Visiting South Island NZ

I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late Feb
early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?
what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?
what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?

We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy sightseeing
but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see, and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Thank you


Linda

"Linda Hardy" wrote in message
...
I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late
Feb early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?
what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?
what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?

Yes - from last Sunday September to last Sunday April.
You'll get sunrise and sunset times from www.weather.com. Select the places
you want to visit then click on averages, then the date where you'll be in a
particular place.

Your last question is virtually impossible to answer, weather varies
according to where you'll be and your altitude. You could be in a blizzard
on Mount Cook whilst others are roasting in Christchurch on the same day.
There are parts of the south island (west coast) which have amongst the
wettest weather in the world, others are in rain shadow by virtue being east
of the southern alps.

We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy sightseeing
but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see, and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Depends on your preferences on what you like to see. I wouldn't miss a trip
to Milford Sound, Queenstown is also located amongst stunning scenery.
Dunedin is also a favourite city.
Try sites like www.aa.co.nz and www.purenz.com

Regards

David Bennetts
Australia

Maybe you can help me with my planned trip to Tasmania!
I started in Christchurch and yes the Antarctic Centre is interesting.
Christchurch has some good lamb restaurants.
Very peaceful place.
I would arrange a farmstay if I were you. I stayed on one New Years 99/00
I went to the extreme south Invercargill and through the Catlins then to
Dunedin.
At Dunedin you can see the penguins. I did not stay in Mt Cook area but took
a flightseeing plane.
Very nice drive by Lake Tekapu. I stayed in Queenston and then drove to Te
Anau. If doing the Milford Sound do it from Te Anau. I actually preferred Te
Anau rather than Queenston.
Being from Western Canada- I felt at home in NZ.
If you have some time you can do the day trip train to Greysmouth.

Cheers

Ian

"Linda Hardy" wrote in message
...
I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late
Feb early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?
what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?
what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?

We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy sightseeing
but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see, and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Thank you


Linda

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:52:40 GMT, in message ,
Linda Hardy wrote:

I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late Feb
early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?

Yes. See http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.ns...ent&ExpandView

what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?

Sunset and sunrise times: http://www.rasnz.org.nz/SRSStimes.htm
It gets dark about 1/2 hour after sunset.

Where you are in the South Island will make a difference: in late Feb
Fiordland gets maybe half an hour more light in the evening than Marlborough.


what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?

Generally speaking, late February usually has good weather.
But NZ weather is anything but predictable from one year to the next.

For weather figures at different places in the South Island,
check out http://www.niwascience.co.nz/edu/res...mate/overview/


We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy sightseeing
but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see,

Everyone has different tastes, but some ideas
• Antarctic Centre (by Christchurch Airport) -- http://www.iceberg.co.nz/
• Albatross Colony (near Dunedin) -- http://www.albatross.org.nz/colony.htm
• Arrowtown (near Queenstown)
• Glaciers (Franz Josef and/or Fox)
• Shantytown (near Greymouth) -- http://www.shantytown.co.nz/


and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Check out http://www.hapnz.co.nz/index.php?page=key


Thank you


Linda


--
Cheers,
Ralph

"Linda Hardy" wrote in message
...
I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late
Feb early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?
At that time of year, yes.
what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
In the south island, you have a lingering twilight, and it is not full
dark till about 10 pm North island is dark by about 9.

and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?
You should have full daylight by about 5 30 or so
what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?
Weather can vary, you have a big mountain range running down the middle
of the south island. It can be stunningly hot, and dry or it could be
pouring rain and quite cold. Pays ya money and takes ya chances!

We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy sightseeing
but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see, and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Thank you


Linda
Not sure about camp sites, never used them. Places on my list of "to
see", without adventure activities:
Antarctic Centre, Christchurch, out by the airport.
Southern Alps, by train or car
Shanty Town, just south of Greymouth
Punakaiki "pancake rocks", just north of Greymouth
Queenstown for a day or 2 only, you'll do your dough there very quickly.
Dunedin, Larnach Castle. Also lots of nice pubs and restaurants there.
Kaikoura, whale watching
Blenheim, wine tasting, Airforce museum


Hope this helps
Cheers

. . wrote in message
...
On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:52:40 GMT, "Linda Hardy"
wrote:

I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late
Feb
early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?
what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?
what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?

We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy sightseeing
but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see, and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Thank you


Linda

Must-sees. Everyone has an opinion as to what a must-see is i.e. mine
would most likely be vastly different than someone elses!

Suggestions to peruse:
www.aaguide.co.nz

This has links to camping sites etc.

www.purenz.com


Something unique is the Antarctic Centre in Christchurch by the
airport. The closest to being in the Antarctic without going
there!

Cath

Hi Cath,

Thank you for the links, will take a look.

cheers

Linda

"David Bennetts" wrote in message
...

