stru_lgr

We are considering a trip to the Cooks and then on to New Zealand and are concerned about how cold it will be and with the lack of daylight will it be worth it. We are teachers and can only go in the summer. Which island should we concentrate on? We do not like to move around much so would like to pick one or two locations and only do day trips from there if possible. Therefore we are looking for the best lodging and location to do that from. Since it is there winter should we avoid the beaches? I am totally uneducated about the islands and just beginning my plans. Thanks in advance for any help.

ElendilPickle

On the bright side, airfare will be low.

What are your interests?

Lee Ann

ALF

The northern parts of the North Island will be cool, but not too cold. I think that the best comparison would be northern California in the wintertime. As you head further south, or to higher altitudes, it will get colder. The South Island would be like Washington State in the wintertime.

There is plenty to see and do on the north end of the North Island: Auckland and surrounds, Bay of Islands, Cape Reinga, Waitomo, Rotorua, Coromandel Peninsula. You could also venture a bit further south to Taupo and the snow-covered mountains south of Lake Taupo.

wilees

I think that you will need to move around a bit. While it is a small country places are spread apart. Instead maybe spend 4 nights in a few places.

Even though it will be winter I would still say wrap up warm and go south.

But one of my other favourite places in winter is the volcanic plateau in the central north island. With the volcanoes in snow on a clear day at sunset it is beautiful.

And in Rotorua you can warm up in all the thermal hot pools after a day of sight seeing.

Three places you could be based:
1. Rotorua
2. Queenstown (although this is in the mountains so may have snow
3. Christchurch - long day trips out to Kaikoura, Tekapo, Mt Cook

Also take note of the school holidays. If you travel outside of these times you may not even need to book and you could wing it.!!

kerikeri

i have been in july twice but only the north island. the days were bright and sunny and the sky did not get dark too early, actually.

in auckland and wellington there was a very cold arctic breeze- i wore a fleece coat all the time, but the weather was like autumn in new england.

as teachers you should not miss te papa museum in wellington. you could easily spend two full days there. wellington also has a botanical garden and near it a cute neighborhood of shops. you can also take a short ferry ride and see penguins in the water.

you sould also see rotorua and if you feel like it the northern "beach" towns of paia and....kerikeri! kerikeri has a lot of history and some buildings to visit.

have you consulted the new zealand tourism website? it is one of the best tourism websites on earth- with detailed links to accommodations, detailed driving routes with maps and suggested stops, lots of photos, just everything you need to really plan your trip.

you should definitely go and don;t let the weather be a deterrent.

if you like snow- it's a great time to visit the south island, too.

kerikeri

danp709

The Cook Islands will not be very warm either. Fiji or Samoa would be hotter. If you do go to the Cook Islands Aitutaki Island is lovely. Nicer than the mainland.

It is easy to do day trips from Auckland. Base yoursef in Ponsonby which is a fun place and do day trips to Rotorua, the west coast beaches where the Piano was made, the islands in Auckland harbor.