[lockstock]

Well, you know how it is. Lunchtime duty at school, pouring with rain, sitting at the computer checking the forum, then look at a few properties in assorted target areas, then google a few NZ flight sites...I've only gone and booked 10 days in NZ at the end of August! Have credit card-will make rash decisions:exit . The good thing is, I only booked myself. OH needs to look after house and animals so I'll tell him later. I can't decide what to do or where to go. I'm still in the 'make no plans until the visa is in your hands' mode - so suggestions please. Definitely on a budget - what must I not miss?:uhoh

[srivett]

:laugh I love those spontaneous travel decisions. They've always turned out, in my case anyway, to be the best ones I've made! I hope it's the same for you and OH is understanding about it all. Nicely done!

I assume you're visiting the North Island, or I'd recommend grabbing a rental car and doing LotR filming locations. We visited quite a lot of them practically by accident - Mt. Sunday and the locations around Queenstown were particularly impressive. But that depends on whether you're even a fan of the films.

North Island, our best tourist experience was blackwater rafting in the Waitomo Caves, but a little pricey. Seeing the caves the simpler walk-in fashion is less expensive and still amazing. Tongariro National Park was stunning, but not really the place to go if you're on your own. We were focusing on the nature-based, away-from-it-all aspects of NZ for that trip, so if you're interested in urban sites, I'm sure someone else will be able to give you better suggestions :) Town-wise, I liked Tauranga a lot. We ate at a great Turkish restaurant on the boardwalk.

Good luck and I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[granger]

Talk about impulse buying!!!

Definitely on a budget - what must I not miss?:uhoh

Just to narrow things down a bit, have you been to New Zealand before, or will this be your first visit? Will you be primarily scouting for somewhere to live when you come here permanently, or looking for jobs, or will it be more of a tourist thing?

[skibumwa]

My advice, is to NOT book a flight with cancelational/change fees until you have the A-OK from your visa officer that your visa (completed paperwork) on it's way to you via a courier. (i.e. Fedex).

I got over-happy when I got my job offer, I booked a flight for 5-6 weeks out to allow for my visa to be processed, but at the time of my flight date my visa was (still is now) still in process. That was 4.5 weeks ago & I am still waiting on NZIS to do their thing... That mistake cost me $300 USD in refund fees I forfeited to Quantas Airlines.

Unless you are rich, I'd wait until you know for sure that you visa or PR stamp (on your passport) will be in your hand. That $300 hit my (credit card) wallet hard... :wah

Best of luck! :)

John

[lockstock]

A couple of answers here. I haven't been to NZ before but we're about to submit our ITA. We have a vague idea where we'd like to settle i.e.North Island - but haven't ruled out South (how vague is that?) I haven't had a job offer yet but Feb 2008 teaching posts are only just beginning to be advertised. It's only a 10 day visit so I'll be coming back. I'm not sure what i'll focus on - probably just familiarising myself with the area and doing a couple of touristy things.
OH is now aware of the Barmy Army massing in the hills and desperately wants to enlist in time for the Cricket tour 2008. One of my tasks is to locate Test Match grounds and then schools in the area.

All I know if that I can't wait!

[Ana&Steve]

Lucky you! Have fun on your trip!:) I'd say rent a car an do a circle of NI, and take it as it comes!:nice1
Ana

[Leccy-Lee]

Agree spontanous travel plans are awesome, i been away to several european trips for weekends that i only planned and bought on the friday morning beforehand! And i went to Florida for last Xmas and only decided i was going 10 days before. In fact me finally being here in NZ now was down to me sitting there drunk New Years Eve in Florida saying to my friend "god damn it i keep saying i am going to NZ to live, this year i am going to do it whatever!" and 6days later i booked the flights and here i be!

Regards 10days in North Island, well i certainly am no expert as only been here 22days so far! But for touristy things (if have car?) i loved the waitamo caves as somebody above said (we walked rather than raft, but will go back one day to raft) and they only 3hrs from auckland (ish). Mount Tarinaki was great to sightsee, and my personal favourite so far is this:
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/7899/doompy5.jpg

Which is of course Mount Ngauruhoe (LOTR Mt Doom) in Tongario Park, i loved that whole area, the vibe of the park and the Ski fields and Ski towns, Such as Okahune. I plan on going back up that way for a few days not too far off.

If its towns or urban life, i felt Auckland was too cosmipolitan and was happy to move on from there (apoligises to aucklanders but i felt that vibe). New Plymouth i really liked when i went out to West Coast, not sure its still there though after the terrible twisters :( But so far Wellington for me has a great vibe and seems to feel more friendly and relaxed.

Enjoy the trip,

[lockstock]

Thanks for all the input. I've hired a car and I'll just drive and go with the flow. Being on my own means I don't have to agree a plan with anyone and there's no-one to upset if I change my mind. I'll do some touristy things too, probably inspired by Sir Billy of Connolly (my hero) but I will have to draw the line on the naked bungy jumping. But then again, no-one knows me do they....?:D