Rosey834
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
Tranz Alpine Train
4.0/5
Rode all the way from Greymouth to Christchurch.
Great views for most of the trip (last bit into Christchurch is boring). Excellent views up to Arthurs Pass and then beyond. Some excellent photo opportunities wrecked by barriers erected on some bridges. They are no barriers on any of the other great train rides in NZ so why here? Shortly after the start of the most spectacular part of the journey I gave up my prize position in the viewing car to a young couple for some shots. My politeness and consideration was rewarded by them, and others, hogging the good positions. I tried to take some photos and ended up with great shots of hands, backs of heads. Moral is that if you get a good position don't be considerate like me, be selfish like others. This had not been an issue on the other train journeys I had. People had shared the best positions. With this train being so popular why not another viewing car?
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
Canterbury Museum
5.0/5
They had a display of paintings from the frontline.
Two really stirred the emotions. The first was a painting that could be almost anywhere in Afghanistan however, it was the artists notes that were of most importance. As he was painting this picture, an interpreter approached, pointed at a flag in the painting and said that his father was buried under that flag, killed by the Taliban. The second showed a soldier standing with his left hand on a large cross,his shoulders drooped. This was where his mate had died a number of years earlier. Go see it, its free.
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South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast ▷
Haast River Safari
4.5/5
Not the frantic ride like in Queenstown.
Bryan stopped a couple of times an talked about the local environment. Had some great views of the valley. Did three spins at the end.
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South Island ▷ Fiordland ▷ Milford Sound - Fiordland National Park ▷
Milford Sound Day Cruises
4.0/5
Fantastic scenery travelling to Milford Sound and on the cruise itself, even though there were not as many waterfall as expected.
Very crowded on the pier with both people and mosquitoes. Make sure to take some repellant. No problems was on boat. Most boats follow each other around the sound in a convoy-like set-up. Got the obligatory drenching under one of the waterfalls. Good fun and great views. Homer tunnel, on the road in, is amazing.
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
Christchurch Tramway
4.5/5
Great way to get around the city and see the sights.
We were on a coach tour that arrived in Christchurch on Boxing Day. There was yet another earth tremor during the night so trams were not running that day. However, they were running when we came back a few days later. Driver came down and spoke to passengers at the start of the ride.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
The Overlander Train
4.5/5
Did this journey as part of an escorted tour.
Did it in two parts. The first two hours are through some farmland, nothing outstanding. When we picked up the train a couple of days later at a sleepy town in the foot of the Alps, the train was crowded and there was a muck up with our seats. TranzScenics ticket system sems very antiquated and prone to errors. Fantastic views after National Parks stop then in to farmland. Then spectacular views into Cook Straits for the later part of the journey. The number of travellers had thinned out greatly. Staff throughout the journey were great. Train slowed at viaducts thereby allowing time for photos.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Darryl's Dinner Cruises
4.0/5
Darryl is a bit of a wag.
He is a very good host and like lots of other NZ host love to make comical remarks about us Aussies. Nothing too bad. A bit of a bunfight over the prawns and mussels which could be organised better. But the main meal was excellent. Recommend it
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Museum of New Zealand
5.0/5
Was on a coach tour which was in Wellington on Christmas Day.
Te Papa was the only thing open and we had about two hours to explore it. Well all of us wanted more time and wanted to comeback. Very interesting.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Te Puia Daytime Experience
4.5/5
Had a lovely time.
Guide, a Maori, was great, very informative.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Agrodome
4.0/5
A bit touristy.
However, the sheep show is entertaining. How they train those sheep amazed me. Sheep are not real smart. Host speaks very politely to the dog unlike most real sheep and cattle farmers.
Thanks for your review :)
Ashley Aitken
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Fullers Bay Of Islands
4.0/5
This was part of a bus tour.
Was rather wet and a bit windy when we arrived. Captain warned that the ride might be rough, that they had not been able to reach Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock in the morning. We didn't reach it either but unlike the am cruise we di see dolphins. However, I was on the wrong side of the boat to see the real show-off dolphin. This dolphin did all the tricks you see them doing at SeaWorld, so my wife told me.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Larnach Castle
4.5/5
Of course it's not a castle.
Its a grand manor house with mock battlements. The inside of the house is very ornate with incredible carved detail in the woodwork. There is more to Larnach Castle than the house. There is the ballroom which houses a cafe like no other cafe. There are the gardens and the incredible views from various places around the gardens. What a site to build a house on.
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North Island ▷ Wellington Region ▷ Wellington ▷
Interislander Ferry
4.0/5
Took ferry across on Christmas Day.
Smooth journey with great views as we approached the South Island. Took lots of photos.
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North Island ▷ Northland ▷ Paihia ▷
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
4.0/5
Great way to get some understanding of the history since Europeans settled in NZ.
Also great to get some understanding of the relationship between the settlers and the Maoris, then compare with what took place in Australia. Very pretty setting. Meeting House is a fantastic sight.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Lakeland Queen Cruises
4.0/5
Boat cruises back and forth on the lake not far out from shore.
Great view of Rotorua. Buffet breakfast is very good without being great. Staff very friendly and helpful. Weather was perfect. What a great way to start the day
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South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
Tranz Coastal Train
5.0/5
The views on this ride are different to those for other TranzScenic train rides.
For an Aussie, seeing ocean one side and snow-capped mountains the other side was hard to deal with. Many tunnels, some viaduct views and lots of chances to photograph seals sunning themselves on rocks along the shore. Great journey which will gain in popularity. Viewing car was large with not a lot of people in it. People were generous in sharing the photo opportunities. Train does hurtle along so take lots of photos in the hope that some good ones will turn out.
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Tamaki Maori Village
5.0/5
I was on a coach tour around NZ.
Like others, thought the hangi(feast) was OK. However, the rest was excellent. The meeting with the Maori warriors was great as was the walk through the village. When I posed for a photo with a warrior he took the time to look at my name badge and use my name when he spoke with me. At other activities, they did not even though I had my badge on every time. Sends very positive vibes. Show was also excellent. Ngata, the bus driver, was amazing. He will keep you on your toes and laughing. Boy, will he keep you on your toes. Whatever he is on, I want some of it!
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North Island ▷ Rotorua Region ▷ Rotorua ▷
Polynesian Spa
4.5/5
Aah, the knees and hips worked so much better after a couple of hours in the various pools, ranging from 38 deg (nice) to 42 deg ( a bit too hot for me).
Great facilities. Unfortunately my wife and I needed to go back after 4 days and we couldn't.
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South Island ▷ Queenstown Region ▷ Queenstown Township ▷
TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak High Country Farm
4.5/5
On New Year's Eve 2010, travelled by the steamship out to Walters Peak homestead as part of a bus tour.
Journey out was great with the weather really working in our favour, sunshine and little wind. The journey back was even better, as song book were given out so that we could singalong with a pianist on border. Great fun.
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South Island ▷ Coastal Otago ▷ Dunedin ▷
Taieri Gorge Railway
5.0/5
All I can say is WOW!!!!!!.
Absolutely great views in the gorge. When train climbed out of the gorge and travelled on the plateau, I felt like I was travelling along the top of the world. Thank goodness for digital cameras as I took about 150 photos. Would be even better experience with observation carriage. Train stops at great locations for photos. Photographers shared the photo opportunities whilst train was moving. Can't say that with the people on that other popular ride, TranzAlpine. Bunch of selfish people there. See my review for that ride.