Faremax: Travel Forums

I would vote for Wellington city which is very beautiful but alos has all the nightlife as well as the national museum, ballet, orchestra etc etc.  Also being at the base of the north island it is a great base of operations.  You can take the ferry down to fyordland and up to the hot pools and glow worm caves--and it is handing to great whale and wildlife spotting areas!

rattitude:

I would vote for Wellington city which is very beautiful but alos has all the nightlife as well as the national museum, ballet, orchestra etc etc.  Also being at the base of the north island it is a great base of operations.  You can take the ferry down to fyordland and up to the hot pools and glow worm caves--and it is handing to great whale and wildlife spotting areas!

If you have the nerve (and stomach!) for it, try the Sky Tower in Auckland.  It's a 600+ base-jump (not bungee) that lasts for about 15 seconds.  I'm sure I'd either faint or worse in those 15 seconds, but boy, for thrill seekers, that's the place.  Even if you don't want to jump, you can see for 50 miles in all directions from up there in the tower.  There are also some fabulous restaurants and casinos in that same area.

I would have to vote for Auckland, as it has everything.  Wellington City is in fact a great central location to operate from in NZ, however I think there might be more to do closer to Auckland.

Coda1108:

I would have to vote for Auckland, as it has everything.  Wellington City is in fact a great central location to operate from in NZ, however I think there might be more to do closer to Auckland.

Yes, there's certainly something for everyone to do in the city.  Would you do the Sky Tower

jump while you're there? 

When I was there last time, I went to the top of the sky tower, but there was no jump.  There was, however, a "Picture station" that let you have your picture taken AS IF you were on the end of a bungie.  I never got clear whether the entire "Sky Tower Jump" was a myth, told by anyone who has been there and had their picture taken to LOOK LIKE they jumped... OR... if it was just closed.

Coda1108:

When I was there last time, I went to the top of the sky tower, but there was no jump.  There was, however, a "Picture station" that let you have your picture taken AS IF you were on the end of a bungie.  I never got clear whether the entire "Sky Tower Jump" was a myth, told by anyone who has been there and had their picture taken to LOOK LIKE they jumped... OR... if it was just closed.

Well then, you'll just have to go back and find out!  This might help:

http://www.skyjump.co.nz/

http://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/skycity/index.cfm?5FB8E87E-50BA-1DC3-65EA-F9A4845CF393

 

Thanks for those links, Destiny!  Yes, I will have to go back now, won't I?
Actually, I do plan on returning to NZ one day.  Perhaps to live, though that wouldn't be for a number of years, and lots has to fall into place for it to be feasible.

I do look for any reason to go back.  A few months ago, my grandmother who lives in an assisted living facility had a theft in her room... A worker actually STOLE the change purses of several elderly residents (now that is LOW!!!)  Anyway, it was the change purse I'd brought her back from New Zealand... So I told her I'd have to go back just to get her a new one :)

Coda1108:

Thanks for those links, Destiny!  Yes, I will have to go back now, won't I?
Actually, I do plan on returning to NZ one day.  Perhaps to live, though that wouldn't be for a number of years, and lots has to fall into place for it to be feasible.

I do look for any reason to go back.  A few months ago, my grandmother who lives in an assisted living facility had a theft in her room... A worker actually STOLE the change purses of several elderly residents (now that is LOW!!!)  Anyway, it was the change purse I'd brought her back from New Zealand... So I told her I'd have to go back just to get her a new one :)

Yep, it's official, two reasons to go back now.  You really should buy those tickets. 

Wow, you're not kidding that's low...  I'm sorry to hear that your grandmother's change purse

was stolen.