Another New Zealand question

[goldengirlz]

Is Rotorua “worth it?”

I’m trying to decide between staying two more days in Christchurch (and environs) vs. spending those days in Rotorua. While Rotorua looks amazing, it’s also tempting to stay put and not feel like we’re on the move every other day. I had planned for two nights in Rotorua and a one-way car rental back to Auckland the day before our flight home, but maybe we should just fly straight from Christchurch to Auckland.

Traveling with a child FWIW.

[sunnysally]

I loved Rotorua but it depends on what you like to do. We went whitewater rafting, zorbing, walked around the city thermal park, went to a cultural show and the zoo, and visited Thermal Wonderland on our way to Tongariro. I enjoyed Christchurch but didn't find that much to do in unless you are using it as a base for day trips.

[steamboat185]

We skipped it. I’m sure it’s lovely, but we couldn’t do a lot of the more extreme stuff with kids and enjoyed spending more time near the coast.

I wouldn’t spend a ton of time in Christchurch either. We really liked the Dunedin peninsula and cave stream, which is about 90 minutes west of Christchurch.

[ribollita]

I didn’t find much of interest in Christchurch. We liked Kaikoura which is not too far.

[goldengirlz]

Thanks for weighing in. The plan right now is to definitely get outside Christchurch (Akaroa is on the list regardless.) But if we did Hammer Springs or Arthur’s Pass or something else nearby, would that be a decent substitute for Rotorua?

I’m trying to balance wanting to see all the things with not wanting to tax DD too much. She’ll be older this time, but on our last two-week trip last year, she was DONE by the end. She cried every night for the last three nights that she wanted to go home. Not that that should be the deciding factor because age and jet lag all played a role but ... you know.

[wise_rita]

Sorry I missed your itinerary. What else are you doing?

I assumed driving between the islands was an expensive PITA. At least that's what I determined 5 years ago when I visited (so stuck to south island only).

Traveling with kids isn't something I can even wrap my head around, but Christchurch isn't a must visit. Is there a reason why you're basing yourself there?

[ribollita]

Hanmer Springs was nothing special assuming you’ve been to hot springs before. I much preferred Kaikoura.

[goldengirlz]

Sept 12, 2019 7:06:48 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Sorry I missed your itinerary. What else are you doing?

I assumed driving between the islands was an expensive PITA. At least that's what I determined 5 years ago when I visited (so stuck to south island only).

Traveling with kids isn't something I can even wrap my head around, but Christchurch isn't a must visit. Is there a reason why you're basing yourself there?

We’re spending the first couple of days in Auckland, then the bulk of our time (five nights) in Queenstown and Milford Sound. Then, the plan was the head to Christchurch for a couple of days (my FIL raved about it) and then finally Rotorua.

We’re flying between Auckland and Queenstown and Queenstown and Christchurch.

[steamboat185]

Kaikoura is way better and more impressive than Akaroa. We spent time at each location on our last trip and while Akaroa was very nice it wasn’t as cool as Kaikoura.

[mrsjrd23]

The dolphin encounter we did in Kaikoura was one of the most amazing things of my life. Literally swimming in the ocean with HUNDREDS of wild dolphins just swimming around. I'd stay there - it's an awesome town, and do that excursion (though I don't know how old your DD is? It involves open ocean swimming)

[wise_rita]

Raving about Christchurch is so baffling!

I did the dolphin swimming in Kaikoura, too, but I don't think it'd be great for a little one. I was there in November (nearly summer) and the water was FREEZING. I really had to adjust to it. But it was the best thing I did in NZ, hands down.

[goldengirlz]

Sept 13, 2019 17:27:37 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Raving about Christchurch is so baffling!

I did the dolphin swimming in Kaikoura, too, but I don't think it'd be great for a little one. I was there in November (nearly summer) and the water was FREEZING. I really had to adjust to it. But it was the best thing I did in NZ, hands down.

I think he was there pre-earthquake. He found it very charming.

Anyway, we decided to cancel Rotorua in favor of fewer moving parts. Not sure what we’ll do instead yet but there are wineries nearby (about an hour away) so that’s always a possibility.

[wise_rita]

Sept 17, 2019 12:45:53 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

Sept 13, 2019 17:27:37 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Raving about Christchurch is so baffling!

I did the dolphin swimming in Kaikoura, too, but I don't think it'd be great for a little one. I was there in November (nearly summer) and the water was FREEZING. I really had to adjust to it. But it was the best thing I did in NZ, hands down.

I think he was there pre-earthquake. He found it very charming.

Anyway, we decided to cancel Rotorua in favor of fewer moving parts. Not sure what we’ll do instead yet but there are wineries nearby (about an hour away) so that’s always a possibility.

Ohh, in Marlborough region near Blenheim?

[goldengirlz]

Sept 17, 2019 15:59:38 GMT -5 wise_rita said:

Sept 17, 2019 12:45:53 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

I think he was there pre-earthquake. He found it very charming.

Anyway, we decided to cancel Rotorua in favor of fewer moving parts. Not sure what we’ll do instead yet but there are wineries nearby (about an hour away) so that’s always a possibility.

Ohh, in Marlborough region near Blenheim?

No, in the Waipara Valley. I know Marlborough is the most well known but we just like the experience.