"Linda Hardy" wrote in message
...
I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late
Feb early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?
what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?
what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?

Yes - from last Sunday September to last Sunday April.
You'll get sunrise and sunset times from www.weather.com. Select the
places you want to visit then click on averages, then the date where
you'll be in a particular place.

Your last question is virtually impossible to answer, weather varies
according to where you'll be and your altitude. You could be in a
blizzard on Mount Cook whilst others are roasting in Christchurch on the
same day. There are parts of the south island (west coast) which have
amongst the wettest weather in the world, others are in rain shadow by
virtue being east of the southern alps.

We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy
sightseeing but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see, and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Depends on your preferences on what you like to see. I wouldn't miss a
trip to Milford Sound, Queenstown is also located amongst stunning
scenery. Dunedin is also a favourite city.
Try sites like www.aa.co.nz and www.purenz.com

Regards

David Bennetts
Australia

Hi David,

Thank you for your suggestions and the links to the websites, will take a
look.

cheers


Linda

"Cactus" wrote in message
newsixti.33707$fJ5.8896@pd7urf1no...
Maybe you can help me with my planned trip to Tasmania!
I started in Christchurch and yes the Antarctic Centre is interesting.
Christchurch has some good lamb restaurants.
Very peaceful place.
I would arrange a farmstay if I were you. I stayed on one New Years 99/00
I went to the extreme south Invercargill and through the Catlins then to
Dunedin.
At Dunedin you can see the penguins. I did not stay in Mt Cook area but
took a flightseeing plane.
Very nice drive by Lake Tekapu. I stayed in Queenston and then drove to Te
Anau. If doing the Milford Sound do it from Te Anau. I actually preferred
Te Anau rather than Queenston.
Being from Western Canada- I felt at home in NZ.
If you have some time you can do the day trip train to Greysmouth.

Cheers

Ian

Hi Ian,

Thank you for the tips, I have also visited British Columbia and Alberta in
Canada, absolutely stunning scenery, loved it.

cheers

Linda

"Ralph Fox" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:52:40 GMT, in message
,
Linda Hardy wrote:

I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late
Feb
early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?

Yes. See
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.ns...ent&ExpandView

what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?

Sunset and sunrise times: http://www.rasnz.org.nz/SRSStimes.htm
It gets dark about 1/2 hour after sunset.

Where you are in the South Island will make a difference: in late Feb
Fiordland gets maybe half an hour more light in the evening than
Marlborough.


what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?

Generally speaking, late February usually has good weather.
But NZ weather is anything but predictable from one year to the next.

For weather figures at different places in the South Island,
check out http://www.niwascience.co.nz/edu/res...mate/overview/


We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy
sightseeing
but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see,

Everyone has different tastes, but some ideas
• Antarctic Centre (by Christchurch Airport) -- http://www.iceberg.co.nz/
• Albatross Colony (near Dunedin) --
http://www.albatross.org.nz/colony.htm
• Arrowtown (near Queenstown)
• Glaciers (Franz Josef and/or Fox)
• Shantytown (near Greymouth) -- http://www.shantytown.co.nz/


and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Check out http://www.hapnz.co.nz/index.php?page=key


Thank you


Linda
--
Cheers,
Ralph

Hi Ralph,

Thank you for all the suggestions and website links.

cheers

Linda

"Tony in Oz" wrote in message
...

"Linda Hardy" wrote in message
...
I live in Tasmania, will be travelling to the South Island of NZ in late
Feb early March 2008 for 2 weeks, would like to know:

does NZ have daylight savings?
At that time of year, yes.
what time roughly does it get dark in the evenings?
In the south island, you have a lingering twilight, and it is not full
dark till about 10 pm North island is dark by about 9.

and what time roughly does it get daylight in the mornings?
You should have full daylight by about 5 30 or so
what is the weather like on the south island at this time of year?
Weather can vary, you have a big mountain range running down the middle
of the south island. It can be stunningly hot, and dry or it could be
pouring rain and quite cold. Pays ya money and takes ya chances!

We are a group of 3 people, aged in our 40's and 60's, travelling by
motorhome, flying to Christchurch, never been before, we enjoy
sightseeing but we're not into adventure activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what is definitely a must-see, and an
idea of costs of camp sites.

Thank you


Linda
Not sure about camp sites, never used them. Places on my list of "to
see", without adventure activities:
Antarctic Centre, Christchurch, out by the airport.
Southern Alps, by train or car
Shanty Town, just south of Greymouth
Punakaiki "pancake rocks", just north of Greymouth
Queenstown for a day or 2 only, you'll do your dough there very
quickly.
Dunedin, Larnach Castle. Also lots of nice pubs and restaurants there.
Kaikoura, whale watching
Blenheim, wine tasting, Airforce museum


Hope this helps
Cheers

Hi Tony,

Thank you for all the suggestions, I can't wait to go and see NZ.

cheers

Linda