What to do in NZ....

gg Posted: 2 September 2012, 4:20 PM   Me and my girlfriend (Fanni Gyurko 14th at WOC this year) are coming down to NZ North Island for 6 weeks in December/January, obviously taking part in the World Cup races (and probably some of the other orienteering going on), but we would really appreciate suggestions and advice on where to stay, where to train (orienteering/nice mountains etc) and what we should see and do while we are around. Thanks! Graham Gristwood (GB WOC/World Cup team)   Paul I Posted: 2 September 2012, 5:20 PM   Too much choice, depending on schedule and movements really. Here are a couple of web sites... Great Walks' also make great runs, although they are very popular in summer, however there are also plenty of others less travelled and just as good in National or Forest Parks. http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/great-walks/ For cycling there are plenty of easy 'trails' around the country as well as hardcore mountainbiking. http://www.nzcycletrail.com/ http://www.newzealand.com/int/national-parks/ I have too many favourites to list, hopefully someone can narrow it down for you. I suppose Central Otago in summer is not what you would expect in nz , so that would be worth a visit if you head to the Queenstown area at some point. Our family rode the scenic and easy 'Central Otago Rail Trail' Making sure you try to visit one of NZ's favourite orienteering maps at Naseby while you are there. Tramping/Trekking/hiking; there are tracks all over the place and all quite unique, good bases or areas would be Queenstown, Nelson and Nelson Lakes (another orienteering map). If you follow the orienteering events these are near to many other outdoor activities. Plenty of sights and sounds in and around Auckland, Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupo, National Park, and Wellington. Then there's the South Island! My best advice though is Don't bite off more than you can chew though as you'll spent too much time driving!!! Campervans are Easiest if you like that soert of thing but it's peak season prices. More of a budget would be cheap rental car and a tent. There are loads of 'Camp Grounds' around the place... http://www.holidayparks.co.nz/ http://www.top10.co.nz/ Cheaper Camping at basic DOC sites... http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/conservation-campsites-by-region/ Also Backpacker accom is usually very good. Hers a site with lots of travel help. http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/ I heard the Magic Bus is good. Hope it helps a bit but as you can see there is so much here it comes down to personal choice and maybe some brave Highly Recommended Favourites from other kiwis.   Dwayne Posted: 2 September 2012, 11:54 PM   Don't forget to check out the WC supporting events at the bottom of the World Cup page http://www.oceania2013.co.nz/events.html 4 preview races in auckland before new year http://www.aucklandorienteering.org.nz/pre-oceania2013/welcome/ The two iconic NZ races immediately afterwards - Sprint The Bay (Don't miss it) - http://www.sprintthebay.org/ Katoa Po (Night Relays) - http://www.cdorienteering.co.nz/ Then the South Island Champs at the end of January http://www.noc.org.nz/   thomasr Posted: 3 September 2012, 3:35 AM   Hi Graham, We are looking at trying to co-orindate some map access and training either side of the world cup. We will include advice about training locations for running in the mountains and some advice on places to stay/how to get around too. Watch this space, will get info up soon   onemanfanclub Posted: 4 September 2012, 6:22 AM   An "upgraded" version of DOC's Great Walks site: http://www.greatwalks.co.nz/ Most of these trips are probably at their busiest in January, maybe not so much in December (though that might not be the sort of pre-race workout you want!) FYI The Tongariro walkway and some of the connections to it has been closed recently due to volcanic activity, but they've already reopened the track as far as Red Crater (which would be enough to show you the most spectacular parts of the mountain) and unless the mountain burps again in the meantime I'd be confident it will all be open by Christmas   Michael Posted: 5 September 2012, 9:30 AM   I think that December (right up to Christmas) is a great time to visit. The locals have this strong habit of wanting to get things tidy at work before heading off on holiday. Yet the tourist facilities are all ready and the weather is generally good.   mcroxford Posted: 5 September 2012, 10:31 AM   I have to disagree. I've never known any part of New Zealand to have generally good weather leading up to Christmas.   rob.g Posted: 5 September 2012, 11:40 AM   I agree with Michael, and would say NZ is generally not very busy leading up to xmas which has a lot of plusses, and if you stay north the weather will generally be great.   gg Posted: 5 September 2012, 11:09 PM   Thanks everyone - keep it coming! Signed up for STB and plan to do the Auckland events too. We won't have time to go down to South Island this time - another year! How can we run Katoa Po relays - do we have to join a NZ club, or can we try and make up a team with other travellers? Thomasr - sounds great! How could we get hold of maps around Auckland? I heard it is great to the north west of the city by the coast.   mcroxford Posted: 5 September 2012, 11:16 PM   Good choices Graham. Paul has the best advice above. "My best advice though is Don't bite off more than you can chew though as you'll spent too much time driving!!!" NZ is at its best when you linger rather than rush.   mat-d Posted: 6 September 2012, 1:00 AM   Sounds good GG, pity you can't get down to the South Island, there's plenty to do around here! I'm heading up to the north too, so would be great to get in the forest with you at some point!   theoman Posted: 6 September 2012, 2:04 AM   Hi GG, Just contact me, mogd001@gmail.com, about any training in auckland. I have a gazillion odd trainings that we have done on some awesome maps! For Example; http://www.numberoneaucklanddoma.com/maps/show_map.php?user=Matt&map=462 Matt Ogden   Jenni Posted: 6 September 2012, 2:32 AM   I'm not sure if your plan was to spend the time O training or doing scenic exercise. If it's O training then listen to Matt and you'll get lots of good training. It won't be particularly scenic though. If you want to do see scenery then you should really run the Abel Tasman (beautiful forests and beaches) - most running tourists I speak to say it was their favourite thing they did in NZ - it is the South Island but from Wellington it's not too far - and the ferry trip is scenic (but a bit expensive with a car). North Islanders rave about the Coromandel but I have to say I was a bit disappointed when I went there because I had been assuming it was going to be nicer that the Abel Tasman area and it's pleasant but just not the Abel Tasman (It is very nice though and you get to dig your own hot pool on the beach). You absolutely should do the Tongarairo as Nic (the fanclub) describes as that's very special. (Of course the really best scenery is down in Fjordland but that would be a long drive away.)   Taupoite Posted: 6 September 2012, 12:45 PM   gg Katoa Po is having an 3 runners elite relay of Legs 5, 6 and 7. It is covered in an earlier thread. From Kinloch, there are great runs / rides (several bike hire places in Taupo) on the Great Lake cycle trails. They are used for offroad races.   gg Posted: 26 September 2012, 2:33 PM   Thanks guys! Campervan booked, guidebook purchased