Visit Cadbury factory in Dunedin before heading north to Oamaru and see penguins march in that nite.
It's 100km drive up north, you have enuff time to chk-in then go for the penguin parade. (need to purchase tics in advance? can buy fr tourist office at Dunedin i think?)
Day 14 - Drive back to Christchurch, passing through Lake Tekapo
Go google map - can gauge the distance. It's also important to assist ur hb if he's the only driver by being the navigator, tell him the distance fr chk point to chk piont (the major towns on map), so that he'll know how long more to next destination.
Yeah, he will be primary driver and I the secondary, need to give him a chance to enjoy too.
This is the roads fr Omaru-Mt Cook, then come back out to Christchurch.
http://www.postimage.org/
Distance to Mt Cook fr Omaru's around 250km, u'll reach Lake Pukaki 1st(200km fr Omaru). (can watch people catching salmon along the lake)
It's a pretty easy drive. The view in is spectacular, worth going, the mountain just appear in front of you after LAke Pukaki.
Stay a night at Mt Cook.
Day 15 - Last day - drive to Kaikoura for a whale watch cruise before flying back home
If you're willing to drop the whale watching then stay a night at Mt Cook. If not you really have to give Cook a miss.
BUT the drive back fr Mt Cook to Christchurch is round 300+km!! With some windy road after Lake Pukaki.
So, on Day 14, drive to Lake Pukaki, spend the day around Mt Cook and stay there for the nite and drive from Mt Cook to Christchurch on Day 15. What's there to do in Mt Cook?
Lastly, most of the time you might have to pack snacks for lunch and picnic along the way. Buy a lot of fruits and bread to fill the stomach. We ever keep butter in the car, and it wont melt as the weather's cold enuff to keep it in shape!
I expect to do a lot of picnic on this trip, cheaper too.... -
Qtownmum:
Day 10 - Drive to Te Anau and do the Milford Sound cruise and Glowworm cave tour
Next to the Te Anau lake, there're nice restaurants and water activities on lake.
Is the Glowworm cave really worth visiting? We have seen \"ying huo cong\" before in Kota Kinnabalu. Aren't they the same? What else are there to see besides the glowworm in the caves?
Reason I am doubting this now is : Milford Sound Cruise trip gets us back to Te Anau at 6 pm and we have to gather again at 6:40pm for the 7 pm glowworm cave tour. Very rush....no time to have dinner!
Ya, the kids might be tired by then, cruise can get a bit choppy and windy (Very Cold-must bring wind breaker & sweater, i remembered us shivering at the deck - no point stay inside the boat coz can spot dolphins, kids would love waving at other cruise ships passing by too!) ; then the windy journey back to Te Anau.... Give it a thought. It's a good time to enjoy nice dinner next to the lake......
Seriously, i think most glow worm caves should be the same, limestones and glowing worms in the dark caves....
Day 11 - Drive to Invercargill, do a horse back riding in the bush and beach
Another 200km drive.
Do the horse ride, then set off heading towards Catlins as the drive is inland, not much view too. Maybe 100+km then check in for the night.
This one seems interesting place to stay, chk out their website (ur kids can meet and feed the farm animals). About 150km non-straight road from Invercargill, which will take about 2-3hrs drive incl breaks.
http://www.catlins-nz.com/falls-backpackers/
So u might want to drop the horse activity in Invercargill and do this one instead, just my suggestion!
Do you mean to say that we leave Te Anau, drive to Invercargill (we wanna stop for photo at Stirling Point), skip the horse ride, drive another 150km in the afternoon to stay at this place you recommend and enjoy the animals?
I thot u're skipping the Bluff, then u probably just stop by Invercargill for lunch then head to Stirling Point (the most Southern tip of S. Island)
Guess u'll have to drop horseback riding...
Before that, check with that Backpacker place if still have vacancy (chk if they have horses to ride). I've not been there before but the environment looks good, especially driving on gravel farm road, smell of animal droppings and dirt..hee hee....And so close to the Purakaunui Falls
Other accom. in Caitlins
http://www.catlins-nz.com/accommodation.html
Remember to discipline yourself to wake up early, chop-chop and finish bf, pack n go. Last time we always set off after 10am and ended the days late, most of the time rushing to the next accommodation, missing some spots on the way.
Day 12 - Take the Catlin coast drive seeing all the blowholes and waterfalls along the way to Dunedin. Stay in Lanarch Castle for the nite
Spend you day at Catlins, take it slowly then drive to Otago Peninsula (LArnach) around 150km away.
I guess u'll chk in early for dinner and enjoy the room right?
So, if we stay the nite in Catlins, then shorter drive to enjoy the coast on the next day, right?
Yes, as mentioned before the Cathedral Caves' worth seeing (it's about 30km back South from where u coming from the day before if u decide to stay in The FAlls Backpacker). My 1st time there we made the mistake by booking the accommodation in advance, was rushing thru, knowing that missing all the nice spots, thats why we went back 2nd time, only came to realize need to pay entrance fees to see the Caves!
The cave's at the beach (kinda long walk fr the parking area)
http://www.postimage.org/
inside of the cave
http://www.postimage.org/
Day 13 - Visit Cadbury factory in Dunedin before heading north to Oamaru and see penguins march in that nite.
It's 100km drive up north, you have enuff time to chk-in then go for the penguin parade. (need to purchase tics in advance? can buy fr tourist office at Dunedin i think?)
Day 14 - Drive back to Christchurch, passing through Lake Tekapo
Go google map - can gauge the distance. It's also important to assist ur hb if he's the only driver by being the navigator, tell him the distance fr chk point to chk piont (the major towns on map), so that he'll know how long more to next destination.
Yeah, he will be primary driver and I the secondary, need to give him a chance to enjoy too.
Yea, straight road you drive, give him the windy parts!
I don't drive, lucky thing my hub loves driving. So i have to be a good navigator cum entertainer to prevent him fr zzz...
Distance to Mt Cook fr Omaru's around 250km, u'll reach Lake Pukaki 1st(200km fr Omaru). (can watch people catching salmon along the lake)
It's a pretty easy drive. The view in is spectacular, worth going, the mountain just appear in front of you after LAke Pukaki.
Stay a night at Mt Cook.
Day 15 - Last day - drive to Kaikoura for a whale watch cruise before flying back home
If you're willing to drop the whale watching then stay a night at Mt Cook. If not you really have to give Cook a miss.
BUT the drive back fr Mt Cook to Christchurch is round 300+km!! With some windy road after Lake Pukaki.
So, on Day 14, drive to Lake Pukaki, spend the day around Mt Cook and stay there for the nite and drive from Mt Cook to Christchurch on Day 15. What's there to do in Mt Cook?
I did the walk to see the Glaciers (Tasman i think) but tough for kids, there're other activities too, check out the NZ tourist site.
Lastly, most of the time you might have to pack snacks for lunch and picnic along the way. Buy a lot of fruits and bread to fill the stomach. We ever keep butter in the car, and it wont melt as the weather's cold enuff to keep it in shape!
I expect to do a lot of picnic on this trip, cheaper too....
the supermart's always the 1st stop to stock up necessities : food, food & food
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