New Zealand - South or North Island?

[MFLUDER]

Can anyone who has been to both or from the area gimme some advice?

Looking to go next month and hire a camper for ten days with my girlfriend.

Pretty keen to just drive around and see cool stuff and drink beers, not into skydiving or anything like that.

Any advice appreciated thanks dudes

[twitchflip]

hell yeah, new zealand is an amazing place. I recommend flying into christchurch, hiring a camper and heading south from there. drive to wanaka and explore around that area, its fucking amazing.. even if you're both not into skydiving and such, I still think checking out queenstown is a great idea. it has some great bars and restaurants, everybody is friendly and the place generally just has a great vibe. also, make sure you get a FergBurger, it was voted best burger in the world and they seriously are fucking incredible.
this time of year it will get fairly chilly so make sure you rug up. enjoy!

[Tracer]

It's a very small country, do both islands they're very different and unique in their own ways. Since you'll have your own ride the ferry ride down South is nothing. I only drove the South Island and it is incredible, barely any traffic and some of the greatest twisty scenic roadways unlike anywhere else. Skating wise the North Island has much better street spots and parks, downtown Aucks has loads of spots many completely untouched. Skate stoppers are prevalent but it's nothing like Australia or Vancouver

I flew into Auckland on a working holiday visa and wound up staying 10 months in Queenstown working security at the casino. Best time of my life no joke. Amazing people, great scenery, and a killer skatepark on the water to boot..  you can't go wrong on the South Island. Even the ferry ride over is cool, just park your camper in the park and you're good to go. You will have a blast man, enjoy it

[Bobby Peru]

I didn't go to the South Island at all, but Wellington is a beautiful city with a fun plaza by the water. The people are nice and relaxed but there is plenty of fun stuff to get into. The zoo, which was featured in Dead Alive is a lot of fun, as is the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarew, which is right by the skate plaza. It was definitely my favorite stop of the trip.

I also stayed at a hostel and went on a nature walk in Tongariro National Park. Beautiful walk near mountains and volcanoes. From what I understand, there are plenty of walks like these on each island.

Auckland is by far the biggest, and most American-ish city, but it's still cool. Lots to do and has hills comparable to SF.

[Tracer]

I didn't go to the South Island at all, but Wellington is a beautiful city with a fun plaza by the water. The people are nice and relaxed but there is plenty of fun stuff to get into. The zoo, which was featured in Dead Alive is a lot of fun, as is the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarew, which is right by the skate plaza. It was definitely my favorite stop of the trip.

I also stayed at a hostel and went on a nature walk in Tongariro National Park. Beautiful walk near mountains and volcanoes. From what I understand, there are plenty of walks like these on each island.

Auckland is by far the biggest, and most American-ish city, but it's still cool. Lots to do and has hills comparable to SF.

Te Papa is free which is a bonus. The Wellington park isn't a plaza, it's just a good skatepark. I got into the first fistfight of my life there and freactured my knuckle in 3 places, some local wasn't ok with me asking for 8.5 decks at the local shop.

Yea the doctors in the ER were eating pizza when I checked in, that's how you know they're a chill country. But don't ever get injured there haha

[MFLUDER]

Thanks for all the advice dudes It's really helped me out with the decision making huh.

How's to put a 7 meter camper on that ferry between Islands is honestly like a grand return for two people so I am going to just stick to the North Island.
It would be my first time driving one of those massive things and the idea of the south having black ice and being kinda remote with huge hills freaks me out for a first trip there. I am kinda psyched on the North as it seems pretty diverse and I really wanna see some volcanic activity and do some weird hiking.
My parents and friends have all said South as well as a few of you heads, but I think for a first time driving a camper I might just stick where its a little warmer and less remote. I can be a massive stresser and don't wanna spend the trip on the edge thinking im going to drive my girlfriend over a cliff.

When I book up my stuff at the end of the week I'll post back with more details.
I appreciate all the advice though, good dudes.

[Tracer]

Thanks for all the advice dudes It's really helped me out with the decision making huh.

How's to put a 7 meter camper on that ferry between Islands is honestly like a grand return for two people so I am going to just stick to the North Island.
It would be my first time driving one of those massive things and the idea of the south having black ice and being kinda remote with huge hills freaks me out for a first trip there. I am kinda psyched on the North as it seems pretty diverse and I really wanna see some volcanic activity and do some weird hiking.
My parents and friends have all said South as well as a few of you heads, but I think for a first time driving a camper I might just stick where its a little warmer and less remote. I can be a massive stresser and don't wanna spend the trip on the edge thinking im going to drive my girlfriend over a cliff.

When I book up my stuff at the end of the week I'll post back with more details.
I appreciate all the advice though, good dudes.

You will hate yourself for not going to the South Island, its fucking unreal

[MuchasGracias]

If you're coming to the north island I'd advise you to stay out of South Auckland, there's just a lot of negative people around there anywhere else you'll be fine. If your skating you might wanna check out the city there's a lot of plaza-ish spots and a lot of hills to bomb. There's also that park where Madars did that front feeble on that wall located in the city too. Lots of beautiful scenery but if you want the real deal your best bet is South Island.

[ChewyPoo]

Auckland is like the West Coast with alot of ego, I wouldnt go further North than Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin are both dope. Queenstown park is epic. Im bias as fuck though and just plain dont like Auckland.  Dunedin is my home, bricks, old spots a skateable Uni and Polytech, Downhill spots, Stair sets various sizes around the place, few ledge spots around, Schools most of the place is easy to access skating or walking, I like it here and hate it, just need to search for more spots or DIY some.

[GadNZ]

I'm from the South Island and Queenstown and Wanaka are a must. Christchurch was a cool little city but after the earthquake we had you might be stuck for things to do. But stop by if you are in the area. There are a couple of cool things to see from the rebuild of the earth quake such as the shipping container mall. Check out this project that they've got going on and I think is great - http://www.gapfiller.org.nz/ .

As for the North Island the Corromandel is beautiful .